King Changó

King Changó is an American Latin ska and world music group formed in 1994 in New York City, United States. The band was established by José Andrés Blanco (known as Blanquito Man) and Rubén Verde. Their name is derived from Changó, the Afro-Cuban Orishá of war. The ensemble expanded to eight musicians by 1996 and incorporated genres including reggae, salsa, and cumbia. They signed with Luaka Bop Records and released the debut album King Changó (1996). Their recordings include the album The Return of El Santo (2000), which featured a fusion of trip hop and ska-punk music. The group received a SESAC Latin Music Award in 1997 and a Gold Disc from Latin World Productions in 2001. Blanco died in 2017. In 2020, the musician Negrito Man resumed activity with the group. Their discography includes the track “Latin Ska 27” (2021).