Rauw Alejandro Pays NYC Tribute at Gov Ball Headlining Set, Talks 'New Single, New Era' in Pre-Show Interview

It's a new era for Rauw Alejandro. Fresh from releasing his first solo single since August, the disco-tinged “Touching the Sky,” and announcing an upcoming album, the Puerto Rican artist has taken the international festival spotlight.

The announcement of his headlining slot at the upcoming Coca-Cola Music Fest and Baja Beach Fest highlights his escalating prominence, following a headlining slot at Chicago's Sueños last month. But his ascension is most pronounced at New York's Governor's Ball Music festival, the genre-spanning festival that weaves his roots and personal narrative into the buzzing energy of the Big Apple.

On Friday (June 7) at 7:30 p.m., the superstar lit up the GoPuff Stage at the Gov Ball. Dressed in a striped suit that originated in the late 1960s, a tribute to West Side Story, Rauw unleashed a performance charged with boundless energy and flawless dance moves. Over the course of an hour, he belted out hits like “Al Callao,” “Panties y Brasieres,” “Party” and “Desesperados,” combining hard-hitting reggaetón with soulful dance-pop anthems.

His connection to the crowd was palpable: “I've always had a special relationship with this city. My father was born in Brooklyn. It is a meeting point for many cultures,” he told the audience. “Many of us left our country in search of opportunities and dreams. And I feel that here you can fulfill all the dreams you want to have in life. In my case, a dream is fulfilled by sharing it here with all of you, a dream that I am living today, thanks to all of you who have supported me since day one.”

The Gov Ball, featuring iconic New York-inspired elements such as a Statue of Liberty tattoo and city memorabilia, saw Rauw honor the city in his own unique way. A replica subway train served as the backdrop, setting the scene for a dynamic dance performance inspired by Michael Jackson's “Smooth Criminal” and Chris Brown's moves, ensuring all the superstar caliber. In a special highlight, the performer stepped off the stage to sing among the tens of thousands of festival goers.

Moments before his bold act, Billboard Español caught up with the Puerto Rican artist to discuss his upcoming album and the personal stories that shape his public persona and electrifying performances.

It's exciting to have you here in New York at the Gov Ball. How do you feel about today's show?

I am very excited. It's my first time. It's a big deal. In recent years, there have been a lot of Latinos taking the lead at US festivals. We are here.

Do you prepare differently for headlining a festival compared to your own gigs or while on tour? How does the experience differ for you?

It is different. At festivals you share a stage with other artists, so you don't have two or three hours to do a show. My shows are usually two and a half hours, arena and stadium shows. But festivals, it's like we're united as artists. We share energy with the public. The festival starts at noon until 10pm, so it's like a quick teaser. Festivals are more fun, more energetic. I focus more on what people like. I just want to have fun. My gig, I'm just getting into my album concept and then trying to tell a whole story about it and promote your new album. With festivals, we use it more to promote singles. It's the taste before the tour. I remember my first festival, when six years ago I still didn't have a record. He was just promoting me as a new artist. Festivals are that opportunity. I am in charge of this festival and I have a special surprise for the people here. My dad is from Brooklyn. I have a lot of family in New York, so there's that special connection. And this weekend is the Puerto Rico Day Parade. Puerto Rico is here.

Dance is such an important element of your performances. Can you share some ideas about how you develop your choreography? Who are your choreographers?

I work with FeFe Burgos. It's also Puerto Rico. He has been in New York for a long time. He has danced with many artists. I have been with him for about six years. We also collaborated with all the choreographers. So you mix that Latin flavor with all these other types of dance around the world, with hip-hop, jazz and contemporary. I even have a little ballet foundation. I've always danced all my life, just for fun.

In my opinion, you are the best dancer, taking the performances of the genre to the next level.

I realized this is where I want to be, so I started studying a little more. I try to get better and better with time, [incorporating] the salsa flavor. There have been so many artists from previous generations that have inspired me. I remember seeing Michael Jackson when I was a boy.

My dad was a big fan of Elvis Presley and James Brown. So it's like you grew up with that style. From childhood, everything [dance] the artists caught my attention. I was like watching them [thinking], “God, I want to be like them.” I vote for. I can't be on stage [sitting still]. I have to move.

You recently released “Touching the Sky”, your first solo single since August (“Hayami Hana”).

Yes, new single, new era. I tried to divide my works by seasons and characters. It's just an initial taste. I have an album that is almost ready. I try not to repeat albums, sonically. In all my albums you will always find reggaetón. Your essence will always be there. It's a different touch, perspective and musical colors. I did “Touching the Sky” a few months ago and it feels like summer is coming. It's that atmosphere. I don't exactly plan what song it will be [the first single]. It's just how you feel at the time. We're going with a New York vibe. And I went back to New York. It was really fun.

You're channeling an old, duller era of New York. Who were your influences?

It's a bit more like the late 60s and 70s, West Side Story, Broadway, is theatrical. Before I start [making] music, I did theater when I was 16, 17. So I like to combine theater with music. On Saturn, I started making short films for my records. For what we're coming up with, you're going to see the contrast between my albums and what I've been doing Saturn last year. It will be the opposite.

I also liked the freestyle. On a different topic, Advertising sign mentioned in December that you left Eric Duars and that you have new management. How did this change affect your career path?

I think everything is for the best. I'm always trying to grow as an artist. I've been in this game for almost nine years now. I started out on my own in the music business officially in 2015. Then in 2017 I signed with them [Duars]. And now, 2024. It's been a long time. You grow, you learn. What we did together was great. Now it's just a different vision, a different perspective. But it doesn't have to be… it's just work. I have a great team right now. I am 31 years old, adult male. I feel very happy at this moment in my life. I feel in control of my whole career. I know what I want to do. I have my notes. I found out. It's just part of growing up.

Many of your earliest fans, myself included, first discovered your music on SoundCloud five years ago. How do you think starting on such a platform has affected your music career?

SoundCloud was a huge tool for me when I started my career. I really support SoundCloud artists and YouTube. Back in the day, it was just SoundCloud and YouTube before the big platforms. I remember on the island, everybody was frustrated with SoundCloud, hearing this s— on SoundCloud. It was a small group. Mike Towers, Alvarito Díaz. Even Bad Bunny. All the artists back in the day like 2017.

Now you are pioneers in so many festivals: a Coca-Cola festival, you did Sueños [last month], will headline Baja Beach Fest. That's a lot of growth.

I was looking at the old festival flyers the other day. My name was small, and now we are headliners!

With fame your personal life also becomes public, like your breakup with your ex [Rosalía]. How did you deal with these experiences in public and find the strength or inspiration to grow personally?

I think this is part of life, growing and learning. We are here and I am focused right now on my present and my future. All these [past] life experiences, I just use it to be a better person.

How was going to the Met Gala?

The Met Gala was fun. It was my first time. I felt like that kid at a new school. I was like, “What's going on? My name is Rauw. Hi, I'm Puerto Rican.” It was fun. We had the after parties and everything. I have been involved in fashion for the last few years. I think music and fashion always [go well] together.

Speaking of fashion, what are you wearing on stage tonight?

I work with my stylist. Shout out to Chloe and Chanel. We also worked with them for a few years. They are awesome. But you will see some classic Rauw, like an old generation of salsa. It will be really fun.

Any new tattoos?

I am working on it. I didn't have time, but I want to dab my legs, my back, everything. The one thing I'm not going to do in my life, because [I promised] my grandmother, she was my face.

Last words;

It's a new Rauw, new era, new music. The album is something amazing. I always like to put my finishing touches on Puerto Rico. I think it's just good luck. Puerto Rico has that magical touch that no other place has, in my opinion. The greatest artists of the Latin world, most of them are on the island. There's something magical about it. If you want to know, you have to go and visit the island.