Carlos Corté$

Carlos Cortez, also known as Carlos Corté$, is an Ecuadorian singer, rapper, and producer who has built a reputation for his self-made approach to music. Born in Venezuela to a Lojano father and Venezuelan mother, he moved to Loja, Ecuador at a young age and began making beats in his early teens. Initially selling instrumentals to other artists, he pivoted to recording his own vocals when sales proved inconsistent. His breakthrough came with the single “Se va,” which reached the streaming Top 50 in Ecuador and led to a deal with Virgin Music. Carlos Cortez became known for taking full creative control—producing, directing, and editing his own music videos. In 2022, he released “Psycho” in collaboration with Colombian artist Maxioly and producer Cast, followed by performances at major festivals and a tour in Mexico. That same year, he dropped the nostalgic reggaetón single “Chanel,” showcasing his ability to blend urban rhythms with emotional storytelling. In 2023, he opened for Feid in Quito and released the EP Pack Verano 003, further solidifying his status as a rising name in Latin urban music. Melanie, his debut album, arrived later that year and featured COQE on the track "ARMANI." Over the next few years, Carlos Cortez released a string of singles that solidified his place in the Latin urban scene, including "COMPLICADO" (2024), "éxtasis" (2025), and "superestrellismo" (2025).