Norty Cotto

Based in New York, Norty Cotto serves as a DJ, remixer, and producer while ranking among Latin house's most fervent early trailblazers. His entry into mainstream music came through direct work with John "Jellybean" Benítez on Noel's 1988 debut album. Early house sounds, especially the post-disco freestyle style that arose in Latin communities throughout major U.S. cities, shaped his approach. Those influences prompted partnerships with established dance music acts, resulting in recordings that ranged from classic U.S. house to merenhouse, the high-energy fusion of Dominican merengue and electronic music.