Artist: Calle 13 Album: Residente o Visitante

Year: 2007
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Calle 13's Residente o Visitante

Calle 13 is one of the most innovative music groups in Latin America, with a unique style that combines rap, reggaeton, and traditional Latin rhythms. Their third album, Residente o Visitante, was released in 2007 and quickly became a critical and commercial success, with hits like La Perla and Tango del Pecado. However, like any great work of art, it's not without its flaws. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at Residente o Visitante, with a brief history of Calle 13, the music genre of the album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and a critique of the album.

Calle 13 was formed in Puerto Rico in 2003 by René Pérez Joglar, known as Residente, and his stepbrother Eduardo José Cabra Martínez, known as Visitante. Residente is the group's lead vocalist and lyricist, while Visitante is the producer and multi-instrumentalist. Their self-titled debut album, Calle 13, was released in 2005 and won three Latin Grammy Awards. Their second album, Residente o Visitante, cemented their status as one of the most revolutionary groups in Latin music.

Residente o Visitante is a mix of genres, including rap, reggaeton, salsa, and cumbia. The album also features collaborations with artists like Orishas, Voltio, and La Mala Rodríguez. The album's lyrics are socially conscious, addressing issues like immigration, poverty, and police brutality. The album's production is also innovative, incorporating live instrumentation and sampling from classical and traditional music.

The best songs on Residente o Visitante are La Perla, Tango del Pecado, ¡Atrévete-te-te! and Pal Norte. La Perla is a collaboration with Rubén Blades, a legendary Salsa singer, and tells the story of a Puerto Rican neighborhood. Tango del Pecado mixes tango with reggaeton, and features lyrics about forbidden love. !Atrévete-te-te! is one of the group's biggest hits, with a catchy chorus and a music video that features Residente and Visitante dressed as chickens. Pal Norte featuring Orishas, is an ode to immigrants and features lyrics about the struggles of those who seek a better life.

The most innovative part of Residente o Visitante is how the group incorporates traditional Latin rhythms into their music. Songs like La Jirafa and Un Beso de Desayuno use salsa and cumbia, while La Cumbia de los Aburridos uses cumbia and hip hop. The group also samples classical music on Se Vale To-To and Suave, adding a new layer of complexity to their music.

However, despite its many strengths, Residente o Visitante does have some flaws. Some of the songs on the album are repetitive, and the mix of genres can be overwhelming at times. Some critics have also accused the group of glorifying violence and misogyny in their lyrics, especially on songs like Electro Movimiento and Pi-Di-Di-Di.

In conclusion, Residente o Visitante is a groundbreaking album that combines rap, reggaeton, and traditional Latin music in new and innovative ways. The album's socially conscious lyrics and production make it a classic. While it's not without its flaws, it remains an essential work in Latin music and a testament to Calle 13's talent and creativity.

In conclusion, Residente o Visitante is a groundbreaking album that combines rap, reggaeton, and traditional Latin music in new and innovative ways. The album's socially conscious lyrics and production make it a classic. While it's not without its flaws, it remains an essential work in Latin music and a testament to Calle 13's talent and creativity.