Residente

Residente
Residente in 2017
Born
René Pérez Joglar

(1978-02-23) February 23, 1978 (age 46)
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
Alma materSavannah College of Art and Design[1]
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • filmmaker
Years active2004–present
Spouse
(m. 2013; div. 2017)
Partners
Children1
Relatives
Musical career
Genres
LabelsSony Latin
Websiteresidente.com/en

René Pérez Joglar (born February 23, 1978), known professionally as Residente (often stylized as Resīdɛntə), is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter and filmmaker. He is best known as one of the founders of the alternative rap band Calle 13. Residente released five albums with Calle 13 before announcing his solo career in 2015. Residente released his debut solo album in 2017. He has won four Grammy Awards and 28 Latin Grammy Awardsmore than any other Latin artist. Residente has also delved into producing documentaries including Sin Mapa (2009) and Residente (2017) and has directed some of his own music videos.

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Residente developed an interest in art, music, and left-wing politics at an early age. He studied art at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, returning to Puerto Rico in 2003 to work on music with his step-brother, Visitante, with whom he formed Calle 13. Early in his career, his sarcastic and self-deprecating lyrical style garnered both praise and controversy. The group recorded five critically and commercially successful albums. His album Residente was inspired by a genealogical DNA test the artist took to learn about his background, and was recorded in various countries around the world featuring a wide range of international musical styles. He has since released the singles "Sexo" in 2018, "Bellacoso" (with Bad Bunny) in 2019, and "René" in 2020.

He has been recognized for his social contributions and serves as the face of campaigns for UNICEF and Amnesty International. He has consistently defended education in Latin America and the rights of indigenous peoples. In 2009 he criticized the governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño for laying off more than 30,000 public employees.[2] In November 2015, Residente received a recognition award in Barcelona at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates forum due to his commitment to social awareness and for promoting peace.[3]

  1. ^ Cala, Christina (March 23, 2017). "Residente Journeys Across The World — And Finds Himself Everywhere". NPR. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  2. ^ "Calle 13 wrong insulting Puerto Rico governor". Latino Music Cafe. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  3. ^ Cantor-Navas, Judy (November 18, 2015). "Calle 13's Rene Perez Receives Nobel Peace Summit Award". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 12, 2017.