Rauw Alejandro became the first Latin artist to headline Forest Hills Stadium this past weekend, performing two nights at the historic Queens, New York venue that has previously hosted the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix. The shows, titled "Red Bull Chapters With Rauw Alejandro," marked the energy drink brand's first concert of its kind and were also the two-time Latin Grammy winner's first performances of 2026.
The 90-minute production unfolded in three chapters — Inspiration, Momentum and Legacy — tracing the artist's musical evolution while centering Puerto Rican pride throughout. "Three chapters is very little to tell a whole story, but I think we came up with a nice idea: briefing a little bit and just focusing on giving a nice message to our fans," Alejandro, born Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz, told Variety during rehearsals at the stadium on Friday.
Chapter 1 featured visuals of Puerto Rico's beaches, colorful architecture and its original red, white and celestial-blue flag, predating the island's status as a U.S. territory. Alejandro opened with "Santa," followed by a medley of "Dream Girl" and "Toda," then "Déjame Entrar" and a rendition of salsa pioneer Frankie Ruiz's 1985 hit "Tú Con Él." The segment closed with "Carita Linda" as skateboarders performed in costumes inspired by Puerto Rico's vejigantes.
Chapter 2 shifted to the pressures of fame against a New York City skyline backdrop, pulling songs from his 2021 album "Vice Versa" and 2022 release "Playa Saturno," including "Todo de Ti," "Baby Hello," "Desenfocao'" and a remix of "Tiroteo." Chapter 3 paid tribute to reggaeton's pioneers, bringing out producer Tainy before running through a catalog spanning Héctor el Father, Daddy Yankee, Arcángel, Tony Dize and Bad Bunny. Chencho Corleone of Plan B joined for "El Efecto" and "Desesperados" before the night closed with "Lokera" and "Punto 40."
The concerts arrive as Alejandro and Bad Bunny have leaned into cultural advocacy amid deportations, ICE raids, and gentrification and poverty affecting Puerto Rico. Alejandro's fifth album, "Cosa Nuestra," dropped in November 2024, followed by Bad Bunny's "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" in January 2025, which preceded a sold-out Puerto Rico residency, a world tour and an Emmy-winning Super Bowl halftime show. Alejandro followed with 2025's "Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0."
"I think that creates an impact on all Latinos to embrace their culture, to not be afraid of showing their real identity. You don't have to hide from nobody," Alejandro said. "I think that's what 'Cosa Nuestra' and 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos' did. It's always been with us in a way. Getting older and more mature as an artist, you keep evolving."
He added that his New York and Puerto Rico roots run deep: "My father is from Brooklyn and Puerto Rican as well, from Canóvanas. My mom is from Carolina, so it's home." Reflecting on the show's purpose, he said, "These kids don't know who the pioneers are, and I think it's our responsibility to show them and educate them to see what's up."
Photo: Rauw Alejandro, Duars, Sony Latin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
