The beloved Puerto Rican band is being honored in New York City Thursday for its social activism and commentary on injustice, inequality and Puerto Rican issues.
René Perez, known as Residente from Calle 13, has already been named the "King" of the Puerto Rican Day parade Sunday, but now his band is also being honored by New York City officials, BuzzFeed has learned.
AP Photo/Bernat Armangue
Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the first Puerto Rican and Latina to hold the position, decided to do something different their first time stewarding the parade.
"I approached him and told him I would like to jointly host [the reception at Gracie Mansion] since I'm the first Puerto Rican in this position," Mark-Viverito said, and told the mayor she wanted to publicly recognize Perez, who is the king of the parade, but also honor the group as a whole.
William Alatriste, Chief NYC Council Photographer
Mark-Viverito believes groups like Calle 13 play an outsized role in pushing for change and highlighted the way they spotlight injustice and Puerto Rican issues as noteworthy.
"I believe when you have a level of notoriety or a prominent position it's important when you're not afraid to express an opinion, especially the way they challenge through their lyrics," she said. "They speak out against injustice and issues that others may shy away from. I may not agree with them on everything but the fact that they even dare to challenge people is good."
AP Photo/Craig Ruttle
Perez told BuzzFeed he is honored by the recognition.
"I am proud to have been chosen to preside over the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York," he said in Spanish. "This is a celebration that permits us to come together to honor our culture and celebrate our nationality and identity."
JUAN CEVALLOS/AFP / Getty Images
