Trueno has signed a record deal with Sony Music Latin, Billboard can announce. The Argentine rapper and singer, known for his socially conscious lyrics, is a leading force in the hip-hop scene of Latin America.

“Joining Sony Music US Latin is a big step in my career! I am very excited to be able to share with this great team my next album, an album that is very special to me,” the 21-year-old hitmaker, who had been releasing music via indie label Sur Capital Records, said in a statement.

Trueno (real name Mateo Palacios Corazzina) first gained momentum in 2019 after being crowned champion of the Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos and the Freestyle Master Series (FMS), and has since dropped two studio albums, Atrevido (2020) and Bien o Mal (2022). He’s so far scored three entries on the Billboard Global 200, and landed at No. 10 on Billboard‘s 50 Best Spanish-Language Rappers of All Time.

“Trueno is the new head of Latin American Hip Hop,” expressed Sony Music Latin president Alex Gallardo. “Growing up in an environment where the art and culture of Hip Hop predominated, Trueno developed as an artist at a very young age. At only 21 years old he is ready to establish himself as the leader of this genre in Spanish and from Sony US Latin we welcome him and want to offer him the platform to continue to grow and take his music to the whole world.”

“From the day I heard him for the first time when he was just 18 years old, I knew he would be the Argentine artist who would achieve greater transcendence in the world, not only for his music, but for his message, his ethics and his values,” added Damian Amato, president of Sony Music Hispanic South America. “Trueno is a complete artist, owner of a unique talent, incomparable lyrics, an overwhelming live show and above all, a future that I believe has no limits for his growth. I am very happy to have him join the Sony US Latin family and I am always grateful for the trust that Trueno has placed in my team all these years.”