Ismael Ruiz Hernandez, commonly known as Maelo, was born October 22, 1966, in New York. Four years later he and his family relocated back to their native Puerto Rico. Always a lover of music, Maelo began his formal education at the age of 16, singing at La Escuela Libre de Musica de Caguas under the direction of Juan Pacheco. Three years later, at the age of 19, Maelo began his professional career as the lead singer for Pedro Conga y Su Orquesta Internacional. In the seven years he spent under Pedro Conga's direction, Ruiz recorded four records, including the hit "No Te Quites...