Rauw Alejandro headlined a two-night Red Bull Chapters show at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, with the second date added after his Saturday concert sold out. The global superstar structured the performance as a three-act journey through his career, dividing the night into chapters titled Inspiration, Momentum, and Legacy.
Chapter one centered on Puerto Rico, opening with "Santa" as onstage visuals showed the island's sea, sun, mountains, and flag. Rauw spoke to the crowd about inspiration while performing "Déjame Entrar," "2/Catorce," and "No Me Sueltes," along with "Carita Linda" from Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0, a track blending bomba-style rhythms as a tribute to the island. He also performed "Tú Con Él," his cover of the Frankie Ruiz classic, nodding to classic salsa.
Chapter two, Momentum, featured athletes jumping, skateboarders launching into the air, and motorcyclists performing wheelies and stunts — a nod to Rauw's own background as a former soccer player and self-described risk-taker. The segment included "Baby Hello" from Playa Saturno, "Desenfocaó" from Vice Versa, and "Dejau" from Saturno.
In one of the night's most powerful moments, Rauw addressed the Puerto Rican diaspora directly, framing his message around the responsibility to stay connected to and invest in the island. He encouraged Puerto Ricans in the crowd to buy their abuelos properties on the island as a way to protect the culture and identity tied to their heritage.
Chapter three, Legacy, reflected on Rauw's evolution beyond traditional reggaeton into R&B, Afrobeat, dance hall, electronic sounds, bomba, and salsa, with more theatrical dancing woven into the performance. Tainy took the stage during this act, opening with Héctor El Father and Wisin & Yandel's 2006 track "El Teléfono," then moving into Daddy Yankee's "Salgo Pa' La Calle," "Déjale Caer Tó El Peso," and Arcángel's "Pá Que La Pases Bien." The crowd erupted when Rauw joined Tainy for "Party," his collaboration with Bad Bunny from Un Verano Sin Ti. Chencho, returning as a guest for the second night, then joined Rauw for "El Efecto," followed by "Corleone" and "Desesperados."
The show closed with "Que Pasaría," Rauw's collaboration with Bad Bunny from Cosa Nuestra, followed by "Lokera" and "Punto 30." Rauw took a final sip from his Red Bull can before being lowered into the stage, closing out a performance built entirely around motion.
Photo: Rauw Alejandro, Duars, Sony Latin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
