Chavito cut his musical teeth playing local neighborhood parties in his borough, but it took a trip to his ancestral homeland, Puerto Rico, to ignite his musicality. While in San Juan, his brother introduced him to the potent musical stylings of raperos (rappers) Vico C, Ruben DJ, and Wiso G, influences he synthesized with the hard-hitting sounds of his North American favorites, Notorious B.I.G. and Big Pun, when he returned to New York to stake his musical claim.

From hip-hop to reggaeton to dancehall, Chavito’s songs — party tales, street-life dramas, and daily struggles — are hard hitting and provocative. As an opening act, he has been featured on bills with Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Alexis Y Fido, Tego, Pitbull, Zion Y Lennox, and Akon and has rocked stages at venues like the Hammerstein Ballroom, Club Spirit and Club Exit, attracting the attention of media giants Telemundo and Sprint Radio, and enticing Red Bull to lend sponsorship support.

A series of mixtapes and regular plays by DJ Tony Touch introduced Chavito to radio audiences. Next, Chavito recorded a reggaeton remix of Latin pop sensation Thalia on her single “Un Alma Sentenciada.” Chavito has now teamed up with famed producers Cool & Dre, Young Lord and reggaeton heavyweight Nely to produce his debut album.

In Puerto Rican slang, the term “chavito” means “youngster.” For the New York-based artist, it translates into an someone emerging into major musical manhood.

Nely’s nickname is “El Arma Secreta” (The Secret Weapon) and for good reason. Even though Nely (born Josias de la Cruz) is only 19, he has already proven himself a one-man reggaeton machine. The producer was behind the soundboard for major hits such as Wisin & Yandel’s “Noche de Sexo” and “Rakata,” Tito “El Bambino’s” “Mia,” Hector “El Father”’s “Noche De Travesura,” Don Omar’s “Salvaje” and Zion Y Lennox’s “Cuando.”

Most recently, Nely, who was nominated for producer of the year at the 2007 Billboard Latin Music Awards, produced a number of tracks on Daddy Yankee’s new album, El Cartel: The Big Boss. Released in June, the album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart and No. 9 on the Billboard 200. He’s previously worked with Daddy Yankee on his duet with Snoop Dogg, “Gangster Zone.” His latest effort with Don Omar is the infectious “Calm My Nerves,” from Omar’s El Pentagono, a collection of tunes from top reggaeton artists that came out in March.

Nely, who was raised in Puerto Rico, is signed to Universal Music Publishing Group Latin America. He began playing drums when he was only five and was producing before he was old enough to drive. Among his influences, according to his myspace page, are Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, Neptunes and Timbaland. He now splits his time between Puerto Rico and Miami.