De La Ghetto — born Rafael Castillo in New York — grew up in Puerto Rico, the country that birthed reggaetón in the late 1990s. It’s no wonder the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter went on to be a noted artist in the Latin scene: Being heavily influenced by his Caribbean roots and where it all started for him. Beginning his musical journey with a “cheap ass microphone,” the Puerto Rican native recorded his first song in 2004.
“It never came out,” he admits. “It was just one take but to me, I thought I was famous already. Just hearing my voice on a CD…to me that was like, mind-blowing.”
Now, De La Ghetto has an upcoming album in the works, which he refers to as a “masterpiece,” and explains why people should listen to it in Billboard’s “You Should Know” series.
“I think people should listen to my music because I’m a second, third generation Latino American,” says the proud Latino. “I represent all the young kids in the streets that…que quiero luchar por algo importante por ellos [all the young kids in the streets that want to fight for something important — for them].”
With a new album slated to release soon, big things are in store for the singer, yet the one thing he is focused on this year is bettering himself, especially for his family. “My big dream for 2017 actually is just to be a better person, a better father, a better husband, and just you know, have fun and make good music,” Castillo explains.
For more on De La Ghetto, including his spirit animal, favorite artist to collaborate with, and the first album he owned, watch the video above.