Anuel AA

2016–2018: Incarceration and Real Hasta la Muerte album

In April 2016, Anuel AA was arrested in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for illegal possession of three firearms. Billboard noted that Latin trap surged in popularity while Anuel AA was in prison, writing, "Anuel remained behind bars, while outside, his music flourished." After being arrested and imprisoned, he recorded his debut album while incarcerated. Real Hasta la Muerte peaked at number 42 on the Billboard 200 and topped the US Top Latin Albums chart. The release of the album, along with the artist's release from prison, garnered significant media attention; the rapper was surprised by the public response and stated that he "didn't even know how to talk in interviews" after being incarcerated for more than two years. He achieved his first Billboard Hot 100 hit in August 2018 through his collaboration with American rapper 6ix9ine on the song "Bebe". He also collaborated with Nicki Minaj and Bantu on the song "Familia" for the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, released in December 2018. In January 2019, the rapper released the single "Secreto" with Colombian singer Karol G, confirming the romantic relationship between the two artists in the song's accompanying music video. The single reached number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the US Hot Latin Songs charts. The song was inspired by the time when Anuel AA and Karol G were dating but had not yet publicly discussed their relationship. The video's "power couple" aesthetic garnered comparisons to Beyoncé and Jay-Z as well as Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. He told XXL that "when I used to go with the big boys in my hood to the club, they put that song on and everybody used to go crazy". Anuel AA later appeared on the single "Whine Up" from Nicky Jam's album Íntimo, released on November 1, 2019.

In January 2020, Anuel AA collaborated with Shakira on the song "Me Gusta", which interpolates Jamaican reggae band Inner Circle's 1992 hit "Sweat (A La La La La Long)". Rolling Stone called the song "an unhurried lover's rock number with a delicate touch of dembow". On April 3, 2020, Anuel AA released "3 de Abril" which commemorates the day that the artist was arrested, leading to prison time.

On May 27, 2020, he announced and revealed the tracklist for his second album, Emmanuel, which was released on May 29. Anuel AA had originally planned to release the album in April, but postponed the date due to the pandemic. On the day of the album's release, he promoted it by launching three luxury yachts off the coast of Miami's Isle of Normandy neighborhood.

On January 22, 2021, Anuel AA and Ozuna released their collaborative album Los Dioses. The album includes 12 tracks.

In June 2021, Anuel AA's manager Frabián Elí announced that Anuel's fourth studio album will be released in July. The album will include trap and only two reggaeton songs. Later he announced via Instagram that the album wouldn't come yet. Anuel later appeared on the remix of the single "Mr Jones" from the deluxe of Pop Smoke's album Faith, released on July 31, 2021.

In August 2021, Anuel released two songs, "Los de Siempre" with Chris Jedi and "23 Preguntas", dedicated to his ex-girlfriend Karol G. In the music video of 23 Preguntas he announced the name of his next album Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren. In September he partnered with Jhayco in the track "Ley Seca" part of his album Timelezz.

In December 2021, Anuel became the first Latin artist to collaborate with UFC to promote a sports conceptual album, which features his admiration for influential cultural figures, including sports icons. Real Hasta la Muerte was the presenting sponsor of UFC Fight Replay for pivotal moments of UFC 269's main card. The company's activation with UFC included Anuel AA's visuals, logo, and artistic concept for his third album, Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren.

Late 2021: Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren On September 22, he announced that his album Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren was complete and ready for release. In October he released "Dictadura", the first single of his upcoming album. In November, Anuel featured on the long-awaited BZRP Music Session 46 with Argentinian Producer Bizarrap. On November 11 he released the second single from the album, "Leyenda". On November 17 he revealed the tracklist for his album by printing song names on the jersey of his basketball team. The day after, he released the album's last single, "Súbelo", with Myke Towers and Jhayco. Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren released on the rapper's 29th birthday. The album has 16 tracks and features Eladio Carrión, Mora, Myke Towers and Jhayco.

2022: LLNM2 On January 1, 2022, Anuel AA took part of Dominican rapper Rochy RD's song "Los Illuminaty". Later he confirmed the announcement of the second part of his album Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren. The first single of the new project is supposed to be "Si Tú Me Busca" with Dominican rapper Yailin La Más Viral. On 20 May 2022, Anuel AA partnered with Chris Jedi, Chencho Corleone and Ñengo Flow in global hit "La Llevo al Cielo". Later he released the electro pop song "¿Qué Nos Paso?".

Anuel AA announced the EP Me Fui de Gira with 6 or 7 tracks but later he cancelled it and unified it with the upcoming album Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren 2. The first announced single in the project was the collaboration "Malo" between Anuel and Puerto Rican singer Zion and Puerto Rican rapper Randy.

On February 18, 2022, Anuel participated in the 2022 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

2023: Rompecorazones In early 2023, Anuel AA announced his tour in the United States, named "Legends Never Die Tour". In the promotional video he also confirmed his upcoming extended play Rompecorazones.

On March 2, 2023, Anuel AA released the single "Más Rica Que Ayer" alongside Puerto Rican producer duo Mambo Kingz and Puerto Rican producer DJ Luian. It became popular and the music video has received over 275 million views on YouTube. Later he partnered with Maluma in the song "Diablo, Que Chimba". In April 2023, Anuel AA collaborated with Eladio Carrión on the long-awaited track "Triste Verano". Later he released "Mi Exxx", a collaboration with Wisin.

On May 5, 2023, Anuel AA released the single "Mejor Que Yo" with DJ Luian and Mambo Kingz, dedicated to his ex-girlfriend Karol G. In July 2023, Anuel AA featured on Rochy RD's song "Milloneta", previously performed by both artists at the 2023 Heat Latin Music Awards in Dominican Republic. On May 28, 2023, Anuel AA partnered with Jay Wheeler on the remix of "Pacto" alongside Hades66, Dei V and Bryant Myers.

In October 2023, Anuel AA postponed the release of his upcoming EP “Rompecorazones”, which was supposed to be released at the end of the month, due to an unexpected emergency surgery. Later he released the single "OA" with Spanish rapper Quevedo and Maluma featuring Mambo Kingz and DJ Luian. In November 2023, he collaborated with Ozuna on the track "Pa Ti Estoy", part of Ozuna's album Cosmo. In December 2023, Anuel AA released the single "Luces Tenues", produced by DJ Luian and Mambo Kingz.

2024: Two new albums In the beginning of 2024, Ozuna revealed that an album between him and Anuel AA is scheduled to be released following their collaborative album Los Dioses. Later Anuel AA announced in a live with Adin Ross on Kick that his upcoming album Rompecorazones is on the way. In February 2024, Anuel AA alongside Ozuna featured on the single "Bad Boy" by Chris Jedi, Gaby Music and Dei V. Later he appeared on the deluxe edition of Jennifer Lopez's album This Is Me... Now in the remix of "Rebound". At the same time Anuel released his single "Tacos Gucci", part of his upcoming album Rompecorazones. In March 2024, he took part of the remix of Pressure 9X19's "VVS Switch" alongside Puerto Rican rappers YOVNGCHIMI, Hades66, Luar La L and CDobleta.

In late March 2024, Anuel AA and Jhayco joined Puerto Rican rapper iZaak for the remix of "Bby Boo". Anuel AA and Bryant Myers appeared on the remix of "No Te Quieren Conmigo", released on April 4, 2024, alongside Gaby Music, Lunay and Luar La L. In mid-April 2024, Anuel AA confirmed that he will release two albums this year. On April 19, 2024, Anuel AA partnered with Brytiago in a collaboration titled "Kilerito". On May 3, 2024, Anuel AA participated on Casper Magico, Luar La L and iZaak's single "Toki". In late-June, 2024, he participated alongside Blessd and Pirlo on WYA (Remix Black and White) by J Abdiel and iZaak. Later, Anuel AA released "Razones" with Ozuna featuring DJ Luian and Mambo Kingz. In July, collaborations with Yovngchimi ("Baby Demon") and Omar Courtz ("Serio con ese Q") came out.

On August 30, 2024, Anuel AA released the song "Shampoo de Coco".

On November 14, 2024, Anuel AA released the song "DEPORTIVO" alongside Blessd.

On December 25, 2024, Anuel AA featured on "Popa (Remix)" alongside Ice Spice for the album Y2K: I'm Just A Girl (Deluxe).

Musical style and influences Listen filename = China - 2019 song sample.ogg title = "China" (2019) description = This song, which samples the melody of Shaggy's hit "It Wasn't Me" (2000), debuted at number two on Billboards Hot Latin Songs chart.

Anuel AA's introduction to hip hop occurred upon listening to rapper Tupac Shakur. He is influenced by, and has collaborated with, American hip hop artists Meek Mill and Gucci Mane, both of whom, like Anuel AA, gained notoriety for serving time in prison. In the song, he refers to model and television host La Taína as a "pig" for her HIV-positive status. Due to the public backlash, Anuel AA's concert at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico venue, scheduled for October 12 of that year, was canceled by his production staff and main producer Paco López. Anuel AA later issued an apology for the song. Followers on Instagram speculated about why he made the comments. Ivy Queen responded with comments about where she came from and how she was a pioneer, paving the way for other women to follow.

In December 2023, a feud against Anuel AA and Arcángel would start after the latter released "Feliz Navidad 8", which is a diss track against Anuel, Rochy RD and Ozuna. The possible reason for the release of track is due to Anuel ending his business relationship with his longtime manager Frabián Eli, who is Arcángel's brother-in-law. Anuel responded with the release of the diss track "Glock, Glock, Glock", where he mentions that without Bad Bunny, Arcángel cannot make a hit single. Arcángel responded again with another diss track, "El Narcan", which is titled after the substance of the same name. The lyrics claim that Anuel has substance abuse issues. Anuel responded again with a second diss track "Arcángel Es Chota", a song where Karol G and Cosculluela are again mentioned and, in the lyrics, mentions Arcángel's arrest in 2019 for domestic battery. Also responding to Arcángel again through an Instagram post, Anuel claims that nobody noticed that he released his album, Sentimiento, Elegancia y Más Maldad, adding that "[he's] waiting for Bad Bunny to collaborate with him to revive his career." Arcángel would release a third diss track titled "3 a 0", where he mentions Anuel's ex-partner Yailin La Más Viral and defends Karol G and Feid in the track.

Personal life

Relationships Anuel AA has a son named Pablo Anuel, a daughter named Gianella, and a daughter with his ex-wife, Yailin La Más Viral, named Cattleya.

Anuel AA met Colombian singer Karol G in August 2018 on the set of the music video for their song "Culpables", a month after his release from prison. In January 2019, Anuel AA and Karol G confirmed their relationship. In February 2023, the couple announced their separation. In March 2023, Yailin gave birth to his daughter Cattelaya. As of mid 2023, Anuel has been dating Venezuelan Laury Saavedra. In 2024, they announced via Instagram that they were expecting their first child together and it was revealed to be a girl. On January 23, 2025, Anuel AA became a father for the fourth time, a daughter with Laury Saavedra.

Politics Anuel AA supported Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and spoke at a campaign rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Legal issues Anuel AA was arrested and held in the Metropolitan Detention Center, Guaynabo, on April 3, 2016, with three companions when police found three pistols including one stolen, nine magazines, and 152 bullets. He signed a plea deal, accepting a 30-month sentence in federal prison, on gun possession charges. Following his arrest, the #FreeAnuel movement became popular among his fans as he continued to release tracks from prison In March 2018, Anuel AA was released from federal prison into a state prison in Miami. During this time, he told Billboard that while imprisoned, he listened to the radio and kept up with what was happening in the streets to draw inspiration for his songwriting. Anuel also claims that during his time in prison he started reading the Bible for the first time and realizing that “his talent and blessings came from God”.

NFTs On June 10, 2022, it was reported that Anuel AA would be entering the NFT space by launching his own NFT collection making him one of the first Latin rappers in history to do so. He is also the first Latin artist to collaborate with the UFC promoting a sports conceptual album.

The rapper's NFT collection will be made up of physical assets along with exclusive real life experiences such as limited edition merchandise, access to album release parties, studio visits and listening sessions. Real Hasta la Muerte 2 Tour (2024–2025)

Filmography + Film and television roles Year Title Role Notes 2021–2022 30 Days with: Anuel Himself YouTube Originals

Awards and nominations