shallipopi & rauw alejandro

Biography

Rauw Alejandro, born Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz on January 10, 1993, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a leading figure in contemporary Latin music, often associated with reggaeton, Latin R&B, urbano and Latin trap.[2][1] Raised between Canóvanas and Carolina, he initially pursued soccer before a setback and ensuing depression pushed him to focus seriously on music, uploading tracks to SoundCloud around 2014 and self-releasing his debut mixtape Punto de Equilibrio in 2016.[2] His career accelerated after signing with Duars Entertainment and joining Sony Music Latin’s emerging-artist project “Los Próximos,” which led to early collaborations and his breakout single “Toda” (2017) with Alex Rose, followed by a high-profile remix and a growing presence on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.[2]

From 2020 onward, Rauw consolidated his status as one of the central voices in urbano latino. His debut studio album Afrodisíaco (2020) and its follow-up Vice Versa (2021), featuring the global hit “Todo de Ti,” showcased his hybrid sound, blending reggaeton with melodic pop, R&B textures and ballads in a sleek, dance-forward aesthetic that distinguished him from more traditional reggaetoneros.[2][3] Subsequent projects, including Saturno, Playa Saturno and the roots-focused Cosa Nuestra, along with collaborations with major artists like Shakira, Ozuna, J Balvin, Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez, solidified a reputation Rolling Stone has described as “the greatest showman in Latin music,” with live shows compared to Broadway productions.[2][3] Drawing inspiration from artists such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee, Chris Brown, Ciara, Bruno Mars and Rihanna, he has become a key bridge between classic reggaeton and a more genre-fluid, global Latin pop, winning multiple Latin Grammy and Billboard Latin Music Awards while influencing the sound and staging of a new generation of urbano performers.[2][1][3]

"Shallipopi" refers to Nigerian artist Crown Uzama (not a joint project or alias of Rauw Alejandro), who has collaborated with him on the 2024 remix “Laho III,” blending Afrobeats with Latin urbano; there is no evidence they operate as a single act called “shallipopi & rauw alejandro.”[4] Rauw’s connection to Shallipopi thus far is limited to this cross-continental collaboration rather than a shared biographical or band identity.[4]

Fun Facts

• Before committing to music, Rauw Alejandro seriously pursued a career in soccer; leaving the sport led to a period of depression that directly pushed him toward releasing songs on SoundCloud in 2014.[2]
• His breakthrough single “Toda” began as a collaboration with Alex Rose, but it was the later remix with Cazzu, Lenny Tavárez and Lyanno that significantly amplified its impact and helped establish his name on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.[2]
• Rauw has cited an unusually broad list of inspirations for a reggaeton artist, ranging from Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson to Chris Brown, Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee, Bruno Mars, Ciara and Rihanna, reflecting his blend of R&B, pop and urbano.[2][1]
• Media outlets such as Rolling Stone have called him “the greatest showman in Latin music,” comparing his concerts to Broadway productions because of their choreography, staging and theatrical scale.[2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Michael Jackson - Major stylistic influence on Rauw Alejandro’s performance style, dance emphasis and pop-R&B sensibility. (General inspiration reflected across albums such as Afrodisíaco, Vice Versa and Saturno rather than direct collaborations.) [Cited as an influence in interviews and profiles throughout the 2010s–2020s.[2][1]]
• Daddy Yankee - Foundational reggaeton influence shaping Rauw’s urbano and reggaeton approach. (Influence heard broadly in his reggaeton catalog, including tracks like “Toda,” “Tattoo” and “Fantasías.”) [Named among his key inspirations in artist profiles during his rise in the late 2010s and early 2020s.[2][1]]
• Chris Brown - Influence on Rauw’s blend of R&B, pop and choreography-heavy performance. (Reflected in his smooth vocal phrasing and dance-oriented singles such as “Todo de Ti.”) [Acknowledged as an inspiration in discussions of his artistry in the 2020s.[2]]
• Ricky Martin - Influence as a Puerto Rican crossover pop icon, informing Rauw’s global Latin-pop ambitions. (General career model and stylistic reference rather than specific joint works.) [Frequently cited in profiles outlining his musical inspirations.[2]]

Key Collaborators

• Shallipopi - Cross-genre collaboration merging Nigerian Afrobeats with Rauw Alejandro’s Latin urbano/reggaeton sound. (“Laho III” remix, presented as a joint single by Shallipopi featuring Rauw Alejandro.) [Collaboration highlighted in coverage around the release of “Laho III” remix in 2024.[4]]
• Shakira - High-profile Latin pop collaboration that amplified Rauw’s global reach. (Single “Te Felicito” and its music video, where Rauw appears as co-lead artist.) [Released in 2022, becoming one of his most successful collaborations across Latin America and Europe.[2]]
• Jennifer Lopez - Pop collaboration positioning Rauw alongside established mainstream Latin-pop stars. (Single “Cambia el Paso” and its Miami-shot music video.) [Collaboration released in 2021.[2]]
• Bad Bunny - Collaborations within the urbano and Latin trap scene, reinforcing his status among top Latin stars. (Featured collaborations mentioned in profiles (e.g., joint tracks and remixes within the Latin urban sphere).) [Primarily late 2010s–early 2020s as his career expanded.[3]]
• J Balvin - Reggaeton and Latin urban collaborations that boosted visibility across broader markets. (Collaborative tracks such as “De cora” and other urbano releases.) [Around 2019–2021, during Rauw’s transition from rising act to major star.[3][5]]
• Ozuna - Key early collaborator in the Latin trap/reggaeton scene. (“Luz Apagá” with Ozuna, Lunay and Lyanno.) [2018, coinciding with his breakout period after “Toda.”[2]]
• Camilo - Collaboration that earned Rauw a Latin Grammy. (“Tattoo Remix,” which won the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Fusion/Performance.) [Released and awarded in 2021.[2]]

Artists Influenced

• Younger urbano and Latin R&B artists (general cohort) - Rauw Alejandro is frequently cited as part of a new wave redefining reggaeton and urbano with pop, R&B and elaborate live staging, influencing newer acts’ blend of genres and performance standards. (His albums Afrodisíaco, Vice Versa and Saturno, and the hit “Todo de Ti,” are often referenced as touchstones for this hybrid style.[2][3]) [Impact noted particularly from the early 2020s onward as his commercial and critical profile rose.[2][3]]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia