TRUENO: The Argentine rapper breaking records with “Real Gangsta Love”

Trueno recently wrapped up the U.S. leg of his El Último Baile world tour, marking a major milestone in his already impressive career. The tour saw the Argentinian rapper performing for packed venues in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, showing that his growing influence extends well beyond Latin America.

The tour kicked off with a show in San Francisco, followed by his first-ever solo performance in Los Angeles, which was particularly memorable, selling out quickly and setting the tone for the rest of the tour.

Watch our Exclusive Interview with Trueno on LatiNation

Reflecting on his experience during an interview with LatiNation’s host, Carolina Trejos, Trueno shared how meaningful it was to perform in the US, especially in Los Angeles: “It was super important for me. Hip-hop from this city influenced me a lot. To come here and show them what we learned from this culture—it’s something special.”

Trueno also talks about the inspiration behind El Último Baile: “It’s about honoring hip-hop, but also reflecting on my life and what I’ve lived through. I was born in 2002, so I grew up with the sounds of the 2000s, especially the influence of Los Angeles. But I also wanted to pay tribute to what was happening in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, while connecting it to my own story as Mateo.”

New York was his next stop on the U.S. tour with another sold-out show and, in Miami, the energy reached its peak as fans turned out in full force to celebrate the final stop.

It was there that Trueno received a surprise honor—a Gold certification plaque from the RIAA for his hit “Real Gangsta Love,” which has become a global anthem. The track has also achieved Diamond status in Peru and multiple Platinum and Gold certifications across Latin America and Spain, solidifying Trueno’s position as an international star.

Meet Trueno

Mateo Palacios Corazzina, better known as Trueno, is an Argentine rapper and freestyler who has quickly ascended from the underground rap battles of Buenos Aires to become one of the most influential voices in Latin American hip-hop.

Born on March 25th, 2002, Trueno became immersed in a world of music and culture from a young age, thanks to his father, Pedro “Peligro” Palacios, a rapper and member of the Catalina Sur theater group. Trueno’s early exposure to hip-hop culture shaped his passion for the genre, leading him to start competing in freestyle battles across Buenos Aires as a teenager.

His big break came in 2019 when he won Red Bull’s Batalla de los Gallos national championship in Argentina, a victory that placed him among the top freestylers in the country. That same year, he claimed the FMS Argentina championship, further positioning him as a rising star in Latin trap and rap. Trueno’s sharp lyricism, intense delivery, and ability to connect with diverse audiences have set him apart in the competitive world of freestyle rap.

In 2020, Trueno made the leap from freestyle battles to the recording studio with the release of his debut album, Atrevido. The album included the viral hit “Mamichula,” a collaboration with Nicki Nicole and Bizarrap that dominated the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 and quickly racked up millions of streams worldwide. Trueno’s musical style blends elements of Latin trap, rap, and reggaeton, creating a sound that reflects both his cultural roots and his global influences.

Following the success of Atrevido, Trueno continued to build his profile with collaborations alongside artists like Wos, Nathy Peluso, and J Balvin, while staying true to the freestyle roots that first brought him into the spotlight. His second album, Bien o Mal, released in 2022, was a deep exploration of Latin American identity and Argentine culture, with themes of social justice and regional pride woven throughout. The album was met with critical acclaim and earned him several prestigious awards, including the Gardel de Oro, one of Argentina’s highest honors in music.

By 2024, Trueno was firmly established as one of the leading figures in Latin urban music. His third studio album, El Último Baile, serves as a tribute to 50 years of hip-hop, while also reflecting on his personal journey as an artist. The album mixes old-school rap influences with modern trap and reggaeton, paying homage to hip-hop icons from both the US and Latin America. With tracks like “Real Gangsta Love” becoming an international hit, the album debuted on Spotify’s Global Top Debut Albums chart and surpassed 500 million streams.

With his US tour complete, Trueno is now headed back to Argentina, where fans eagerly await his next shows. He will continue his El Último Baile world tour with stops in Spain, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and beyond.