Who Influenced Tego Calderón? The Artists Behind The Icon

Tego Calderón’s unique style of rapping, blending multicultural influences, quickly earned him recognition as a street poet with a fresh musical approach. He credits fellow Puerto Rican hip-hop legend Vico C with inspiring him to rap in Spanish. Vico C’s early success in the 1990s paved the way for a new generation of Spanish-language rappers, and his influence on Tego Calderón was significant. Vico C’s lyrics tackled social issues and everyday experiences, resonating with a large audience in Puerto Rico and beyond. This approach resonated with Tego Calderón, who saw an opportunity to connect with his community through music.

Tego Calderón’s decision to embrace Spanish in his rapping was a deliberate choice. He felt that imitating the English catchphrases of African-American hip-hop would not resonate authentically with his audience. Instead, he wanted to create music that reflected his culture and experiences. Vico C’s success in pioneering Spanish-language hip-hop gave Tego Calderón the confidence and inspiration to follow a similar path. Vico C’s music served as a blueprint, demonstrating that Spanish-language hip-hop could be both commercially successful and culturally relevant.

By drawing inspiration from Vico C, Tego Calderón was able to forge his own path, crafting a sound that was distinctly his own. His music, while heavily influenced by Vico C, transcended imitation. He infused his lyrics with a unique blend of cultural influences, making his music relatable to a wider audience.