New Ridaz

The New Ridaz arrived on the scene in 2006 via a self-titled album anchored by the single "Special Girl." Dos and Zig Zag had already shaped the Latin rap landscape across the southwestern United States through their work with the Arizona-based NB Ridaz, a group formerly known as the Nastyboy Klick. Together with producer MC Magic, the third member of that lineup, the NB Ridaz achieved moderate success by merging Latin rap, urban R&B, and hip-hop. When MC Magic launched a solo career in the mid-2000s, Dos and Zig Zag were left to pursue fresh directions. Upstairs Records proposed they collaborate with the label’s prominent dance-pop vocalist Angelina, whose string of Latin dance and pop hits included the 1996 track "Release Me," prompting the newly assembled trio to adopt the name the New Ridaz. Although the music retained much of the NB Ridaz’s stylistic approach, Angelina’s pop sensibilities and established profile expanded their existing fan base. The addition of Spanish-language verses did nothing to shrink that reach, and the debut album climbed into the Top 40 among independently released projects.