Rauw Alejandro, born Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz, might be one of the biggest names in Latin music right now, but his story goes way deeper than just chart-topping hits and flashy concerts. What I find most inspiring about him is how real and grounded he’s stayed, even with all his success.
Before the fame, Rauw actually dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. He even played in Florida for a while. But life had other plans — after facing financial hardships, he gave up soccer and moved back to Puerto Rico. He worked all kinds of jobs — waiter, bartender, retail, even landscaping — just to stay afloat. And during that time, he started pouring himself into music, uploading songs on YouTube and SoundCloud. It’s amazing to think that someone who started like that is now winning Latin Grammys and selling out arenas.
What really stands out about Rauw is how personal his music feels. You can tell he writes from the heart — there’s this mix of vulnerability and confidence that makes his songs hit differently. Whether it’s a romantic ballad or a dance track, there’s always some real emotion behind it. He says a lot of that comes from being raised by strong women — his mom, grandmother and sister — and that respect for women really comes through in how he carries himself and how he writes.
His latest album, Cosa Nuestra, dropped in late 2024 and it’s a whole vibe. It’s like a love letter to his roots, mixing reggaetón with salsa and R&B, and he even worked with legends like Pharrell and Tainy. It’s not just music for the clubs — it’s music with culture, rhythm and soul. You can really feel how much he loves Puerto Rico and how proud he is to represent it.
He’s also been all over the world lately on his Cosa Nuestra World Tour, from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center to huge venues in Spain. And it’s not just about singing — the guy dances like no one else in the game right now. His choreography is next level.
After his very public relationship with Rosalía, Rauw has been keeping things more private, which I think says a lot about how he values authenticity over publicity. He doesn’t just make music to be famous — he does it because he’s passionate and wants to tell his story. Honestly, Rauw Alejandro is more than just a reggaetón star. He’s an artist with vision, heart and a deep connection to where he comes from. Watching his journey unfold feels like watching someone turn struggle into art — and that’s something worth celebrating.
