Via Wikimedia Commons
René Pérez Joglar (Residente)
b. 1978
Rapper, activist, and lead vocalist of Calle 13, known for politically charged music and social activism
René Pérez Joglar (born 1978), known as Residente, is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and activist who co-founded Calle 13 and became one of the most politically outspoken artists in Latin American music. With 31 Latin Grammy Awards — the most in history — he has used his platform to advocate for Puerto Rican independence, workers' rights, and social justice throughout Latin America.
With Calle 13, Residente produced music that blended reggaetón, rock, hip hop, and traditional Latin American genres with explicitly political lyrics addressing colonialism, inequality, and resistance. Songs like "Latinoamérica" (2011) became anthems of pan-Latin American solidarity.
During the 2019 protests that ousted Governor Rosselló, Residente was among the artists who galvanized public participation, performing at protests and using social media to mobilize. He released "Afilando los Cuchillos" with Bad Bunny and iLe during the protests.
Residente represents the continuation of the poet-revolutionary tradition in Puerto Rican culture — from Betances through Albizu Campos through Corretjer — now expressed through global popular music.