By Darius Baptist
Pictures by 90thshooter
Styling by Darius Baptist
Grooming by Millie Morales
Rauw Alejandro has been on a nonstop practice of success, and it doesn’t seem like slowing down anytime quickly. With two profitable album releases, “Afrodisiaco” and “Vice Versa,” that spawned singles like “Tattoo (Remix)” and “Todo de Ti,” the Puerto Rican crooner has danced his approach into the hearts of hundreds of thousands. Headlining a sold-out world tour that has since been renamed “The Bra and Panties Tour,” the 29-year-old, born Raul Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz, has tunnel imaginative and prescient with regards to his profession—he’s intensely centered on his future and refuses to let something blindside him. Simply as he was set to launch “Entice Cake Vol. 2,” the sequel to his 2019 mixtape, we caught up with the now Grammy Award-winning artist to debate life, love, music and tattoos, after all.
It seems that 2021 was a breakout 12 months for you. What was your largest spotlight?
Palms down, I must say taking part in at Choli in Puerto Rico.
San Juan’s Coliseo de Puerto Rico (which Puerto Ricans name the Choli), seats shut to twenty,000 folks and isn’t simple to promote out. What did having 4 consecutive sold-out nights there imply to you?
The status of taking part in on the Choli is huge for any Reggaeton artist. It’s an indication of proving your self. To have the ability to promote out any evening there exhibits you will have the approval of the followers and you’ve got the magic. When you don’t make it in Puerto Rico, you don’t make it wherever.
What’s your artistic course of when recording new music? The place would you say you draw inspiration?
On a regular basis life, my household, buddies, and my private experiences. I used to be raised by three ladies— my grandmother, my mother and my sister—so ladies have all the time been an enormous inspiration in my songs.
Picture by 90thshooter
What can we count on with the discharge of “Entice Cake Vol. 2?”
Entice Cake is for my loyal followers who’ve adopted me since SoundCloud. It’s a mix of R&B and entice music. I name it a mixture of avenue and candy. It’s a collection I’ll launch yearly till I’m completed.
In 2021, you and Spanish singer Rosalía made your relationship Instagram official. Can we count on any musical collaborations sooner or later?
For certain. We now have mentioned concepts for each of our particular person tasks. I’m a giant fan of hers so I might positively prefer to collab along with her.
Who’s a dream musical collaboration for you at the moment in your profession?
I might like to work with Bruno Mars. He’s an incredible artist and I do know we might launch a No. 1 Billboard music.
Now, let’s get into what we like to debate right here at Inked—tattoos. When and the place was your first tattoo?
I obtained my first tattoo after I was round 16. It was on my left arm close to my shoulder and it was a phrase that claims, “Son of God, Warrior of the Sky.” And after that I by no means stopped.
Pictures by 90thshooter
What number of tattoos would you say you at present have?
As of now, I’ve nearly 30.
Any regrets?
I obtained just a few cover-ups (laughs). I didn’t cowl them up due to the writing however extra due to the artwork. I may be choosy with my stuff. Again within the day after I didn’t have cash I obtained what I might afford, however as soon as I began being profitable I used to be capable of improve the standard and artwork of what I selected to get achieved. I’m all the time on the lookout for actually good tattoo artists as a result of if they’ll present me one thing that’s new, I’m all the time open to strive one thing completely different.
Up to now most of your ink is waist up, are you strategic with the place you tattoo your physique?
To start with, I didn’t give it some thought, I simply would decide a spot as a result of I by no means thought I’d be absolutely tatted. Now I understand I ought to have caught with one artist and created extra lasting items with sequence and which means in order that the whole lot is smart. Once I did my first arm, it was a large number nevertheless it was a life lesson discovered. I then collaborated with an artist for my proper arm, one other artist for my chest and a unique artist for my neck. I attempt to be extra strategic with my artwork now. I’m at present engaged on my abdomen, so I’m planning what that may appear to be and which artist I’ll collaborate with on it.
With a sold-out tour and the whole lot else you will have in your plate, what’s a time without work or downtime like for you?
Taking part in video video games, chilling at residence watching Netflix, hanging with my lady or my buddies as a lot as I can. I like bikes and sports activities so generally I’ll simply leap on my bike and go for a protracted journey. I dwell a quite simple life.
How did your World Tour get renamed “The Bra and Panties Tour?”
It organically occurred. From the primary present followers began throwing bras and panties on the stage, and on the finish of every present there can be baggage stuffed with them, so we began calling it the Bra and Panties Tour.
What has most shocked you in regards to the music business?
Each enterprise has its stage of competitors and good and unhealthy folks, and I used to be conscious of that from the start so nothing has actually shocked me. I attempt to stay the identical thoughtful and open-minded particular person I used to be at first of all of it, however I’ll say, don’t confuse the humility with cowardliness.
Pictures by 90thshooter
Your circle of producers and buddies are individuals who have both grown up with you or have been round you for a major period of time. How vital is maintaining them near you?
That is essential to me and my feeling of safety. These folks have been there since earlier than the music and the celebrity, in order that they know my coronary heart and my emotions. I can even say that I do know them as effectively. I do know once they mislead me to try to defend me. They push me to maintain going and rising. It’s a really particular and pure factor to have and I’m blessed for with the ability to have them on this journey with me.
With regards to your vogue sense and look, you seem like open to making an attempt new issues and taking dangers. How would you describe your type?
I’ve no type (laughs). I prefer to be easy and easy however relying on the event I’ll push the boundaries.
What can be one thing your followers can be shocked to find out about you?
That’s a troublesome one as a result of I’m so open with my followers. They already know the whole lot like my favourite coloration and meals and different issues. If I had to consider one thing I might say they don’t know that I grind my enamel in my sleep.
In 5 years the place do you see your self?
In addition to music, I’d prefer to be concerned in performing, dabbling in actual property, and different enterprise ventures as effectively. However most significantly simply being glad and dwelling my life to its greatest.
End this sentence: I’m Rauw Alejandro and I’m…
…probably the most full artist that has no peak.
