Podcast Summary: CHENTE PIDE PERDÓN POR CANCELARLE A RYAN CASTRO

Podcast: Chente Ydrach
Host: Chente Ydrach
Guest: Ryan Castro
Date: September 15, 2025

Overview

In this episode of "Masacote," Chente Ydrach sits down with Colombian artist Ryan Castro for an engaging and honest conversation. The episode opens with Chente apologizing to Ryan for a past cancellation and quickly shifts into a deep dive into Ryan's upbringing, his journey through music, his roots in Medellín, and his experiences both as an artist and entrepreneur. The tone is light, humorous, and heartfelt, with both Chente and Ryan sharing stories, laughs, and industry insights.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Chente’s Apology & Curacao Connection

[00:01-01:12]

• Chente recalls canceling a trip to Curacao where he was to collaborate with Ryan due to an emergency involving his team. He expresses gratitude for Ryan’s understanding.
  • “En aquel entonces yo me acuerdo decir, diablo, entenderá, no entenderá... cosas que en verdad uno revisita y dice que trivial.” (Chente, 00:01)
• Ryan explains his years in Curacao (from age 21 to 25) were largely influenced by his mother's long residence there.

2. Early Life & Hustle in Medellín

[01:12-05:51]

• Ryan describes moving to Curacao for family, but always with the intention to further his music career.
• Discussion of perceptions of success from being “outside," and Ryan’s experience building his career singing on buses in Medellín.
  • “[Cantar en el bus] me sirvió mucho para mi vida porque me hizo… más seguro también más maduro.” (Ryan, 03:40)
• Laughs about the “route system” among bus singers in Medellín; each person has their own route and regulars.

3. The Grind of Street Performance

[05:51-07:50]

• Chente and Ryan discuss the emotional toll and unexpected benefits of singing for uninterested or stressed passengers, highlighting the humbling beginnings of urban artists.

4. Influences & Collaborations

[07:50-10:07]

• Ryan’s musical roots in reggae, dancehall, and rap.
• Early inspirations and eventual collaborations:
  • “Yo cantaba muchas canciones de Cafuanton y el Rookie y yo los conocí y grabé con ellos.” (Ryan, 07:15)
• Story behind his hit “Baba” featuring Sean Paul, and recording logistics (concert in Medellín + filming in France).

5. The Album “Sende” and Life Lessons from Curacao

[10:07-12:03]

• The meaning of “Sende” (“encendido” in Papiamento) and how the album is a tribute to his time in Curacao.
• Candid stories about working various jobs, including as a night security guard at a nursing home, dealing with the emotionally taxing experience of witnessing death regularly.

6. Growing Up in Pedregal: Fútbol, Skate, and Neighborhood Life

[12:03-14:52]

• Ryan shares memories of his upbringing in Medellín—fútbol as a primary sport, but also a passion for skateboarding.
• Chente relates skateparks as a marker of a “cool city.”
• Nostalgic and comical conversation about streets, bus routes, and growing up in Pedregal.

7. Entrepreneurship: Co-ownership of Basketball Team

[14:52-17:57]

• Ryan co-owns Los Paisas de Medellín, current champions of Colombia’s professional basketball league.
• Discusses the business side of sports and the connection between music and athletes with humble backgrounds.

8. On Being “Cantante del Gueto”

[19:12-20:00]

• The origins and mindset behind his branding as “El Cantante del Gueto.”
  • “Olvidarme de mi barrio ni de la raíz de donde yo soy ahora mismo.” (Ryan, 19:37)
• Ryan remains loyal to Medellín, despite spending time in Miami.

9. Medellín as a Music Powerhouse

[20:00-21:55]

• Why so many hit Latin artists come from Medellín: label presence, strong local industry, unique urban culture, and “morbo” around the city as a party destination.

10. Partying, Lifestyle, & Cultural Differences

[21:55-22:39]

• Joke rivalry on which culture parties harder—Colombians or Puerto Ricans.

11. Experience at Bad Bunny Concert in Puerto Rico

[22:09-22:39]

• Ryan reflects on attending a Bad Bunny concert for inspiration and meeting him for the first time.

12. The Relatability of Jordans

[22:44-24:26]

• Discussion on the cultural shift from Jordans to luxury brands in urban music.
  • “Yo salía en todos los conciertos de Jordan, de Nike, y los fans tenían mucha cercanía con eso…” (Ryan, 24:11)

13. The Viral Rise: “Entre Nos” and Social Media

[24:29-28:02]

• How the song “Entre Nos” went from humble YouTube release, with no video or photo, to nationwide plays in clubs and on the radio, showing the slow but powerful impact of grassroots virality.

14. The Pandemic Reset

[27:08-28:56]

• Ryan explains how the pandemic halted live performances, but also gave him time to create his biggest hits (“Jordan," "Mujeriego").
• Talks about the importance of self-promotion and leveraging social media to grow his audience.

15. Curacao’s Influence & The Magic of Medellín

[28:56-30:08]

• Living abroad intensified his nostalgia and artistic drive.
• Acknowledges the cultural and musical richness of Medellín.

16. Touring the World—A Dream Realized

[30:08-31:55]

• Current world tour touches continents from Europe to the Americas.
  • “Ese es el verdadero sueño.” (Ryan, 31:06)
• The significance for Latinos abroad when a hometown artist performs internationally.

17. Revisiting His Roots & Gratitude

[31:55-33:42]

• Emotional impact of returning to the places he worked as a waiter.
• Both Chente and Ryan share relatable stories as former waiters.
  • “El que me atiende bien le dejo la propina buena.” (Ryan, 32:32)

18. Vulnerability in Music & Collaborations

[34:41-37:31]

• On expressing vulnerability in tracks like “Ojalá.”
• Ryan values collaborations built on genuine respect and energy, not industry politics.

19. On Fame, Success, and Remaining Grounded

[38:28-40:33]

• Ryan acknowledges the change fame brings, not only in himself but in how others perceive and approach him.
  • “No es que yo haya cambiado literal... muchas veces no es que yo cambie, sino que cambia como la gente me ve.” (Ryan, 39:43)

20. Entrepreneurial Ventures: Jumbo Chocolatinas

[40:41-42:06]

• Ryan becomes the first artist on the iconic Colombian "Jumbo" chocolate bar packaging—sold over a million units in under a month.

21. Sharing Stage with Legends

[42:06-43:45]

• Performed with Snoop Dogg and Ricky Martin at Curacao’s major festival.

22. Modeling at Paris Fashion Week

[43:45-44:34]

• First experience on a runway ("Kid Super" at Paris Fashion Week)—felt strange but fun, and he wants to pursue more modeling opportunities.

23. Music Industry Realities

[45:15-47:17]

• The anxiety of following up hit singles in today’s fast-moving industry.

24. Everyday Lifestyle

[57:54-60:19]

• Describes his disciplined daily routine: early mornings, gym, team meals with a chef, play, and studio time.
• His attention to presentation: travels with his barber and occasionally a manicurist or masseuse.

25. On Punctuality & Professionalism

[54:34-56:38]

• Ryan is meticulous about being on time, a quality instilled in Curacao due to its Dutch cultural influence.
  • “Algo que la gente cree… que soy muy loco, muy al garete, pero en realidad no. Como que también soy muy tranquilo.” (Ryan, 55:17)

26. Brand Building & Fashion

[57:16-57:54]

• Fan of his own brands ("Gueto," "Walk") and Nike; always passionate about fashion and textiles.

27. Entertainment Recommendations

[60:28-62:30]

• Both recommend episodes of "Black Mirror" on Netflix as must-watch; Ryan particularly mentions the episode "Arcángel" about parental surveillance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Doing Street Music:
  “Las ganas de hacer lo que uno quiere... me hizo como que dar más habilidad a la hora de cantar. Sentirme más seguro.” (Ryan, 03:40)
• On Branding & Relatability:
  “Yo salía en todos los conciertos de Jordan, de Nike, con las Air Force One… Y los fans tenían mucha cercanía con eso.” (Ryan, 24:11)
• On Music Business:
  “No solo es hacer la música. Si fuera por eso, ay Dios mío bendito.” (Ryan, 28:56)
• On Fame & Changing Dynamics:
  “No es que yo haya cambiado literal... cambia como la gente me ve.” (Ryan, 39:43)
• On Chocolate Business Milestone:
  “Como en 30 días… vendimos un millón de chocolatinas. Eso nunca había pasado.” (Ryan, 41:30)
• On Being Punctual:
  “Yo a mí me dicen a las doce y a las doce estoy ya listo. A las doce o antes. Yo soy así con la gente.” (Ryan, 56:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:01-01:12] — Chente’s apology and Curacao backstory
• [05:51-07:50] — The grind of singing on buses
• [10:07-12:03] — Life lessons from Curacao and difficult jobs
• [14:52-17:57] — Owning a basketball team: Los Paisas de Medellín
• [19:12-20:00] — Philosophy as “Cantante del Gueto”
• [22:44-24:26] — The impact and meaning of rapping about Jordans
• [27:08-28:56] — Navigating the pandemic as an artist
• [30:08-31:55] — The privilege and emotion of international touring
• [40:41-42:06] — Selling a million chocolate bars in a month
• [43:45-44:34] — Runway debut at Paris Fashion Week
• [54:34-56:38] — Punctuality and its roots in Curacao culture
• [60:28-62:30] — Netflix/BM episode recommendations & pop culture wrap-up
• [64:09-64:47] — Difference between headlining your own tour and playing festivals

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in humble beginnings, perseverance, and the realities behind music industry stardom. The candid, humorous, and philosophical exchanges between Chente and Ryan offer rich perspective, especially for those interested in the intersection of Latin urban music, entrepreneurship, and culture.

Ryan Castro emerges not just as a hitmaker, but as a reflective, hardworking artist with deep ties to his roots and a bright, multifaceted future. The chemistry and banter make for a thoroughly entertaining—or as they would say, "chimba"—listen.