Rauw Alejandro brought the heat and the energy to Rockefeller Plaza with electric dance moves and sizzling songs during his TODAY Citi Concert Series performance.
Despite a light rainfall the morning of July 12, fans — including one teen who waited for a front-row spot since 8 p.m. the night before, and another who was 9-months pregnant — gathered to watch the 31-year-old Latin superstar perform four songs.
Alejandro, whose given name is Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz, got the crowd swaying their hips as he performed “Santa,” “Desesperados,” and his latest single off his upcoming fifth studio album “Touching the Sky.” He then surprised attendees by performing exclusively for TODAY for the first time his new single, “Déjame Entrar.”
Fans would later discover that the “Déjame Entrar” version Alejandro performed during his TODAY performance had more of a salsa vibe — complete with a choreographed moment with a dancer — than what he would release a week after. The song is expected to be featured on his forthcoming fifth studio album, which he previously teased to TODAY.com as “a little bit more classic” with “‘West Side Story’ — more Broadway” vibes.
The Puerto Rican artist also shared with TODAY co-hosts that the album will come out “this year” and include a “few collaborations.”
While with TODAY, Alejandro sat down to answer eight questions before 8 a.m. for our original video series “8 Before 8.” There's one key rule for this Q&A: If the artist doesn't want to answer a question, they have to take a morning shot of either ginger, wheatgrass, or electrolytes. (Spoiler alert: Watch what happened when we asked Alejandro the craziest thing he’s done for love.)
Watch the video above or read on for Alejandro's answers about his perfect date, the last famous person he texted, the story of his first kiss — and more.
What is the theme for your new era?
"The theme for the new era is really classic. More classic, a lot of New York vibes, 1970's. Donde estaba la salsa (Where there was salsa music), la Fania y Héctor Lavoe. It comes from Puerto Rico y ese sazón que llego cuando vinieron a Nueva York (and that spice they brought when they arrived to New York). It's through that line. I'm always constantly (creating). So I don't stay in one idea. I'm always going with the flow. But for sure, you're gonna see a Rauw dressing good all the time."
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done for love?
"Let's do a skip. (laughs) D---, that was a tough one. Too early for that. Alright, because I'm not answering that question, I'm gonna take a shot. You got some tequila?"
Who was the last famous person you texted?
"It was Adrien Brody, my friend Adrien Brody. We were just talking about some paintings. Shout out to Adrien, my friend. We got a surprise for you also, guys. And we were just talking about art and painting. He's a great painter. And yeah, I love art, music dancing, acting, painting, everything."
¿Qué canción fue tu primer perreo?
"Mi primer perreo. Oh my God. I think my first perreo fue...that I remember...because I remember having the Walkman’s all the time, era “Ronca” de Don Omar. “Ronca,” shout-out to Don Omar. That was my first, on repeat every day."
What is your idea of a perfect date?
"My brain is loading right now...I'm pretty chill. Perfect date can be like go to the beach, eat whatever. I love to take naps...I didn't know, the first date. I don't know, I think just go grab some lunch or brunch, you know, and then just improvise. I like to improvise."
Can you tell us the story of your first kiss/first crush?
"My first crush, I was in kindergarten for sure. My first kiss was in school, detrás del auditorio (behind the auditorium), hiding from all the teachers. I think I was like 10 or 9. I don't remember...or less. I don't know. It was a small kiss. And that was like, eso era lo último (that was the latest news). 'I kissed a girl.' I was, like, celebrating with my friends. It was like, 'No, let's just play escondite (hide and seek). Why you talking about girls.' I was like, I love this girl. That was like (when I was nine), cuando tenía nueve años, por ahi. detrás del auditorio, ahi. No me acuerdo de la nena (I don't remember the girl). Pero, it was a good kiss."
A question from TODAY's last Citi Concert performer, Gracie Abrams: "Can I have the presale code for your next tour? Can I come visit or say, 'Hey,' or just be somewhere even far away in the back? I'll watch and scream. You'll probably hear me even if I'm in the nosebleeds. I would just die. Can I please come to one of your shows?"
You can go to the show with us, come on! We get backstage. We can go to the studio, also. You're invited, your family, your friends, your team are invited to our show. And I also want to see you perform. So, a lot of love.
Rapid fire round:
Describe your next era in three words, or three emojis.
Emoji fire. Emoji fire. Emoji fire.
Favorite Puerto Rican breakfast?
Farina. Es de Puerto Rico, pero la farina de mi abuela y mi ma — y la de Tata también, que era mi nana. (My grandmother's and my mom's farina, as well as my great-grandmother's.) La Farina, go look for it. It tastes good.
Day party or club?
You know...club and then continue to the next day.
Café Yaucono or Starbucks?
What is that question?! Yaucono, for sure! Café Yaucono.
Name one thing you can't do?
I don't know that line in my life. I can do whatever I want! No, I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I follow the rules...sometimes.
Reggaeton or salsa?
That's a tough one. But for sure, reggaeton. That's my generation, I'm a big fan of reggaeton. Reggaeton todo el día.
