influence and talent as the lead vocalist of DLG (Dark Latin Groove). DLG’s sound was built upon Huey’s solid cultural background, influenced by his Puerto Rican and Jamaican heritage. They became known worldwide for their fusion of tropical music, combining elements of salsa, reggae, hip-hop, and R&B. As a result, DLG’s debut album, titled “Dark Latin Groove,” captivated young audiences around the globe. The album’s first single, “No Morirá,” dominated the top spot on the Billboard Latin charts for six consecutive weeks. The second single, “Todo Mi Corazón,” also reached number one, earning DLG their first Grammy nomination.
In 1997, DLG released their second album, “Swing On,” which doubled the sales of their debut album and achieved triple platinum status in the Latin market, both in the United States and countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Peru. The album featured hits such as “Juliana,” “Magdalena, Mi Amor,” and “La Quiero A Morir,” which topped the Billboard Tropical chart for several weeks. In 1999, DLG released their third album, “Gotcha,” earning them their second Grammy nomination. The album’s successes, including “Volveré” and “A veces Me Pregunto,” expanded the reach of their musical genre to countries where it wasn’t traditionally heard, such as Spain, Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay.
In the year 2000, “DLG’s Greatest Hits” was released, featuring past number-one favorites and the successful duet “Que Locura Enamorarme De Ti.” DLG gave their final performance that same year, and Huey Dunbar embarked on his solo career.
In 2001, Huey released his first solo album, “Yo Si Me Enamoré,” which showcased his signature fusion style while simultaneously exploring other Latin genres such as bolero, ballads, Latin pop, and traditional rhythms. The album included hits like “Con Cada Beso,” “Amor De Siempre,” and the title track, “Yo Si Me Enamoré.” This work earned Huey Dunbar the acclaimed Premio Lo Nuestro, a Latin Billboard award for “Best New Artist,” a Latin Grammy nomination, and RIAA awards for certified gold and platinum sales.
In 2003, Huey released his second solo album titled “Music For My Peoples,” once again displaying his influence and talent by combining different musical styles such as R&B, dance, hip-hop, reggae, and tropical and Caribbean rhythms. The album stood out for its diversity and featured the participation of talented emerging artists and producers. Under the production of Cool & Dre, this album included the main song from the movie “Chasing Papi,” distributed by 20th Century Fox, where Huey Dunbar appeared alongside Fat Joe.
In 2006-2007, Huey Dunbar received an exclusive invitation to reside in Santurce, Puerto Rico at Flow Music, courtesy of an invitation extended by DJ Nelson, widely recognized as ‘El Padrino de Reggaeton.’ This opportunity arose through a meeting facilitated by the esteemed 7-time Grammy-winning Engineer/Producer, MarioSo DeJesus. The transformative period spent at Flow left an indelible mark on Huey Dunbar’s musical journey. It was there that he discovered the vast depths of his artistic abilities, delving into crafting infectious melodic hooks and honing his skills in digital music production. DJ Nelson, in an act of profound trust, granted Huey Dunbar access to his studio, particularly the esteemed A Room, and set him on the trajectory he continues to pursue to this day. The vibrant atmosphere at Flow saw an influx of extraordinary talent passing through its doors every day. It was an immense honor for Huey Dunbar to contribute to DJ Nelson’s Flow La Discoteka 2 album, featuring on two tracks: ‘Anoche’ with De La Ghetto and ‘Como Estás?’ with Ñejo.
After an absence of nearly seven years, in 2010, Huey Dunbar returned to captivate his audience with his unmatched vocal ability and distinctive sound. His third solo album, “Huey Dunbar IV,” which he co-wrote himself (including the single “Te Amaré”) alongside Jorge Luis Piloto, debuted at number two on the Billboard Latin charts and was warmly received and praised by both his longstanding fans and new listeners, highlighting the void he had left during his absence. The album was nominated for two Grammy Awards (Best Salsa Album and Best Tropical Song), and its first single, “Te Amaré,” topped sales and radio play charts.
Since the beginning of his career, Huey Dunbar has been a trailblazer and pioneer in a new musical genre, contributing to the success of Latin music throughout Latin America, Europe, and Asia, where his fans remain loyal. His impact is evident, now more than ever, in the growing culture of Latin urban music and the presence of Latin rhythms and sounds in mainstream American pop music. The journey he embarked on many years ago continues, stronger than ever, as Huey Dunbar continues to share his indescribable sound and unmistakable voice with audiences worldwide.
Currently, Huey Dunbar has relocated to Miami to reconnect, collaborate, and produce his music. He is on tour and recently returned from the Chicago PR Fest and the Salsa Fest in Quibdó, Colombia, a region and market he feels connected to due to his Jamaican roots.
In the pursuit of musical evolution, Huey Dunbar has dedicated the past few years to crafting his latest album, an endeavor that seamlessly blends contemporary trends with his signature sound. Huey Dunbar continues to captivate listeners with new music, including collaborations with artists such as Lennox on a salsa song featuring Venezuelan salsa artist Moly and is on the verge of releasing a collaboration with MC Ceja. – @NiniVeras
