Initially associated with the reggaeton genre upon gaining popularity in the early 2000s, Puerto Rican band Calle 13’s unique instrumentation and incorporation of social commentary put them into a class all their own. Comprised of stepbrothers "Residente" and "Visitante" and their half-sister ("PG-13" or "ILE"), all of whom subsequently went solo, the group holds the record for the most Latin Grammys wins.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican half-brothers Residente (René Pérez Joglar) and Visitante (Eduardo José Cabra Martínez)—nicknamed for their respective roles in their weekly step-family visits to 13th Street—together make Calle 13. The music of Calle 13 is a sort of hip-hop/reggaeton with a sense of humor and playfulness. Watch out for the bleeped naughty words.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Puerto Rico
The kings of Alternative Reggeaton, Calle 13, are well known for their smart, fast and funny lyrics; they disrespect anybody and everybody. That’s why "Un beso de desayuno" is a surprise: for the first time we are tempted to leave off the viewer discretion sign in a Calle 13 video!
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Explosive rhythms and politically incorrect lyrics are part of what made Calle 13 an international superstar. This song "Atrévete-te-te" is one of their first hits that made people turn their heads and move their hips all over the dance floor.
Difficulty: Advanced
Puerto Rico
This Calle 13 video not only features the group’s classic tongue-twisting lyrics but also some surreal touches. The enfants terribles (or, niños terribles) of reggaeton are never afraid of mixing genres—or metaphors.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Puerto Rico
“No hay nadie como tú” (“There Is No One Like You”), the first single from Calle 13’s third album, features the Mexican group Café Tacuba. Over a blend of pop and reggaeton music, Residente, the lead singer of Calle 13 discovers that no amount of naming can contain or define his amor.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Calle 13 joins up with Cuba’s Orishas to sing a paean to those pobres who hike pa’l norte (northward) in search of a better life. The first 13 captions are very colloquial and difficult, but after that this video is very clearly annunciated with lots of great vocabulary, so hang in there! This song is thought-provoking and catchy. No one will ever accuse Calle 13 of taking a weak position in rhythm or in politics!
Difficulty: Advanced
Puerto Rico
Calle 13's very first music video was shot and edited by the band's talented frontman, Residente, with help from his cousin.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Get ready for Residente’s smart mouth and his tongue twister lyrics with a high level of cynicism. This song was co-produced with Gustavo Santaolalla, mastermind of the electronic tango band Bajofondo.
Difficulty: Advanced
Puerto Rico
Music video by Calle 13 performing "Suave" from the band's eponymous debut studio album released in 2005. Criticized for its rather vulgar lyrics, this album is nevertheless a favorite of the band's fans.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Panama, Puerto Rico
Meet Rubén Blades, a Salsa superstar. He helped mix Cuban and Caribbean rhythms with Jazz in New York City. Rubén Blades (or, Rubencito here among friends) composed some salsa classics while also excelling as a singer. But that’s not all. Moviegoers may recognize him as one of the victims in Predator 2. He also has a law degree and ran for president of Panama. When this video with Calle 13 was filmed, he was Panama’s Tourism Minister.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Always controversial and entertaining, Calle 13 takes us to a very special party.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Another explosive, controversial yet danceable track from Puerto Rico's Calle 13. Nudity, insults flung at the Vatican, almost nothing's off limits for Calle 13.
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuba, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican duo Calle 13 and famed Cuban singer-songwriter, Silvio Rodriguez, team up to bring us this tune about how love can turn one's world around. Its charming video won the 2015 Latin Grammy award for Best Short Form Music Video
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Puerto Rico
The song "Digo lo que pienso" (I Say What I Think) is from the 2008 album "Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo" (The Ones in the Back Come With Me) by the renowned but controversial Puerto Rican alternative hip-hop group, Calle 13. Let's check out the official video for this track.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment? You will not be able to recover it.