Calle 13, Eduardo Cabra Martinez, also known as Visitante, left, and Rene Perez Joglar, also known as Residente, were recently named among the top 100 inluential people against armed violence. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)

Calle 13, the Puerto Rican band formed by Rene Perez Joglar, aka Residente, Eduardo Jose Cabra Martinez, aka Visitante, and Ileana Cabra Joglar, aka PG-13, is known for political and committed lyrics and recognized for the “No To Bullets” campaign. The Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) organization has recently named the band among the 100 Most Influential People In Armed Violence Reduction. If there were any doubts about the absolute and mobilizing power of music, Calle 13 is proving it is so.

Calle 13’s Resident (Photo by Eduardo Pavon/Wikimedia Commons)

Calle 13 is well-known for its socially conscious lyrics on Latin American issues like the Puerto Rican independence movement which the stepbrothers support. This has generated controversy for them. Their musical fusion and social commitment against censorship and firearms has been recognized as a major influencer in the fight to reduce global armed violence.

The recognition of the AOAV organization placed Perez Joglar and Cabra Martinez’s names alongside Nobel Peace Prize laureates like Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and the Dalai Lama; top UN officials; leading academics and journalists; and globally recognized advocates such as Michael Bloomberg, Gabrielle Giffords, George Clooney, Juanes, and Angelina Jolie among others. AOAV labeled the musicians as “outstanding examples of those trying to change the world for the better.”

In November 2012, Calle 13 released the music video “The Bullet” (“La Bala”), a beautiful work against the global increase of gun violence that denounces the lack of resources worldwide to raise global awareness about the issue.

A team of 12 directors in 10 different countries helped create the video in a joint effort with UNICEF, with the motif of one deadly bullet spanning the entire globe.

Rene “Residente” Perez said in a press release, “The song ‘The Bullet’ comes from the pain I feel when I see how some people devalue life.”

In recognition of their “No to Bullets” campaign, Amnesty International has also named Calle 13 as “Emissaries of Conscience” for their social commitment to Latin American youth, specifically.

Jualian Assange, Campanella and Hola magazine

Calle 13 and Julian Assange collaborate on a new track. (AP Photo/Calle 13)

Recently, Residente was also in the spotlight because he collaborated with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a songwriting session against media manipulation and censorship.

Calle 13 and Campanella worked together in the latest animated film for the Argentine director. The duet contributed with “Me Vieron Cruzar,” one of the songs on their upcoming album, for Campanella’s new movie “Metegol” released July 18.

The stepbrothers are also currently in the midst of writing and recording their fifth album, expected to be released next fall.

On the private life side of things, Residente was furious on Twitter with magazine Hola who said his wife, Argentine actress and model Soledad Fandiño, is just another groupie, following the singer/songwriter wherever he goes and influencing his settling in Los Angeles.

Residente denied what had been published about Fandiño. He said the couple lives between Argentina and Puerto Rico, adding that it’s he who sometimes stops and interrupts his studio recording to follow his wife for her personal and professional obligations.

Calle 13

Calle 13’s Eduardo Jose Cabra Martinez aka Visitante and Rene Perez Joglar aka Residente (Photo/MTV)

Calle 13 is family business. Stepbrothers Perez and Cabra got their first record deal with White Lion Records just after sending the label a demo. The recording “Querido F.B.I.” gained the group notoriety in Puerto Rico. After that came “Se Vale Tó-Tó” and “¡Atrévete-te-te!” — two more songs that put them in the spotlight.

Their second album, “Residente o Visitante,” released in 2007, helped Calle 13 gain success throughout Latin America and win three Latin Grammys. It was their third album, “Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo (2008),” that won Album of the Year at the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards. Calle 13 released “Entren Los Que Quieran,” on November 22, 2010 — the group’s last album.

Check out Calle 13′s “La Bala,” a song against gun violence:

Calle 13 ‘La Bala’ music video

The political statement made at the 13th annual Latin Alternative Music Conference’s show Celebrate Brooklyn! on July 13, noted in a New York Times article, is right on track with the group’s style.

Residente of Puerto Rican band Calle 13 (Photo LaCalle13.com)

Calle 13– formed by step brothers Residente born René Pérez Joglar and Visitante born Eduardo José Cabra Martínez– is “class conscious,” a trademark exemplified in songs such as “La Perla” that speaks on the Puerto Rican slums plagued by drug deals and violence to “Dear FBI,” which is about the FBI’s killing of Puerto Rican independence leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios.

Most of their music acts as a call to action to their listeners. Rather than feeding into the ratings, the duo is feeding the minds of their audience, with culturally engaging music.

Residente, the rapper in the group, studied art and earned a master’s from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and Visitante, the producer, studied music at the University of Puerto Rico, reports NPR.

Their music has gained an international audience. Calle 13′s 2010 album “Entren Los Que Quieran” made Latin music history in 2011 when they won nine Latin Grammy’s, a record number of wins that brought their total up to 19, according to Latin Billboards.

Calle 13 is no stranger to breaking records. Their Brooklyn show drew in a “beyond-capacity crowd” and was the “largest” show at the LAMC.