Voltio

The electrifying nasal flow that drives El Mellao belongs to Julio Ramos, better known as Voltio (voltage), one of the best reviewed – yet, often overlooked – reggaetón artists in the game.

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Voltio began rapping in his teens alongside Rey 29 and Héctor "El Father" in a trio called The Masters of Funk. The trio struggled to get signed – it was the mid-'90s and reggaetón was still too ghetto for radio – and eventually disbanded. For Ramos, the next few years would land him in jail, see him electrocuted and thus reborn as Voltio.

In 2003, Voltio landed an indie recording deal with reggeatonero Karel and the pair released their debut,
Los Dueños del Estilo. A year later, Voltio went solo, eventually signing with While Lion Records after Tego Calderón recommended the thirty-something to label founder Elías De León. Although his solo debut, Voltage AC, was well-received, it wasn't until Voltio released his eponymous sophomore effort that he scored a bona fide hit: the cheeky "Chulin Culin Chunfly" featuring Residente of Calle 13 – memorable for both its witty lyrics and comedic music video.

Voltio's forthcoming release, En Lo Claro (In The Clear) features all-star appearances from Calle 13, Tego Calderón, Jowell & Randy, Arcángel, Pirulo, Cucu Diamantes, and Vivanativa, as well as production from heavy-hitters DJ Nelson, Nelly, DJ Dan and Wise.