DJ Blass

Known professionally as DJ Blass, Vladimir Félix ranks among the foremost producers and reggaetoñeros, widely regarded as a foundational figure in dembow. He has authored and performed numerous dance-floor and stage staples such as “No Te Veo,” “Latigazo,” and “En La Cama,” while collaborating with an array of urban acts that includes Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Plan B, Wisin & Yandel, and Sir Speedy.

Born in Guayama, Puerto Rico, on December 1, 1978, he completed his secondary studies at Dr. Rafael Lopez Landrón High School with a concentration in computer and electronic music; classmates supplied the moniker that later became his stage name. At sixteen he began studying piano along with the craft and tools of production, displaying rapid aptitude that led him to work professionally by age eighteen.

His debut mixtape, @RIA 51: Aliados Al Escuadron (also issued as Reggaeton Sex, Vol. 1), appeared in 1999 and introduced his distinctive approach to dembow. Early in the following decade he relocated to northern Puerto Rico and issued Reggaeton Sex, Vol. 2 and Triple Sexxx. Veteran producer DJ Joe extended the first major studio credit by enlisting him for Francotiradores, Vol. 1 on Master Joe & O.G. Black’s introductory album.

Pina Records supported the 2001 release of Sandunguero, which achieved strong sales throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, topping the Tropical Albums chart and reaching number ten on the Top Latin Albums list. In addition to extensive live appearances across Puerto Rico and the mainland, Blass crafted numerous commercially dominant urban Latin tracks; by merging pop and R&B melodies with both established and forward-looking rhythms, he supplied the genre with fresh scope and shaped the work of many subsequent producers and DJs. Sandunguero, Vol. 2 followed in 2004.

His material draws primary influence from folk and African traditions as well as classic electro and rap. During the 2010s he broadened beyond the “sandunguero” aesthetic into Christian music, generating material for numerous Christian reggaeton artists including Funky and Triple Seven while also counseling fellow reggaetoñeros on professional development.

A stretch of health complications prompted a three-year hiatus. He returned in 2012 with the single “Pergamino,” which registered on club charts throughout the Caribbean and the southern United States. Since then he has issued more than sixteen singles and EPs, among them the 2014 track “Bate Roto (feat. Sensato),” “When the Beat Goes (feat. Gabriel Angel)” with Stu G, and “Duro Bass (feat. Ma-Less).” He also appeared on and produced LennyGM’s “Hillana (feat. DJ Blass and Waqas)” as well as Tomasa del Real’s “Barre con el Pelo (feat. DJ Blass).”