Víctor Manuelle, born Víctor Manuel Ruiz on September 27, 1968, in New York City, is a Grammy-nominated Puerto Rican American salsa singer, songwriter, and improvisational sonero. Fans affectionately know him as "El Sonero de la Juventud" (The Youth's Sonero). While primarily associated with salsa romantica, often called "salsa monga," he has also explored genres from Colombian vallenato to urban reggaeton. Unlike some contemporaries who have crossed into English-language recordings, Latin pop, or acting, Manuelle has largely remained dedicated to the salsa genre.
Though born in New York, Manuelle was primarily raised in Añasco and Isabela, Puerto Rico. His upbringing in Puerto Rico, during a time when salsa music was immensely popular, deeply influenced his musical path. His singing career began unexpectedly at his high school graduation party. Salsa superstar Gilberto Santa Rosa was performing, and at the urging of his classmates, Santa Rosa invited the young Manuelle to join him on stage. To Santa Rosa's astonishment, Manuelle not only sang but also improvised "soneo" lyrics, trading verses with Santa Rosa. Soon after, on Santa Rosa's recommendation, Puerto Rican bandleader Don Periñon hired the teenage Manuelle as a backup singer. During this formative period, he performed alongside many salsa legends.
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