His loyal fans know him as "Enne-Oh-Zeta-Trrra!" Reggaeton listeners around
the world have become familiar with his radio hit, "Damelo Duro." Concert
go-ers may recognize him from the Megatons, Block Parties and, even, Daddy
Yankee’s Who’s Your Daddy? tour. His laundry list of a resume may be
impressive to industry game players, but there’s more behind the story of,
as his family and close friends know him, Martin Rivera.
Born in San Francisco De Macoris, Dominican Republic and residing in
Brooklyn, New York since the age of seven, 23-year-old Noztra introduced his
heart and soul to music at sixteen while finding solace in writing and
composing. Gradually adding a rhyming, lyrical flow to his work and
developing a dream, he decisively set aside baseball, computers and
programming to work toward his music full-time. With his father having
passed away when he was still young, this reggaeton "King" brushed off the
lack of support he once had from his family and is now able to look back and
say, "I did it." His family, satisfied today with Noztra’s success as an
artist, had always been music-feens. It was the legendary Vico C, however,
who influenced Noztra to rap when reggaeton was still underground. Shortly
after creating his own studio space, he was hired as New Rochelle’s 93.5
FM’s reggaeton hour DJ.
With persistence, confidence and a growing, promising talent, Noztra was
successful, more so than expected, with his first introduction to the
reggaeton market, "Damelo Duro". The single, initially having been
circulated through mixtape distribution, gained fame and playtime on the
nation’s top radio stations, along with extensive overseas air play. In June
2005, Noztra made history by being the first Dominican Reggaeton artist in
the United States to be signed to a major record label, Universal Records’
Machete Music. Things left to conquer thereafter began to unfold like they
were supposed to. Live performances? Check. Beginning as an opening act for
main headliners like Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Tego Calderon, Don Omar,
Wisin & Yandel, Ivy Queen, Zion & Lennox, Hector El Father among others,
Noztra’s been proven an undeniable crowd pleaser with his powerful, jampacked,
fueling sets during the three Megatons (Houston, NY, LA), Vivaton 2006,
Reggaeton Explotion 2 (San Francisco & LA) and at 105.9 FM La Kalle’s Block
Party at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. He’s covered the country’s
most popular venues, including The Gibson Amphitheatre, The Forum, Atlanta
Peach, The Civic Center and The Staples Center to name a few. Mixtapes?
Check. The summer of 2006 marked the drop of Conteo Regresivo 2, Noztra’s
second mixtape, a year after the drop of Conteo Regresivo. Albums? Check.
His self-written and, in large, self-made 19-track Ya' Ain’t Ready, produced with the
assistance of Luny Tunes, Nesty, Monserrate & Dj Urba, Notty-Mekka, DJ Sonic,
Myztiko and A & X, covered a variety of sounds from sandungueo
to bolero to hip hop to malianteo. Compilations? Double-check on this one.
Being part of a plethora of top notch productions, such as Sangre Nueva, El
Draft 2005 and Da Fuxion: Mas Que Perreo to many a few, has played an instrumental role in
familiarizing the reggaeton genre’s fanbase with his music. Television? Check.
Besides being interviewed on a number of programs nationwide and in Latino-America,
Noztra’s "El Maquinon" music video received satisfying rotation on MTV en
Español and Mun2, HTV, Mas Musica, followed by “La Disco Explota” and
“Dame Un Minuto.” Fashion? Check. During the early months of 2006, ReggaetonWear,
the fresh, vibrant, urban-toasted clothing brand for reggaeton, appointed Noztra as the
official "face."
Although his proclamation as "The Real King of NY" has other artists up in
debate, Noztra’s cool-and-collected composure keeps him focused on what
really matters: having his music speak for itself. "I focus on making music
eloquently, utilizing social lyrics and stories with an identity that make
people feel like it's familiar and easy to digest." Currently working
alongside Machete on his second album titled A Mi Manera (set to be released
Spring 2007), which looks to be touched productionally by the best of the
best (Luny Tunes, Tainy, Nesty, Danny Fornaris, Los Jedais (Monserrate & Dj
Urba, Nely, Myztiko) and a collaboration of top artist that holds many surprises,
Noztra’s mindset is strong and confident. "I see my self at the top. That's the goal.
No looking back. I'm determined to make it whether they like it or not."
All Over The World !
The Hood, Life's Everyday Struggle, The Reality Of How Things Are !
A MI MANERA Coming Soon 2007 !!!