Magic Juan

Magic Juan, a producer, songwriter, and bilingual rapper, entered the world in New York City’s Washington Heights section yet grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey. When he turned ten he enrolled in the school choir and began private instruction on piano, guitar, and drums. His parents doubted his commitment to music until several talent-contest victories convinced them otherwise. Hoping to steer him away from street life, they purchased recording gear, after which Juan devoted his post-school hours to tracking, composing, rapping, and sampling. Following graduation he briefly considered a marketing degree, yet an invitation to join the merengue ensemble Proyecto Uno—a group blending heavy urban and hip-hop elements—led him to forgo college. His bilingual verses appeared on the track “Brinca,” a single that reached the top position in more than eight South American nations. Although Proyecto Uno ultimately moved more than three million albums globally, Juan sought a project under his own name. He issued his first solo effort, La Prueba, in 2002 and simultaneously took the role of New York correspondent for Telemundo’s Latin hip-hop program The Roof. Two years later he delivered Libertad: The Magic Juan Mix.