Artist

Tego Calderón

1996-present·Santurce

Tego Calderón came out of Santurce with a sound that refused to sit still — smooth, unhurried flows carrying messages of Black pride, built on fusions of salsa, hip-hop, and Afro-Caribbean rhythm at a moment when reggaeton was still dismissed by many as party filler. His 2002 debut, El Abayarde, sold over 75,000 units in its first week, the first time a solo hip-hop or reggaeton album had done that without major-label distribution.

The full story is in Reggaeton.

At a glance

Active
1996–present
From
Santurce, Puerto Rico
Records in the issues
2 (2002–2006), 1 of them a Start here pick
Listening guide track
“Metele Sazón”

Listen

In the Reggaeton listening guide: “Metele Sazón”

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