Jowell & Randy

Jowell & Randy, a Puerto Rican reggaeton duo, have been a force in the genre since the early 2000s. Comprising Joel Muñoz, born on March 3, 1982, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Randy Ortiz, born on July 16, 1983, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the duo has released three studio albums, five mixtapes, and twenty-three singles as of June 2017.

Joel Muñoz, known as Jowell, was raised in Cataño, one of Puerto Rico's poorest municipalities. His interest in music was sparked at the age of seven by Puerto Rican rapper Vico C. Jowell's first recording session took place in 1996 for Los Fugitivos at a studio in Levittown, Puerto Rico, where he collaborated with other rappers such as Nicky Jam, Master Joe & O.G. Black, Camaleón, and Buru Fat Z.

Randy Ortiz, on the other hand, was raised in a musical environment that included rhythm and blues, blues, and soul music. He even participated in a choir in a Puerto Rican church during his formative years.

The duo met during a gathering at Jowell's house in the late '90s and decided to collaborate, inspired by other reggaeton acts like Baby Rasta & Gringo and Wisin & Yandel. Their early years were marked by struggles, including a near-retirement phase in 2005. However, a fortuitous meeting with Elías de León, a well-known producer, led to their signing with White Lion Records. Their first single under the new label, "Agresivo," became a hit, marking their entry into mainstream reggaeton.

Their career trajectory took another turn with the formation of Casa de Leones, a reggaeton quintet that also included J King & Maximan and Guelo Star. The group's single "No Te Veo" became a major hit, but the group disbanded in 2008, allowing Jowell & Randy to focus on their duo career. Their debut studio album, "Los Más Sueltos del Reggaetón," was released in 2007, followed by "El Momento" in 2010.

Between 2010 and 2013, the duo went through a phase of experimentation and transformation. They initially planned to release "El Momento 2," a re-issue of their previous album with remix versions. However, this idea was scrapped, and they focused on their next studio album, "Sobredoxis," released in 2013. During this period, they also collaborated with various artists and were featured in mixtapes. They took a detour into underground reggaeton with their mixtape "Pre-Doxis," released in late 2012, which became popular in Puerto Rico.

As of October 11, 2023, Jowell & Randy have continued to evolve, collaborating with J Balvin and Young Miko on a song called "Colmillo," produced by Tainy. The song was accompanied by a cinematic video directed by Pau Carreté, further showcasing their ability to adapt and innovate within the genre.