Nephew of accordionist/composer Martín Mastre, Colombian folklorist Diómedes Díaz (born Diómedes Dionisio Díaz Maestre, also knowed like "El cacique de la junta") started singing his own compositions in the mid-'70s and soon jad his song "La Negra" recorded by Jorge Quiroz and Luciano Poveda. Diaz made his debut along with Nafer Durán in an album called Herencia Vallenata, which featured the song "El Chanchullito." He then recorded Tres Canciones with Elberto López and teamed up with Juan Humberto Rois to make La Locura.