Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz, known professionally as Rauw Alejandro, was born on January 10, 1993, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in Canóvanas and Carolina. Coming from a musical family, with his father, Raúl Ocasio, being a guitarist, and his mother, María Nelly Ruiz, a backing vocalist, Rauw was introduced to the sounds of Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Chris Brown from a young age. This diverse musical upbringing set the foundation for his eclectic style, which blends reggaetón, Latin R&B, urbano, trapetón, rhythmic pop, and ballads.
Rauw’s early life was spent moving between Puerto Rico and the mainland United States, living in Miami and New York City, where he was further influenced by R&B and dancehall genres. A talented dancer, Rauw participated in school talent shows and, after graduating high school, enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico. He pursued soccer passionately from the age of six until twenty, but a severe injury led him to abandon his athletic dreams. This shift propelled him into music, where he found solace and a new passion.
In 2014, Rauw began posting his music on SoundCloud, leading to the release of his debut mixtape, Punto de Equilibrio, in November 2016. His unique sound caught the attention of Duars Entertainment, with whom he signed in January 2017. His big break came in 2018 when he was selected by Sony Music Latin for “Los Próximos,” a project aimed at promoting new musical talents. This exposure led to collaborations with notable artists such as Kevin Roldán, Khea, Ozuna, Lunay, and Lyanno.
Rauw’s first single as a lead artist, “Toda,” featuring Alex Rose, was released in December 2017 and peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. The success of the “Toda” remix, which included Cazzu, Lenny Tavárez, and Lyanno, significantly boosted his popularity, with its music video surpassing a billion views on YouTube.
In 2019, Rauw released the hit single “Que le dé” with Nicky Jam and “Fantasías” with Farruko, which peaked at #12 on the US Hot Latin Songs chart. The remix of “Fantasías,” featuring Anuel AA, Lunay, and Natti Natasha, became hugely popular, garnering over 425 million views on YouTube and earning Rauw the Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Fusion/Performance in 2021.
Rauw Alejandro’s debut album, Afrodisíaco, released in November 2020, included successful singles such as “Enchule,” the “Elegí” remix, and “Reloj” featuring Anuel AA. This album earned him a nomination for Best Música Urbana Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. His follow-up album, Vice Versa, released in June 2021, featured the global hit “Todo de Ti,” which peaked at number two on Spotify’s Top Songs Global chart.
In addition to his solo work, Rauw has collaborated with high-profile artists. In July 2021, he teamed up with Jennifer Lopez for “Cambia el paso,” and in April 2022, he collaborated with Shakira on “Te Felicito.” The latter reached #1 on multiple Billboard Latin charts and amassed over 606 million views on YouTube, solidifying his presence in the international music scene.
Rauw Alejandro’s versatility and genre-blending style have distinguished him within the reggaetón and Latin music world. He cites influences from a range of artists, including Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee, Elvis Presley, and Ciara. Often referred to as the “King of Modern Reggaeton,” Rauw continues to push the boundaries of Latin music with his innovative approach and dedication to his craft. His dynamic performances and heartfelt lyrics resonate deeply with fans, ensuring his place as a leading figure in contemporary Latin music.
