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{{Short description|Puerto Rican rapper}}
{{Infobox Musical artist
{{Family name hatnote|Calderón|Rosario|lang=Spanish}}
|Name = Tego Calderón
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
|Img = TegoCalderon.jpg
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
|Img_capt = Calderón performing in the [[Canary Islands]], September 2007
{{Infobox musical artist
|Background = solo_singer
| name = Tego Calderón
|Birth Name = Tegui Calderón Rosario
| image = TegoCalderon.jpg
|Also known as = Tego
| image_size =
|Born = {{Birth date and age|1972|2|2|mf=y}}
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
|Origin = [[Santurce, Puerto Rico , |Santurce]], [[Puerto Rico]]
| alt =
|Occupation(s) = Singer-Songwriter, Rapper, Actor
| caption = Calderón performing in the [[Canary Islands]], September 15, 2004
|Genre = [[Reggaeton]], [[Hip-Hop]], [[Latin rap|Latin Rap]], [[Mambo (music)|Mambo]], [[Salsa music|Salsa]], [[Reggae]] |
| background = solo_singer
|Years_active = 1998&ndash;present
| birth_name = Tegui Calderón Rosario
|Label = [[Jiggiri Records]] (2000–present)<br>[[Sony BMG]] (2001–2005)<br>[[Atlantic Records]] (2006–present)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|2|1|mf=y}}
|URL = [http://www.tegocalderon.com www.tegocalderon.com]
| birth_place = [[Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
| origin = [[Río Grande, Puerto Rico]]
| genre = {{Flatlist|
* [[Latin hip hop]]
* [[reggaeton]]
* [[alternative reggaeton]]
}}
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
* Rapper
* singer
* actor
}}
| instrument = {{Flatlist|
* [[Voice (music)|Vocals]]
* [[bongos]]
* [[timbales]]
* [[drums]]
}}
| years_active = 1996–present
| label = {{Hlist|[[White Lion Records|White Lion]]|[[Sony Music Latin|BMG U.S. Latin]]|[[Jiggiri Records|Jiggiri]]|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]|[[Warner Music Latina|Warner Latina]]|Siente|[[Universal Music Latin Entertainment|Universal Latino]]|Paz y Esperanza}}
| associated_acts = {{Flatlist|
* [[Don Omar]]
* [[Wisin & Yandel]]
* [[Eddie Dee]]
}}
| website = {{URL|tegocalderon.com}}
}}
}}


'''Tegui Calderón Rosario''' (born February 1, 1972) is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer and actor. He began his musical career in 1996 (as Tego Tec) and was supported by the famous Puerto Rican rapper [[Eddie Dee]], who invited him on his second studio album, ''El Terrorista de la Lírica'', released in 2000. Calderón reached international success in 2003 with his first album, ''[[El Abayarde]]'', which sold 300,000 copies worldwide and was nominated for a [[Latin Grammy Award]]. His importance in reggaeton music led him to participate in Eddie Dee's ''[[12 Discípulos]]'' album in 2004. He released three more studio albums between 2006 and 2015, varying in styles, focusing more in hip hop and African music rather than reggaeton in ''[[The Underdog/El Subestimado]]'' (2006) and ''[[El Abayarde Contraataca]]'' (2007). His fourth studio album, ''[[El Que Sabe, Sabe]]'', released in 2015, won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Music Album.
'''Tegui Calderón Rosario''' (born [[February 2]] [[1972]]) is a [[rapper]] born in [[Santurce, Puerto Rico|Santurce]], a subsection of [[San Juan]] Puerto Rico. He is better known to his fans around the world as '''Tego Calderón''', or by the nickname '''"El Abayarde"''', which refers to a ghetto on the island of Dominican Republic.<ref name="ABAYARDE">[http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html Latin Rap Interview - "Tego Calderón Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back"]</ref> In addition to [[rap music]], Tego has also made songs that are considered "pure" [[Reggae]], (e.g. "Chillin'" from the 2006 album [[The Underdog/El Subestimado]]). Tego believes that the roots of Reggaeton include Jamaican [[Dancehall]] Reggae and [[Hip Hop]] as well as [[Salsa]]. His album ''[[El Abayarde]]'' made him a major [[Latin]] star. Calderón has received awards for his work, including a Source Award from [[The Source Magazine]] for "International Artist of the Year" and a ''Tu Música'' award. He has also received nomination in several ceremonies, including the Latin Grammy, Billboard Award, ''Premios Lo Nuestro'' and ''Premios La Gente''.


Calderón's style is characterized by his social and political themes, with lyrics against corruption in the Puerto Rican government. His themes also include dancing, love, self-reflection and personal experiences.
== Biography ==
===Early life===
Moving at a young age from his native Puerto Rico to [[Miami, Florida]] where he attended high school, he was exposed to several different cultures, eventually studying percussion and working as a drummer in a rock band. The band would cover songs produced by artists including [[Ozzy Osborne]] and [[Led Zeppelin]].<ref name="Abayarde">[http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html Latin Rap Interview - "Tego Calderón Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back"]</ref> He has noted that both of his parents were fans of [[Ismael Rivera]], and that his father was also interested in jazz. Calderón he took influence from both genres and incorporated them into his music, including songs such as ''[[Minnie the Moocher]]'' in songs. He eventually developed a music style that combined elements of [[Salsa music|salsa]], [[plena]], [[dancehall]], and [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]], focusion on aspects of urban life in his lyrics.


His film career started in 2007 with his supporting role in ''[[Illegal Tender (film)|Illegal Tender]]''. In 2009 he had a lead role in a short film called ''[[Los Bandoleros (film)|Los Bandoleros]]'', which is part of ''[[Fast & Furious]]'' franchise, and the same year had a cameo appearance in the fourth installment of that franchise, ''[[Fast & Furious (2009 film)|Fast & Furious]]''. In 2011, he reprised his character in a supporting role in ''[[Fast Five]]'', alongside his colleague and friend [[Don Omar]].
===Musical career===
Calderón made several cameo appearances on other rapper's albums, eventually signing with label White Lion. In 2002, he published his first full-length album titled ''El Abayarde''. Despite the fact that Reggaeton was considered an underground genre, the album sold 50, 000 copies upon its release, setting a sales record for an urban music album. Three months after publishing ''El Abayarde'', Calderón organized his first concert, which took place at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan,Puerto Rico and sold out the venue. The following day he became the first rap artist to perform at the annual Puertorican ''Día Naciónal de la Salsa'' (National Day of Salsa) celebration.


== Early life ==
In August 2003, Calderón performed at the [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]]. Based on his show and performance ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted that he "made the best case for Reggaetón as music with room to grow" being a "forward-looking performer."<ref name="Bio"/> His second appearance at the venue was in October 2004, where he headlined an event titled ''Megatón 2004''. The concert sold out, with 20,000 in attendance, and a crowd comprised of mixed Latino and non Latino fans.<ref name="Bio"/> ''[[The Village Voice]]'' noted that the crowd was enthusiastic and danced while he performed.<ref name="Bio"/>
Calderón was born in [[Santurce, Puerto Rico]]. He is the son of Pilar Rosario Parrilla, a schoolteacher, and Esteban Calderón Ilarraza, a government worker for Puerto Rico's Department of Health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latinmusic.about.com/od/artists/p/PRO01TEGOC.htm|title=All About Reggaeton Music and Its Origins and Characteristics|access-date=May 2, 2011|archive-date=September 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907135957/http://latinmusic.about.com/od/artists/p/PRO01TEGOC.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Moving at a young age from his native Puerto Rico to [[Miami]], Florida, Calderón attended Miami Beach Senior High. Here he was exposed to several different cultures, eventually studying percussion and working as a drummer in a rock band. The band would cover songs produced by artists including [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and [[Led Zeppelin]].<ref name="Abayarde">{{Cite web |url=http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html |title=Latin Rap Interview – "Tego Calderón Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back" |access-date=August 26, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201747/http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has noted that both of his parents were fans of [[Ismael Rivera]], and that his father was also interested in jazz. He was influenced by both genres and incorporated them into his music, including songs such as "[[Minnie the Moocher]]". He eventually developed a music style that combined elements of [[Salsa music|salsa]], [[plena]], [[dancehall]], and [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]], focusing on aspects of urban life in his lyrics.<ref>Barrio305.com.(1987)</ref>


== Early musical career ==
Calderón's travels subsequently led him to Miami, which influenced him to incorporate [[dancehall]] elements into his musical style. In 2004, a new album titled ''[[El Enemy de los Guasíbiri]]'' was released. The album's production included a mix of several urban genres. Calderón claimed that he preferred the influence of these other genres due to his belief that Salsa had "become too corporate and too safe". Years after its release, Calderón stated that he had never approved the release of the Guasibiri album, which he claimed was more of a collection of old songs that should be left out of his [[discography]] as an unauthorized album.<ref name="UNDERDOGS">[http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview.html Latin Rap Interview - "Tego Calderon Represents for the Underdogs"]</ref> Following the release of this album, reggaeton gained more influence with several hip-hop producers in New York. Calderón continued working on several mixtapes, being featured in remixes of [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]]'s "Yeah," [[Fat Joe]]'s "[[Lean Back]]," [[N.O.R.E.]]'s "[[Oye Mi Canto]]" and [[Akon]]'s "[[I Wanna Love You]]".
Calderón's career began as a participant in Puerto Rican hip hop contests on television during the 1990s. He met [[Eddie Dee]] and DJ Adam who would become his main collaborators, but Calderón was rejected by most producers and deejays at the time. DJ Adam in an interview with Puerto Rican podcaster Chente Ydrach said that Calderón was going to be a part of the underground album DJ Adam's ''Mad Jam'', but Calderón's style was too eccentric and underdeveloped, so he was taken out of the final tracklist.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/masacote-con-chente-ydrach/id849375536?mt=2 |title=‎Chente Ydrach on Apple Podcasts |publisher=Itunes.apple.com |date= |accessdate=2022-04-12 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201074647/https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/masacote-con-chente-ydrach/id849375536?mt=2 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Calderón signed to Eddie Dee's label in 2000, collaborating with Dee on his first hit on Puerto Rican radio, the hip hop song "En Peligro de Extinción" from Dee's second album ''El Terrorista de la Lírica''.
===2005-present===
Calderón participated on the 2004 and 2005 editions of New York's Puerto Rican Day parade. During this timeframe he became the first Latin American artist to be included on New York's Power-105. Calderón's influence among Latin American youth was noted in a featured published by the Village Voice. The publication claimed that he had "almost single-handedly. .. steered his country’s dominant youth culture out of the island and Latino neighborhoods, and into the American stream of pop consciousness.”<ref name="Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticrecords.com/tegocalderon/| title=Tego Calderon - Bio| publisher=Atlantic Records| accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>


During 2001-2002, Calderón participated in over a dozen original compilations including gold and platinum albums such as [[Iván Joy|"Kilates"]], "Boricuas NY" volumes 1 and 2, [[Iván Joy|"The Majestic"]], "La Mision" volumes 2 and 3 and of course his first worldwide crossover hit 'Cosa Buena' from the [[White Lion Records|"Planet Reggae"]] production distributed by [[White Lion Records]] and Diamond Music. On top of that, he also was featured in the albums of [[Yaga y Mackie]] "[[Sonando Diferente]]" and Maestro's "The Movie" which further accelerated his buzz in the streets.
In the summer of 2005, Calderón signed a deal between Atlantic Records and his own independent label, Jiggiri Records, making him the first reggaeton artist to have a deal with a major record company.<ref name="LR">[http://www.latinrapper.com/news_june10c.html Latin Rap News - "Tego Calderon Signs Global Deal with Atlantic"]</ref>


Thanks to 'Cosa Buena' and it being one of the first reggaeton videos receiving major rotation on mainstream channels such as [[Telemundo]], in 2002, Calderón became a worldwide phenomenon before his debut album "[[El Abayarde]]" in November of that same year creating much hype for his debut. Despite only being available in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and parts of the United States due to [[White Lion Records]] (formerly known as Boricua Guerrero and now 100% under Elías de León's ownership) being an independent label at the time; Regardless, 'El Abayarde' became the first hip hop/reggaeton album by a solo artist to sell over 75,000 units in one week with no major label distribution. This success led to Calderón and White Lion signing a joint venture with [[Sony Music Latin]]. Calderón formed his own label in the process known as [[Jiggiri Records]] under the [[White Lion Records|White Lion]] banner and distributed by [[Sony Music Latin]]. Jiggiri Records would go on to sign and release multi-platinum albums from notable artists such as [[Zion & Lennox]], [[Voltio]] and John Eric. Calderón would go on to become one of the most successful touring acts in all of Latin music from 2003-2005, thus further legitimizing the genre now known as [[Reggaeton|reggaeton (once called 'underground')]].
In 2006, Calderón and both companies published ''[[The Underdog/El Subestimado]]''. He noted that the production includes influence from several Afro-Caribbean rhythms including Reggae, Salsa, Bomba and Rumba. This production featured the guests appearances of Buju Banton, [[Voltio]], Bataklán, [[Eddie Dee]], Luis Cabán, Yandel, Zion, Chyno Nyno, [[Don Omar]] and [[Oscar D'León]]. Several producers were involved in the album, including Cookee, Major League, Salaam Remi, Eric Figueroa, [[Luny Tunes]], [[DJ Nelson]], Danny Fornaris, DJ Nesty, Naldo, DJ Joe, DJ Fat and Echo & Diesel. At the presentation party for the album, Calderón explained that he no longer considers himself as a reggaeton artist because this subgenre of music has become too commercial.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_listening_party.html| title=Tego Calderon "Underdog" Atlantic Records Album Listening Party| author=Charlie Mena| publisher=LatinRapper.com| date=[[2006-06-29]]| accessdate=2008-06-03}}</ref> Noting that reggaeton is becoming too similar to pop music and that he does not let his children listen to it at home unless it is on the radio.


In August 2003, Calderón performed at the [[Madison Square Garden]] in New York City. Based on his show and performance, ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted that he "made the best case for Reggaetón as music with room to grow" being a "forward-looking performer."<ref name="Bio"/> His second appearance at the venue was in October 2004, where he headlined an event titled ''Megatón 2004''. The concert sold out, with 20,000 in attendance, a mixed crowd of Latino and non-Latino fans.
==Musical styles and themes==


Calderón's travels subsequently led him to Miami, where he incorporated [[dancehall]] elements into his musical style. In 2004, his album titled ''[[El Enemy de los Guasíbiri]]'' was released. The album's production included a mix of several urban genres. Calderón claimed that he preferred the influence of these other genres due to his belief that Salsa had "become too corporate and too safe". Years after its release, Calderón stated that he had never approved the release of the ''Guasibiri'' album, which he claimed was rather a collection of old songs and that it should be left out of his [[discography]] as an unauthorized album.<ref name="UNDERDOGS">{{Cite web |url=http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview.html |title=Latin Rap Interview – "Tego Calderón Represents for the Underdogs" |access-date=August 26, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201631/http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the release of this album, reggaeton gained more influence with several hip-hop producers in New York. Calderón continued working on several mixtapes, being featured in remixes of [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]]'s "Yeah", [[Fat Joe]]'s "[[Lean Back]]", [[N.O.R.E.]]'s "[[Oye Mi Canto]]" and [[Akon]]'s "[[I Wanna Love You (Akon song)|I Wanna Love You]]", [[50 Cent]]'s [[P.I.M.P]] remix and also Calderón featured [[Aventura (band)|Aventura]]'s "We Got the Crown".
Although Calderón is a [[reggaeton]] artist, he claims to like "all types of music".<ref> [http://latino963.lamusica.com/content_tego082707.html] Albert Perez. "Tego Calderón visits Latino 96.3" Accessed January 31, 2008. www.latino963.lamusica.com </ref> Evidence of this is seen both in his biography (he began his career in music in a metal band and attended a school for music as a drummer) as well as in his music, which incorporates "'several musical tendencies'", including sounds and rhythms from places like Africa, Colombia, and the Caribbean. He obtains the sound for his popular reggaeton music through "fusing an experimental reggaeton style strongly rooted in the working-class Caribbean aesthetics of classic salsa with a strong dose of hip-hop".<ref> [http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation/] Frances Negrón-Muntaner and Raquel Z. Rivera, "Reggaeton Nation" (17 December 2007) Accessed January 31, 2008. http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation </ref> On [[The Underdog/El Subestimado]], he collaborated with rap duo [[Anónimo consejo]] to create a song entitled "Son Dos Alas" which eventually was shortened to an interdule without Calderon.


== 2005–present ==
Calderón has also been praised for his lyrics, which are much more substantive and uplifting than the misogynist materialistic words that have come to define reggaeton as well as the majority of hip-hop music. Calderón has been described as "the reggaeton champion of an Afro-Caribbean working-class aesthetic" and is known for lyrics that are equal parts poetry and politics.<ref> [http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation/] Frances Negrón-Muntaner and Raquel Z. Rivera, "Reggaeton Nation" (17 December 2007) Accessed January 31, 2008. http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation </ref> A consistent link between all of his albums "are the social themes and the untouchable bravado that he usually transmits through his artistic outlook."<ref> [http://latino963.lamusica.com/content_tego082707.html] Albert Perez. "Tego Calderón visits Latino 96.3" Accessed January 31, 2008. www.latino963.lamusica.com </ref> According to Tony Touch, "Tego is someone who represents struggle, an underdog... He's more of an MC, a product of late-'80s hip-hop."<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0513,cepeda,62467,22.html Village Voice - Riddims by the Reggaeton]</ref>
[[File:TegoCalderon72.jpg|thumb|266x266px|Calderón at the Laredo Coliseum 2015]]
Calderón participated on the 2004 and 2005 editions of New York's Puerto Rican Day parade. During this timeframe he became the first Latin American artist to be included on New York's Power-105. Calderón's influence among Latin American youth was noted in a featured published by the Village Voice. The publication claimed that he had "almost single-handedly. .. steered his country's dominant youth culture out of the island and Latino neighborhoods, and into the American stream of pop consciousness.”<ref name="Bio">{{cite web| url=http://www.atlanticrecords.com/tegocalderon/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126170954/http://www.atlanticrecords.com/tegocalderon/| url-status=dead| archive-date=2005-11-26| title=Tego Calderón – Bio| publisher=Atlantic Records| access-date=2007-09-10}}</ref> Around this time Calderón still remained a fixture in popular Latin music thanks to international hit such as the Don Omar– led "Bandoleros" (notably included in ''[[The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift]]'' [[The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (soundtrack)|soundtrack]]) and "[[Los 12 Discípulos|Quítate Tú Pa Ponerme Yo]]" from Dee's ''[[12 Discípulos]]'' compilation album.


In mid-2005, Calderón signed a joint venture deal between [[Atlantic Records]] and his own independent label, Jiggiri Records, for the amount of a million dollars as reported in the Hip Hop/Reggaeton publications of the time.<ref name="LR">{{Cite web |url=http://www.latinrapper.com/news_june10c.html |title=Latin Rap News – "Tego Calderón Signs Global Deal with Atlantic" |access-date=June 28, 2006 |archive-date=June 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060612230541/http://www.latinrapper.com/news_june10c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, he released ''[[The Underdog/El Subestimado]]'', his second album, containing less reggaeton and more hip hop music. This album featured appearances by [[Buju Banton]], [[Voltio]], Bataklán, [[Eddie Dee]], Luis Cabán, [[Yandel]], [[Zion & Lennox|Zion]], Chyno Nyno, [[Don Omar]] and [[Oscar D'León]]. Several producers were involved in the album, including Cookee, Major League, Salaam Remi, Eric Figueroa, [[Luny Tunes]], [[DJ Nelson]], Danny Fornaris, [[Nesty (producer)|Nesty la Mente Maestra]], Naldo, [[Trébol Clan|DJ Joe]], DJ Fat, [[Echo (producer)|Echo]] and Diesel.
==Film and other career projects==
Calderón made his acting debut in the film "[[Illegal Tender (film)|Illegal Tender]]" produced by [[John Singleton]]. Calderon played the role of Choco, a Puerto Rican gangster whose character was written specifically for him by director [[Franc Reyes]].<ref name="TENDER">[http://www.latinrapper.com/reviews_illegal_tender.html Illegal Tender movie review]</ref><ref name="ABAYARDE">[http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html Latin Rap Interview - "Tego Calderón Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back"]</ref>


In 2023, Calderón released "La Receta" through Paz y Esperanza and [[Universal Music Latino]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Arroyo |first1=Juan J. |title=The Legend Is Back: Tego Calderón Drops Long-Awaited Track "La Receta" |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/tego-calderon-la-receta-song-1234725793/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429002240/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/tego-calderon-la-receta-song-1234725793/ |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |date=April 28, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Bethonie |title=Tego Calderón stages a comeback with "La Receta" |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/04/28/tego-calderon-reggaeton-new-song/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519041049/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/04/28/tego-calderon-reggaeton-new-song/ |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |date=April 28, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Calderón turned down roles in both "[[Feel the Noise]]" and "[[El Cantante]]" and instead chose to appear in Illegal Tender out of respect for its producer. After convincing John Singleton that he wanted to appear in a comedy, Calderón is slated to appear in an upcoming Singleton film which casts him as the coach of a baseball team.<ref name="ABAYARDE">[http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html Latin Rap Interview - "Tego Calderón Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back"]</ref>


== Musical styles and themes ==
Calderón traveled to [[Sierra Leone]] along with artists [[Raekwon]] and [[Paul Wall]] to film a [[VH1]] documentary about diamond mining entitled "Bling'd: Blood, Diamonds, and Hip-Hop." The documentary focused on the role of Hip Hop in the [[blood diamond]] trade, after the filming concluded Calderón publicly announced that he would no longer wear jewelry. His experience in Africa also changed his outlook on life, which influenced the recording of the track "Alegria", encouraging fans to not complain about life and recognize that there are other people with bigger problems in their lives.<ref name="ABAYARDE">[http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html Latin Rap Interview - "Tego Calderon Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back"]</ref>
Although Calderón is a [[reggaeton]] artist, he claims to like "all types of music".<ref name="latino963.lamusica.com">http://latino963.lamusica.com/content_tego082707.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429204156/https://www.lamusica.com/ |date=April 29, 2023 }} Albert Perez. "Tego Calderón visits Latino 96.3" Accessed January 31, 2008. www.latino963.lamusica.com</ref> Evidence of this is seen both in his biography (he began his career in music in a [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band and attended a school for music as a drummer) as well as in his music, which incorporates "'several musical tendencies'", including sounds and rhythms from places like Africa, Colombia, and the Caribbean. He obtains the sound for his popular reggaeton music through "fusing an experimental reggaeton style strongly rooted in the working-class Caribbean aesthetics of classic salsa with a strong dose of hip-hop".<ref name="news.nacla.org">{{cite web |url=http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-12-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221230347/http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation/ |archive-date=2007-12-21 }} Frances Negrón-Muntaner and Raquel Z. Rivera, "Reggaeton Nation" (17 December 2007) Accessed January 31, 2008. {{cite web |url=http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation |title=Welcome to nginx eaa1a9e1db47ffcca16305566a6efba4!185.15.56.1 |access-date=2008-02-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071020023620/http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation |archive-date=2007-10-20 }}</ref> On ''[[The Underdog/El Subestimado]]'', he collaborated with rap duo [[Anónimo Consejo]] to create a song entitled "Son Dos Alas" which eventually was shortened to an interlude without Calderón.


Calderón has also been praised for his lyrics, which are much more substantive and uplifting, expressing social consciousness. Calderón has been described as "the reggaeton champion of an Afro-Caribbean working-class aesthetic" and is known for lyrics that are equal parts poetry and politics.<ref name="news.nacla.org"/> A consistent link between all of his albums "are the social themes and the untouchable bravado that he usually transmits through his artistic outlook."<ref name="latino963.lamusica.com"/> According to [[Tony Touch]] (legendary hip hop dj and collaborator), "Tego is someone who represents struggle, an underdog... He's more of an MC, a product of late-'80s hip-hop."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0513,cepeda,62467,22.html |title=Village Voice – Riddims by the Reggaeton |access-date=December 6, 2007 |archive-date=November 23, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123134835/http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0513,cepeda,62467,22.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Calderon and Don Omar feature in "Fast and Furious". The fourth movie of "The Fast and The Furious" franchise.


== Film and other career projects ==
== Personal life ==
Calderón made his acting debut in the film ''[[Illegal Tender (film)|Illegal Tender]]'' produced by [[John Singleton]]. Calderón played the role of Choco, a Puerto Rican gangster whose character was written specifically for him by director [[Franc. Reyes]].<ref name="Abayarde"/><ref name="TENDER">{{Cite web |url=http://www.latinrapper.com/reviews_illegal_tender.html |title=Illegal Tender movie review |access-date=August 27, 2007 |archive-date=September 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916084148/http://www.latinrapper.com/reviews_illegal_tender.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
His father Esteban Calderón Ilarraza was a government worker for Puerto Rico's Department of Health. He died in May of 2004. His mother, Pilar Rosario Parrilla, is an elementary school teacher. Tego is married to Michelle Peterbauer and they have one son, Malcolm X, and a daughter named Ebony Nairobi. He has also talked about the need for Afro Latinos to be proud of their heritage.<ref name="ABAYARDE">[http://www.nypost.com/seven/02152007/tempo/black_pride_tempo_tego_calderon.htm?page=0 Black Pride<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


Calderón turned down roles in both ''[[Feel the Noise]]'' and "[[El Cantante]]" and instead chose to appear in Illegal Tender out of respect for its producer. After convincing John Singleton that he wanted to appear in a comedy, Calderón was slated to appear in an upcoming Singleton film which casts him as the coach of a baseball team.,<ref name="Abayarde"/> but the movie was never produced.
==Discography==


Calderón traveled to [[Sierra Leone]] along with artists [[Raekwon]] and [[Paul Wall]] to film a [[VH1]] documentary about diamond mining entitled "Bling'd: Blood, Diamonds, and Hip-Hop." The documentary focused on the role of Hip Hop in the [[blood diamond]] trade, after the filming concluded Calderón publicly announced that he would no longer wear jewelry. His experience in Africa also changed his outlook on life, which influenced the recording of the track "Alegria", encouraging fans to not complain about life and recognize that there are other people with bigger problems in their lives.<ref name="ABAYARDE">{{Cite web |url=http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html |title=Latin Rap Interview – "Tego Calderón Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back" |access-date=August 26, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201747/http://www.latinrapper.com/tego_calderon_interview2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Studio Albums===
* ''[[El Abayarde]]'' ([[2003]])
* ''[[The Underdog/El Subestimado]]'' ([[2006]])
* ''[[El Abayarde Contraataca]]'' ([[2007]])


Calderón and Don Omar are featured in ''[[Fast & Furious (2009 film)|Fast & Furious]]'', ''[[Fast Five]]'' and ''[[The Fate of the Furious]]'', the fourth, fifth and eighth installments of [[Fast & Furious|''The Fast and the Furious'' franchise]].<ref>[http://www.nypost.com/seven/02152007/tempo/black_pride_tempo_tego_calderon.htm?page=0 Black Pride] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915062536/http://www.nypost.com/seven/02152007/tempo/black_pride_tempo_tego_calderon.htm?page=0 |date=2008-09-15 }}</ref><ref name="Fast Five">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTtq9vc9-ro|title=Tego Calderón - Nuevo Album 2009|website=[[YouTube]]|date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316095420/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTtq9vc9-ro|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Compilation Albums===
* ''[[El Enemy de los Guasíbiri]]'' ([[2004]])


===Future Albums===
== Discography ==
{{Main|Tego Calderón discography}}
* ''[[Mr. T (album)]]'' ([[2009]])
; Studio albums
* ''[[El Abayarde]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Underdog/El Subestimado]]'' (2006)
* ''[[El Abayarde Contraataca]]'' (2007)
* ''[[El Que Sabe, Sabe]]'' (2015)


; Mixtapes
==Filmography==
* ''The Original Gallo Del País - O.G. El Mixtape'' (2012)
{| class="wikitable"

; Compilation albums
* ''[[El Enemy de los Guasíbiri]]'' (2004)

== Awards and nominations ==
;[[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Awards|American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Latin Music Awards]]

{{awards table}}
!Ref.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2004
|«Al Natural»
|Hip hop/Rap/Reggaeton Song of the Year
|{{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/latinawards/2004/complete-list-of-winners.aspx|title=12th Annual ASCAP Latin Awards: Complete List of Winners|publisher=[[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]]|date=March 11, 2004|access-date=July 30, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085417/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/latinawards/2004/complete-list-of-winners.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2009
|«Quitarte To'» <small>(featuring [[Jowell & Randy|Randy]])</small>
|Urban Song of the Year
|{{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/latinawards/2009/urban.aspx|title=17th Annual ASCAP Latin Awards: Urban Winners|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|date=March 3, 2009|access-date=July 30, 2016|archive-date=April 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405174155/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/latinawards/2009/urban.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}

;[[Grammy Awards]]

{{awards table}}
!Ref.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[49th Annual Grammy Awards|2007]]
|''[[The Underdog/El Subestimado]]''
|Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2006/music/news/49th-annual-grammy-nominations-list-part-2-1117955272/|title=49th annual Grammy nominations list — part 2|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 7, 2006|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122218/http://variety.com/2006/music/news/49th-annual-grammy-nominations-list-part-2-1117955272/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[50th Annual Grammy Awards|2008]]
|''[[El Abayarde Contraataca]]''
|Best Latin Urban Album
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/arts/06grammylist.html?ref=arts&_r=0|title=The Complete List of Grammy Nominees|work=[[New York Times]]|date=December 6, 2007|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510103459/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/arts/06grammylist.html?ref=arts&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

;[[Latin Grammy Awards]]

{{awards table}}
!Ref.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2003
|''[[El Abayarde]]''
|rowspan="2"|[[Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Music Album|Best Urban Music Album]]
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-23-et-latgramlist23-story.html|title=The nominees are ...|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 23, 2003|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=June 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618082314/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jul/23/entertainment/et-latgramlist23|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2008
|''El Abayarde Contraataca''
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandesestrellas.com/nominados-a-los-latin-grammy-2008/|title=Nominados a los Latin Grammy 2008|language=es|publisher=Qué!accessdate=May 5, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2016|archive-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604024313/http://www.grandesestrellas.com/nominados-a-los-latin-grammy-2008/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|«Ni Fu Ni Fa»
|[[Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Song|Best Urban Song]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2012
|"Calentura" <small>(with [[ChocQuibTown]] and Zully Murillo)</small>
|[[Latin Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.que.es/musica/201211151643-grammy-latinos-2012-lista-nominados-cont.html|title=Grammy Latinos 2012: Lista de nominados a los Premios|language=es|publisher=Qué!|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509031055/http://www.que.es/musica/201211151643-grammy-latinos-2012-lista-nominados-cont.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|''The Original Gallo del País''
|rowspan="2"|Best Urban Music Album
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2015
|''[[El Que Sabe, Sabe]]''
|{{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|<ref name="latingrammy2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.latingrammy.com/en/nominees|title=WINNERS 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards|publisher=[[Latin Grammy]]|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=September 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928110345/http://www.latingrammy.com/en/nominees|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|«Dando Break»
|Best Urban Song
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2023
|«La Receta»
|Best Reggaeton Performance
|{{won}}
|}

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year
! Year
! Title
! Title
! Role
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|-
|2007
| rowspan="2"| [[2007 in film|2007]]
| ''[[Illegal Tender (film)|Illegal Tender]]''
|''[[Illegal Tender (film)|Illegal Tender]]''
| Choco
|Choco
|Film Debut
|-
|-
|2007
| ''[[Bling]]''
|''Bling: A Planet Rock''
| Himself
|Himself
|Documentary film / DVD
|-
|2009
|''[[Fast & Furious (2009 film)|Fast & Furious]]''
|rowspan="4"|Tego Leo
|Cameo
|-
|2009
|''[[Los Bandoleros (film)|Los Bandoleros]]''
|Short film
|-
|2011 <!-- DO NOT ADD FURIOUS 7 AS HE ONLY APPEARS IN ARCHIVE FOOTAGE FROM FAST FIVE -->
|''[[Fast Five]]''
|Supporting Role
|-
|2017
|''[[The Fate of the Furious]]''
|Cameo
|-
|-
| [[2009 in film|2009]]
| ''[[Fast & Furious]]''
| Tego
|}
|}


==Video Game Appearences==
=== Video games ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Tego Calderon has appeared in Def Jam: Icon, where you can play as Tego, and his song, Mil Cosas, was on NBA Live 06.
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
|-
|2007
|''[[Def Jam Icon]]''
| Himself (voice)
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Fast & Furious: Showdown]]''
| Tego Leo (voice)
|}


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Tego Calderon}}
* {{es icon}} [http://www.tegocalderon.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/tegocalderon Official MySpace]
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.tegocalderon.com/ Official website]
* {{imdb|1578798}}
* {{IMDb name|1578798}}

* [http://www.billboardenespanol.com/musica/content_display/artistas/artista-destacado/e3ia0a20baccca40a59aaa7d2fbd8d0852c Tego Calderon, Artistas Destacado - Billboard En Español]
{{Tego Calderón}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Calderon, Tego}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calderon, Tego}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Puerto Ricans of African descent]]
[[Category:Latin Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican rappers]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican reggaeton musicians]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican musicians]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican musicians]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican reggaeton artists]]
[[Category:Singers from San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Reggaetón musicians]]
[[Category:Latin music songwriters]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican people of African descent]]

[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]]
[[de:Tego Calderón]]
[[Category:Warner Music Latina artists]]
[[es:Tego Calderón]]
[[Category:Universal Music Latino artists]]
[[fr:Tego Calderón]]
[[it:Tego Calderón]]
[[he:טגו קלדרון]]
[[ja:テゴ・カルデロン]]
[[pl:Tego Calderón]]
[[fi:Tego Calderón]]

Latest revision as of 23:48, 28 November 2024

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Calderón and the second or maternal family name is Rosario.

Tego Calderón
Calderón performing in the Canary Islands, September 15, 2004
Background information
Birth nameTegui Calderón Rosario
Born (1972-02-01) February 1, 1972 (age 52)
Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
OriginRío Grande, Puerto Rico
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • actor
Instruments
Years active1996–present
Labels
Websitetegocalderon.com

Tegui Calderón Rosario (born February 1, 1972) is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer and actor. He began his musical career in 1996 (as Tego Tec) and was supported by the famous Puerto Rican rapper Eddie Dee, who invited him on his second studio album, El Terrorista de la Lírica, released in 2000. Calderón reached international success in 2003 with his first album, El Abayarde, which sold 300,000 copies worldwide and was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award. His importance in reggaeton music led him to participate in Eddie Dee's 12 Discípulos album in 2004. He released three more studio albums between 2006 and 2015, varying in styles, focusing more in hip hop and African music rather than reggaeton in The Underdog/El Subestimado (2006) and El Abayarde Contraataca (2007). His fourth studio album, El Que Sabe, Sabe, released in 2015, won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Music Album.

Calderón's style is characterized by his social and political themes, with lyrics against corruption in the Puerto Rican government. His themes also include dancing, love, self-reflection and personal experiences.

His film career started in 2007 with his supporting role in Illegal Tender. In 2009 he had a lead role in a short film called Los Bandoleros, which is part of Fast & Furious franchise, and the same year had a cameo appearance in the fourth installment of that franchise, Fast & Furious. In 2011, he reprised his character in a supporting role in Fast Five, alongside his colleague and friend Don Omar.

Early life

[edit]

Calderón was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He is the son of Pilar Rosario Parrilla, a schoolteacher, and Esteban Calderón Ilarraza, a government worker for Puerto Rico's Department of Health.[1] Moving at a young age from his native Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida, Calderón attended Miami Beach Senior High. Here he was exposed to several different cultures, eventually studying percussion and working as a drummer in a rock band. The band would cover songs produced by artists including Ozzy Osbourne and Led Zeppelin.[2] He has noted that both of his parents were fans of Ismael Rivera, and that his father was also interested in jazz. He was influenced by both genres and incorporated them into his music, including songs such as "Minnie the Moocher". He eventually developed a music style that combined elements of salsa, plena, dancehall, and hip-hop, focusing on aspects of urban life in his lyrics.[3]

Early musical career

[edit]

Calderón's career began as a participant in Puerto Rican hip hop contests on television during the 1990s. He met Eddie Dee and DJ Adam who would become his main collaborators, but Calderón was rejected by most producers and deejays at the time. DJ Adam in an interview with Puerto Rican podcaster Chente Ydrach said that Calderón was going to be a part of the underground album DJ Adam's Mad Jam, but Calderón's style was too eccentric and underdeveloped, so he was taken out of the final tracklist.[4]

Calderón signed to Eddie Dee's label in 2000, collaborating with Dee on his first hit on Puerto Rican radio, the hip hop song "En Peligro de Extinción" from Dee's second album El Terrorista de la Lírica.

During 2001-2002, Calderón participated in over a dozen original compilations including gold and platinum albums such as "Kilates", "Boricuas NY" volumes 1 and 2, "The Majestic", "La Mision" volumes 2 and 3 and of course his first worldwide crossover hit 'Cosa Buena' from the "Planet Reggae" production distributed by White Lion Records and Diamond Music. On top of that, he also was featured in the albums of Yaga y Mackie "Sonando Diferente" and Maestro's "The Movie" which further accelerated his buzz in the streets.

Thanks to 'Cosa Buena' and it being one of the first reggaeton videos receiving major rotation on mainstream channels such as Telemundo, in 2002, Calderón became a worldwide phenomenon before his debut album "El Abayarde" in November of that same year creating much hype for his debut. Despite only being available in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and parts of the United States due to White Lion Records (formerly known as Boricua Guerrero and now 100% under Elías de León's ownership) being an independent label at the time; Regardless, 'El Abayarde' became the first hip hop/reggaeton album by a solo artist to sell over 75,000 units in one week with no major label distribution. This success led to Calderón and White Lion signing a joint venture with Sony Music Latin. Calderón formed his own label in the process known as Jiggiri Records under the White Lion banner and distributed by Sony Music Latin. Jiggiri Records would go on to sign and release multi-platinum albums from notable artists such as Zion & Lennox, Voltio and John Eric. Calderón would go on to become one of the most successful touring acts in all of Latin music from 2003-2005, thus further legitimizing the genre now known as reggaeton (once called 'underground').

In August 2003, Calderón performed at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Based on his show and performance, The New York Times noted that he "made the best case for Reggaetón as music with room to grow" being a "forward-looking performer."[5] His second appearance at the venue was in October 2004, where he headlined an event titled Megatón 2004. The concert sold out, with 20,000 in attendance, a mixed crowd of Latino and non-Latino fans.

Calderón's travels subsequently led him to Miami, where he incorporated dancehall elements into his musical style. In 2004, his album titled El Enemy de los Guasíbiri was released. The album's production included a mix of several urban genres. Calderón claimed that he preferred the influence of these other genres due to his belief that Salsa had "become too corporate and too safe". Years after its release, Calderón stated that he had never approved the release of the Guasibiri album, which he claimed was rather a collection of old songs and that it should be left out of his discography as an unauthorized album.[6] Following the release of this album, reggaeton gained more influence with several hip-hop producers in New York. Calderón continued working on several mixtapes, being featured in remixes of Usher's "Yeah", Fat Joe's "Lean Back", N.O.R.E.'s "Oye Mi Canto" and Akon's "I Wanna Love You", 50 Cent's P.I.M.P remix and also Calderón featured Aventura's "We Got the Crown".

2005–present

[edit]
Calderón at the Laredo Coliseum 2015

Calderón participated on the 2004 and 2005 editions of New York's Puerto Rican Day parade. During this timeframe he became the first Latin American artist to be included on New York's Power-105. Calderón's influence among Latin American youth was noted in a featured published by the Village Voice. The publication claimed that he had "almost single-handedly. .. steered his country's dominant youth culture out of the island and Latino neighborhoods, and into the American stream of pop consciousness.”[5] Around this time Calderón still remained a fixture in popular Latin music thanks to international hit such as the Don Omar– led "Bandoleros" (notably included in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift soundtrack) and "Quítate Tú Pa Ponerme Yo" from Dee's 12 Discípulos compilation album.

In mid-2005, Calderón signed a joint venture deal between Atlantic Records and his own independent label, Jiggiri Records, for the amount of a million dollars as reported in the Hip Hop/Reggaeton publications of the time.[7] In 2006, he released The Underdog/El Subestimado, his second album, containing less reggaeton and more hip hop music. This album featured appearances by Buju Banton, Voltio, Bataklán, Eddie Dee, Luis Cabán, Yandel, Zion, Chyno Nyno, Don Omar and Oscar D'León. Several producers were involved in the album, including Cookee, Major League, Salaam Remi, Eric Figueroa, Luny Tunes, DJ Nelson, Danny Fornaris, Nesty la Mente Maestra, Naldo, DJ Joe, DJ Fat, Echo and Diesel.

In 2023, Calderón released "La Receta" through Paz y Esperanza and Universal Music Latino.[8][9]

Musical styles and themes

[edit]

Although Calderón is a reggaeton artist, he claims to like "all types of music".[10] Evidence of this is seen both in his biography (he began his career in music in a heavy metal band and attended a school for music as a drummer) as well as in his music, which incorporates "'several musical tendencies'", including sounds and rhythms from places like Africa, Colombia, and the Caribbean. He obtains the sound for his popular reggaeton music through "fusing an experimental reggaeton style strongly rooted in the working-class Caribbean aesthetics of classic salsa with a strong dose of hip-hop".[11] On The Underdog/El Subestimado, he collaborated with rap duo Anónimo Consejo to create a song entitled "Son Dos Alas" which eventually was shortened to an interlude without Calderón.

Calderón has also been praised for his lyrics, which are much more substantive and uplifting, expressing social consciousness. Calderón has been described as "the reggaeton champion of an Afro-Caribbean working-class aesthetic" and is known for lyrics that are equal parts poetry and politics.[11] A consistent link between all of his albums "are the social themes and the untouchable bravado that he usually transmits through his artistic outlook."[10] According to Tony Touch (legendary hip hop dj and collaborator), "Tego is someone who represents struggle, an underdog... He's more of an MC, a product of late-'80s hip-hop."[12]

Film and other career projects

[edit]

Calderón made his acting debut in the film Illegal Tender produced by John Singleton. Calderón played the role of Choco, a Puerto Rican gangster whose character was written specifically for him by director Franc. Reyes.[2][13]

Calderón turned down roles in both Feel the Noise and "El Cantante" and instead chose to appear in Illegal Tender out of respect for its producer. After convincing John Singleton that he wanted to appear in a comedy, Calderón was slated to appear in an upcoming Singleton film which casts him as the coach of a baseball team.,[2] but the movie was never produced.

Calderón traveled to Sierra Leone along with artists Raekwon and Paul Wall to film a VH1 documentary about diamond mining entitled "Bling'd: Blood, Diamonds, and Hip-Hop." The documentary focused on the role of Hip Hop in the blood diamond trade, after the filming concluded Calderón publicly announced that he would no longer wear jewelry. His experience in Africa also changed his outlook on life, which influenced the recording of the track "Alegria", encouraging fans to not complain about life and recognize that there are other people with bigger problems in their lives.[14]

Calderón and Don Omar are featured in Fast & Furious, Fast Five and The Fate of the Furious, the fourth, fifth and eighth installments of The Fast and the Furious franchise.[15][16]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Tego Calderón discography
Studio albums
Mixtapes
  • The Original Gallo Del País - O.G. El Mixtape (2012)
Compilation albums

Awards and nominations

[edit]
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Latin Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2004 «Al Natural» Hip hop/Rap/Reggaeton Song of the Year Won [17]
2009 «Quitarte To'» (featuring Randy) Urban Song of the Year Won [18]
Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2007 The Underdog/El Subestimado Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album Nominated [19]
2008 El Abayarde Contraataca Best Latin Urban Album Nominated [20]
Latin Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2003 El Abayarde Best Urban Music Album Nominated [21]
2008 El Abayarde Contraataca Nominated [22]
«Ni Fu Ni Fa» Best Urban Song Nominated
2012 "Calentura" (with ChocQuibTown and Zully Murillo) Record of the Year Nominated [23]
The Original Gallo del País Best Urban Music Album Nominated
2015 El Que Sabe, Sabe Won [24]
«Dando Break» Best Urban Song Nominated
2023 «La Receta» Best Reggaeton Performance Won

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Illegal Tender Choco Film Debut
2007 Bling: A Planet Rock Himself Documentary film / DVD
2009 Fast & Furious Tego Leo Cameo
2009 Los Bandoleros Short film
2011 Fast Five Supporting Role
2017 The Fate of the Furious Cameo

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role
2007 Def Jam Icon Himself (voice)
2013 Fast & Furious: Showdown Tego Leo (voice)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "All About Reggaeton Music and Its Origins and Characteristics". Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Latin Rap Interview – "Tego Calderón Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back"". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  3. ^ Barrio305.com.(1987)
  4. ^ "‎Chente Ydrach on Apple Podcasts". Itunes.apple.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Tego Calderón – Bio". Atlantic Records. Archived from the original on November 26, 2005. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
  6. ^ "Latin Rap Interview – "Tego Calderón Represents for the Underdogs"". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  7. ^ "Latin Rap News – "Tego Calderón Signs Global Deal with Atlantic"". Archived from the original on June 12, 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2006.
  8. ^ Arroyo, Juan J. (April 28, 2023). "The Legend Is Back: Tego Calderón Drops Long-Awaited Track "La Receta"". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  9. ^ Butler, Bethonie (April 28, 2023). "Tego Calderón stages a comeback with "La Receta"". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  10. ^ a b http://latino963.lamusica.com/content_tego082707.html Archived April 29, 2023, at the Wayback Machine Albert Perez. "Tego Calderón visits Latino 96.3" Accessed January 31, 2008. www.latino963.lamusica.com
  11. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Frances Negrón-Muntaner and Raquel Z. Rivera, "Reggaeton Nation" (17 December 2007) Accessed January 31, 2008. "Welcome to nginx eaa1a9e1db47ffcca16305566a6efba4!185.15.56.1". Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
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  13. ^ "Illegal Tender movie review". Archived from the original on September 16, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2007.
  14. ^ "Latin Rap Interview – "Tego Calderón Part II: El Abayarde Strikes Back"". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  15. ^ Black Pride Archived 2008-09-15 at the Wayback Machine
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  19. ^ "49th annual Grammy nominations list — part 2". Variety. December 7, 2006. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
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  24. ^ "WINNERS 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards". Latin Grammy. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
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