Who was Juan Ortelli, the late former editor of Rolling Stone magazine?

The world of music journalism and rap culture in Argentina is in mourning following the death of Juan Ortelli , a renowned journalist and columnist who became a key figure in the hip-hop scene. Ortelli, 43, died in his apartment, according to official reports .

The news was confirmed by his brother in an emotional Instagram post , where he asked everyone to honor Juan's legacy and his deep passion for music. "It is with deep regret and sadness that I inform the journalistic, artistic, rap community, and those close to me that my great and beloved brother Juan has passed away due to natural causes," he wrote.

A benchmark in rap and Rolling Stone magazine

Born in 1982 in Mendoza, Argentina, Juan Ortelli stood out for his dedication and love of journalism . His work made him a leading figure in Spanish-language rap and freestyle, and an editorial ally for many emerging artists.

His career includes important milestones such as his participation as a judge in renowned competitions like "El Quinto Escalón" and "Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos," as well as being a co-founder of the "Liga Bazooka." At 29, Ortelli took on the role of editor of Rolling Stone Argentina , a position he held from 2013 to 2018, where he produced more than 25 cover stories.

Legacy and reactions

Following the news, colleagues and artists paid tribute to him. Writer Pablo Plotkin, a close friend, described him as someone who "came from nothing, with no connections or connections, and before he was thirty, he was running Rolling Stone."

Rolling Stone Argentina also expressed its condolences , highlighting his commitment to truth and authenticity: "He always championed authenticity and the rawness of reality. That's why, more than an editor, he was a storyteller who knew how to look to the margins and give them a voice," they wrote.

Several musicians and artists, such as producer Bizarrap and rapper Duki , expressed their condolences on social media. Duki shared a heartfelt message, thanking Ortelli for his support of culture and his role as a "big brother" to emerging artists: "Thank you for the love and support of culture... thank you for that big brother advice when we were starting out... Rest in peace, thank you for everything."

SV