Notch

Notch readily admits that his Español is limited to "abuelita sayings," but that hasn't stopped him from singing his way into the hearts of the young ladies. The seasoned singer, who once fused dancehall and R&B as one half of Born Jamericans, has transitioned from yardcore riddims to the dem bow beat in what he calls a celebration of his complicated ethnic background.

Born Norman Howell in Hartford, Connecticut, and raised in Washington, D.C., Notch speaks with a slight Jamaican accent and sings with a voice that is distinctly Caribbean. The product of African-American, American Indian, Cuban, Jamaican, Portuguese and Puerto Rican heritage, he grew up speaking English, Spanish and Jamaican patois, an amalgamation that he affectionately calls "Spatoinglish."

Notch's polyglot flow is what breathes life into "Hay Que Bueno," the blistering breakthrough track from his Machete Music debut, Raised By the People. The sharp-dressed, caramel-colored crooner's career appears to be ready for take-off. The one-time guest vocalist on tracks by Sublime and Thievery Corporation has more recently contributed to Daddy Yankee's Barrio Fino and Luny Tunes' Mas Flow, Vol. 2 compilation. But for anyone who thinks he's just cashing in on the reggaetón boom, the thirtysomething has three words for any doubters who wish to challenge his cred: "Check my discography."