Caserío literally refers to a cluster of houses, often in a rural setting. However, in many urban contexts, especially in Latin America and Spain, it's used to refer to a 'housing project' or a 'neighborhood' that might be associated with a certain social or economic background.
In this song, Maikel Delacalle sings, "Voy a dejar el caserío, quiero trabajar" (I'm going to leave the caserío, I want to work). Here, it represents his humble beginnings and the environment he wants to escape to pursue a better life, making it a poignant and culturally significant word.
"Ya No Está" is Maikel Delacalle's tribute to his mother after her death, and to how much her loss reshaped him.
He looks back on a rough start: growing up in a tough neighborhood in Puerto Rico, tangled up in trouble and "everything illegal." Losing his mother is the turning point. He prays for guidance, admits he nearly lost his way, and describes going from being on the floor to standing tall.
He owns where he's from, tattoos and all, even if it makes some people quick to call him a "criminal." He says he's someone who forgives but never forgets. The hook, "Mamá se fue" (Mom is gone), repeats through the whole song as the loss that pushes him to leave the old block behind and build something better.
Maikel Delacalle is a solo artist from Puerto Rico. He is known for his distinctive musical style.