Artist

DJ Playero

1990-present·San Juan

Pedro Gerardo Torruellas Brito got his name from a surf-apparel shop — he wore a different Playero T-shirt to every gig until the nickname stuck. He started on percussion at age six; his father was a musician, and he says it was "in the blood." Before reggaeton had a name, Playero was cutting freestyle mixtapes, DJing house, disco, hip-hop, and reggae at fiestas de marquesina and school dances, and recording in the living room of his own apartment with a Shure 58 microphone and a four-track Tascam.

The full story is in Reggaeton.

At a glance

Active
1990–present
From
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Records in the issues
2 (1994), 1 of them a Start here pick
Original label
Play Underground
Listening guide track
“DE CAROLINA”

Listen

In the Reggaeton listening guide: “DE CAROLINA”

Spotify

In the issues

  • Reggaeton
    Principal · 1985-2017 · Members

    Reggaeton is a genre from Panama City, Panama & San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1985–2017. Its principal artists include Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderón, DJ Playero and Ivy Queen. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 12 dated events.

Records