Rauw Alejandro is stepping into a new era, blending nostalgia with reinvention. The Puerto Rican hitmaker, known for pushing sonic boundaries, is preparing to release "Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0," a prequel to his 2024 album "Cosa Nuestra." In an intimate interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Rauw opened up about the roots of this project, the lessons learned from personal challenges, and how he’s setting his sights far beyond the music world.
Rauw described "Cosa Nuestra" as a response to his 2022 album "Saturno," which carried a futuristic edge. “Three years ago, after Saturno, I wanted to go in the opposite direction. I wanted something elegant and old school,” he shared. That decision sparked a creative journey that couldn’t be contained in just one album, leading to this prequel.
With "Capítulo 0," Rauw dives deeper into the sounds and stories that shaped Caribbean music. This project doesn’t just aim to honor tradition; it reimagines it, fusing heritage with modern artistry.
Learning From the Source
To fully immerse himself, Rauw did something few global pop stars would consider: he went back to school. Between flights and concerts, he logged into Zoom classes at the University of Puerto Rico.
“I took about ten classes, always while traveling, because I really wanted to understand the full map of how it all started,” he said. His studies revealed to him the richness of Caribbean culture, music, fashion, food, and lifestyle, which often gets overlooked in a globalized industry.
“For me, it was a way to remind people of what we already have,” he explained. “We don’t need to look outside. Our roots are more than enough.”
When Success Takes Its Toll
While Rauw thrives creatively, the grind of touring pushed him to his limits. On his most recent U.S. tour, he suffered an anxiety attack during a show. “We had back-to-back concerts, I wasn’t sleeping well, and I had just downed coffee before going on,” he admitted. “Suddenly, my body collapsed. I was performing but watching myself from outside—it was different.”
That frightening experience forced him to slow down. Now, he prioritizes rest and recovery. “You’re not a robot. Sleep is essential. Ten years without stopping taught me the hard way,” he said.
A Broader Creative Horizon
Far from slowing down artistically, Rauw is channeling this reset into expanding his vision. He’s already looking beyond music, eyeing opportunities in film, acting, directing, and writing. “There are so many areas to explore. I’m definitely not going to stick to music alone,” he revealed.
This new chapter is about balance. By grounding himself in the past while branching into new creative worlds, Rauw Alejandro is setting the stage for a legacy that stretches far beyond reggaeton.