“It’s unfortunate that it’s a country that is abusive to the whole world, a creator of wars and hunger. Every time they make someone president, they get converted into a dictator.”
- Rene ‘Residente’ of Calle 13 had this to say about the United States.
Previous: Aterciopelados and Juanes Use Music For Good
Next: Feliz Día De Las Madres
Subscribe to the web feed
If you have any tips, candid photos, or juicy gossip to share, please send an e-mail to (be anonymous if you like).
Think scandals, drama, and madness only take place in the American entertainment world? Cross the border into the Latin community and you will discover what true gossip really is. [Read More]
Design and consultation provided by Creative Blog Consulting
David wrote:
Why do celebrities ( I use the term loosely) get mix up in political discussions when they don’t know what they are talking about. Just like when celebs wear a T-shirt of Che and consider him a hero. Without realizing Che killed hundreds of people just because they did not agree with his ideologies. This guy should spend some time in Cuba, Vietnam or North Korea and then compare that to to the United States.
05.10.2008 | 7:03 pm | Link
George wrote:
i completely agree with david! celebrities (and calle 13 BARELY counts) should sing or dance or whatever the hell they’re paid to do and NOT comment on the government. i dont pay to hear this idiot do anything other than “sing” and i use that term loosely. besides, should we even care what someone whose music is so vulgar even thinks? go to north korea or cuba, a REAL dictatorship, and try singing those lyrics. see how well he’s treated by mr. kim or by mr castro. he’d be thrown into prison so fast, beaten, then incinerated before anyone knew he was gone. that idiot and the rest, like susan sarandon and juanes and martin sheen should just stick to what they’re good at. whoring themselves out for a buck…
05.10.2008 | 8:08 pm | Link
Karina Vidal wrote:
A nadie le importa la POLITICA, lo unico que necesitamos saber es que es todo una MIERDA. =)
05.10.2008 | 8:24 pm | Link
Mat wrote:
que idiota
05.11.2008 | 1:10 am | Link
La Verdad wrote:
First of all, Calle 13’s songs are about social criticism and are very political. Their music is not about shake your booty, it’s more about rock the boat. René might look like a “loco” but he went to university and has a B.A. and has the right to express his opinion like all of us.
This doesn’t mean that I agree with everything they say and think (I especially hate all the bad words in their music), but I hate Bush, I feel this war is horrible and most politicians are in it for money and power, and not to help the people that need it the most. The Bush administration has promoted this idea that if you critize the president and the war you’re anti-american and that if you’re a good citizen you will agree with all their decisions, this is extremely dangerous. We should not keep quiet when our politicians are making bad decisions, just the contrary, we should SPEAK UP!
René is Puerto Rican and the U.S. Congress made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens in the 1920’s to send the men to World War I. Every month many Puerto Ricans are dying in the war in Iraq. I’m glad he’s not afraid to express his opinions and I don’t think this means that he hates U.S.A., believe me, he also criticizes the politicians back home.
05.11.2008 | 5:07 pm | Link
MexicanBOY wrote:
I just can tell a single thing: Bush is worst than a dictator!
05.12.2008 | 12:43 am | Link
Lola wrote:
I agree with David. I suggest this idiot travel to the true communist countries of the world and then TRY to compare the U.S. to that! Do I agree with the War, NO! Do I agree with our President, NO! However, people are not dieing everyday to get here for no reason!!!
05.12.2008 | 9:39 am | Link
Joanna wrote:
Pueden decir lo que quieran. Pero la cruda y triste realidad es que Bush es una mierda y que le vale madre la gente de su pais y mucho menos le importan los soldados que estan ahorita en guerra.
05.12.2008 | 1:45 pm | Link
melo wrote:
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH LA VERDAD…..AND ALL YOU PEOPLE WHO CALL RENE AN IDIOT SHOULD LOOK AT YOURSELVES IN THE MIRROR…THE BEAUTY OF ALL THIS IS THAT WE AMERICANS HAVE THE FREEDOM TO EXPRESS OURSELVES AND TO THOSE WHO DON’T LIKE WHAT WE SAY, F-YOU…YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIKE IT OR AGREE. I RESPECT RENE FOR HIS COURAGE TO SAY WHAT IS ON HIS MIND AND NOT GIVE A SHIT WHO LIKES IT…I MAY NOT AGREE WITH SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN SOME OF HIS SONGS BUT HIS MUSIC HAS A MESSAGE…ALL OF YOU WHO ARE QUI CK TO CRITICIZE HIM SHOULD TAKE A MINUTE AND REALLY LISTEN TO WHAT HE IS TRYING TO SAY….THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH SOCIETY TODAY..THEY ARE QUICK TO JUDGE ANYTHING THAT IS DIFFERENT….PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE AFRAID OF ANYTHING THAT IS DIFFERENT AND THEY COVER THEIR FEAR WITH CRITICISM…COME ON PEOPLE GET IT TOGETHER!!!
05.12.2008 | 2:06 pm | Link
melo wrote:
CALLE 13 ARE ARTISTS…AND I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THE GRAMMY’S (BOTH LATIN AND AMERICAN) ON THEIR MANTLES PROVE THAT..
05.12.2008 | 2:09 pm | Link
Colleen wrote:
Ok, first I am not a Bush fan & I am opposed to the US involvement in Iraq but it bothers me when anyone (especially those with access to a microphone & the media–more discretion is required) paint such a broad brush about the US with their statements–particularly by those who are enjoying the bounty and freedoms of living here.
But, as Clint Eastwood said in one of his movies, “opinions are like assholes, everybody’s got one!”
So, take that Rene!
05.13.2008 | 6:27 pm | Link
crystal wrote:
I dont think theres anything wrong with someone expressing their opinions about government and politics, its why many of us, myself and my husband included, go to war-to preserve America’s freedoms, including freedom of speech. That being said, I also think that rather than blasting this countrie’s way of doing things, why not look at the positive things this country does; there are worse places out there, not only North Korea and Cuba, but also the Sudanese region of Darfur, where there is a huge genocide breaking out. He should use his being a celebrity to call attention to world poverty and human genocide, and use his fame for a good cause-instead of running his mouth, he should volunteer for more charities, and perhaps fly over to Iraq and provide some much needed morale to US troops; On behalf of myself and myself Rene, youre welcome for your freedoms that so many of us have gone to war for to preserve and defend.
05.14.2008 | 9:00 am | Link
crystal wrote:
I dont think theres anything wrong with someone expressing their opinions about government and politics, its why many of us, myself and my husband included, go to war-to preserve America’s freedoms, including freedom of speech. That being said, I also think that rather than blasting this countrie’s way of doing things, why not look at the positive things this country does; there are worse places out there, not only North Korea and Cuba, but also the Sudanese region of Darfur, where there is a huge genocide breaking out. He should use his being a celebrity to call attention to world poverty and human genocide, and use his fame for a good cause-instead of running his mouth, he should volunteer for more charities, and perhaps fly over to Iraq and provide some much needed morale to US troops; On behalf of myself and my spouse Rene, youre welcome for your freedoms that so many of us have gone to war for to preserve and defend.
05.14.2008 | 9:00 am | Link
Julia wrote:
Well he’s just stating the plain truth, ask the rest of the world!
Kudos to Residente!
He has as much right to speak his mind about politics as we do to be talking about him here.
It’s called a free speech & a democracy!
05.14.2008 | 12:27 pm | Link
Julia wrote:
And the US government allows or even abets things to happen in places like Darfur because there’s OIL IN SUDAN baby & with the population out of commission it’s easier for big biz to get its hands on it. Governments don’t fight for ideologies or rights (but their soldiers do); governments fight for money & control. If you have natural resources, the US is gonna violate you.
05.14.2008 | 12:33 pm | Link