A pioneering figure in reggaetón and Latin hip-hop, Tempo refuses to operate in these genres’ more pop-focused mainstream moves. Instead, with each new release, the Puerto Rican rapper commits to the hardest sounds while bringing a renewed intensity to the material. This is evident on Tempo es Tempo II, a savage sequel to his 2020 EP. Expansive seven-minute opener “Nft” exudes heavy drill energy, dipping into salsa mode before swiftly returning to the streets. The now familiar bass tones and rhythmic flourishes of drill pervade the project, providing a grim backdrop for his unvarnished lyricism on “Tirando Balas Locas” and “Salón de la Fama.” A notable exception to the overall format, “Viviendo en Guerra” finds him collaborating with Farruko, expressing harsh truths about loyalty and honor.