Mateo Palacios Corazzina, better known by his stage name Trueno, was born on March 25, 2002, in the neighborhood of La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Trueno’s journey into the world of music and rap began at a young age, deeply influenced by his family and the vibrant cultural landscape of Buenos Aires. His father, MC Peligro, a notable Uruguayan-born rapper recognized for winning multiple freestyle competitions, played a pivotal role in shaping Trueno’s musical path. Trueno’s paternal grandfather, Yamandú Palacios, was a respected Uruguayan singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his collaborations with artists such as Alfredo Zitarrosa, Joaquín Sabina, and Joan Manuel Serrat. These familial influences, combined with Trueno’s admiration for American rappers like Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg, significantly impacted his musical development.
Trueno’s passion for rap and freestyle became evident early on. At the age of 14, he won the ACDP Zoo Juniors tournament, marking the beginning of his competitive journey in freestyle rap. His skills continued to evolve, and in 2017, he emerged as the champion of the Crossing of Champions competition. Although he faced a setback in the 2018 FMS Argentina competition, where he finished last, Trueno’s resilience and dedication to his craft remained unwavering.
In 2019, Trueno’s career reached new heights when he won the national championship at Red Bull’s Batalla de los Gallos Argentina freestyle competition. His triumph in this prestigious event solidified his reputation as one of Argentina’s top freestyle rappers. Later that year, he secured the top position in the FMS Argentina competition, further establishing his dominance in the freestyle community.
Trueno’s transition from freestyle battles to recording artist was marked by the release of his debut album, Atrevido, on July 23, 2020, through NEUEN and distributed by Sony Music Latin. The album featured collaborations with prominent artists such as Alemán, Wos, Nicki Nicole, and Bizarrap. Atrevido was a commercial success, achieving 4x Platinum certification by the Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers (CAPIF). It also reached the Top 5 on Spain’s Top 100 Albums Chart, driven by streaming, downloads, and physical sales. The album’s standout single, “Mamichula,” a collaboration with Nicki Nicole and Bizarrap, topped the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 and Spain’s Top 100 songs chart. The song’s popularity extended globally, reaching #33 on Spotify’s Top 200 Daily Top Songs Global and #100 on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
Trueno’s fame continued to rise with his participation in the viral “BZRP Freestyle Sessions #6” in collaboration with Bizarrap. This freestyle session became a massive hit, amassing over 250 million views on YouTube and holding the record for the most-viewed freestyle video on the platform. Trueno’s dynamic performance and lyrical prowess in this session showcased his talent to a global audience.
In 2022, Trueno released his second studio album, Bien o Mal, which incorporated Latin American influences and further demonstrated his versatility as an artist. Throughout his career, Trueno has collaborated with various artists, including Planet Hemp, Nathy Peluso, Underdann, Bhavi, Halpe, Wos, XOVOX, C. Terrible, Shaolin Monkeys, El Alfa, Noriel, J Balvin, and Tiago PZK. These collaborations have allowed him to explore different musical styles and expand his artistic range.
At just 22 years old, Trueno has already made a significant impact on the Latin American music scene. His journey from a young freestyle champion to a celebrated recording artist highlights his enduring passion and commitment to his craft. Trueno’s ability to blend his cultural roots with modern hip-hop elements has solidified his place as a prominent figure in contemporary Latin hip-hop.