This summer, the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, affectionately known as El Choliseo, was awash with vibrant neon green attire, posters, and dazzling lights. This striking hue heralded two monumental performances by Colombian artist Feid, who etched his name in history as the first artist to sell out the iconic venue within an hour.
In a land that has given birth to musical luminaries such as Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny, where reggaeton transcends being merely a genre and instead evolves into an entire cultural phenomenon, Feid’s remarkable achievement was no small feat.
Feid’s music is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of his own identity, often drawing inspiration from his hometown of Medellín, its unique colloquialisms, and the lush green vistas of the city’s mountains and soccer jerseys. When performing on one of reggaeton’s grandest stages, he wholeheartedly won over the Puerto Rican audience.
Local music journalist Juan J. Arroyo, who reviewed Feid’s Choliseo performance for Rolling Stone, highlighted the artist’s cultural sensitivity. Arroyo remarked, “There’s a whole lot of controversy about how some artists who are not from Puerto Rico are appropriating our slang. He’s someone who stays true to his vocabulary from where he’s from, but at the same time, when and if he namedrops anything from Puerto Rico or uses a word from Puerto Rico, you know it’s coming from a place of respect where he did the homework and did the due diligence.”
This profound understanding of the culture partly attributes to Feid’s rapid ascent to stardom. Within two years, the reggaetonero transformed from opening for Karol G at the Choliseo to setting a groundbreaking record in the venue’s history. However, this leap to mainstream recognition, including securing five Latin Grammy nominations this year, releasing a new album, and collaborating with Bad Bunny, didn’t happen overnight; it was the result of nearly a decade of unwavering dedication.
Feid initially embarked on his music journey as a songwriter and producer for other artists, collaborating with industry giants like J Balvin, Nicky Jam, and more recently, Christina Aguilera. He says, “A lot of people know me as a songwriter, but it wasn’t my motivation. It’s not like I was a songwriter and now I’m an artist. I was an artist that had to be a songwriter.”
Although he began releasing his own music in 2014, it took several years and multiple albums for him to find his unique voice as a solo artist. He honed his craft by creating emotive club anthems, often infusing them with a polished pop sensibility that set them apart from the typical Caribbean trap-driven perreo. Alongside his distinctive sound, he adopted a unique persona as El Ferxxo, characterized by a bleached mullet, wraparound Oakley sunglasses, and oversized outfits, all accented by the ever-present Medellín green.
Feid reminisces, “When I was trying to be more myself, it was when people connected with me more.”
In the past year, Feid released his album “Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo: Te Pirateamos el Álbum” ahead of schedule after it was unexpectedly leaked, a situation he subtly alluded to in the title and on the album cover. Despite the unconventional timing, the album debuted at No. 6 on the Latin Albums Billboard chart, marking Feid’s first Top 10 entry and leading to an instantly sold-out U.S. tour.
With his latest release, “MOR, No Le Temas a La Oscuridad” (Love, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark), Feid has reached new heights, peaking at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. He attributes the album’s title to the perseverance that underpinned his journey to success.
Feid’s sixth studio album is his most expansive yet, tracing reggaeton’s roots back to dancehall. It features an iconic collaboration with Sean Paul, who seamlessly delivers verses in Spanish on “Niña Bonita.” The album then ventures into the realm of tropical Afrobeats with Nigerian singer Rema on “Bubalu.”
Feid beams with pride as he points out, “He’s singing in Spanish como si fuera una persona de Medallo, singing with slang, with acento, with everything.”
The album’s second half reinvigorates the listener with renewed EDM energy in “Luces de Tecno.” Furthermore, the rock-infused “Privilegios,” featuring the band Cupido, allows Feid’s vocals to carry the album to its conclusion. While reggaeton is the foundation of his artistry, Feid is eager to push the genre’s boundaries and expand its geographical reach. He’s also the only non-Puerto Rican artist to be featured on Bad Bunny’s record-breaking album, “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana,” on a track that pays homage to one of Medellín’s hottest clubs, Perro Negro.
Feid proudly declares, “I always felt like el embajador de Medallo in a certain way because I wasn’t afraid to say I’m from Colombia, I eat arepa con chorizo, I eat chicharron con frijoles.”
In the midst of a rich legacy of artists from Medellín, including collaborators like Maluma, Karol G, J Balvin, and Sebastian Yatra, Feid uses his unique style to create an authentic and unparalleled identity in the world of reggaeton.