Redimi2

Redimi2 is the stage name for Dominican rapper Willy González Cruz. He holds the distinction of being the first Christian hip-hop artist from his home country and has, since his recording career began with 2002′s Combinacionmortal, developed into an internationally renowned crossover artist in hip-hop, trap, reggaeton, and Latin pop. He has collaborated with artists ranging from Vico C and Annette Moreno to Don Omar, Daddy Yankee, and Calle 13. Beginning with 2011′s Exterminador Operación P.R., he recorded series of covers and originals that included 2012′s Exterminador Operación P.R. 100X35 (2012), Exterminador Operación R.D. (2012), and Exterminador Operación Mundial (2014). All charted across the Caribbean and Latin America. 2017′s Pura Sal went to number three in Puerto Rico, while 2018′s digital Trapstornadores charted across the Caribbean. The singles compilation 20/20 placed inside the Top 20 in ten countries. 2021′s Momentum featured guest spots by Danny Gokey, El Profeta, Indiomar, and others.
The first incarnation of Redimi2 was called Redimi2 Squad, a collective formed with his brother JG. Their debut album, Combinación Mortal, appeared in 2000 and became not only the first Christian rap album in the Dominican Republic, but the country’s best-selling Christian music recording of all time. It opened doors for Redimi2 Squad in both religious and secular media and performance outlets. This was followed in 2004 by the chart-topping Hasta Los Dientes, and his first true solo album, Revolución, in 2006. With the release of the collaborative El Equipo Invencible in 2007, the artist’s reputation spread throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
After incessant touring, a live album was issued in 2008, and a compilation in 2009. Redimi2 took time off to get married and start a family. In 2011 he returned with Exterminador Operacion P.R., a hit album that featured a number of Puerto Rican collaborators; it was the first part of a trilogy that also included 2012′s Exterminador OPR 100X35 and Exterminador Operación R.D. In 2013, the single “Saldrás de Esta,” with Christian pop singers Lucy Parker and René González, ran up the CCM charts; the song was based on the Max Lucado novel of the same name. Operación Mundial, was issued in October of 2014 as a conclusion to the thematic series.
In 2015, Redimi2 began releasing singles. He scored at Latino Christian radio with the anthemic “Espitrito Santo (feat. Barak), and the following year delivered the gritty hip-hop track “Ofensivo y Escandoloso” that didn’t register at radio, but made top-shelf DJ sets from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv. The pop-folk-cum-hip-hop anthem “Vivire,” (feat. Evan Craft) was issued in 2017, followed by the digital long-players Mas and the collaborative Trapstornadores in 2018. Each of the former set’s 12 tracks were cut as duets with Funky, but also included contributions from Annette Moreno, Bianca, Any Puello, and Jesus Adrian Romero. An all-instrumental set titled Vertical followed a year later.
2019 also saw Redimi2 issue singles in several styles. While “La Praxis Freestyle” offered an old-school approach to reggaeton, “Filipenses 1:6″ (feat. Almighty) used maximal trap production. “Alegria (feat. Ivan) wed 21st century trap to cumbia in a ferociously beat-heavy mix. “La Resistancia, P.R.” recorded in collaboration with Indiomar, Eliud L’Voices, Gabriel RodriguezEMC, Harold Velazquez, C Shalom and Práctiko, was released as a benefit intended to raise relief funds after the island nation was battered by two devastating hurricanes in a single season. He closed the year with “Locos Como Yo,” wedding bomba, plena, jazz, and salsa to urbano and trap. 2020 saw the release of no less than seven singles, most of which, including the radio hit “Jesus” (feat. Betsy Jo), were included on the compilation 20/20.
Redimi2 issued two albums in 2021. February’s thoroughly urbano Uno appeared in collaboration with Alex Zurdo and Funky, while December’s club-friendly Momentum offered another dozen tracks with a slew of guest spots. Danny Gokey collaborated on “No Hay Nada Imposible,” while Melody Jaine appeared on the jazzy hip-hop of “Ti Amo,” and Betsy Jo returned for a reprise duet performance on “Vuelvo a Ti.” ~ Thom Jurek