For many, Archangel no intro needed. The Dominican-born, American-born, Puerto Rican-raised artist has become a benchmark in the urban music industry, taking rap, trap and reggaeton to previously unreachable territories. Now that you have joined the last session of Shavinghis voice will resonate even more in the international charts.
But they say it’s never too late, right? So if you’re one of those people who weren’t so familiar with the urban music industry and this is your first time reading and hearing the name Archangel, fear not. At LOS40 Urban, we’ve compiled some curiosities you should know about Austin Agustín Santos.
His debut with De La Ghetto
A curious fact that must be mentioned is that of his beginnings in the industry. In 2005, he returned to the country of his parents, Puerto Rico, and there he nourished the musical culture of reggaeton so alive. So he joined The ghetto in the duet Archangel & The Ghetto, and thanks to their talent, they have become benchmarks in the industry. The duo ended their career together in 2007, but the two are very fond of each other.
His brother, who will be remembered forever
One of the hardest moments in Arcángel’s life comes with the death of his brother Justin at the end of 2021. He lost him in a traffic accident and marked a before and after in his life. So much so that she underwent general anesthesia for eight hours to have her entire chest tattooed in his honor. Additionally, he released the album St. Santos to show him respect. One of the topics it includes is We’ll see each other therehis collaboration with Bad Bunny, which has been so successful on the platforms.
Why “Archangel”?
As Austin revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone, the name Archangel captivated him after the story his grandmother told him. Once he asked her why everywhere she went she saw the painting of Saint Michael the Archangel fighting the Devil, to which she replied, “In heaven there is a daily battle between angels and demons, we don’t see them, but all the time, good fights against evil. These angels who fight demons and evil forces are called archangels, legion of angels, warriors of God the Father”. He liked it so much that he decided to join his concept to that of Archangel.
His personal life
Arcángel married Alejandra Pascual in 2006, whom he divorced in 2020. The following year, in 2021, he said “yes, I want” with Janexsy Figueroa, with whom she had her two children Angélica Lucero and Austin Alejandro. Additionally, Janexsy had a son with Nicky Minaj, Joe Martin, who spent much of his childhood with Arcángel, as he was only three years old when his mother and the artist began their relationship.
Archangel on stage / Scott Dudelson (Getty Images)
Will not retire “ever”
In the same interview with Rolling Stone, he revealed that “he may soon retire from performing”, but to “deal with music, never”. “My heart beats to the beat of the music. I can’t imagine what my personal environment would be like without it,” he said. There is still Archangel for a while.