The road to success has been long and difficult for singer-songwriter Encarnita "Kany" García. In 2003, the 25-year-old puertorriqueña had just performed for the first time on Puerto Rico's version of American Idol when she fell asleep while driving home and hit a light post.

The aftermath: a broken hip and collarbone, forty stitches on her face and six weeks of grueling rehab that nearly ended her hopes of ever performing again. But perform she did. And does.

Less than five years later, the classically trained García parlayed an opening gig for popular Venezuelan singer Franco de Vita into a record deal with Sony BMG. Released earlier this year, Kany's debut, Cualquier Día, is packed with earnest pop rock in the vein of La 5a Estación, Camila and La Oreja De Van Gogh. Its lead single Hoy Ya Me Voy is a mournful love song carried by García's commanding vocals while its follow-up, Que Nos Pasó, is a melancholy lament on a loveless world.

Kany, who grew up in a musical family and fell in love with Cuba's nueva trova folk style as a teen, is on the verge of becoming a pop star. She's currently promoting Cualquier Dia on the road, having toured throughout Latin America and Spain.

Machete Music, home of reggaetón heavyweights Don Omar, Wisin y Yandel and Hector "El Father," is ready to rock. black:guayaba, the only roqueros on the label, are making the music scene in Puerto Rico a bit more "jevi."

Founded in 2000, black:guayaba (Black Guava) is comprised of Gustavo González (Vocals), Javier Morales (Guitar), Carlos R. Colón (Keyboards), Carlos "Toro" Ortíz (Bass) and Gabriel Calero (Drums). Although they describe their sound as "classic American rock in Spanish," their songs are unmistakably pop: loud and clear vocals, polite guitar solos and laid-back rhythms. Bassist Toro and drummer Gabriel readily admit Maná "changed their lives."

In 2006, black:guayaba released its debut, Lo Demás Es Plástico (The Rest Is Plastic), on indie label Ole. The tender power ballad Lejos and the syrupy Despacio quickly climbed the Puerto Rican rock charts, helping the band earn nominations for a Grammy (Best Latin Alternative Album) and a Latin Grammy (Best Rock Group or Duo) within the year.

After signing with Machete, black:guayaba began working on its second album, No Hay Espacio, enlisting the help of fellow Boricua Robi "Draco" Rosa. Draco, a former Menudo star best known for writing "Livin' La Vida Loca" for Ricky Martin, recorded some of the band's new material in his Los Angeles studio. Released last month, No Hay's lead single, Ayer, is essential black:guayaba: sweet melodies, heart-wrenching lyrics and stadium-sized rawk.