Notch

Norman Howell, known as Notch, gained fame as one-half of ragga/hip-hop duo Born Jamericans in the '90s, blending dancehall with American urban radio hits. After the group disbanded, Notch explored his Latin roots and emerged as a reggaeton sensation in the 2000s, integrating English, Spanish, and Jamaican patois in his music. His multilingual style, dubbed "Spatoinglish," drew from his diverse heritage of Black American, Puerto Rican, Jamaican, and Cuban backgrounds, leading to collaborations with notable artists across various genres.

Notch's solo career took off with his debut album, "Raised by the People," released in 2007 under his label Cinco por Cinco and Universal subsidiary Machete Music. The album's single "Dale Pa' Tra (Back It Up)" received significant airplay, propelling the album to the Top 100 of the Latin charts and Top Five of the reggae charts. Notch's innovative blend of reggaeton and dancehall, influenced by his multicultural upbringing, solidified his position as a prominent figure in the Latin music scene and garnered collaborations with industry heavyweights.