Melina León

Melina León, born Yamillette Aponte Yunqué on July 12, 1973, in Río Piedras, PuertoRico, is a vibrant merengue singer and actress often celebrated as one ofPuerto Rico’s leading voices in tropical music. She first appeared in thepublic eye as a teenager performing with girl groups like Las Cheris, The Rubi,and Girls of Puerto Rico in localfestivals and hotel shows around San Juan.

Her professional solo career began in 1997 with the debutalbum Mujeres Liberadas, whichreached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Tropical/Salsacharts. She signed with Sony Music in 1998 and released Con los Pies Sobre la Tierra, spawning hits like “Me Voy de Fiesta Hoy” and earningsolid chart positions on both the Latin and Tropical lists. Melina followedwith Baño de Luna (2000) and Corazón de Mujer (2001); the latter hitNo. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical chart and earned her a nomination at the 2002Billboard Latin Awards.

In 2004, she starred in TV movies and continued to actoccasionally. In 2010, she won her first PremioLo Nuestro Award for Best Female Tropical Artist. Melina has receivedmultiple nominations, including the Billboard Latin Awards and Latin Grammys,and accolades such as “Best Female Merengue Singer” at Premios de Música 2000.

Known for her buoyant merengue style withtouches of salsa, bolero, and romantic ballads, her top singles include “Mujeres Liberadas,” “Con los Pies Sobre laTierra,” “Baño de Luna,” “Corazón de Mujer,” “No Seas Cobarde,” and “Cuando UnaMujer.”

Celebrating over 25 years in the industry, Melina continues toevolve her sound, releasing new singles, such as the recent merengue-stylecover of a Bizarrap & Shakira hit, and advocating for mothers and children.Her vibrant career keeps her an enduring presence in Puerto Rican tropicalmusic.

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