Leading up to the Latin American leg of his Cosa Nuestra World Tour, set to continue on Oct. 13 in Chile, Rauw Alejandro dropped his new studio album Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 — a prequel to his chart-topping Cosa Nuestra released last fall — on Friday (Sept. 26).

A contrast to his 2024 set that was elegant and glamorous, and inspired by New York in the ‘70s and the era of the Sicilian mafia, Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 “is all about the Caribbean, not only Puerto Rico,” he tells Billboard. “There’s so much inspiration in music from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti — I believe we’re all one nation. The Caribbean shares the same blood — we’re Indian, African and Spanish — that’s our race.” 

Sonically, the 14-track set offers traditional bomba and plena (“Carita Linda,” “Caribeño”); his first-ever bachata called “Silencio,” written and produced by Romeo Santos; and closes with three brand new salsa tunes, including the sultry “Callejón de los Secretos” with Mon Laferte.

In between, he gives fans his signature perreo and R&B numbers, including “Buenos Términos,” “Nostalgia de Otoño” and “Contrabando,” and is also home to the previously released 2024 banger “Santa” with Rvssian and Ayra Starr.

Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 — which Rauw began working on in 2023 — drops in the midst of this Cosa Nuestra world tour, allowing him to create new music while “staying in the same era and character,” he notes. 

“The meaning of Cosa Nuestra is so big that I have to release 20 albums to explain its concept. There’s no time to do that in just one album,” he laughs. “I’m going to continue to bring my roots to the world. Nowadays I feel so connected with my people and am very proud of where I come from. I don’t have to look outside when I have everything here.” 

Stream and listen to Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 below: