Genres: Rap/Hip Hop,Latin,Reggae/SkaArcangel, born Austin Santos, was born in New York City, but also spent part of his life in the Dominican Republic. In 2002, Santos moved to Puerto Rico to perform and record reggaeton music. He formed a duo, called Arcangel and De La Ghetto, and they signed a contract with Zion Baby Records.
Arcangel
In order for it to be successful, good equipment would be highly important, and by going along with the tour, he will be able to learn more on what the continental tour experience is like.
Getting Started
Arcangel, born Austin Santos, was born in New York City, but also spent part of his life in the Dominican Republic. In 2002, Santos moved to Puerto Rico to perform and record reggaeton music. He formed a duo, called Arcangel and De La Ghetto, and they signed a contract with Zion Baby Records.
The duo recorded on a number of compilation albums with Machete Music. Their 2006 appearance on the compilation album, Hector “El Father”, Sangre Nueve, with their hit, Ven Y Pegate. They never released a solo studio album; their duo material appeared on multiple compilations and were leaked to the internet, where their underground fan base were able to search and download mp3 versions of their music.
Solo Work
The duo separated in 2007, and Arcangel set out on his own. He was due to release his album, La Maravilla,in 2008. The release was canceled, however, due to leaks of his music to the internet. After the initial leak, he streamed the entire album online, making all of the singles available for download. The leaks led to radio play, making him one of the most popular reggaeton artists in the United States.
In 2009, Arcangel embarked on a European tour to promote his album. Countries included Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, England, the Netherlands, and Denmark. His goal was to learn more about the European countries so that he could work to build a larger fan base there; he also wanted to learn about the culture of performing in Europe. In late 2009, he released several singles from a new compilation, Golpe de Estado, which featured two singles from Arcangel, as well as material from Nejo, La Sista, and more.
What's Next
Arcangel continues to perform and record; his most recent recording was a collaboration with Daddy Yankee. Videos available for streaming on his website and on YouTube keep his fans hungry for more. In late 2008, he signed a recording contract with Pina Records, but since then has only worked on singles and videos.
There are no announcements regarding when to expect his next album, but his recordings with associate reggaeton performers and rappers continue to appear on compilations and on line. His fan base has grown due to aggressive touring to include Latin America, North America, and Europe. His next album is anxiously awaited and will be warmly received.
Did you know . . .
Arcangel has singles on seven different compilations with release dates between 2006 and 2009. These include other artists, including De La Ghetto, Daddy Yankee, Voltio, and Plan B.
In 2008, Arcangel starred in an independent film, entitled Muerte de El Paraiso, meaning Death in Paradise.
Arcangel's mother was a member of an all-woman merengue group, called La Chicas del Can, who were popular in the 1980s and 1990s.