As one of the most famous Bachata stars ever and perhaps the man credited with bringing Dominican music to the Latin music scene, Romeo Santos has checked a lot of career boxes for someone who’s still under 50. From making a splash in the acting world by starring alongside Vin Diesel in Fast and Furious 7 to having at least ten hit singles, Romeo is a real musical competitor. But he wasn’t always the big-shot he is today. He started as a young boy in the Bronx, with the cards stacked against him. With the encouragement of his parents and church choir, he was able to break free and break out into the music scene.

Los Teenagers

Romeo Santos was born Anthony Romeo Santos in 1981 to two parents of Latino descent. His mother is Peurto Rican and his father is Dominican, which makes sense when you hear his music. He grew up in The Bronx, NY, and didn’t start singing until he was 13. That was the year he joined the church choir and discovered he was more than just someone who could carry a tune – he was genuinely talented. That realization led him to create and join “Los Teenagers,” a local boy-band in his Bronx-Latino community.

Getting Noticed

In 1999, Los Teenagers got a real shot at success. They signed with Premium Latin, a Latin music label out of New York. They put out their first album, We Broke the Rules, just two years later. The unique mix of traditional Latin Bachata sounds and the urban influences in that album drove it to success in its niche, with Santos as the lead singer.

Santos stayed with his boy band for a few more years, before going off on a solo adventure in 2011, when he released Formula Vol. 1. It got outstanding reviews and topped all the relevant Latin charts. That album set him up for a career of success, and he hasn’t put out one lousy record since.