Zona Prieta

Colombian five-member Zona Prieta debuted in the U.S. with the release of Con Alma Caribe, after signing up to the Latin division of Madonna's Maverick Records. The South American tropical-oriented outfit mainly performs Merenhouse, a mixture of traditional Dominican merengue and electronic dance rhythms that originated in the early '90s. In addition, Zona Prieta combines Latin rap, salsa, and Jamaican reggae. ~ Drago Bonacich