Joe Bataan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Bataan
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Bataan in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bataan Nitollano |
| Born | 15 November 1942 Spanish Harlem, New York City, United States |
| Genres | Boogaloo, Latin music, Latin soul, Salsa, Latin Jazz, Groove, Funk, Disco, R&B and Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, producer and film actor |
| Instruments | Piano and vocals |
| Years active | 1950–present |
| Labels | Fania Records |
Bataan Nitollano, known to many as Joe Bataan (born November 5, 1942), is a talented Filipino and American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is famous around the world, especially in the Latin music scene, where he is called the "King of Latin Soul."
Contents
Early Life
Joe Bataan was born Bataan Nitollano. He grew up in East Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City. His father was Filipino and his mother was African American. As a teenager, Joe was involved with a local group called the Dragons. Later in life, he used his experiences to help young people.
Music Career
Joe Bataan's music mixes two exciting styles: Latin boogaloo and African American doo-wop. Boogaloo is a type of Latin music that became popular in the 1960s. Doo-wop is a style of singing where groups use harmonies.
Joe was very good at blending these sounds. This caught the eye of Fania Records, a famous Latin music label. He signed with them in 1966.
Early Albums and Success
In 1967, Joe released his first album, Gypsy Woman. The main song on the album was a Latin dance version of "Gypsy Woman" by The Impressions. He released eight albums with Fania Records. One of his most popular albums was Riot!, which sold so many copies it earned a gold record!
His albums often had a mix of songs. Some were lively Latin dance tunes sung in Spanish. Others were slower, soulful songs sung in English by Joe himself. At that time, only Ralfi Pagan was as famous as Joe Bataan in the Latin music world.
New Beginnings
After a while, Joe decided to leave Fania Records. He had some disagreements about money. While he was still with Fania, Joe secretly started his own music label called Ghetto Records. He helped other artists like Papo Felix and Eddie Lebron release their music.
In 1973, Joe helped create the word "salsoul." This word later became the name of his first album after leaving Fania. He recorded three albums for the Salsoul record label. He also released several hit songs, including "Rap-O Clap-O" in 1979. This song became an early hit in hip hop music.
After his album Bataan II in 1981, Joe took a break from music. He wanted to spend more time with his family. He also worked as a youth counselor, helping young people in places where he himself had spent time as a teenager.
Return to Music
In 2005, Joe Bataan returned to music. He worked with producer Daniel Collás. They released a new album called Call My Name. It was recorded in New York and was very well-received.
In 2009, Joe was part of a special project called City of God's Son. He was the narrator, telling a story about growing up in the streets.
In 2013, Joe received a special honor. The New York chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2014, Joe met Osman Jr. from the French band Setenta. This led to Joe performing in Paris for the first time in 2015. He also played at the Jazz Mix de Vienne in France. In September 2015, Joe sang "My Rainbow," a soulful song composed by Setenta. This song was released in 2016 on the album Paris to Nueva York.
With Setenta as his band, Joe has traveled and played at famous places. These include Ronnie Scott's in London and Summer Stage in New York.
In 2016, Joe Bataan and the Barrio Boys performed at a conference in New York. Five hundred people danced to his music while cruising on the Hudson River.
In 2017, Joe appeared in the film "Shine." He also worked with Spanglish Fly, a boogaloo revival group from New York City. They recorded a song called New York Rules. Joe sang the lead vocals and included parts of his famous songs "Subway Joe" and "Rap-o Clap-o." The Huffington Post called this song "charming, spellbinding and irresistible." A version of the song was also used in the TV show She's Gotta Have It in 2019.
In 2024, Joe Bataan was a main performer at the Latin Rock on the Dock festival in Vallejo, California. Other artists like Ozomatli also performed there.
Personal Life
Joe Bataan is married to Yvonne Bataan. Their daughter, Asia Nitollano, is also a singer.
Discography
Studio albums
- 1967: Gypsy Woman (Fania 340)
- 1968: Subway Joe (Fania 345)
- 1968: Riot! (Fania 354)
- 1969: Poor Boy (Fania 371)
- 1970: Singin' Some Soul (Fania 375)
- 1971: Mr. New York & The East Side Kids (Fania 395)
- 1972: Sweet Soul (Fania 407)
- 1972: Saint Latin's Day Massacre (Fania 420)
- 1972: Live From San Frantasia (unreleased, Fania 432)
- 1973: Salsoul (Mericana)
- 1975: Afro-Filipino (Salsoul/Epic Records)
- 1980: Mestizo (Salsoul)
- 1981: II (Salsoul)
- 1997: Last Album, Last Song (Bataan Music)
- 2004: Young, Gifted & Brown: Joe's Sweetest Soul Singin' (Vampisoul)
- 2005: Call My Name (Vampisoul)
- 2006: The Message (ITP)
- 2009: King of Latin Soul (Vampisoul)
- 2016: My Rainbow on the album Paris to Nueva York - Setenta (Latin Big Note)
- 2017: "New York Rules" on the album, Spanglish Fly, "Ay Que Boogaloo!" (Chaco World Music)
Filmography
- Un Dia Divino (1973)
- Driver Parrell Lines (2006)
- Alex Paddu Love Talk (2015)
- Shine 2017
See also
- Filipino hip hop
- Chicano rap
- Latin hip hop
- Latin American music in the United States
