Kinito Méndez

Kinito Méndez, born José del Carmen Ramírez Méndez on November 18, 1963, in Padre Las Casas, Azua, is a renowned Dominican Merengue singer. His artistic journey began in 1988 when he co-founded the acclaimed Merengue band La Cocoband alongside Alfonzo "Pochy" Vásquez and Bobby Rafael. As a key member, he penned and arranged several chart-topping hits including "El Coronel," "El Boche," "La Seca," "El Cacu," and "La Manito," which would later be featured in the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger comedy Kindergarten Cop. In parallel with his stint in La Cocoband, Kinito Méndez helped found Rikarena in 1990, a merengue group characterized by a mellower sound and romantic lyrics. Venturing out in 1992, Kinito Méndez and Bobby Rafael created La Rokabanda, producing a string of successful tracks such as "Rechenchén," "El Bacano," and "Los Hombres Maduros," and recording three hit albums in total. 1995 found the merengue legend going solo and releasing his much-anticipated studio debut El Hombre Merengue, which sold over 1.5 million copies thanks to the massive hit "Cachamba." A significant turning point came in 1997 when he released "El Vuelo 587," a tribute to American Airlines Flight 587, a NYC-Santo Domingo route that tragically crashed in 2001. Co-written and performed with Johnny Ventura, the song, initially meant to express joy during holiday travels to the Dominican Republic, was later re-released as "El Avion," reflecting the sorrowful event. The catastrophe claimed the life of Papi LaFontaine, Kinito Méndez's former manager. He would continue to record music during the following decade, putting out a string of well-received albums such as Sigo Siendo el Hombre Merengue (2002), Celebra Conmigo (2004), Con Sabor a Mí (2006), and La Fábrica (2008).