Paulo Londra is a stage name of Paulo Ezequiel Londra, born on April 12, 1998, is an Argentine rapper and singer who has made a significant impact on the Latin music scene. Known for his melodic flow and ability to blend rap with reggaeton and trap, Londra has topped charts across Argentina and Latin America. His rise to fame is rooted in his passion for freestyle rap, an interest sparked by watching Eminem’s iconic film 8 Mile. Inspired by the movie’s portrayal of rap battles, Paulo began honing his own skills by rapping in the streets and squares of his hometown, Córdoba, Argentina, where he would freestyle with friends, slowly creating a local following.
At just 14, Londra participated in his first freestyle competition, a tournament called Sin Escritura (“Without Writing”). Despite his initial challenges in the competitive rap battle scene—where aggressive bars typically dominated—he stood out with his more technical and melodic style. Londra’s approach differed from the confrontational tone of many rap battles, and while this may have put him at a disadvantage early on, it also distinguished him as an artist. Battling in freestyle competitions, particularly at El Quinto Escalón, an iconic Argentine rap contest, helped him overcome his natural shyness and gain experience. This period marked a formative phase in his development as a rapper, allowing him to carve out his distinct sound within Latin trap.
Paulo Londra’s professional career officially began in 2017 with the release of “Relax”, a song that showcased his unique take on urban music. Unlike many of his peers, Londra’s music avoids themes like violence and drugs, instead focusing on lighter, more introspective topics. This refreshing approach quickly gained attention, and his career skyrocketed with a string of successful singles. Among these, “Nena Maldición” featuring Lenny Tavarez, “Te Amo” with Piso 21, and “Cuando Te Besé” with Becky G became standout hits, with the latter reaching number 45 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and becoming the first-ever song to top the Billboard Argentina Hot 100.
In 2019, Londra’s influence expanded beyond Latin America when he collaborated with British superstar Ed Sheeran on the song “Nothing on You” from Sheeran’s No.6 Collaborations Project. This collaboration, which also featured British rapper Dave, showcased Londra’s global appeal. Later that year, he released the track “Party”, a collaboration with American rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie, further cementing his status as a versatile artist capable of blending various styles and genres.
Despite his meteoric rise, Londra’s career was halted in 2020 due to a legal dispute with his label, Big Ligas. Paulo publicly accused the label’s founders, Ovy on the Drums and Kristoman, of manipulating his contract and signing him to Warner Music without his consent. The conflict prevented Londra from releasing new music for an extended period, as he sought to resolve the legal issues and terminate his contract. Despite this setback, Londra remained a beloved figure in the Latin music community.
Paulo Londra’s discography includes two studio albums, Homerun (2019) and Back to the Game (2022), both of which showcase his evolution as an artist. His debut album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, marking a major milestone in his career. Through his innovative sound and refusal to conform to typical urban music tropes, Londra continues to be a trailblazer in Latin music, representing a new wave of artists blending rap, trap, and reggaeton in compelling ways.
