Rauw Alejandro has released Carita Linda, the first single from his upcoming album Cosa Nuestra II, due in 2025.
This track marks a significant turn in his career by fusing contemporary urban music with bomba yubá, a traditional Puerto Rican rhythm of deep cultural significance, making it avant-garde and trend-setting.
A tribute to Afroboricua heritage
“Carita Linda” stands out for incorporating bomba yubá, a subgenre of Puerto Rican bomba that originated in the 17th century among enslaved African communities.
This style is characterized by its solemn and reflective character, and by the dialogue between the dancer and the drum primo, creating an intimate and emotional connection.
On his official website, Rauw Alejandro expresses: “Puerto Rico is a mixture of cultures, flavors and traditions; but the African, Taino and Spanish influence lives strongly in the music. In ‘Carita Linda’, Raul wraps himself with the musicality of ‘La Bomba’, paying homage to his African ancestors and shares his new artistic proposal with communities where he … “.
A video clip celebrating Puerto Rican culture
The music video for “Carita Linda”, directed by Martin Seipel and El Zorro, was filmed in Puerto Rico and features a love letter to the Island of Enchantment.
In it, Rauw Alejandro highlights various cultural facets of his homeland, including the presence of Puerto Rican vejigantes, emblematic characters of the Puerto Rican carnival, and elements of Afro-Boricua culture.
Cosa Nuestra has been a huge success for Rauw Alejandro, as the album elevated him to being considered one of the great exponents of urban music alongside Bad Bunny
Premiere in the Cosa Nuestra World Tour
“Carita Linda” was performed for the first time during the opening of the “Cosa Nuestra World Tour” in Seattle, marking the beginning of an international tour that includes more than 20 sold-out concerts in the United States and Europe.
This tour represents the first time Rauw Alejandro performs with a live band, offering a stage experience that combines theatrical elements, energetic choreography and a carefully constructed visual narrative.
Hispanic Public Supports Rauw Alejandro
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For Hispanics in the United States, “Carita Linda” is not only a showcase of Rauw Alejandro’s talent, but also a reminder of the cultural richness of Puerto Rico and the importance of preserving and celebrating ancestral traditions.
The song and its music video offer a window into the Afro-Caribbean roots that are an integral part of the Puerto Rican identity, resonating deeply with those who seek to keep their cultural heritage alive.
With “Carita Linda”, Rauw Alejandro achieves a harmonious fusion between modern urban music and the traditional rhythms of his native land, offering an artistic proposal that honors his roots and brings freshness to today’s music scene.
This single not only anticipates what Cosa Nuestra II will be, but also reaffirms the artist’s commitment to the exploration and dissemination of Puerto Rican culture.
Here you can listen to Raw Alejandro’s new song.
Find out more at QuéOnnda.com.
