Tego Calderón
Tego Calderón is a Puerto Rican rapper and actor regarded as an important figure in the rise of reggaeton.
Origins
He began his musical career in 1996 and was championed by rapper Eddie Dee, who featured him on his 2000 album El Terrorista de la Lírica. International success came in 2003 with his debut album El Abayarde, which sold 300,000 copies worldwide and earned a Latin Grammy nomination.
The sound
While rooted in reggaeton, his music ranged widely — later albums like The Underdog/El Subestimado (2006) and El Abayarde Contraataca (2007) leaned more toward hip hop and African-influenced sounds.
Legacy
His importance to reggaeton led to his place on Eddie Dee's 12 Discípulos (2004), and his 2015 album El Que Sabe, Sabe won the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album.
Signature song
Pa' Que Retozen
"Pa' Que Retozen" is among his signature songs, an early track central to his reggaeton legacy.
Top songs
- 1
Pa' Que Retozen ★
El Abayarde · 2003
- 2
Guasa Guasa
El Enemy de Los Guasíbiri · 2004
- 3
Al Natural
El Enemy de Los Guasíbiri · 2004
- 4
Cosa Buena
El Enemy de Los Guasíbiri · 2004
- 5
Métele Sazón
Mas Flow, Vol. 1 · 2003