Ismael Ruiz Hernández, known professionally as Maelo Ruiz, was born on October
22, 1966, in New York City. He is an American salsa musician of Puerto Rican
descent who began his musical journey at the age of 16 by singing at the Escuela
Libre de Música de Caguas. At 19, he became the lead vocalist for Pedro Conga
and his Orquesta Internacional, marking the start of his professional career.
With Pedro Conga, Ruiz recorded four albums, including No Te Quites La Ropa,
which sold over 50,000 units and earned a gold disc in Puerto Rico. Other
notable hits with the band included "Atrév...