El Chulo surprised his followers this week by posting a musical preview on Instagram with a Christian theme, an unexpected turn for the Cuban reggaeton artist known for his urban style and his trap and reggaeton lyrics.
In the video, the artist is seen singing: "God did it, you know God did it. Everything I have and what I’m living is because He wanted it. He blessed me. He made a new man. I was the one who worked for it, but it was God who did it."
The post, accompanied by the quote from Psalm 150:6 —«Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!»—, announced that the full song, titled with the biblical verse «Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me», would be released this Friday on all its digital platforms.
The tone of the piece is spiritual and reflective, quite distant from the sound that characterized their career in Florida, and many interpret the change as a reflection of a radically different personal stage.
The advance comes months after ICE arrested El Chulo on January 22 at his residence in Homestead, Florida, in compliance with a deportation order pending since 2018.
The artist was held at the detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz," in Ochopee, Florida, where his lawyer reported that he was beaten and where ICE classified him as a "dangerous criminal," accusations that he and his family categorically denied.
To avoid being deported to Cuba, he signed his voluntary departure from the United States at the beginning of March and reappeared in Mexico on March 13 stating: "What they did to me was a favor."
Since then, the artist has been building a new chapter in Mexico, where he reunited with his partner María Karla and his son Justin.
The reactions to the Christian advance were overwhelmingly positive. Hundreds of users responded with "Amen," Bible verses, and messages of support such as "When God touches you, nothing is the same, the seed is planted," or "That is the way... meeting God is the only real triumph."
"Chocolate, Lenier, and now CHULO. If they find peace and love, then glory to the Sovereign," someone said, referring to a trend among Cuban urban artists who have embraced the Christian faith in recent years.
However, there were no shortage of voices expressing surprise and disbelief. "Is the pimp a Christian now????" and "Is this for real or a joke?" were some of the skeptical comments, although they represented a minority compared to the massive support.
Some followers went beyond support and requested that the change be permanent: "The best song. I hope he only sings for God."
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