Hector Acosta "El Torito"

Héctor Elpidio Acosta Restituyo, born on May 23,  1967, in Monseñor Nouel, Bonao, Dominican Republic, began singing in his church choir before joining local groups such as La Renovación Quisqueyana and Los Gentiles. His breakthrough came when he was recruited by Gerardo Díaz to join Los Toros Band, where he served as lead vocalist from 1991 until 2005. After departing the group, Héctor Acosta launched his solo career with the 2006 album Sigo Siendo Yo, featuring hits like "Lo que tiene ella" and "Me voy". Subsequent releases include Mitad Mitad (2007), Simplemente… El Torito (2010), and Oblígame (2011), each producing chart‑topning singles such as "Sin perdón" and "Me duele la cabeza". He collaborated with international artists including Romeo Santos, Don Omar, and Jorge Celedón, and toured extensively across the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Acosta received multiple Casandra awards, a Latin Pride Award in 2009, and was honored by the Dominican Senate for his cultural contributions. He later released Merengue y sentimiento (2015), which earned a Latin Grammy nomination (Best Contemporary Tropical Album), and returned with the independent album Este soy yo (2022). Parallel to his music career, Héctor Acosta “El Torito” entered politics and was elected senator for Monseñor Nouel in 2020, winning re-election in 2024. He returned to music in 2025 with the single "Si No Me Falla el Corazón," which peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart.