Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Wisin announced on Monday that his new album, "La Universidad del Perreo" ("The University of Perreo"), will be released on September 4. The record is part of a broader project that includes courses and other experiences linked to the unusual academic institution, which has gone viral on social media and already counts more than two million enrolled students.
"La Universidad del Perreo" is now available for pre-order, but the album is only the start, the artist known as "El Sobreviviente" said in a statement.
Wisin, whose real name is Juan Luis Morera, is one of the most prominent figures in reggaeton, known for hits including "Pegao," "Rakata," "Pam Pam," "Paleta," "Sexy Movimiento" and "Mirala Bien." He rose to fame as part of the duo Wisin & Yandel before building a solo career.
Courses open in four cities
Morera said enrollment for the "La Universidad del Perreo" courses remains open, with the first confirmed cities set to host classes being San Juan, Puerto Rico; Miami, Florida; Bogota, Colombia; and Mexico City, Mexico.
He added that the concept will keep expanding through new projects, courses and experiences connected to the university. Speaking as the institution's "dean," he said the final study material was ready and that the official pre-save for the album would open at 7 p.m. local time (2300 GMT), according to a message he posted on Instagram.
Certificates and exclusive access
Through a dedicated platform, students will be able to take part in various activities, earn official certificates and gain access to experiences reserved exclusively for members of the community, according to the project.
The institution has not yet published a full list of subjects, though Wisin's Instagram stories mentioned courses including Applied Rhythm Studies, History of Reggaeton and Epistemology of Flow, among others.
Wisin said this was only the beginning of what the institution has prepared to honor the music and the evolution of perreo, urging fans to complete their official pre-save and review the basics, since classes were only just beginning.
Other artists join the project
Producer Hyde El Quimico, members of the band Jumbo El Que Produce Solo, Puerto Rican artist Jowell and members of the duo Los Legendarios have confirmed on their own profiles that they are taking part in the initiative, which has gone viral on social media.
Wisin said last week that he felt a personal responsibility to elevate the culture and protect the legacy of a movement that changed the music industry forever. He said that was why he was proud to officially announce the creation of a new institution dedicated to studying, preserving and spreading the genre's history: the Universidad del Perreo, or UDP.
Wisin said the mission is to give reggaeton the rigor and the place of respect it deserves, and said more details would be shared soon.
Reggaeton's rise from censorship to global genre
Reggaeton began as a genre censored in Puerto Rico in the late 1980s before going on to dominate music worldwide, driven by collaborations between leading artists and fusions with other genres.
