Ramon Santiago - Latin, Hip-Hop, Reggaeton

RAMON SANTIAGO A mixture of beats, rhythm, unique vocals, and a cultural duality that allows his music to transcend beyond his Latin Hip Hop roots and tap into the heart of the hip hop audience. Descendant of the legendary Spanish Rock and Roll pioneer Johnny Laboriel (Uncle), notorious for his eccentric rhythms and sold out televised concerts.

Ramon Santiago used his experiences as a B-Boy break dancer in the streets of NYC to catapult a career drenched in love for music. The son of Honduran immigrant, Ramon Santiago grew up enjoying the beats of Punta music, a sound typical of the Honduras dance scene. On the streets, he enjoyed dancing next to Mellow Man Ace and B-Real of Cypress Hill. His talent took him on tour to Japan as member of San Francisco’s “Renegades” B-Boy group. The life of urban dancing and cultural expression had been fulfilled.

Ramon Santiago, took his skills to the next level, joining his cousin to form an Afro Latin Group that toured in the high schools of the Los Angeles inner city from 1995-1999. It was in 1999 when Ramon Santiago caught the eye of Lisa “Left eye” Lopez, and was placed in the debut season of her show “The Cut”. This is where America heard the sound of one of the ground breaking Latin Hip Hop pioneers. Ramon Santiago performed “Ay Papi” as America looked on bobbing their heads and tapping their feet to an unfamiliar yet seductive sound that would later catch fire in clubs across the nation as “Reggaeton”.

His talent led him to open for such Latin music icons as: Enanitos Verdes, Molotov, Juanes, Control Machete. And American Hip Hop titans: Method Man and Redman, Cypress Hill, among many others. They were a part of the themed “Watcha” tours and the “Smokeout” festival.

In 2000 Ramon Santiago opened up for Common, D.J.Quik, Slum Village, & Boys to Men at U.S.C. In 2001 he performed at the R&R Lawman Rhythmic & Urban Friday Awards Show Hosted by Christina Aguilera. In 2007 he opened up for Pitbull, Wisin Y Yandel, Tego Calderon, Hector "El Father",Toby love, Ying Yang Twins, Rakim Y Keny, Nicky Jam, Ilegales, Mc Magic, Xtreme, Baby Rasta, D.J.Kane, and Notch at the Starbucks Calibash. Also in 2007 he opened for Pepe Aguilar, Jennifer Pena, Yuri, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Rigo Luna, Calle 13, Reik, Ozomatli, Los Horoscopos de Durango, Internacionales Pasteles Verdes at Fiesta Broadyway.

The life of touring led them to record with the likes of: Baby Bash, Ice-T, 2Pac, Xzibit, Kid Frost, Mellow Man Ace, Ives (from Delienquent Habits), Akil(from Jurassic 5), Sick Jacken & DJ. TRT, Funkdoobiest, Kool Keith, Rass Kass, Cafe Ta Cuba, Tabo(from the Black Eyed Peas), Maria Conchita Alanso, Mad Lion, The Baker Boyz, Ernie C (from Body Count), grammy winner Gustavo Matu and Bobby Ross Avila(The Avila Brothers).

As a former B-Boy the culmination of his hard work came, on the glorious night in which the House of Blues on Sunset saw his talent open for legends RUN DMC. Ramon Santiago continues his rise to the pinnacle of his expectations.

He is currently polishing his first solo album, set to hit American ears this summer, collaboratiing with Teca from Tijuana No, an underground Ska legend. Ramon Laboriel AKA Ramon Santiago vibrantly awaits his debut, set out to take the heat of the Latin Hip Hop movements to new heights.

Check out some of his videos: