Gallego

Jose Raul Gonzalez, better known to reggaeton lovers worldwide as Gallego, was born in March of 1974 in Puerto Rico’s capitol city of San Juan. Gallego got his start singing in the shower, progressing quickly to public performances on the bus. Throughout his young years, he would sing for fun and distraction, surrounded by a society that values music highly. It was during a 1989 trip to Nueva York (NYC) and his exposure to Puerto Rican poets there that Gonzalez became completely enthralled with poetry and the power of words. During his years at the University of Puerto Rico, Gallego participated in the creation of “La Marilla,” a movement of young Puerto Rican writers. His passion for words both written and spoken led to numerous recitals of his work in bars and poetry rooms, eventually earning him invitations to Santo Domingo, Havanna, Paris and New York’s Nuyorrican Poet’s Café. His first publication Barrunto came out in 2000, which earned various national awards and accolades from the Latino literary community. Barrunto has found its way into literature curriculum in both U.S. and Puerto Rican Universities. His reputation and youth earned him credibility and chances to collaborate with less academic poets like Puerto Rican superstars Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Eddie Dee and others. Under the MC name Gallego, Gonzalez was offered a deal with Machete Music to release his debut album. His longtime love of music and passion for poetry were united in his 2007 release Teatro del Barrio. The record’s hit song “Mulata” announced Gallego as reggaeton’s next fearless innovator. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez