Gabriel Rios

Though born in Puerto Rico, Gabriel Ríos vaulted to stardom while living in Belgium, with a similarly pancultural, electronic pop approach embracing elements of rock, hip-hop, and salsa. Ríos was 18 when he relocated from Latin America to Belgium with his then-girlfriend. Over time, his music began channeling the rhythmic influences of salsa, bomba, and plena. Eventually, he befriended Jo Bogaert, the Belgian producer known for his work with house hitmakers Technotronic ("Pump Up the Jam"). Together they produced 2004's Ghostboy, a critical and commercial smash across the BeNeLux nations. In early 2007, Ríos resurfaced with his second studio effort, Angelhead. Three years later, he collaborated with Belgian pianist Jef Neve for The Dangerous Return. ~ Jason Ankeny