As part of Barcelona’s annual La Mercè festivities, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Villano Antillano delivered a high-energy performance on Friday night at the Moll de la Fusta in the Barceloneta neighborhood, marking the closing act of Friday’s concert lineup. The show, part of her ongoing “Guarra Tour,” drew a diverse and enthusiastic crowd to the waterfront stage, underscoring the festival’s blend of tradition and contemporary urban culture.

Born Villana Santiago Pacheco in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, in 1995, Villano Antillano has risen to international prominence as a non-binary artist whose music confronts social prejudice while fusing rap, reggaeton, and electronic rhythms. Her set in Barcelona reflected this hybrid style, featuring tracks from her 2019 debut EP Tiranía as well as global hits like “Pato Hasta La Muerte.” Her landmark 2022 collaboration with Argentine producer Bizarrap, “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 51,” made her the first transgender and non-binary artist to enter Spotify’s Global Top 50, amassing over 300 million streams to date.

The performance began shortly after 1:30 a.m. and lasted approximately 70 minutes. Backed by dynamic lighting and a minimalist yet striking stage design, Villano Antillano commanded attention with rapid-fire verses, choreographed movements, and moments of raw emotional delivery. Notably, just before she took the stage, a pre-recorded message of solidarity with Palestine was broadcast over the venue’s sound system. During her set, Villano briefly unfurled a Palestinian flag while performing, holding it aloft in a quiet but visible gesture of support for Gaza—an act met with applause from parts of the audience.

La Mercè, Barcelona’s largest annual festival honoring the city’s patron saint, the Virgin of Mercy, runs through September 28 and features hundreds of free events across the city—from traditional castellers (human towers) and correfocs (fire runs) to open-air concerts and street theater. Villano Antillano’s appearance at Moll de la Fusta exemplifies the festival’s evolving identity, which increasingly incorporates global and contemporary voices alongside Catalan cultural expressions.

Beyond her musical output, Villano Antillano is recognized as a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Her lyrics often address identity, discrimination, and empowerment, themes that have earned her a devoted following among younger audiences in Spain and Latin America alike. In Barcelona, her performance was met with cheers and waving flags, reflecting both her artistic appeal and symbolic significance.