Rafael Castillo Torres (born September 17, 1984), known professionally as De la Ghetto, is an American singer and rapper who is the one-half member of the reggaeton duo Arcángel & De la Ghetto, alongside Arcángel. He is known for fusing reggaeton music with hip hop and trap rhythms, eventually creating Latin trap music.
Early life Rafael Castillo Torres was born in The Bronx, borough of New York, NY, on September 17, 1984, to a Dominican father, Rafael Castillo, and a Puerto Rican mother, Migdalia Torres. His father died months after he was born, while his mother was incarcerated for six years in Argentina when Castillo was around the age of eight, eventually relocating to San Juan, Puerto Rico where he lived with his grandmother.
Career In 2004, just before his twentieth birthday, Castillo met with another young reggaetón musician born in New York City by the name of Austin Santos—better known to the public as Arcángel—and the two decided to form a duo, Arcángel & De la Ghetto. The pair debuted with their single "Ven, Pégate", which was featured on Naldo's mixtape Sangre Nueva, in 2005. From there, Castillo was signed to Zion's label, Baby Records, and immediately began to make music. Castillo has appeared on numerous reggaetón compilation albums and collaborations, including the album Mas Flow: Los Benjamins. In 2006, De la Ghetto officially began his solo career, appearing the following year on two hit singles, as well: a remixed version of "Siente el Boom" by Tito el Bambino, plus a collaboration with Randy called "Sensación del Bloque", which has been viewed on YouTube over 200 million times as of July 2023.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Masacre Musical was then released in 2008. Masacre Musical peaked at #46 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in the U.S.; its lead single, "Tú Te Imaginas", peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
The 2018 album Mi Movimiento (my movement) was nominated in 2019 for a Latin Grammy Award for "Best Urban Music Album", and the track "Caliente" was also nominated for a Latin Grammy for "Best Urban song".
Personal life In an interview, he revealed that he is married to a woman named Verónica and that the couple have two kids together.
Discography Studio albums Masacre Musical (2008) Geezy Boyz: The Album (2013) Mi Movimiento (2018) Los Chulitos (2020) GZ (2023) Daylight (2025)
Mixtapes The Boss of the Block (2007) The Boss of the Block, Vol. 2 (2007) Masacre Musical Mixtape (2007) Masacre Musical Presents: El Movimiento (2008) Masacre Musical Presents: El Movimiento, Vol. II (2010)
Compilation albums
El Jefe de la Versatilidad, Vol. 1 (2011) El Jefe de la Versatilidad, Vol. 2 (2011)
Singles As lead artist + List of singles as lead artist, with chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumUSUS<br/ >Latin SPAWW "Es Difícil" 2008 — 42 — —Masacre Musical "Tú Te Imaginas" 2009 — 33 — —"Come Out and See" — — — —"Lover (Remix)" — — — —"Momento Que Te Vi" — — — —"Stripper Pole" — — — —Masacre Musical Presents: El Movimiento Vol. II"Tapu Tapu"2010 — — — —Lost in Time"Nocturno" — — — —"Jala Gatillo" — — — —"Tumbao" — — — —Los Vaqueros: El Regreso"La Reunión de los Vaqueros" — — — — La Revolución Live Vol. 1 "Tú y Yo" — — — — "Ya Es Hora"2018 — — — —Index"F.L.Y." — — — — Mi Movimiento"Acho PR" 2023 83 24 22 47 Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
As featured artist + List of singles as featured artist, with chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak AlbumUS<br/ >Latin "Aparentemente" 2007 42La Reunión Callejero Flow "Inalcanzable (remix)" 2008 — "Mala Conducta (remix)"2010 —Perreologia "Tú Me Robaste el Corazón (Remix) —Mi Movimiento "De La Calle" —Drama Queen "El Jefe"2012 —Vida Acelerada "Actúa (remix)" —Imperio Nazza: J. Alvarez Edition "No Es Una Gial" 2013 —Imperio Nazza: Farruko Edition "Si Tú No Estás" 2014 — "Nadie Como Yo" 2015 — "Bailen" — "Todavía Te Quiero" 2016 —Latina "Pide Lo Que Tú Quieras" 2017 —Odisea "Tócame" 2020 — rowspan="5" "Mala (Remix)" — "New Calle" 2021 — "Fardos" 2024 — "Morning" —
References
External links