Anuel AA

Background

Emmanuel Gazmey Santiago, A.K.A. Anuel AA, is a Puerto Rican rapper whose talents and resilience have won him a hub of loyal fans worldwide. He is a Sagittarius born on November 26, 1992, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Santiago is of Afro/White Puerto Rican descent. His father was the Puerto Rican division A&R vice president of Sony Music Entertainment. Seeing his father work with famous artists incited Santiago’s interest in the recording industry.

Santiago’s music caught the attention of Rick Ross, who subsequently signed him to Maybach Music group’s Latin division. By February 2016, he released his mixtape “Real Hasta La Muerte.” The mixtape was a success and earned Santiago a guest feature on Ozuna’s album, “Odisea” (2017). Still riding the waves of his success, Santiago got arrested in April 2016 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, for illegal possession of three firearms. He got sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. During his time in prison, his music flourished. Santiago was writing and recording music while incarcerated. His debut album, “Real Hasta la Muerte,” dropped the day he got released from prison, on July 17, 2018. The album was a success and was featured on Rolling Stones as one of 2018’s best Latin albums. In August, Santiago got his first Billboard Hot 100 hit on “Bebe” with rapper 6ix9ine.

In May 2020, he released his second studio album, “Emmanuel.” Despite announcing his retirement in 2020, Santiago released a collaborative album with Ozuna in January 2021, titled “Los Dioses.” By November, the rapper dropped his third studio album, “Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren.” Santiago’s music is fresh and rhythmic. He cites Tupac Shakur as his musical influence. He was in a relationship with Columbian singer Karol G in 2019, and they got engaged. However, they announced their split in March 2021. He is currently married to Yailin La Más Viral, with whom he shares his success alongside his son, Pablo Anuel, from his former partner, Astrid Cuevas.