Panamanian Rapper GuapoGuapo's Music is a Canal Between The States and Central America.
Panama born and Atlanta raised rapper GuapoGuapo is doing his part to tell his story.
Music is a connector, bringing people from around the world together through the shared experience of vibes and dances. Even when we struggle to find the words to say what we are thinking to people we meet, music gives us an entry point. For Panamanian rapper GuapoGuapo, his life and music reflect that, one part an ode to his homeland, the other a report of his experiences in rap’s biggest city, Atlanta.
Guided by two popular singles, “Cereal With Almond Milk”, and “Que Xopa”, GuapoGuapo’s music builds on the tradition of braggadocious lyricism from Atlanta artists who came before him while also pioneering a lane for Afro-Latino rappers who came into rap after him. Young, assured, and lyrical, his story offers us a clue of the dominance coming in 2025.
Origins
Hailing from the Rio Abaja region of Panama, Guapo spoke Spanish first, moving to the States as a young child with his immediate family where he then picked up English as a second language. Fluent in both, Guapo took on the challenge of mastering both worlds, equally aware of his Afro-Latino heritage and how that would look amongst his peers in Atlanta whose dialect and culture varied slightly.
“I had an auntie who taught me how to read books during the summer and helped force the accent out of me. Learned English with Spanish and the culture and it helped me. “
Coming of age during Atlanta’s musical eras of futuristic swag and trap music, Guapo was influenced by the sounds, aesthetics, and energy of the city. Artists like 2 Chainz, T.I., Swae Lee, Rich Homie Quan, and other popular artists like Drake and Mac Miller added to his palette and made him feel as if he could do it.
Still, it would take time for him to decide he wanted to rap. As a high schooler, he played basketball on the side, but ultimately took up barbering to provide for himself. Earning money and making a way for himself was more important than rap, and it wasn’t until he graduated high school that things changed.
Rap
As an adult, Guapo was hustling, doing odd jobs from barbering to plumbing and landscaping to make a way. It wasn’t long before he received the motivation he needed from a family friend who was making a name for himself in the music industry.
“He told me to take it seriously and take the next step. I was 21 at the time and wanted more for myself and my family.”
Guapo admits that it was tough at first, citing familial fallout and splits that ended up motivating him even more. Serving as the flagship artist for Canal Records out of Atlanta, he began releasing several singles under the rap name, Guapo Guapo, which translates to handsome money.
His first single, released this year, “100 Cuts” references his two loves, barbering and rap, as he spits comfortably in front of a client. For Guapo, releasing music that comes from his real life is paramount, and that has remained a central theme in his music alongside the Panama flag.
Throughout 2024, Guapo’s been on a spree, dropping a video to go along with all of his songs, including his newest one, '“Sumn”, and his anthem for Panama, entitled “Que Xopa”.
“I wanted to incorporate my Spanish into my rap. In Panama we have bands and I used to play in them. I put those two things together and then we put the band behind us and were able to get a high school band behind us.”
Panamanian slang for what’s up, the song’s video introduces listeners to the man behind the music and shows his ability to not only make catchy songs but also play with cadences and bars at will. Eager to build on the momentum he’s creating thus far, Guapo plans to continue dropping new music and visuals, embracing the success he’s had in his first year.