Music of Puerto Rico - Artists: Charlie Cruz

Cruz, Charlie - Salsa

Cruz is one of the new stars of the salsa music genre. His start was well received by the Puerto Rican recording industry. Born in in 1975 in Puerto Rico, Cruz was the oldest of seven siblings. He lived his adolescent years in Paterson, New Jersey, in the United States, where he grew to love salsa music. His models were exponents of the Afro-Caribbean genre such as Héctor Lavoe and Frankie Ruiz.

His musical career started by singing chorus for his father, Fonzy Cruz, who recorded three records. In 1996, the younger Cruz decided to move to Puerto Rico to be closer to his family and musical roots. By so doing, he entered the salsa scene, working for two years as a vocalist in Domingo Quiñones' orchestra. At that time he took singing classes and studied piano as well.

In his start as a soloist, Cruz debuted in the international scene with his album Imagínate. With the WEA Latina label, the production was helped by Sergio George who directed and arranged. In that album, Cruz was co- songwriter of "Y gritaré", together with Guadalupe García and Sergio George.

Few people know that before becoming a singer he worked for five years as a boxer and became a professional in the 132 pound weight class. But the pull of music was stronger still, impelling him into a career as professional music artist. His latest release: Asi Soy featured the song partial Real Audio clip Hoy es el Dia.