Casper Magico is a Puerto Rican singer and rapper, and a popular exponent of reggaeton's Trap Latino movement. A protege of
Anuel AA -- with whom he sang for a time -- he gained immediate attention in February of 2017 with the single "No Me Hables de Amor" featuring
Anuel AA. Its video racked up more than two million views. (
Magico returned the favor and became his public spokesperson while he was incarcerated, and
Anuel AA, his formal mentor, offered him recording advice via letters from jail.) The track also placed in the Top Ten on the Latin charts of various streaming services. The single "Te Perdí" (feat.
Kendo Kaponi) was issued around the same time, but didn't do nearly as well. The June follow-up, "Cuentale" (also feat.
Anuel AA), rectified that and took him back up the charts.
Magico's biographical details are shrouded in mystery -- deliberately. We know his given name is Julio Cruz García, and that he grew up running the streets before finding salvation in music. After his breakthrough single,
Magico began posting virtually every track he recorded to YouTube, and never scored less than 140,000 views. His hit single "Por Dinero" appeared in March, followed by a remix with
Kendo Kaponi,
Miky Woodz, and
Noriel. In December, his "Te Bote" collaboration with
Nio Garcia and
Darell inspired a pair of remixes in the new year: the Te Bote: Electrónica Remixes EP and a proper remix single that included collaborators
Bad Bunny,
Nicky Jam, and
Ozuna. The latter was a smash. It stormed the Latin urban and pop charts while its video racked up 300,000 views during its first three weeks. It ultimately placed at number one on the charts in 11 countries and well inside the Top 40 in the U.S.
In May of 2018,
Magico was a noted collaborator on the remix of
Darell's single "Blanco Yo Negro," alongside
Ele a el Dominio,
Jamby el Favo,
John Jay, and producer
Sinfonico. That same month, his "Te Bote" remix topped the Hot Latin Songs chart. Though
Magico issued another half-dozen singles that year, none approached the success of "Te Bote (Remix)." 2019 proved different. His "No Te Veo (Remix)," with
Anuel AA, reached the Top 30 in Spain and the Top 40 in the Dominican Republic while placing inside the Hot 100 in the U.S. "Mírame" (remix featuring
Garcia,
Rauw Alejandro,
Lenny Tavárez,
Myke Towers,
Darell) landed inside the Top 20 in 15 countries. "La Jeepeta" (featuring
Anuel AA,
Myke Towers,
Brray, and
Juanka), went to number four. All three tunes, as well as the "Te Bote" remix, ended up on
Now or Never, the collaborative debut album by
Garcia and
Magico in late July. The set's 18 tracks included guest appearances from
Arcangel and
De La Ghetto on "No Se Te Dio,"
Jowell & Randy on "Farandula," and
Darell on "Llame Pa Verte," among others. It entered the Top Latin Albums chart at number five in early August, number four the Latin Rhythm Albums list, and 136 on the Top 200. ~ Thom Jurek