He did it. Rauw Alejandro didn't just drop an album; he dropped a whole cinematic universe, and it all starts with Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0. If you've been following the Puerto Rican star's pivot from the space-traveling Saturno era to this gritty, 1970s-inspired New York vibe, you know he’s playing a different game now. This isn't just about reggaeton. It’s about "Cosa Nuestra." Our thing.
The short film, which serves as a prequel or "Chapter 0" to his fifth studio album, is a moody, visual feast that sets the stage for a story about identity, migration, and the Boricua experience in the Big Apple. It’s a lot to take in. Honestly, it’s kinda rare to see an artist at his level commit this hard to a concept before the music even has a chance to breathe on the charts.
The Visual Language of Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0
Let’s talk about the look. If you watch the film, the first thing you notice is the grain. It feels like a lost reel from a Francis Ford Coppola set or something Scorsese would have tucked away in his archives. Rauw is leaning heavily into the aesthetic of the Nuyorican movement. We’re talking sharp suits, oversized collars, and the kind of tension you can only find in a dimly lit social club.
He’s playing a character named Raulito, but it’s clearly a heightened version of the artist we know. In Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0, the narrative isn't told through heavy dialogue. It’s told through atmosphere. You see him navigating the streets of New York, a city that has historically been the second home for Puerto Ricans seeking something better—or something different.
The film was directed by Martin Seipel, who has been a frequent collaborator for Rauw. They’ve managed to capture a specific type of nostalgia that doesn’t feel cheesy. It feels lived-in. When you see Rauw sitting at a table, surrounded by "the family," you realize he’s trying to bridge the gap between the legends of the past—think Hector Lavoe or Willie Colón—and the modern trap and reggaeton sound he’s famous for.
Why the "Cosa Nuestra" Theme Actually Matters
The title itself is a massive clue. Cosa Nuestra translates to "Our Thing," a phrase famously associated with the Italian Mafia (Cosa Nostra), but here, Rauw reclaims it for the Puerto Rican community. It’s a nod to the 1969 Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe album of the same name. By calling this Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0, he is explicitly stating that he is a student of the culture.
He isn't just sampling old salsa tracks. He’s trying to evoke the feeling of that era. The era where salsa was the rebellious music of the streets, much like reggaeton was in the early 2000s.
There’s a scene in the short film where the music shifts, and you get these orchestral swells mixed with urban grit. It’s a sonic preview of what the album delivers: a fusion of jazz, salsa, disco, and contemporary urban sounds. This isn't a "back to basics" move. It’s an evolution. Most people expected more synth-pop after the success of Saturno, but Rauw pivoted. He went backward to go forward.
Decoding the Narrative: Who is Raulito?
In the context of Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0, we see the protagonist dealing with the weight of legacy. There’s a specific focus on the hands—shuffling cards, holding drinks, adjusting a tie. It’s about the "work" of being part of a collective.
The film suggests that "Cosa Nuestra" isn't just about crime or the underworld, even if the imagery leans that way. It’s about the secret language of a culture. It’s the way people look at each other in a barbershop. It’s the pride of a well-pressed suit. Rauw is essentially saying that his music is a family business, and we, the listeners, are being initiated.
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Breaking Down the Key Elements
- The Setting: New York City, specifically the parts that haven't been totally gentrified yet. It looks like the 70s, but it feels timeless.
- The Fashion: Gone are the chrome outfits and blue hair. Now, it's about tailoring. Pharrell Williams actually had a hand in some of the styling through Louis Vuitton, which adds that layer of high-fashion credibility to the grit.
- The Sound: Snippets of "Touching The Sky" and other tracks tease a more organic instrumentation. You hear real horns. You hear live percussion.
The Cultural Weight of the Nuyorican Reference
You can't talk about Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 without mentioning the diaspora. For a kid from Carolina, Puerto Rico, to make a film about the NYC Puerto Rican experience is a significant gesture. It acknowledges that the heart of "the island" often beats loudest in the Bronx or Spanish Harlem.
A lot of critics were worried that Rauw might lose his identity by leaning so hard into a "concept." But if anything, this feels more personal. He’s paying homage to the artists who made it possible for a Spanish-speaking artist to sell out stadiums worldwide. He’s acknowledging the struggle of the previous generation while wearing the spoils of that struggle in the form of silk shirts and gold chains.
What This Means for the Rest of the "Cosa Nuestra" Era
The "Capítulo 0" designation is a promise. It tells us that this is a linear story. If this is the beginning, where does it go? The album itself features heavy hitters like Bad Bunny, Juan Luis Guerra, and even Laura Pausini. This isn't a solo journey; it’s a community project.
When you watch the film, pay attention to the transitions. There’s a fluidity between the scenes that mirrors the way the album tracks bleed into one another. Rauw is pushing for the "album experience" in an age of 15-second TikTok clips. It’s a risky move. Will kids today sit through a slow-burn visual prologue? Rauw seems to think they will if the vibes are right.
And the vibes are definitely right.
Real Talk: Is It Just Marketing?
Look, everything in the music industry is marketing to some extent. But Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 feels like more than just a promo cycle. It feels like an artist who is bored with the status quo.
The reggaeton scene has been criticized lately for being a bit repetitive. By injecting this cinematic, historical narrative into his work, Rauw is separating himself from the pack. He’s not just a singer; he’s a storyteller. Whether he’s dancing on a table in a smoky bar or staring intensely into the camera, he’s selling a world, not just a song.
The film also serves as a palette cleanser. It wipes away the neon-drenched aesthetic of his previous work and prepares the audience for something warmer, deeper, and maybe a little more dangerous. It’s the "once upon a time" before the beat drops.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you want to fully appreciate what Rauw is doing here, don't just stream the songs on shuffle. Do this instead:
- Watch the Short Film First: Seriously, watch Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 on YouTube before you dive into the lyrics. It provides the visual context that makes the lyrics hit harder.
- Listen for the Samples: Check out Willie Colón’s Cosa Nuestra (1969). Comparing the two will give you a massive appreciation for how Rauw is flipping these classic tropes.
- Notice the Instrumentation: Listen for the "real" instruments. This era is about the soul of the music, not just the digital production.
- Follow the Storyline: Pay attention to the recurring characters in his music videos for this album. They all tie back to the archetypes introduced in Chapter 0.
Rauw Alejandro is currently at a peak where he could easily just release "Saturno 2.0" and call it a day. The fact that he chose to go this route—creating a moody, historical short film to introduce his new sound—shows a level of artistic ambition that is rare. He’s inviting us into his world. It’s "Cosa Nuestra." And honestly? It’s a world worth visiting.
To get the most out of the experience, start by identifying the specific Nuyorican symbols in the film, like the domino games or the specific lighting of the subway scenes. These aren't accidental. They are the building blocks of a narrative that celebrates a very specific, very proud history. Once you see the threads, the whole tapestry of the album starts to make sense.
Go watch the film, put on your best vintage gear, and let the era of Raulito take over. It’s more than just music; it’s a mood that spans decades.