Ismael Ruiz Hernández better Known as Maelo, was born un Octuber 22 1966 in New York moving at the age of four with his family to Puerto Rico. At the age of 16 he began his singing carrer at Cagua's Free School of Music (Escuela Libre de Musica de Caguas) under the direction of Juan Pacheco At the age of 19 it's where his internationalization begins when he becomes the first voice of Pedro Conga's International Orchestra which recorded 4 productions in 7 the seven years Maelo was with the band.