New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ SESAC Website) "We are much honored and pleased that Robi 'Draco' Rosa has joined our incredible roster of affiliates," says J. J. Cheng, Vice President of Writer and Publisher Relations at SESAC Latina. "Draco is a multifaceted talent who has had great success as an artist, composer, producer and entrepreneur. He has an established reputation as a musical great. We're excited that he's part of the SESAC family."
Meanwhile, Draco notes that he found out about SESAC when he discovered that
Bob Dylan is one of our affiliates. For Draco, this was ample proof that "this is an organization with very serious songwriters," and made him realize that he "wanted to be here, too."
Born on Long Island and raised in Puerto Rico, Draco experienced fame and adulation at a young age as part of the classic lineup of Menudo. Upon leaving the group in 1987, he moved to Rio de Janeiro where he worked hard to hone his talents as a writer and a musician. Later, he returned to New York, carving out a new role as a member of the alt-rock group Maggie's Dream, which opened for such 1990s legends as
Black Crowes and Faith No More. Upon concluding that project, he journeyed to L.A. to pursue interesting acting opportunities - his filmography includes a starring role in Salsa: The Motion Picture.
In '96, Rosa released Vagabundo, which was recorded in England with legendary Roxy
Music guitarist Phil Manzanera producing. A tour de force of introspectively haunting tunes like "Llanto Subterraneo," "Madre Tierra" and "Penelope," Vagabundo established Rosa as a unique composing talent. Entertainment Weekly named him to their "IT LIST of the l00 most creative people in the entertainment industry." And Spin Magazine placed him "In its 1997 Top 10 list of the greatest rock en español records of all time, and said of Rosa's second release, "like Axisera Hendrix, Vagabundo reassures as much as it disturbs," epitomizing "the contemporary renaissance of rock en español; a subterranean journey to the core of a man's soul."
Already respected as a fascinating and engaging artist, Draco in 1999 came full circle, teaming up with his former Menudo bandmate Ricky
Martin to help him launch his crossover career into English-language stardom. Draco co-wrote and co-produced Martin's legendary hit Livin' La Vida Loca which propelled Martin's album to No. 1 in Billboard and sales of over 20 million units worldwide. Draco also worked on Martin's followup CD Sound Loaded (2000), producing four songs, including the smash single "She Bangs."
Draco's independent spirit led him to seek release from his contract with Sony. This new freedom gave way to his second Spanish only album, "Vino," released in October 2008. Draco considers "Vino" a follow up to Vagabundo. Vino is included in his long awaited production Draco: Limited Collector's Edition, along with "Teatro Live" DVD. "Teatro Live" garnered 2 Latin Grammy nominations and 1 Latin Grammy win for "Best Rock Vocal Performance".
Draco went back to his roots in 2009 with the release of "Amor Vincit Omnia" (Love Conquers All). A collection of songs with a heavy influence of Puerto Rican folk music. The critically acclaimed album received a 2010 Grammy nomination for "Best Latin Rock Alternative Album."
Draco continued his career as a major creative force in Latin music, and recorded an acclaimed album of duets for 2012 release featuring his collaborations with Calle 13, Tego Calderón, Juan Luis Guerra, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Alejandro Sanz, Rubén Blades, Maná, José Feliciano, Enrique Bunbury, Andrés Calamaro, Marc Anthony, Ednita Nazario, Shakira,
Romeo and Mima.
Recently, alongside
Juan Luis Guerra and Rubén Blades, Draco performed a series of sold-out concerts at the José
Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
He's also enriched the artistic and cultural life of Puerto Rico, sponsoring scholarships for the island's Conservatory of Music. In addition, he's founded his own brands of rum and coffee, along with a clothing line that was awarded Business of the Year by Puerto Rico's Chamber of Commerce.
