Fulanito

Merengue, known for its excellence in tropical rhythms and universal patrimony to the Dominican Republic, now offers a new perspective, a new dimension with the musical panorama of Fulanito. Its members belonged to other musical groups that have recorded modern dance rhythms such as hip-house, reggae, rap, and drum and bass.

Each individual has played with popular and successful groups such as 2 In A Room and 740 Boyz. Fulanito features Rafael (El Morenito - aka Dose) Vargas was born and raised in New York City with a deep-abiding love for his Dominican roots. Dose, who was discovered by Aldo Marín, acclaimed music producer and Vice-President of Cutting Records, has given the world a spin as writer/producer/rapper/singer with dance mega-hits such as "Wiggle It" and "El Trago" and later formed another group called the 740 Boyz. The group 740 Boyz was composed of only three members who included Winston "Win" Rosa, José "Pickles" Fuentes and Dose. Together, they toured Europe, South Africa and Mexico with successful hits such as "Shimmy Shake" for which the group was awarded gold sales award in France.

José (El Gordito - a.k.a Pickles) Fuentes, is of Cuban heritage, was also born and raised in New York City's Washington Heights section. He is best known for his role and popularity with the international hip-house dance group 740 Boyz as "Pickles." After several years of tours in Europe, recording sessions, and local club performance with the 740 Boyz, Pickles decided to focus on his own unique style of reggae/rap/merengue.

Elvin (El Loquito) Ovalles, is best known for his participation and role as "Floodlight", Dose's partner with the group 2 In A Room. His contribution to 2 In A Room's success included hits such as "El Trago" and "Carnival" in the dance music community.

Marino (El Bonito - a.k.a Reno) Paredes, musical tastes began to reflect a multitude of styles. Later, with the experience of singing background vocals for a dance music group called "Da Fellas," he was ready to pursue a Latin recording career.

Wellinghton (El Chivirico) Belén, the newest member of Fulanito replaces Winston Rosa in the group. Winston (El Chiquitico - a.k.a Win) Rosa, a talented engineer whose credits included working with diverse artists such as Diamond D., Eric Kupper, Sting International, Positive K., and Shaggy.

Dose and Win instantly hit it off and they soon became friends and musical brothers in rhythm. In between fulfilling his ongoing commitments with 2 In A Room, the two started working on tracks together. After a series of experiments, they came up with the notion to do a booty shakin' Miami bass-style record. Using the moniker that Win used on another project, 740 Boyz struck quickly with "Shimmy Shake," which soared up the global charts in 1994.

Later Dose and Win created their production company called Win Dose International. As one of the key elements in Fulanito's debut album "El Hombre Mas Famoso Del La Tierra," Win has resigned from the group as one of leading performershowever, his influence will remain "behind the scenes" with his production work with their new album "El Padrino.

"José Arsenio (El Maestro) Rosa, the unsung hero and popular accordion player of the group is considered to be a class-act music veteran of his trade and one of the pioneer innovators of "perico-ripiao. "Although not considered to be an official member of the group, he has contributed significantly to the group's international and domestic success with hits "Guallando,""El Cepillo,""Merencumbiaso" and "Cometela Ripiao" as well as his major contribution to their new album with titles such as "El Padrino (de Tal),""Quién Es Fulanito,""El Colín,""Ya Es Ajena" and "El Seguro Paga (Choca Choca)."

Their songs have charted the top spots of Billboard's Tropical / Salsa and Hot Latin Tracks charts throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Fulanito's first hit single "Guallando" from their debut album release, "El Hombre Mas Famoso De La Tierra," entered in Billboard's Tropical/Salsa and Hot Latin Tracks charts simultaneously. Their second hit single, "El Cepillo" also accomplished the same achievements. Their third hit single, "La Novela" also charted in Billboard's Tropical/Salsa chart and was featured in TV commercials such as jingles in Spanish for Heineken Beer throughout the United States, Latin America and Spain.

Even the fashion industry has taken notice of this exciting new group as the group has also begun fashion endorsements with designer Tommy Hilfiger. They were awarded the prestigious Premio ACE 1999 (Association of Entertainment Critics of New York) for Outstanding Band, Premio ACE 1998 for Impact Band of the Year, Premio ACE 1997 for Outstanding Latin GroupPrernio GLOBO 1999 for TropicaV Merengue Best Tipico-House Group. In addition, they were honored with a 1999 nomination for Tropical Salsa Revelation of the Year New Artist by Premio LO NUESTRO a la Música Latina.

Throughout 1999 the group toured extensively, opening up markets in countries that are not traditionally open to tropical music such as Switzerland, United Kingdom, Bolivia and El Salvador. The group draws huge audiences in Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, and the United States. One of the primary objectives for these young artists that make up Fulanito is to incorporate the fusion of the tropical Caribbean rhythms of merengue, cumbia, bachata and anything that brings up the beat. Fulanito represents the voices of today's youth, a generation that celebrates it roots as it moves confidently into the new millennium.