Calo

by Evan C. GutierrezMexican pop/hip-hop group Caló (a Spanish synonym for gypsy) formed in 1990, though the groups five members — Maya, María, Andrés, Gerardo, and Claudio — had collaborated for years before their official formation. Sisters Maya and María performed together starting at eight years of age. After years working in theater, the sisters moved to Cancún, where they met Claudio, a popular club DJ in the Mexican entertainment hub. Claudio was active in the citys underground hip-hop scene, as were Andrés and Gerardo, who made up the Cancún-based rap duo Hot Funky. The five laid plans to collaborate starting in 1988. Those plans were realized in 1990 with their debut disc, Lengua de Hoy. Four of the discs six tracks became hits, including dance favorites El Capitán and No Puedo Mas. Following short-lived solo endeavors by group members Claudio and María, a sophomore release, Ponte Atento, emerged. On the heels of its release, Caló assumed production duties on their third effort. The self-titled production was less successful than its predecessors, disappointing record execs and resulting in a two-year recess. Sin Miedo announced the groups return, ushered in by the hit ballad Formas de Amor. The new disc, produced by Christian de Walden and Carlos Toro, became Calós most successful yet. The years that followed brought with them television roles from TV Azteca, the loss of group member Claudio to a fruitful solo career, and the release of Dance, Dance, Dance, an album full of 1970s dance hit covers. The 1998 production was to be the bands final project as a group, before members went their separate directions to pursue solo efforts. After nearly tens years filled with solo albums, television roles, and Penthouse spreads, the members of Caló reassembled for an all-original release in 2007. Leyenda featured the signature style of the Latino hip-hop pioneers updated with elements of reggaeton and urban pop now immensely popular throughout Latin America.