Dei V

Rapper Dei V became one of Puerto Rico’s hottest new voices during the early 2020s, attracting audiences around the globe with a smooth, melodic flow and avaricious lyricism. After the viral single “Quien Es Dei V?” landed over 100 million streams online, the rapper had collaborative hits with major stars like Bryant Myers (“Narcotics”) and Karol G (“Gatita Gangster”). Born David Gerard Ribera Juarbe in Santa Fe, Puerto Rico, rapper Dei V began his musical career with the support of Yeruza and YOVNGCHIMI's record label, Moneywayy, debuting with Myke Towers cover “Llegara (Underwater Version)” in 2020. Offering a melodic and assured take on Latin trap, he started getting local attention with singles like “Las Cosas Han Cambiau” and “Dame Lu” (which earned a cosign from PR icon Bad Bunny), before issuing his debut EP, 2021’s Yin Yang. Amid 2022 singles like “Quieren Ser Yo” and a feature on Omar Courtz’ “Los Dueños de la Calle,” the rapper had his first major streaming hit with “VVS,” a flex-led anthem that broke a million streams within just a few months of release. These numbers were magnified further by his breakout single “Quien Es Dei V?”: billed as a freestyle, the track’s dismissive delivery and foot-forward lyrics pulled in over 100 million streams in its first year of release. With greater commercial success came a major run of 2023 collaborations. The likes of Karol G (“Gatita Gangster”), Jay Wheeler (“Pacto”), Sky Rompiendo (“Crush”), Cris Mj (“Diabólica”), YOVNGCHIMI (“TU$$I”), Chris Jedi (“Notón”), and Blessd (“Fendi & Valentino”) were quick to enlist the rapper’s talents, with Dei V able to pull major names like Myke Towers and Bryant Myers for his own “Trending Remix” and “Narcotics,” respectively. In 2024, he collaborated with Chris Jedi and Gaby Music for his second EP Los Marcianos, Vol. 1: Dei V Version, before appearing on “Si Si Si Si” with reggaeton collective the Academy, and a guest feature on Saiko hit “BADGYAL.” ~ David Crone