Bryan Martinez and Hacha y Machete

Born in Brooklyn to a Puerto Rican mother and a Dominican father, vocalist Bryan Martinez was always submerged in Latin American culture. Influenced by the sounds of merengue, bachata, salsa, boleros while at home and hip-hop, R&B, rock while in school in the '90s, it became impossible to not become a creative. His brother introduced him to Tupac Shakur which opened his eyes to lyrics, storytelling and poetry. He discovered and became a fan of groups like Boyz II Men, 112, Dru Hill among others which inspired his melodies. At the age of 13 he would write his first song and never stopped. He would write on the bus, classroom, lunch break, and any moment inspiration struck. He lived in Dominican Republic for a period of his life, absorbed by the culture. The same happened in Puerto Rico - anywhere he went, music was always there for him. Today he is Grammy-nominated songwriter, his latest project being the riveting band Hacha y Machete.