Daring Music for the Silenced Voices of Latin America

“Atrévete, te, te, salte del closet!” This 2006 radio hit infiltrated the urban Puerto-Rican group, Calle 13, into the mainstream scene, only to be kicked out a few albums later.

This artistic and musical band is made up of three siblings: René Pérez Joglar, the leading singer and writer, Eduardo Cabra Joglar, the leading musician, and Ileana Cabra Joglar, the accompanying singer.

Calle 13 began as a fun and unique group that used a bit of vulgar language to invite people to step out of their comfort zones and to let loose.  Now that the radio is fine with that, they have begun to include politics in their music.

When reviewing their discography, one can see an evolution in consciousness.  Rene’s lyrics begin to speak on issues in Latin America, alluding to historical and current events affecting the region.  Such topics include:poverty, state and church corruption, gun violence, and much more.  Calle 13’s own Puerto Rico censored and banned them from the radio, as did other Latin American countries.  Even the United States’ Spanish-speaking radio stations do not play Calle 13’s music, as René very often speaks about the flaws of our country, specifically in connection to Latin America.

Rene is also a strong supporter of education. He supports student movements in countries like Chile and Mexico. Most notably, he supports “Yo Soy 132.”  He’s on our side ya’ll!

Calle 13 is a very outspoken and down to earth group who transmits empowering messages through badass music.  Their songs become history lessons and news articles with information that is otherwise censored in the mainstream media.  To listen to Calle 13, is to listen to  many of the silenced voices of Latin America.

Watch the video!! Latinoamérica with English Subtitles