Noztra

His loyal fans know him as "Enne-Oh-Zeta-Trrra!" Reggaeton listeners around the world have become familiar with his radio hit, "Damelo Duro." Concert go-ers may recognize him from the Megatons, Block Parties and, even, Daddy Yankee’s Who’s Your Daddy? tour. His laundry list of a resume may be impressive to industry game players, but there’s more behind the story of, as his family and close friends know him, Martin Rivera.

 

With persistence, confidence and a growing, promising talent, Noztra was successful, more so than expected, with his first introduction to the reggaeton market, "Damelo Duro". The single, initially having been circulated through mixtape distribution, gained fame and playtime on the nation’s top radio stations, along with extensive overseas air play. In June 2005, Noztra made history by being the first Dominican Reggaeton artist in the United States to be signed to a major record label, Universal Records’ Machete Music. Things left to conquer thereafter began to unfold like they were supposed to. Live performances? Check. Beginning as an opening act for main headliners like Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Tego Calderon, Don Omar, Wisin & Yandel, Ivy Queen, Zion & Lennox, Hector El Father among others, Noztra’s been proven an undeniable crowd pleaser with his powerful, jampacked, fueling sets during the three Megatons (Houston, NY, LA), Vivaton 2006, Reggaeton Explotion 2 (San Francisco & LA) and at 105.9 FM La Kalle’s Block Party at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. He’s covered the country’s most popular venues, including The Gibson Amphitheatre, The Forum, Atlanta Peach, The Civic Center and The Staples Center to name a few. Mixtapes? Check. The summer of 2006 marked the drop of Conteo Regresivo 2, Noztra’s second mixtape, a year after the drop of Conteo Regresivo. Albums? Check. His self-written and, in large, self-made 19-track Ya' Ain’t Ready, produced with the assistance of Luny Tunes, Nesty, Monserrate & Dj Urba, Notty-Mekka, DJ Sonic, Myztiko and A & X, covered a variety of sounds from sandungueo to bolero to hip hop to malianteo. Compilations? Double-check on this one. Being part of a plethora of top notch productions, such as Sangre Nueva, El Draft 2005 and Da Fuxion: Mas Que Perreo to many a few, has played an instrumental role in familiarizing the reggaeton genre’s fanbase with his music. Television? Check. Besides being interviewed on a number of programs nationwide and in Latino-America, Noztra’s "El Maquinon" music video received satisfying rotation on MTV en Español and Mun2, HTV, Mas Musica, followed by “La Disco Explota” and “Dame Un Minuto”. Fashion? Check. During the early months of 2006, REGGAETON® the brand appointed Noztra as one of its celebrity endorsers.

Although his proclamation as "The Real King of NY" has other artists up in debate, Noztra’s cool-and-collected composure keeps him focused on what really matters: having his music speak for itself. "I focus on making music eloquently, utilizing social lyrics and stories with an identity that make people feel like it's familiar and easy to digest." Currently working alongside Machete on his second album titled A Mi Manera (set to be released in 2007), which looks to be touched productionally by the best of the best (Luny Tunes, Tainy, Nesty, Danny Fornaris, Los Jedais, Nelly & Myztiko) and a collaboration of top artist that holds many surprises, Noztra’s mindset is strong and confident. "I see my self at the top. That's the goal. No looking back. I'm determined to make it whether they like it or not."

Born in San Francisco De Macoris, Dominican Republic and residing in Brooklyn, New York since the age of seven, 23-year-old Noztra introduced his heart and soul to music at sixteen while finding solace in writing and composing. Gradually adding a rhyming, lyrical flow to his work and developing a dream, he decisively set aside baseball, computers and programming to work toward his music full-time. With his father having passed away when he was still young, this reggaeton "King" brushed off the lack of support he once had from his family and is now able to look back and say, "I did it." His family, satisfied today with Noztra’s success as an artist, had always been music-feens. It was the legendary Vico C, however, who influenced Noztra to rap when reggaeton was still underground. Shortly after creating his own studio space, he was hired as New Rochelle’s 93.5 FM’s reggaeton hour DJ.