Alexio ‘La Bruja’, an influential Puerto Rican reggaeton singer and songwriter, has died at the age of 34 after a long battle with breast cancer.
Born Víctor Alexis Rivera Rosado, Alexio was best known for his 2015 hit song ‘Tumba La Casa’ which featured Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Arcángel, and other reggaeton stars. His death was confirmed by close friends and colleagues in the music industry.
Diagnosis and Declining Health
In 2017, at the height of his fame, Alexio was diagnosed with breast cancer. He stepped back from performing to focus on treatment, including chemotherapy.
In recent weeks, his health took a turn for the worse. Fellow reggaeton singers Arcángel and Anuel AA pleaded with fans on social media to donate blood platelets to help Alexio. However, he sadly passed away on November 14th, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.
Early Life and Music Career
Alexio was born on December 11th, 1988 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. As a teenager, he dreamed of becoming a professional singer.
He got his start collaborating with producers at local recording studios in San Juan. Alexio broke through in the Latin American market in 2015 with his smash hit ‘Tumba La Casa’ which translates to ‘Tear the House Down’.
The high-energy club anthem features Alexio rapping alongside Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Arcángel, Farruko, and Ñengo Flow. It racked up over 180 million YouTube views and propelled him to reggaeton fame.
Reactions from the Reggaeton Community
Fellow Puerto Rican artists and reggaetoneros mourned Alexio’s passing on social media, highlighting his musical talent and warm personality.
Producer DJ Luian posted “I feel so good that I lived that dream with you…I saw your growth both musically and personally.”
Singer Arcángel wrote, “Rest in peace my brother, you fought like a warrior, an example of strength.”
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The Latin music community is heartbroken over the loss of one of reggaeton’s rising young talents. Alexio’s catchy songs and collaborations with the genre’s biggest stars cemented his artistic legacy at just 34 years old.
Legacy and Influence
Although his recording career only spanned 7 years, Alexio made an indelible impact on reggaeton and Latin trap music.
Songs like ‘Tumba La Casa’, ‘Tarara’, and ‘Brujas’ earned him over 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His music videos have accumulated hundreds of millions of views on YouTube.
Above all, Alexio inspired other young Puerto Rican artists to chase their dreams. His confident lyrical flow, smooth vocals, and high-energy delivery influenced many who came after him.
Alexio ‘La Bruja’ will be remembered for helping reggaeton cross over into the mainstream and solidifying Puerto Rico’s status as the capital of Latin urban music. Though gone too soon, his hits will be blasted at clubs and parties for generations to come.
Looking Ahead
While the reggaeton world grieves their loss, Alexio’s legacy and music will undoubtedly live on. His fans continue to stream his songs to remember the influential artist.
It’s likely that unreleased Alexio songs or posthumous collaborations with other artists could emerge in the coming years. Reggaeton singers he directly inspired will carry on his unique vocal and lyrical style.
Alexio’s death from breast cancer at just 34 also highlights the importance of awareness and early screening, especially among young men. His passing was a tragic reminder that cancer does not discriminate by age or gender.
The reggaeton community vows to honor Alexio’s memory by uplifting others and continuing to share his powerful story of pursuing your passions against all odds.