Calle 13 (band)

Calle 13

Company type	Music group
Industry	Music
Founded	2004
Founder	Residente, Visitante, iLe
Headquarters	Puerto Rico , Puerto Rico
Products	Music albums, singles

Calle 13 was a Puerto Rican alternative hip-hop group formed by stepbrothers Residente (lead singer and lyricist) and Visitante (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer), alongside their half-sister iLe who provided backing vocals.

After being discovered by Elias De Leon, Pérez and Cabra secured a contract with White Lion Records when they submitted a demo to A&R Director Carlos "Karly" Rosario. Their track "Querido FBI" drew significant attention within Puerto Rico. In 2005, Calle 13 launched their self-titled debut album, which included singles such as "Se Vale Tó-Tó" and "¡Atrévete-te-te!", reaching number 6 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. The follow-up album, Residente o Visitante (2007), blended various musical styles, topped the Top Latin Albums chart, broadened their influence across Latin America, and earned three Latin Grammy Awards. Their third release, Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo (2008), was honored as Album of the Year at the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards. Later albums include Entren Los Que Quieran (2010) and Multi Viral (2014).

Distinguished by their diverse instrumentation that diverges from conventional reggaeton, Calle 13’s lyrics frequently offer satirical insights and social critiques addressing Latin American themes. The founders’ advocacy for the Puerto Rican independence movement has generated debate. The band holds the record for the most Latin Grammy wins with twenty-one awards and has also received three Grammy Awards.

2004–2005: early years

Residente and Visitante became stepbrothers during childhood when Residente's mother married Visitante's father. Their family had strong ties to Puerto Rico’s artistic circles; Residente’s mother was an actress, while Visitante’s father had transitioned from musician to lawyer. They were raised in a relatively comfortable setting, describing their socioeconomic status as "too poor to be rich and too rich to be poor." Despite their parents’ separation, the stepbrothers maintained a close relationship. They chose the name Calle 13 after the street of their family residence within Trujillo Alto’s gated El Conquistador neighborhood.

Initially pursuing accounting studies, Residente later switched to multimedia design, which shaped his approach to songwriting. Visitante earned a degree in computer science while concentrating on music production. Residente built a reputation as a lyricist in Puerto Rico’s underground rap community, whereas Visitante performed with rock and Brazilian batucada ensemble Bayanga. After completing a Master of Fine Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design, Residente returned to Puerto Rico in 2004, where they began collaborating musically. Starting with demos for a website, they soon aimed for commercial release and sought a contract with White Lion Records, drawn by the label’s roster that included artists like Tego Calderón.

2005–2006: "Querido FBI" and Calle 13

During the mixing of their debut album, Filiberto Ojeda Ríos—leader of Puerto Rican revolutionary group Los Macheteros—was killed in an FBI operation.

In response, Residente composed a protest track about Ojeda and distributed it online through viral marketing on Indymedia Puerto Rico, an alternative news platform.

The song stirred public debate and attracted mainstream media coverage in Puerto Rico. Critics observed that it “redefined the relationship between a reggaeton artist and Puerto Rico.”

In 2005, Calle 13 gained prominence with singles "Se Vale Tó-Tó" and "Atrevete-te-te!", both featured on their debut album released on November 29, 2005.

Building on this momentum, Calle 13 collaborated with reggaetón artists such as Julio Voltio on "Ojalai" (also known as "Chulin Culin Chunfly")—a song co-written legally by Mexican comedian Roberto Gómez Bolaños—and worked with Three 6 Mafia on a remix. Their first album received widespread critical praise.

In 2006, they expanded their audience with tracks like "Japón" and "Suave," gaining airplay throughout Puerto Rico and U.S. urban radio stations. Their inaugural major concert took place on May 6, 2006, at San Juan’s José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum. They also toured Central and South America visiting countries including Venezuela, Guatemala, Chile, Honduras, and Colombia.

Calle 13 became an influential cultural symbol in Puerto Rico; satirical writer Fiquito Yunqué frequently referenced them in the pro-independence newspaper Claridad, often using their lyrics as column titles and introducing the band at live performances.

Even former Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá acknowledged listening to Calle 13 in December 2005 after his son introduced him to their music. Concerned about injuries caused by stray bullets during New Year's Eve celebrations in Puerto Rico, Acevedo invited the group to La Fortaleza to produce an anti-violence song.

The single "Ley De Gravedad" was released as part of a public service campaign against celebratory gunfire. Although some political observers criticized it as a publicity stunt amid controversy surrounding "Querido FBI," the campaign coincided with a drop in injuries—from twelve (including one fatality) the previous year to three—supported by efforts from multiple artists.

2007: Residente o Visitante

As Calle 13's popularity expanded, they collaborated with a diverse range of international artists, including Canadian singer Nelly Furtado and Spanish musician Alejandro Sanz. Their album includes contributions from Cuban hip hop group Orishas, Mexican band Café Tacuba, Argentine artist Vicentico (from Los Fabulosos Cadillacs), and Spanish rapper La Mala Rodríguez. On May 19, 2006, they performed their inaugural international concert in Panama City, attracting an audience of 5,000. That same year, Calle 13 appeared on MTV's My Block: Puerto Rico and served as the Artist Speaking Tr3s on MTV Tr3s between September and October.

On November 2, 2006, the group secured three Latin Grammys: Best New Artist; Best Urban Album; and Best Short Version Video for "Atrévete-te-te". Subsequently, they produced a music video with Julio Voltio for "Chulín Culín Chunfly", showcasing Residente in visually striking roles.

Their sophomore album, Residente o Visitante, was released on April 24, 2007. The recording sessions took place partly in Puerto Rico and during tours through Colombia, Argentina, and Venezuela. This album drew inspiration from their encounters with Latin America’s indigenous populations and communities of African descent. Visitante integrated new instruments acquired during their travels—such as the quijada, charango, and bombo legüero—most notably featured on the track "Lllegale a Mi Guarida".

Residente characterized this album as more somber and reflective compared to their debut. Its exploration of sexual and religious themes provoked controversy. The music video for the lead single "Tango del Pecado" was shot in February 2007.

In May 2007, Calle 13 performed at the Vive Latino festival where they encountered a hostile reception from some audience members. By July, they joined forces with Julio Voltio to protest police brutality in Puerto Rico through the track "Tributo a la Policía", which they distributed freely outside San Juan’s Police Headquarters.

On November 8, 2007, Calle 13 collaborated with Orishas to perform "Pa'l Norte" at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2007. The act featured the percussion and dance troupe Stomp alongside dancers symbolizing Latin American cultural heritage. This presentation emphasized the increasing influence of Latin Americans within the United States.

That evening, Calle 13 earned two Latin Grammys: Best Urban Music Album for Residente o Visitante and Best Urban Song for "Pal Norte". Additionally, they received nominations for Best Short Form Music Video and Album of the Year. Demonstrating support for traditional music, Calle 13 financed travel expenses and visas for Colombian folk ensemble Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto to attend the event in Las Vegas.

Their following tour across the Americas saw sold-out shows in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and included an appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in April 2008.

At the 2008 Viña del Mar International Song Festival, Calle 13 secured all three audience awards bestowed by the famously demanding crowd known as "El Monstruo". They also achieved a sold-out performance at Luna Park in Buenos Aires before concluding their tour at the 34th Annual Claridad Support Festival in San Juan on April 24, 2008, where Denise Quiñones joined them on stage.

2008–2010: Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo

In 2008, their track "Atrévete-te-te" was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV, broadcast on the fictional San Juan Sounds radio channel.

On October 9, 2008, Calle 13 became part of the "MTV Tr3s Pass Tour". While working on their third studio album, Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo, they emphasized social issues such as poverty and incorporated elements from cumbia villera and Eastern European musical traditions.

The album was officially released on October 21, 2008, accompanied by four singles that were launched weekly: "Que Lloren", "Electro Movimiento", "Fiesta de Locos", and "No Hay Nadie Como Tú" featuring Café Tacuba. On August 11, 2009, the group performed at Ecuador’s Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa during national festivities, sharing the stage with artists like León Gieco and political leaders including Rafael Correa and Hugo Chávez. At this event, Residente voiced his support for Puerto Rican independence.

Pérez made a cameo as a tattoo artist in the 2009 movie Old Dogs. On October 15, 2009, Calle 13 received the Premios MTV Latinoamérica award for Best Urban Artist; Pérez hosted the ceremony and sparked controversy by openly criticizing Puerto Rico’s governor Luis Fortuño, igniting public discussion.

Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo secured five Latin Grammy nominations in 2009 and won all of them—these included Album of the Year, Best Urban Album, Record of the Year, Best Alternative Song for "No Hay Nadie Como Tú" (with Café Tacuba), and Best Music Video (Short Format) for "La Perla" featuring Rubén Blades. The awards ceremony was held on November 5 in Las Vegas.

On March 23, 2010, Calle 13 held their inaugural concert in Cuba at José Martí Anti-Imperialist Plaza before an audience estimated between 500,000 and 900,000 people. Their performance featured major hits such as "No Hay Nadie Como Tú" and "Atrévete te-te". They were honored with the international Cubadisco award by the Cuban Music Institute. Plans to participate in Paz Sin Fronteras II were ultimately canceled due to visa complications.

They also created a documentary titled Sin Mapa, which documents their journey through South America and their engagement with indigenous cultures. This film was made available on iTunes and DVD starting July 28, 2010.

2010–2012: Entren Los Que Quieran

Calle 13 released their album Entren Los Que Quieran on November 22, 2010. The singles "Calma Pueblo" and "Vamo' a Portarnos Mal" were distributed through the iTunes Store. Visitante explained that the album title invites everyone to join in, continuing their exploration of varied musical styles. Collaborations included work with Omar Rodríguez-López from The Mars Volta, contributing a "Beastie Boys vibe" to "Calma Pueblo," alongside influences from Bollywood and South American rhythms. Their promotional tour in 2011 encompassed over 100 concerts across Latin America and Europe. Notably, they represented Puerto Rico at the inauguration of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and performed at the Viña del Mar Festival that year. Despite being the most celebrated act of the night, they declined awards beyond receiving a "Silver Torch," aiming to avoid disrupting the event. On November 19, 2011, they staged a concert in El Salvador where entry was granted through donations of rice and beans intended for flood relief efforts. Pérez also produced a remix of "El Hormiguero" for boxer Miguel Cotto, which was used during his December 3, 2011 title defense.

The music video for "Calma Pueblo" generated controversy due to its graphic and violent imagery; however, the band framed it as an allegory for personal liberation. At the 12th Latin Grammy Awards, the album led with nine wins including Album of the Year, Best Urban Music Album, Producer of the Year, as well as accolades for tracks like "Baile de los Pobres," "Vamo' a Portarnos Mal," and "Latinoamérica." Calle 13 became the most decorated artist/group in Latin Grammy history with a total of 19 awards, setting records for both Most Honored Album and Most Latin Grammys won in a single evening.

During a post-award press conference, Pérez addressed inquiries regarding alleged support for leftist political movements in Latin America by clarifying that Calle 13 refrains from endorsing any political leader to maintain its connection with grassroots audiences. On June 22, 2011, they performed at The Pachamama Peace Festival endorsing this initiative alongside eight Latin American embassies.

On December 22, 2011, Calle 13 was honored with the Medalla Ramón Emeterio Betances by Puerto Rico's Ateneo Puertorriqueño during celebrations of Puerto Rican Flag Day. Pérez received acclaim as the "Roberto Clemente of modern music," though he modestly described himself as merely a spokesperson for Puerto Rican people—considering this recognition among his most meaningful achievements.

2013–present: Multi Viral and hiatus

On November 13, 2013, Calle 13 unveiled the single and accompanying video for "Multi Viral", which featured appearances by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Palestinian vocalist Kamilya Jubran, and guitarist Tom Morello. The following month, the group announced the release of their album Multi Viral, followed by a Latin American tour that included stops in Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. This album was issued through their independent label El Abismo after concluding their contract with Sony Music Latin, signaling a move toward self-managed production.

The tour unofficially commenced with an unexpected free concert at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus in San Juan on February 25, 2014, drawing an estimated crowd of 50,000. The event featured political statements opposing tuition hikes and marked the live debut of "El Aguante." Despite differing political views with governor Alejandro García Padilla, Residente showed support for local youth during a later meeting at La Fortaleza.

During their May 2014 set at Vive Latino, a fan attempted to grab Residente’s microphone; security personnel quickly intervened, and although Residente threw a punch, it did not land. The duo later released footage depicting them celebrating together amicably after the incident.

Following the conclusion of the Multi_Viral world tour, both Residente and Visitante embarked on individual ventures. Residente launched his solo debut album Residente in March 2017. Visitante introduced "Trending Tropics," a collaborative project with Dominican artist Vicente García, in October 2018. While some outlets speculated that Calle 13 had disbanded at this point, Residente has consistently clarified that the group is merely on hiatus.

Musical style

Although frequently categorized as reggaeton, Calle 13 has consistently distanced themselves from this label. Residente acknowledged that reggaeton was employed on their first album mainly to gain initial exposure but emphasized that they hold no negative views toward the genre itself. Visitante, a trained musician, integrates a wide array of styles such as jazz, bossa nova, salsa, cumbia, tango, and electronica. Their Latin American tours often incorporate indigenous musical elements; however, several tracks retain the classic reggaeton "Dem Bow" rhythm, including "Tango del Pecado" and the "Suave" remix.

Residente prefers not to confine their sound to specific genres, describing it broadly as urban music. In discussions with Rueben Blades, he expressed skepticism about conventional hip hop and mainstream reggaeton, criticizing the latter for being diluted by pop influences. Calle 13 deliberately avoids strict adherence to reggaeton norms; only a small portion of songs on their first two albums employ reggaeton beats. Residente points out their eclectic influences—for example, blending Brazilian percussion with the melody from Amélie in "La Jirafa"—which reflects authentic political and cultural narratives.

The lyrical content crafted by Residente draws inspiration from artists like Vico C and Tego Calderón, steering clear of typical genre tropes such as aggressive tiradera tracks. His writing style is characterized by sarcasm, satire, parody, and provocative elements that have invited comparisons to Eminem. Critics highlight his wit and his avoidance of common reggaeton themes like machismo and misogyny. He frequently incorporates Puerto Rican slang along with Spanglish and makes extensive use of allegory. While initially focusing exclusively on Spanish lyrics, Residente intends to expand his use of English to connect with a broader audience.

His thematic range is wide-ranging, including references to pop culture icons such as Mickey Mouse, rappers like Redman, 2Pac, and 50 Cent, entertainers like Madonna, Puerto Rican singer Nydia Caro, wrestler Abdullah the Butcher, golfer Tiger Woods, as well as diss tracks aimed at personalities like Diddy and institutions such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Visitante’s musical influences are rooted in electronica, global folk traditions from Latin America, and Central European ensembles like Fanfare Ciocărlia and Emir Kusturica's The No Smoking Orchestra. His father’s musicianship exposed him early on to artists including the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, shaping his artistic development. During live performances, Visitante showcases his versatility by playing numerous instruments such as electric guitar, synthesizers, accordion, melodica, Puerto Rican cuatro, and theremin.

Members

Core recording artists

• Residente (René Pérez Joglar) – principal vocalist
• Visitante (Eduardo Cabra Martínez) – guitar, melodica, harmonica, piano, synthesizer, cuatro, accordion, keyboard, banjo, ukulele, violin, organ, theremin, kalimba and various additional instruments
• PG-13 (ILE (singer)) – supporting vocals

Live performance musicians

• Andrés Cruz – drums
• Héctor Barez – congas
• Arturo Verges – trombone
• Víctor Vázquez – saxophone
• Ismael Cancel – drums
• Jonathan González – bass guitar
• Jerry D Medina – trumpet
• Michael Santana – clarinet

Discography

• Calle 13 (2005)
• Residente o Visitante (2007)
• Los De Atrás Vienen Conmigo (2008)
• Entren Los Que Quieran (2010)
• Multi Viral (2014)

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

|- | || Residente o Visitante || Best Latin Urban Album || |- | || Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo || Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album || |- | || Entren Los Que Quieran || Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album || |- | || Multi Viral || Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album ||

Latin Grammy Awards

|- |rowspan="3"| 2006 || Calle 13 || Best New Artist || |- | Calle 13 || Best Urban Music Album || |- | "Atrévete-te-te" || Best Short Form Music Video || |- |rowspan="4"| 2007 || Residente o Visitante|| Album of the Year || |- | Residiente o Visitante|| Best Urban Music Album || |- | "Pa'l Norte" (feat Orishas) || Best Urban Song || |- | "Tango del Pecado" || Best Short Form Music Video || |- |rowspan="5"| 2009 || Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo|| Album of the Year || |- | Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo || Best Urban Music Album || |- | "No Hay Nadie Como Tu" (feat Café Tacuba) || Record of the Year || |- | "No Hay Nadie Como Tu" (feat Café Tacuba) || Best Alternative Song || |- | "La Perla" (feat Rubén Blades) || Best Short Form Music Video || |- |rowspan="9"| 2011 || Entren Los Que Quieran|| Album of the Year || |- | Entren Los Que Quieran || Best Urban Music Album || |- | "Latinoamérica" (feat Totó la Momposina, Susana Baca, Maria Rita) || Record of the Year || |- | "Latinoamérica" || Song of the Year || |- | "Calma Pueblo" || Best Alternative Song || |- | "Baile de los Pobres" (feat Rafa Arcaute) || Best Urban Song || |- | "Vamo' a Portarnos Mal" || Best Tropical Song || |- | Rafael Arcaute and Calle 13 || Producer of the Year || |- | "Calma Pueblo" || Best Short Form Music Video|| |- |rowspan="9"| 2014 || Multi Viral|| Album of the Year|| |- | Multi Viral|| Best Urban Music Album|| |- | "Respira el Momento"|| Record of the Year|| |- | "Ojos Color Sol" (feat Silvio Rodríguez)|| Song of the Year|| |- | "El Aguante"|| Best Alternative Song|| |- | "Adentro"|| Best Urban Song|| |- | "Cuando los Pies Besan el Piso"|| Best Urban Song|| |- | "Adentro"|| Best Urban Performance|| |- | "Adentro"|| Best Short Form Music Video|| |- |rowspan="2"| 2015 || "Ojos Color Sol" (feat Silvio Rodríguez) || Best Short Form Music Video|| |- |"Así de Grandes Son las Ideas"|| Best Short Form Music Video||

Billboard Latin Music Awards

|- |2007||Calle 13|| Best Reggaeton Album|| |- |2009||"No Hay Nadie Como Tu"|| Hot Latin Song of the Year Vocal Duet or Collaboration||

Lo Nuestro Awards

|- |2008||"Pa'l Norte"|| Video of the Year|| |- |2009||"Un Beso de Desayuno"|| Video of the Year|| |- |2010||"No Hay Nadie Como Tu"|| Collaboration of the Year||

Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica

|- |2006|| Calle 13|| Promising Artist|| |- |2007|| Calle 13|| Best Urban Artist|| |-

|2009|| Calle 13|| Best Urban Artist||

Instituto Cubano de la Música

|-

|2010|| Calle 13|| Premio Internacional Cubadiscom||

Ateneo Puertorriqueño

|-

|2011|| Calle 13|| Medalla Ramón Emeterio Betances||

See also

• Music of Puerto Rico
• Alternative-reggaeton

External links

• Official website of Calle 13
• Interview with Calle 13 by Rubén Blades
• Calle 13's journey to uncover authentic Latin America – Los Angeles Times
• Calle 13: Engaging with the People, Navigating Without a Guide