Who said Residente isn’t the philharmonic type? In what may be surprising news for some, the Puerto Rican rapper announced on February 8, 2020, that he is partnering with the Los Angeles Philharmonic this year for a special concert. On Saturday, March 7, at 8 p.m. in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, Residente is set to perform a collection of his songs with a fully-backed orchestra directed by Venezuelan conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. His special concert is part of the L.A. Phil’s “Power to the People!” festival this year.
Residente also revealed some special news regarding his performance. According to the legendary former Calle 13 member, his concert will span the greatest hits across his entire discography: “It’s going to be all my songs from the beginning until now along with the Los Angeles Philharmonic,” Residente explained in an Instagram video this week.
For fans wondering what the 25-time Latin Grammy Award-winning artist is doing at the Philharmonic, it’s not actually completely out of pace with what he’s done in the past. Residente has a long-standing respect for Dudamel, who assumed musical direction at the LA Phil in 2009. In fact, the pair have worked together in the past: Dudamel, along with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, took to the stage with Residente for the 12th annual Latin Grammy Awards (back when Residente was still leading Calle 13).
Now they will work together again to honor protest and humanitarianism — especially during a time when both artists’ respective homelands face mounting political pressure. In Dudamel’s country of Venezuela, opposition and oil corruption schemes rage on; whereas Residente is one of the artists leading protests against Puerto Rican government officials for their failed attempts at earthquake relief management.
Other artists and activists are slated to appear over the course of LA Phil’s “Power to the People!” festival, including Patti Smith, Conrad Tao, Herbie Hancock (who also serves as LA Phil’s Creative President for Orchestra Jazz), Terence Blanchard, Cécile McLorin Salvant and more.
As for Residente’s show, tickets are already on sale, ranging from $40.00 to $75.00. You can purchase them here.