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- 1. Subete - Alexis & Fido
- 2. Siguelo - Wisin & Yandel
- 3. Seras Mia - Angel & Khriz
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INSIDE REGGAETON - Exclusive!
Notch: Helping to Redefine Reggaeton.
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OTHER INSIDE EXCLUSIVES
- Alexis y Fido Nominated Twice for Latin Grammys 09/11/2008
- MTV TR3S and Calle 13 Partner to Unveil Grammy Winning Duo 09/05/2008
- Voltio Redeemed by His Music 08/27/2008
- Wisin Y Yandel Gearing Up 05/27/2008
- Julio Voltio on Grand Theft Auto IV 05/12/2008
- Rakim and Ken Y Caught Stealing Songs From Erre XI 04/21/2008
- Introducing ‘Mr. New York City’ Nick Diddy aka Talentino 02/24/2008
- Marlon Peña the Man Behind the Video Camera 02/01/2008
- Stef La Kallejera onfire representing the females 12/05/2007
- Dj Hostile Holding it down for NYC 11/20/2007
July 12, 2007
Reggaeton has turned into one of the most eclectic Latin genres. It has now staked claim to some of the most prolific artists and musicians around. Not only do you find your classic Reggaeton artists like Wisin & Yandel or Daddy Yankee, but in recent years Reggaeton has introduced Dance, Alternative, Reggae and Dancehall hybrids into the genre. Tego Calderon is quick to tell his public that he is and represents everything there is about Hip-hop. Calle 13 vehemently denies that they are a Reggaeton act at all, and their creative music style just happens to be able to mix different genres. Notch has evolved with his music, from representing a Reggae and Hip-hop fusion, while later adding Dancehall to his sound, and now finding that his Latin roots have thrown him into the Reggaeton melting pot as well. Notch’s contributions to music, as well as other Latin artists, represent the evolution that defines the Reggaeton movement in these last few years.
Born in an inner city of Connecticut, Notch grew up around a diverse community of Puerto Ricans and African Americans, and what he describes as a “sprinkle” of Jamaicans. “Most people considered me black because of the color of his skin, but my family tree consists of Puerto Ricans, African Americans, Jamaican, and even some Portuguese and French ancestry.” He told Reggaetonline.net in an exclusive interview that socially he had always been considered the culture of the people he hung around. This unique upbringing has no doubt influenced who he is today.
“I was with my mom during the week. I was always considered a Black American amongst Puerto Ricans and Black Americans in a bilingual school. On the weekends I stayed with my grandparents, who are Jamaicans, and my other grandfather who was a black Cuban, so I grew up hearing Ebonics, Spanish and Jamaican popular language. I never saw any of the three as being as different, as opposed to the people around me who made a big deal of it. I was so innocent then. I was never caught up in the politics of the race, nationalism or linguistics. I was so wrapped up in me; trying to perform, dance and be an entertainer. Being an entertainer was what I thought as my identity.”
Economic situations usually affect our work ethics as we grow. “My mom’s side of the family was very poverty stricken and despondent,” recalled Notch. “However my father’s kin were immigrants coming to America and looking for the American dream. They had that drive and they made sure they obtained the things that made life a little easier.” Notch took up the legacy of searching for the American dream and definitely made life better for himself.
Notch’s musical influences are numerous. “I always sang along Bob Marley Songs since I was a little kid, while my mother’s side of the family always played a lot of Salsa music. I was really impressed by Michael Jackson’s showmanship and I lived off that “Off the Wall” album. I was into El Debarge as well.” He also took interest in break dancing, and frequented concerts with his family. “At the age of 13, I went to a Reggae concert and I heard a Reggae artists sing a song called ‘Agony’. When I heard the lyrics and the way he sang the song, I thought to myself ‘That’s what I want to do.” It was at that time that Notch turned from dancing to learning how to dance with his voice.
When he started, he began to incorporate the bass lines from Reggae with Hip-hop beats. With that combination he jumped on the scene with Born Jamaicans. He was 17 then. He teamed up with a schoolmate with a similar Jamaican background, Edley Shine. With their creation they put out 8 videos, numerous singles and music that toured the world for 5 years.
Once the group broke up, Notch went back to his roots and redeveloped himself as a successful solo artist. He added in a bit of Dancehall to his Hip-hop/Jamaican mix and made his move again. He has since worked with well known artists like Beanie Man and Elephant Man, gaining even more acceptance from the Jamaican fans. Because of his diverse ethnic background, his music also continued to gain favor with Latin Americans as well.
Notch has been a part of so many music genres and represented many languages and cultures. He decided to call his new album “Raised by the People,” because he feels that his cultural background is the reason his music exists. His album is getting consistent positive reviews. Many people are confused as to what kind of album “Raised by the People” is. Even hardcore Notch fans have no idea what to expect. Those who have heard only a few tracks of Notch’s older albums, know that no matter what Notch puts out, it’s always going to be good. “Raised by the People” is probably one of Notch’s most solid albums in years.
Notch will be making appearances all across the country this summer. This year he will be a part of Los Angeles, California’s Reggaeton Invasion IV.
