Rey Ruiz facts for kids

Rey Ruiz (born Reinerio Ruiz on June 21, 1966) is a famous salsa singer from Cuba. He was born in La Lisa, Havana, Cuba. Rey Ruiz became well-known around the world. His music was popular in Latin America, Europe, and among Hispanic music fans in the United States.

Rey Ruiz's Early Life and Music Journey

Rey Ruiz showed a strong interest in becoming a salsa singer from a young age. He began performing when he was very young. He often appeared on Cuban television as a child. There, he sang songs made for children.

His parents fully supported his musical dreams. He later enrolled in Havana's Conservatorio de Música school. Eventually, Ruiz became a main performer at the Habana Libre Hotel.

Joining Cabaret Tropicana

Rey Ruiz performed with the famous "Cabaret Tropicana" music group. While on tour with the group in the Dominican Republic, Ruiz left the group. He joined some friends in the United States. Once he settled there, Ruiz started to gain fame as a solo salsa singer.

Rey Ruiz's Rise to Fame

It took Rey Ruiz three years after arriving in the United States to release his first CD. This album was simply called "Rey Ruiz." Sony Records produced it. The album made Ruiz a celebrity in places like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Venezuela.

Awards and Platinum Albums

His first album also won him several Billboard and Premios Lo Nuestro awards. These included the Tropical New Artist of the Year. The album sold so well that it became a platinum album. A well-known salsa music magazine named Rey Ruiz the "salsa singer of the year" for 1993. He was known for hit songs like "No Me Acostumbro" and "Amiga."

Ruiz's early success as a singer also led to success on TV. Pepsi, Miller beer, and his record company, Sony, hired him. He filmed commercials to promote their brands. Ruiz's second album was a collection of songs by different artists. It honored salsa singers from the 1960s and 1970s. This tribute album was called "Los Soneros de Hoy." This title means "Today's (salsa) performers."

Continued Success with New Albums

Also in 1993, Ruiz released his second album, "Mi Media Mitad" ("My Other Half"). This album was a huge hit in the United States and Europe. It again made the Billboard charts in the U.S. and topped the charts in Europe. "Mi Media Mitad" became Ruiz's second platinum album in a row. It also helped him become popular in Colombia. A song from the album, "Si te Preguntan" ("If They Ask You"), became a major hit. Soon after this album came out, Ruiz performed at New York's Madison Square Garden. In the same year, Ruiz won the New Tropical/Salsa Artist of the Year award at the Lo Nuestro Awards.

Ruiz's third album, "En Cuerpo y Alma" ("Body and Soul"), came out in 1995. This was Ruiz's third platinum album in a row. His songs "Estamos Solos" ("We Are Alone") and "Vuelve de Nuevo Conmigo" ("Return Once Again With Me") were international hits. Many salsa experts believe this album was Ruiz's most important release.

In 1996, Ruiz worked with famous Colombian songwriter Omar Estefano and Ricardo Quijano. Together, they released his fourth platinum album in a row, called "Destino" ("Destiny"). One of the most popular songs from that album was "Miénteme Otra Vez" ("Lie to me Again").

His next album, "Porque es Amor" ("Because it is Love"), released in 1997, did not sell as well as his previous four. This ended his streak of four platinum albums. However, it still had three major hit songs. These included the title song, "Mi Angel" ("My Angel"), and "Tú no Sabes" ("You Don't Know").

Later Career and Recent Music

In 1998, Ruiz released a greatest hits CD called "Exitos del Rey" ("Rey's Hits"). This name can also mean "The King's hits," because "Rey" means king in Spanish. By this time, Ruiz owned a recording company. His next album, "Ya Ves Quien Soy" ("Now You See Who I Am"), was one of the first CDs released by Ruiz's Luna Negra ("Dark Moon") record label. That year, Sony U.S. Latin released a collection called "Salsa de Titanes." It included Rey Ruiz's song "Piano," which featured the famous pianist Paquito Hechavarría.

"Ya Ves Quien Soy" was another successful album for Ruiz, especially in Brazil. Ruiz worked with Brazilian singer José Augusto on this album. They recorded a duet song called "Siempre Mía" ("Always Mine").

In 2000, Ruiz joined the Bohemia Records label. He released "Fenomenal" ("Phenomenal") under that label. In 2004, he released the album Mi Tentacion ("My Temptation"). This album included the top hit "Creo en el Amor" ("I Believe in Love"). This song was nominated for "Best Tropical Song" at the Latin Grammy Awards.

In 2008, Ruiz achieved a lifelong dream. He performed on stage with some of his closest musical friends. This concert took place at the Adrian Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. He performed with Grammy Winner Arturo Sandoval, Marlon (who won Objetivo Fama), and "Los Tres de La Habana." This musical event was recorded and later released as a DVD. Ruiz signed a new recording contract. This brought him back to his original label, Sony/BMG. A highly anticipated album was produced by Cuco Pena, a top musical producer from Puerto Rico.

On June 7, 2024, the well-known salsa artist Rey Ruiz released his single "La Guerra Acaba." This marked an important return to the music scene for him. This song features Ruiz's classic salsa rhythms. It mixes traditional sounds with modern ones. This mix aims to capture both long-time fans and new listeners. In an interview, Ruiz talked about what inspired "La Guerra Acaba." He highlighted its themes of love and strength. The single is available on major music streaming platforms.

See also

In Spanish: Rey Ruiz para niños

• List of Cubans