BigBuffaloJan: Rhythms, Roots, and Cultural Revolution from Puerto Rico
BigBuffaloJan, a DJ and producer from Puerto Rico, is on a mission to spotlight indigenous and Afro-Latin roots in electronic music. Through his music and message, he fights cultural appropriation and advocates for greater equity in genres like Latin House and Afro House.
A Beginning Shaped by Rhythms and Realities
Growing up in the Campamento neighborhood of Gurabo, Puerto Rico, was far from easy for Janpaul, known artistically as BigBuffaloJan. Surrounded by housing projects and criminal activity, he found solace in music. “Reggaeton blared from car speakers and echoed through neighborhood parties, shaping my childhood,” he shares. Inspired by artists like Daddy Yankee and Tego Calderón, he began writing verses at a young age. At 18, he took his musical career seriously, investing in his first studio equipment, which he still uses today with upgrades. “Puerto Rican culture has always been part of me, and that’s what I want to share with the world,” he emphasizes.
A Resonant Family Legacy
Music runs in BigBuffaloJan’s veins. His cousin, the legendary Roberto Roena, founder of Apollo Sound and member of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, left an indelible mark on his life. He also recalls stories of his great-great-grandmother, who performed African and indigenous rituals where music was essential for spiritual healing. “Music in my family has always been a bridge between the spiritual and the earthly,” he says. Another cousin, Mikey Perfecto, who worked with icons like Daddy Yankee and Celia Cruz, expanded his vision of music’s cultural impact.
Rituals and Sounds: A Unique Identity
Puerto Rico’s Taíno and African spirituality play a central role in his musical vision. “Drums represent the heart, flutes symbolize birds, and everything is designed to connect with nature and our ancestors,” he explains. His music, though contemporary, takes listeners on an introspective journey, blending traditional elements with modern sounds. BigBuffaloJan seeks to portray both the light and darkness of human existence, reflecting not only joy but also the complex realities of the music scene.
Vocalist in an Emerging Genre
As a rapper in the budding Latin Tech House genre, Janpaul envisions a future where this style becomes a staple of Latin urban music. “Just as reggaeton and Dominican dembow evolved, Latin Tech House will follow suit, but with a more vocal and urban focus,” he predicts. His work combines rap and lyrics with electronic beats while incorporating traditional instruments like drums and trumpets, bridging the ancestral and the modern.
Workshops to Reconnect with Roots
BigBuffaloJan is also committed to community engagement. He envisions workshops teaching people to craft, grow food, and repurpose natural resources. “I want to show that we don’t need to buy everything. We can be self-sufficient and respectful of the planet, just like our ancestors were,” he highlights. These workshops aim to preserve culture while fostering more united communities.
Redefining Success Through Culture
For BigBuffaloJan, success isn’t just about numbers but cultural impact. “I want Latinos to feel proud of their roots, to celebrate our indigenous, African, and mixed heritage with pride,” he declares. He dreams of opening a spiritual, mental, and physical rehabilitation center to help people reconnect with their essence and traditions.
International Projects and Tribal Rhythms
The coming year promises excitement for BigBuffaloJan, with releases under labels from Italy, the United States, and Spain. From Latin tribal rhythms to more traditional tech house blends, his music aims to diversify audiences and foster cultural exchange. “It’s important to bring our culture to other countries and learn from them as well,” he says enthusiastically.
A Legacy of Love and Culture
BigBuffaloJan’s dream is for his music and message to transcend generations. “I want the world to see the positivity of our Latin culture, our traditions, and for Caribbean tribal sounds to be globally recognized,” he concludes. With his blend of roots, spirituality, and passion, he’s paving the way for a new chapter in electronic music and Latin America’s cultural identity.
Fighting for Equality in Electronic Music
BigBuffaloJan’s music is not just a sonic experience but also a cultural and social statement. Coming from a rich heritage of indigenous, Afro-descendant, and Spanish roots, he uses his platform to highlight the importance of native cultures within electronic music. According to him, genres like Latin House, Latin Tech House, and Afro House trace their origins to Afro-Latin and indigenous communities in Latin America. Yet, he points out that these genres’ mainstream is dominated by white European artists who have profited from sounds created by people of color.
The artist aims to raise awareness about this inequality and advocate for structural change within the industry. “What I seek with this platform is to expose the culture, bring more equality to the genre, and ensure that the originators of the music get opportunities,” he explains. His stance also addresses systemic racism that has affected electronic music and other genres. He recalls how reggaeton, created by Afro-descendants in neighborhoods of Jamaica, Panama, and Puerto Rico, was initially criticized and marginalized to the point of being illegal in some places. Over time, record labels recognized its commercial potential but prioritized lighter-skinned artists to make it more “acceptable” to the general public, transforming it into what we now know as Latin pop.
