Intellectually Entertaining. Socially Relevant.
The son of Puerto Rican-born parents, Nelson was born in Brooklyn and raised in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, New York. Growing up, music was a major factor his upbringing, with his mother coming from a very musically diverse family and his father introducing him to other types of music such as classic rock. He learned to appreciate all types of music although I tend to drift primarily towards salsa.
Other than music, Nelson likes to spend time with friends and family. He’s also a bit of a sports freak , you can find him cheering for his New York teams: the Mets and the Giants. You might also catch him at a nearby handball court on occasion during the summer.
Nelson has been involved with Being Latino in many supportive roles beginning in 2010 with the fundraiser for Haiti. His ability to engage others in conversation with humor and an open mind made him the ideal candidate for the role of Facebook Engagement Manager; while his love and knowledge of music makes him the perfect fit for the magazine series, Flashback Friday.
The Rockaways. To New Yorkers that live outside of this 11 mile long peninsula in the southernmost part of Queens, it’s a no man’s land. When I tell someone I live out here, the usual reaction is “Dude, you live out in the boondocks!” Yes, I do. It’s quite the mission for you to get Read More
I originally started writing this on Monday as soon as I heard the rumors of Yomo Toro’s passing. Thankfully, those rumors were put to rest when a family friend and representative came forth stating that Mr. Toro had not passed and in fact, was alert, sitting up in bed, and conversing with family. Personally that Read More
After a week of having a vacant Fan of The Week slot, we have finally found our second winner! Everyone, meet Victoria Valadez Cano. A Mexican-American born in Mesa, Arizona, now residing in Phoenix. Her father’s side of the family is native to Guanajuato, Mexico and her mother’s side, native to Texas/Mexico. She grew up Read More
Flashback Fridays He has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. He has won various awards, among them, Grammys, Billboards, Lo Nuestro, Man of The Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Latin Songwriter of the Year. He’s shared the stage and collaborated with internationally renowned artists like The Rolling Stones, Sting, Juanes, Mana, and Nelly Furtado. Juan Luis Read More
Flashback Fridays There’s a picture tucked away somewhere within the hundreds of photos that my parents have stored away in a few boxes. It’s a picture of my father holding me as a newborn, resting on his arm. You could see the way he’s looking down on his first born son, how proud he was. Read More
It’s our pleasure to introduce to you Being Latino’s first Fan of The Week, Maria Cristina Restrepo! Maria, 37, is a native of Bogotá, Colombia now living in North Bergen, New Jersey. After learning English, she enrolled at Kean University where she studied Film & Media. Afterwards she began working with a well known media Read More
Flashback Fridays Remember this moment. It’s one of the very few times you’ll ever witness me addressing the “Salsa Romantica” era in a positive light. It’s not because it isn’t any good. To me, it’s an era in which salsa became a little too synthesized for my liking. It took a turn towards becoming too Read More
Want to have your pic and bio featured as our Fan of the week?! Well now is your chance! Beginning Monday, June 4, and continuing until Thursday we’ll be putting out five questions a day. At the end of the week. Highest score becomes Being Latino’s fan of the week. Here’s how it works: The Read More
Flashback Fridays El Maestro, The bandleader, the type of leader who lets everyone else have their chance to shine, and yet, still demands the respect and admiration that only a great musician like Johnny Pacheco can. What else can you expect from someone who went to the prestigious and world renowned Juilliard School in New Read More
Flashback Fridays What do all of the following songs have in common? “Algo de Mi”, “Amor….Amar”, “Melina”, “Quieres Ser Mi Amante?”, “Jamas”, “El Amor de Mi Vida”, “Perdoname”, “Donde Estas, Con Quien Estes”, “Amor de Mujer”, “Amor Mio”, “Que me has Hecho”? There are a few more titles but then I wouldn’t have space Read More