tego, from shadow to light lorea bidegain
I txo!? Before starting, it should be pointed out that reggaeton is one of the most scorned musical genres and it’s really not its own fault. It’s ours. The same thing happened before with electronic (rave) music, rap or with rock music itself. All the aforementioned are considered essential contemporary parts of the musical chain. And as happened with these styles, it is only a matter of time before reggaeton finds its niche and the once-scorned style will be welcomed into the fold by the establishment. It’s on its way. Tego Calderon, known as El Abayarde, was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1972. Local ants are called abayarde because they cause serious pain whenever they bite. It’s also the name given to restless kids. This afro’s mother was a literature teacher and his father was a salsa musician who worked for the local health service. They instilled in him a love of Ismael Rivera and jazz. While a teenager, his family emigrated to the USA and he discovered hip-hop in Miami. All these influences make Tego Calderon’s music special. His reggaeton is rooted in salsa and Antillean African music, but it also drinks from the font of Jamaican dancehall music and hip hop. His youth on the streets and his spells in prison have marked his attitude and lyrics. His lyrics are not only confined to sex as is most common in the genre. He speaks out on social issues ("el abuso de poder trae sangre – abuse of power brings bloodshed") and touches on topics such as black pride. You’ll be extremely hard pushed to find any MC rappers who have the fluidity of Tego when it comes to rhyming in Spanish. On many of his songs it sounds like you’re listening to reggaeton inflected hip hop and not reggaeton influenced by hip hop.
Tego Calderon has come from the shade into the limelight. Upon release from prison in 2002, he published his first record, El Abayarde. He sold 50,000 copies with no promotion whatsoever. That opened up a few doors for him and any record he has released since has been done so with his own label but distributed through multinationals which has meant greater distribution. He has not however, renounced any of his well know musical traits such as his lyrics and musical style. Until a short time ago, it was almost impossible to find anything of his in Europe without the aid of internet, but thanks to the word of mouth and coverage in the musical press, his latest “El Abayarde Contra Ataca” is now available in this part of the world.
On his latest release Tego has basically repeated the formula he used on the album Underdog. He’s just gone a bit deeper. There are no pleasant / unpleasant surprises for his fans on this one. The most characteristic element of his music is the respect he shows for traditional Caribbean music. This attitude gains in importance when you realise that reggaeton has clashed with salsa and many other local musical styles in Central America. It has attracted a young following that have been caught up in the freshness of the music – salsa has become a bit old-fashioned for them (young people tend not to like to mix with their parents and grandparents at concerts.) “Tradicional a lo bravo”, the first single from the last album honours the roots with a mixture of merengue and the rhythms of Columbian ballenato, part of the Caribean original being as they are.
The list of people who Tego has collaborated with reads long and illustrious and have helped him become known outside Puerto Rico; Fat Joe, 50 Cent, Cyprus Hill, Wyclef Jean, N.O.R.E., Don Omar, Daddy Yankee, La Mala Rodriguez, Oscar D’leon…. On the other hand, the people who have appeared on his records are many. They are mostly latinos not well-known in Europe, except for Calle 13. The release of “El Abayarde Contra-Ataca” coincides with his debut performance as an actor in “Illegal Tender”. John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood) produces in Hollywood and Frank Reyes directs. Let’s hope that the music industry and lights of Hollywood don’t blind this afro and turn his soul white.
Tego Calderon has come from the shade into the limelight. Upon release from prison in 2002, he published his first record, El Abayarde. He sold 50,000 copies with no promotion whatsoever. That opened up a few doors for him and any record he has released since has been done so with his own label but distributed through multinationals which has meant greater distribution. He has not however, renounced any of his well know musical traits such as his lyrics and musical style. Until a short time ago, it was almost impossible to find anything of his in Europe without the aid of internet, but thanks to the word of mouth and coverage in the musical press, his latest “El Abayarde Contra Ataca” is now available in this part of the world.
On his latest release Tego has basically repeated the formula he used on the album Underdog. He’s just gone a bit deeper. There are no pleasant / unpleasant surprises for his fans on this one. The most characteristic element of his music is the respect he shows for traditional Caribbean music. This attitude gains in importance when you realise that reggaeton has clashed with salsa and many other local musical styles in Central America. It has attracted a young following that have been caught up in the freshness of the music – salsa has become a bit old-fashioned for them (young people tend not to like to mix with their parents and grandparents at concerts.) “Tradicional a lo bravo”, the first single from the last album honours the roots with a mixture of merengue and the rhythms of Columbian ballenato, part of the Caribean original being as they are.
The list of people who Tego has collaborated with reads long and illustrious and have helped him become known outside Puerto Rico; Fat Joe, 50 Cent, Cyprus Hill, Wyclef Jean, N.O.R.E., Don Omar, Daddy Yankee, La Mala Rodriguez, Oscar D’leon…. On the other hand, the people who have appeared on his records are many. They are mostly latinos not well-known in Europe, except for Calle 13. The release of “El Abayarde Contra-Ataca” coincides with his debut performance as an actor in “Illegal Tender”. John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood) produces in Hollywood and Frank Reyes directs. Let’s hope that the music industry and lights of Hollywood don’t blind this afro and turn his soul white.
