Reggaeton artist Tempo set to complete 24-year federal drug trafficking sentence
Puerto Rican reggaeton artist David Sánchez Badillo, known by his stage name Tempo, is set to complete his 24-year federal sentence on drug trafficking charges in April. The Ponce artist has been in the free community since April 9, 2014, when he was granted supervised freedom to serve the rest of his sentence.
Tempo was arrested on October 17, 2002, for a controlled substances case alongside producer Francisco “Buddha” Tomás Muriel, who was exonerated in 2004 and passed away in 2007. Tempo was found guilty of distributing cocaine, heroin, crack, marijuana, and possessing a firearm. He was sentenced in June 2004, with the initial sentence later being reduced in 2011.
During his time in prison, Tempo kept himself occupied by playing basketball and completing 11 courses in psychology. He returned to Puerto Rico in October 2013, and in 2014, he joined the free community under supervised release. Tempo clarified in an interview that his compliance with the rest of his sentence is not probation, but supervised release, which allows him the freedom to travel and move around without a shackle.
Additionally, Tempo has had other encounters with the law, including a 2017 arrest for alleged traffic infractions and possession of controlled substances, as well as a 2018 car accident in Caguas. Despite these challenges, the rapper remains active in the music scene, releasing new singles and collaborating with other artists.
Tempo’s discography includes the studio albums “Game Over” (1999), “New Game” (2000), and “Free Tempo” (2009). He is known for songs such as “Narcohampón”, “Amén”, “Qué es tu nombre”, and “I am the best at this”. In 2014, he returned to the stage with the “Tempo Freedom” concert at the José M. Agrelot Coliseum of Puerto Rico, featuring collaborations with popular artists like Daddy Yankee, Wisin, and Fat Joe.
Despite his past legal troubles, Tempo continues to make music and entertain audiences, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to his craft.