- Rauw Alejandro is a popular Puerto Rican singer/songwriter
- The artist is referred to as the “King of Modern Reggaeton”
- He asked fellow Latin music superstar Rosalia to marry him in March 2023 but they later split in July 2023
Rauw Alejandro is quickly making his name known in music. The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter exploded onto the Latin music scene with his 2016 mixtape, Punto de Equilibrio. His debut studio album, Afrodisíaco, came in 2020 and was nominated for the Best Musica Urbana Album Grammy. His latest album, Visa Versa, grabbed the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart after its 2021 debut. And he performed a song from it at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, where he was nominated for four trophies: Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Male Artist, Top Latin Album (‘Vice Versa’), and Top Latin Song (“Todo De Ti”).
The milestones kept coming for Rauw in 2023, including an engagement! Rauw and Spanish singing sensation Rosalia revealed the news of their engagement with their music video “Beso”, which dropped on Friday, March 24. The collaboration was the first single off their album R & R and in the accompanying clip, Rosalia and Rauw shocked fans by letting them know he proposed! At the end of the video, the “Malamente” hitmaker showed off her gigantic sparkler, wiped a tear from her eye and said in Spanish, “Oh my God, I love you.”
On July 25, however, it was reported that Rauw and Rosalia has ended their engagement. Sources told PEOPLE that “despite the love and respect the singers have for one another, they have both agreed to end their engagement.” Rumors that Rauw cheated on his former fiancee began to surface shortly after the split went public, but he released a statement denying the claim. He also revealed that he and Rosalia had already been separate amicably for months before the split went public.
“Throughout all these years, you’ve been part of my professional accomplishments, as well as all the happy moments I lived with my partner,” the “LOKERA” singer wrote on his Instagram Story and Twitter account, addressing fans in Spanish, per Billboard. “I never thought I’d be in a position where I’d have to give a public statement about such a private matter in my life.”
“Yes, a few months ago Rosi and I ended our engagement,” he continued. “There are thousands of problems that can cause a breakup but, in our case, it was not because of infidelity or a third person. During this time that I’m taking to assimilate everything, there have been false public allegations, and because of the respect I have for her, our families and all we ever lived, I couldn’t stay quiet and continue to see how they try to destroy the most real love story God has ever allowed me to live.” He concluded, “With nothing more to add, to my fans that I love so much, thank you for being there.”
For those who haven’t yet gotten to check out Rauw’s reggaeton-infused beats and smooth vocals, or kept up on his Rosalia romance, which he gushes about on his Instagram, you can learn a bit about him below.
Music was not Rauw Alejandro’s first choice
Rauw may be busting solid moves on stage now, but before becoming a singer, he wanted to be a soccer star. He grew up playing the sport at Maria Auxiliadora School and was quite skilled, per All Music. He even had his eye on a semi-pro league in the United States before a knee injury at the age of 20 took him out of the game. He turned to music, his hobby, instead, and grew into a chart-topping artist.
Rauw Alejandro has collaborated with some of the biggest stars
Rauw may still be a rising star, but he’s already worked with some of the biggest names in showbiz. He was featured on Selena Gomez‘s “Baila Conmigo,” which is the second single off her first-ever Spanish-language project, Revelación. Plus, in April 2022, he snagged another No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart with Shakira‘s “Te Felicito,” on which he serves as the featured artist.
One of his collaborating producers, Tainy, 32, had nothing but incredible things to say about the singer in a January 2022 interview. “He’s just an exciting artist,” he gushed to Rolling Stone. “To see what he’s doing and what he’s capable of, the melody and the tone of his voice, and combine that with his ideas – how he’s thinking about what moves he’s gonna do, what the crowd is going to do – it’s something really special. His growth is insane.”
Rauw is multi-talented
It’s starting to seem like there isn’t anything Rauw can’t do. Aside from being a competitive soccer player and crowd-pleasing performer, he also acts. He is making his Netflix acting debut in the Spanish language drama series Sky Rojo, which is wrapping up filming its third and final season in 2022.
He’s not afraid to stick up for himself
Although Rauw seems to be quite active online and has amassed 14 million followers on Instagram, he does not have a positive view of social media. In his interview with Rolling Stone, he said fans completely overreacted regarding some beef he had with fellow Puerto Rican rapper Jhay Cortez. “Nowadays, the internet is toxic. People exaggerate stuff, and there’s a lot of haters,” he explained. “I’m at peace with the world. You know, I had a thing with this guy, this artist people know in Puerto Rico.”
He went on to say the feud was over “stupid stuff.” He concluded: “I don’t care. I’m always gonna be me, I’m always gonna respect my vision. I’m a cool guy, but I’m from Puerto Rico. If you f**k with me, yo soy un gallito de pelea (“I’m like a bird in a cockfight”). I’m not afraid.”
Jhay and Rauw started a bit of an unhealthy rivalry in summer 2021 after they both announced tour dates at the same Puerto Rican venue just hours apart. Jhay posted a photo online reading: “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” per Rolling Stone, and fans assumed it was about Rauw. Rauw’s song “Hunter” is thought to be a diss track about Jhay, while Jhay’s “Enterrauw” calls out Rauw.
Regardless, they’re both incredibly successful Latin-American singers, and it seems like there’s room for both of them in the charts and in Puerto Rico.
Rosalía once held the key to his heart
As of this writing, Rauw and Rosalia are no longer romantically involved, but the handsome hunk had dated the Spanish singer from summer 2021 until sometime before July 2023. The two weren’t scared to show off their love, as Rosalía shared photos of the pair flirting underwater and wearing face masks together on a Mexican getaway in November 2021. And in his Rolling Stone feature, Rauw also said he liked to take a break from work by spending time with her.