tempo turns 4

NKlabe|Biography

Arriving on the salsa scene in 2004 like a storm, N’Klabe’s debut album Salsa Contra Viento y Marea immediately established them as leaders in the traditional salsa movement. The group’s short career has been fruitful: Latin music award nominations have included Premio Lo Nuestro, Premios Billboard Latinos, and the Latin Grammys.

"The future of Salsa music" -- Cheo Feliciano, salsa pioneer

In addition to winning the award for Best New Artist, the group has been nominated for Best Duo/Tropical Group, and “Amor de una Noche” nominated for Best Song. They followed this in 2006 with a spectacular appearance at the beginning of Premio Lo Nuestro. Songs from several albums have reached the top of the critics’ lists throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Latin America.

Prominent salsa figures have shown respect for and given support to the talented group. Victor Manuelle accompanied N’Klabe on “Evitar” from 2005’s I Love Salsa. Reggaeton artist Julio Voltio joined group for “Amor de una Noche,” which became an instantaneous favorite, as well as its sequel “Ella Volvio” from the 2006 record Punto de Estallar. Mikey Perfecto and Reggaeton stars Rakim y Ken Y participated in the creation of “Si ya no estas” from 2007’s La Nueva Escuela; the song’s integration of bilingual phrases and urban sounds is unlike any other in salsa. Also notable on the album are “Me criaron con salsa,” written by Jorge Luis Piloto and Yoel Henriquez, “No renunciare” by Ral del Sol y Yoel Henriquez, and “Amor de Agua,” inspired by Obie Bermudez and recorded with the participation of the Caballero of Salsa, Gilberto Santa Rosa.

For the last three years, N’Klabe has continued perform internationally. Multitudes have enjoyed their music in Puerto Rico and in numerous U.S. cities such as New York, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Washington. They have also won recognition in cities outside the U.S. including Toronto, Canada, Colombia, Mexico City, Lima, Peru, Brussels, and St. Thomas.

Following their Primo Lo Nuestro 2009 nomination for Best Tropical Group, N’Klabe is currently finalizing the production of Upgrade: Complete, to be released late in 2009, on which founder Felix Javier Torres unites with new members Jose Ruben Ruiz “JR” and Anthon Ibanez.