Arcángel, whose real name is AustÃn Santos, is a multitalented artist hailing from New York, born on December 23, 1985. While being born in the United States, he spent his formative years in Santurce, Puerto Rico, where he was raised by his Dominican parents, AustÃn Santos and Carmen Rosa, the latter being a member of the renowned Dominican group Las Chicas del Can.
From a young age, Arcángel developed a passion for music and found inspiration in various genres. In 1999, he relocated to Puerto Rico and joined forces with De La Ghetto to form the popular reggaeton duo Arcángel & De La Ghetto. Their music gained significant acclaim among reggaeton fans in both the United States and Puerto Rico during the mid-2000s. The duo signed with Baby Records, founded by the esteemed singer and composer Zion, and also collaborated with Machete Music in 2004 while working on compilation albums.
In December 2006, Arcángel decided to embark on a solo career and establish his own record label. This decision followed the duo’s separation earlier that year. As a solo artist, Arcángel collaborated with various reggaeton performers and producers, contributing to compilation albums. Notably, in 2007, he worked on the well-received “Flow La Discoteka 2” produced by DJ Nelson, where his popular track “Chica Virtual” emerged.
In 2008, Arcángel sought to release his first solo album called “La Maravilla.” However, due to an unfortunate leak on the internet, the album was cancelled. Nevertheless, tracks from the album were still widely distributed on his official website. One of these leaked tracks, “Pa que la pases bien,” gained significant popularity in Latin America and urban radio stations in the United States. During that same year, Arcángel released his second studio album titled “El Fenómeno.” This album featured collaborations with renowned artists such as Don Omar and Tempo, including the hit single “Por amar a ciegas,” which received extensive airplay on urban radio stations in the United States. Additionally, in 2008, Arcángel ventured into acting, starring in the film “Muerte En El ParaÃso.”
In 2009, Arcángel announced a European tour to promote his debut album “El Fenómeno.” Subsequently, in 2012, he joined the record label Pina Récords, owned by businessman Rafael Pina. This label specializes in event organization, consulting, production, and filming of urban music videos. Arcángel also participated in the highly successful album “La fórmula.” One of the standout tracks from the album, “Me Prefieres a Mi,” achieved remarkable success, reaching top positions in Latin America, Europe, and the United States.
Furthermore, in 2013, Arcángel worked on the recording of several singles, including “Somos Millonarios,” where he collaborated with Daddy Yankee. This year also marked the release of his highly anticipated third studio album. In November 2015, he released the mixtape “Los Favoritos” with DJ Luian, quickly climbing to the top of digital sales charts. The single “Las 50 Sombras de Austin” left fans yearning for more, as it showcased Arcángel’s unique style and captivating rhythm.
In 2016, Arcángel focused on his studio album “Historias De Un Capricornio,” featuring tracks like “14 F,” “Me Dejo Llevar,” and “Decisiones.” While rooted in urban reggaeton, Arcángel’s musical style encompasses a wide range of genres, including hip hop, R&B, merengue, bachata, and more. He has remained a prominent figure in the reggaeton scene since 2002, constantly delivering varied performances that captivate audiences worldwide.