One of the greatest Latin Hip Hop/Freestyle/Pop Divas to come out of the 1980s music scene is the legendary Lisa Velez also known as Lisa Lisa of the 80’s supergroup Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. Produced by Full Force, Lisa Lisa’s breakout hits such as “I Wonder If I Take You Home”, “Can You Feel the Beat” and “All Cried Out” helped to launch the underground genre of “Freestyle Music” into the mainstream.
Later Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam crossed over onto the pop charts with their second album “Spanish Fly” with mega hits like “Head to Toe” and “Lost in Emotion”. SHE WAS THE FIRST Puerto Rican / Latino artist to cross over to the Pop and R&B charts. Both albums shot straight up the charts to platinum status several times over with most of the album’s singles going gold at the same time. Just as the 90s rolled in Lisa Lisa’s C&C Music Factory-produced hit ‘Let the Beat Hit em” took off to the top of the dance charts!
Soon after Lisa began an acting career. She played the mother on Nickelodeon’s TV series “Taina”, then later made appearances on NBC’s Law and Order SVU.
Some of her biggest hits have been re-recorded by “Allure & 112, Nina Sky, and The Black Eyed Peas.
Not only did Lisa Lisa set the music bar high for those to come later but she set fashion trends as well. Born and raised in the “Hell’s Kitchen” section of New York City, Lisa’s hair flipped over one eye and her unique style caught fire in the urban community. Soon after she hit the airwaves young girls everywhere were dressing and singing like the 80’s icon.
Lisa Lisa paved the way for an entire generation of Latino-American artists to follow in her footsteps such as Selena, J-Lo, Fat Joe, Big Pun, Cardi B and many more. She is definitely a pioneer and a trendsetter of an entire generation.