Person Biography:
Tego Calderón was born in 1972 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He grew up in Río Grande and Carolina, areas with strong Afro-Caribbean influences. His parents exposed him to the music of salsa legend Ismael Rivera and Latin jazz.
Calderón explored various musical influences, becoming a skilled musician and vocalist. He attended the Escuela Libre de Música of Puerto Rico, where he studied percussion, composition, and lyrics.
In the late 1980s, Calderón moved to Miami, where he graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School. He was exposed to American hip-hop, particularly the California gangster rap group N.W.A. This had a significant impact on his musical development.
Returning to Puerto Rico, Calderón discovered Jamaican dance hall performers like Buju Banton, Super Cat, and Ninja Man. He also found inspiration in the emerging Reggaeton movement. Calderón created his own multicultural rap style, earning a reputation as a street poet with a fresh approach.
He credits fellow Puerto Rican hip-hop pioneer Vico C with inspiring him to rap in Spanish. Calderón's music career took off, and he became a new voice of the streets. He made appearances on Latin hip-hop compilations and released his debut album "El Abayarde" in 2002.
"El Abayarde" broke sales records in the Reggaeton genre, selling 50,000 copies on its first day. Calderón became an overnight Latin superstar and performed at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan. He also made history by becoming the first rap artist to perform at the National Day of Salsa celebration.
Calderón's subsequent performances, including a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, received critical acclaim. He has collaborated with artists like Fat Joe, Usher, and 50 Cent, and has been featured on various mix tapes and remixes.
Throughout his career, Calderón has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including Latin Grammy and Billboard Awards. He has also been praised for breaking cultural barriers and pushing the boundaries of Latin music.
Calderón's music is a unique blend of urban hip-hop and Caribbean rhythms, with poetic lyrics and rhythmic lines inspired by salsa and Luis Pales Matos. He is considered a consummate street poet and a true artist, known for his ability to create and repair music.
