Tego Calderón facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tego Calderón
Calderón performing in the Canary Islands, September 15, 2004
Background information
Birth name	Tegui Calderón Rosario
Born	(1972-02-01) February 1, 1972 (age 53) Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Origin	Río Grande, Puerto Rico
Genres	Latin hip hop reggaeton alternative reggaeton
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer actor
Instruments	Vocals bongos timbales drums
Years active	1996–present
Labels	White Lion BMG U.S. Latin Jiggiri Atlantic Warner Latina Siente Universal Latino Paz y Esperanza
Associated acts	Don Omar Wisin & Yandel Eddie Dee

Tegui Calderón Rosario (born February 1, 1972), known as Tego Calderón, is a famous rapper, singer, and actor from Puerto Rico. He started his music journey in 1996 and quickly became known for his unique style.

Tego gained international fame in 2003 with his first album, El Abayarde. This album sold over 300,000 copies worldwide and was even nominated for a Latin Grammy Award. He is a very important artist in the world of reggaeton music.

His songs often talk about important social and political topics. He writes lyrics against corruption in the government and also sings about dancing, love, and his own life experiences.

Besides music, Tego Calderón is also an actor. He has appeared in several movies, including some from the popular Fast & Furious series, where he acts alongside his friend Don Omar.

Early Life and Music Start

Tego Calderón was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. His mother was a teacher, and his father worked for the government. When he was young, his family moved to Miami, Florida.

In Miami, Tego went to Miami Beach Senior High. He learned about many different cultures there. He also studied percussion and played drums in a rock band. His parents loved salsa and jazz, and Tego mixed these styles into his own music. He created a unique sound that combined elements of salsa, plena, dancehall, and hip-hop. His songs often describe city life.

Becoming a Music Star

Tego Calderón started his music career by joining hip-hop contests on TV in Puerto Rico during the 1990s. He met Eddie Dee and DJ Adam, who became important friends and helpers.

In 2000, Tego signed with Eddie Dee's music label. He had his first big hit on Puerto Rican radio with the song "En Peligro de Extinción."

Between 2001 and 2002, Tego worked on many music collections. His song 'Cosa Buena' became a worldwide hit. It was one of the first reggaeton videos played on big TV channels like Telemundo. This made people very excited for his first album.

His debut album, El Abayarde, came out in November 2002. Even though it was only available in a few places at first, it sold over 75,000 copies in just one week! This was a huge success for an independent artist. Because of this, Tego and his label, White Lion, signed a deal with Sony Music Latin. Tego also started his own music label called Jiggiri Records.

In 2003, Tego performed at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City. The New York Times newspaper said he showed how much reggaeton music could grow. He performed there again in 2004 to a sold-out crowd of 20,000 fans.

Later Music and Collaborations

In 2004, Tego released El Enemy de los Guasíbiri. This album mixed different music styles. Tego later said he never officially approved this album's release, as it was a collection of older songs.

Tego continued to be a big name in Latin music. He was featured in popular songs like "Bandoleros" with Don Omar, which was even included in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift movie soundtrack. He also worked on remixes of songs by famous artists like Usher and Akon.

In 2006, Tego released his second album, The Underdog/El Subestimado. This album had more hip-hop music and less reggaeton. It featured other artists like Buju Banton and Don Omar.

In 2023, Tego Calderón released a new song called "La Receta."

Music Style and Important Messages

Even though Tego Calderón is known for reggaeton, he loves all kinds of music. He started his career in a heavy metal band and studied drums. His music mixes sounds and rhythms from places like Africa, Colombia, and the Caribbean. He blends classic salsa with hip-hop to create his unique reggaeton sound.

Tego is also praised for his meaningful song lyrics. His songs often share important social messages. He is known for speaking up for Afro-Caribbean working-class people. His lyrics are like poetry and politics mixed together.

A common theme in his music and interviews is celebrating black culture and speaking out against racism. In an essay called "Black Pride," he wrote about the unfair treatment Black Latinos face in Latin America. He shared his own experiences growing up in Puerto Rico. He encourages Black Latinos to love themselves and fight against racism and colorism in society. He wrote:

This is not about rejecting whiteness rather; it’s about learning to love our blackness – to love ourselves. We have to say basta ya, it’s enough, and find a way to love our blackness. They have confused us – and taught us to hate each other – to self-hate and create divisions on shades and features.

His Acting Roles

Calderón performing in Laredo, Texas, in 2015

Tego Calderón started acting in the movie Illegal Tender in 2007. The director, Franc. Reyes, wrote the role of Choco, a Puerto Rican gangster, especially for Tego.

He also appeared in a VH1 documentary called "Bling'd: Blood, Diamonds, and Hip-Hop." This film looked at the role of hip-hop in the diamond trade. After filming, Tego announced he would no longer wear jewelry. His trip to Africa also changed his view on life. It inspired his song "Alegria," which tells fans not to complain and to remember that others have bigger problems.

Tego Calderón and Don Omar have appeared together in several Fast & Furious movies. They were in Fast & Furious (2009), Fast Five (2011), and The Fate of the Furious (2017).

Discography

Studio albums

• El Abayarde (2002)
• The Underdog/El Subestimado (2006)
• El Abayarde Contraataca (2007)
• El Que Sabe, Sabe (2015)

Mixtapes

• The Original Gallo Del País - O.G. El Mixtape (2012)

Compilation albums

• El Enemy de los Guasíbiri (2004)

Awards and Nominations

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Latin Music Awards

Grammy Awards

Latin Grammy Awards

Filmography

Video Games

See also

In Spanish: Tego Calderón para niños