Artists like Bobby Valentin
Kindred artists that sit next to Bobby Valentin on the star chart — same era, adjacent sound, or overlapping influence. Tap any card to open its full page.
Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Soundartist
Ray BarrettoartistRaymundo "Ray" Barretto Pagán was an American percussionist and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent. Throughout his career as a percussionist, he played a wide variety of Latin music styles, as well as Latin jazz. His first hit, "El Watusi", was recorded by his Charanga Moderna in 1962, becoming the most successful pachanga song in the United States. In the late 1960s, Barretto became one of the leading exponents of boogaloo and what would later be known as salsa. Nonetheless, many of Barretto's recordings would remain rooted in more traditional genres such as son cubano. A master of the descarga, Barretto was a long-time member of the Fania All-Stars. His success continued into the 1970s with songs such as "Cocinando" and "Indestructible". His last album for Fania Records, Soy dichoso, was released in 1990. He then formed the New World Spirit jazz ensemble and continued to tour and record until his death in 2006. He is the father of American vocalist and saxophonist Chris Barretto, best known for being the former singer of progressive metal bands Monuments and Periphery.
Grupo NicheartistGrupo Niche is a salsa group founded in 1978 in Bogotá, Colombia. It enjoys great popularity throughout Latin America. It was founded by Jairo Varela and Alexis Lozano. Varela remained with the group throughout his life, serving as producer, director, songwriter, vocalist, and guiro player. Alexis Lozano, trombone player and arranger later left to form Orquesta Guayacán. The group also included Nicolas Cristancho "Macabi" on the piano, Francisco Garcia "Porky" on the bass, Luis Pacheco, on the congas, and vocalists Jorge Bazán and Hector Viveros.
El Gran Combo De Puerto Ricoartist
Willie Gonzalezartist
Los Van VanartistLos Van Van is one of the leading musical groups of post-revolutionary Cuba. It was founded in 1969 by bassist Juan Formell, who directed the band until his death in 2014. Formell and former band members Changuito and Pupy are some of the most important figures in contemporary Cuban music, having contributed to the development of songo and timba, two popular dance music genres.
Héctor LavoeartistHéctor Juan Pérez Martínez, better known as Héctor Lavoe, was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. Widely regarded as one of salsa's most important and influential vocalists, Lavoe played a pivotal role in popularizing the genre throughout the 1960s, '70s, and '80s. His charismatic persona and artistic vision propelled him to become one of the most successful Latin music artists of all time.
Frankie RuizartistJosé Antonio Torresola Ruiz, better known as Frankie Ruiz, was an American singer. He was a major figure in the salsa romántica subgenre that was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Eddie SantiagoartistEddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. He is one of the great figures of this musical genre, with popular songs such as "Tù Me Haces Falta" on Soy el Mismo, "Lluvia" on Sigo Atrevido, "Mía" on Invasión de la Privacidad, and "Tú Me Quemas" on Atrevido y Diferente.
Johnny PachecoartistJuan Pablo Knipping Pacheco, known as Johnny Pacheco, was a Dominican musician, arranger, composer, bandleader, and record producer. Born in the Dominican Republic, Pacheco became a leading figure in the New York salsa scene in the 1960s and 1970s as the founder and musical director of Fania Records.
Fania All Starsartist
Maelo RuizartistIsmael Ruiz Hernández, better known as Maelo Ruiz, is a New York City-born Puerto Rican Salsa singer identified within the Salsa romántica genre.
Jerry RiveraartistJerry Rivera is a Puerto Rican salsa singer and songwriter.