D’Mingo (born Domingo Ramos on August 31, 1973) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and producer of Puerto Rican decent. Nick named “Fingaz,” he adopted this name by his friends and colleagues in the studio that he co-owned with his partner on Miami’s South Beach while being the Vice President of A&R for Atlantic Records within their Urban/Latino division. “Fingaz” was assigned to be the more adequate name for D’Mingo considering he’s known for his dynamic talent as a pianist.
Prior to becoming a record executive representing artists such as, Vico-C, Tego Calderon, Tony Touch and many others. D’Mingo grew up on the Southside of Williamsburg, Brooklyn also known as “Los Sures”. His mother was determined to make sure that he stayed off of the streets and played a key role in influencing him to find his talent. She began by enrolling him in private music lessons, where they would commute by bus to Queens at the tender age of 9 years old. He then went on to receive training from “El Museo del Barrio” and “The Johnny Colon East Harlem Music School”.
Around the age of 12, his big break came when his music professor at the time was called to tour with the legendary Ray Barretto. His professor, Robert Navarro was looking for a pianist to substitute his role with “Grupo Facinacion” where he was responsible for playing the piano and directing the band. D’Mingo felt that he was capable of covering for Navarro even though he wasn’t allowed in a club.
From the first night of playing with Grupo Facinacion, which was at “Casa Borinquen” a hot spot in Brooklyn. D’Mingo recalls the feeling of being on stage and knowing that this was his true calling.
After some life changing experiences, he found himself living on the island of Puerto Rico. While in Puerto Rico, D’Mingo played with the who’s who of the salsa movement such as, Domingo Quinonez, Pupi Santiago, Juan Manuel Lebron, and Rafu Warner to name a few. At a performance with Domingo Quinonez, D’Mingo ran into his friend Johnny Rivera. Rivera was the lead singer for “Grupo Facinacion” back when D’Mingo played for the group. He then approached him about going back to NY and playing for Johnny’s band. Johnny Rivera was all over the airwaves across the nation with his hit single “Necesito Una Amiga”.
D’Mingo then moved to NY within a couple of weeks of his conversation with Johnny. Once relocating, D’Mingo began touring with Jose Alberto el Canario, Junior Gonzales, Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Frankie Ruiz, Tito Nieves, La India, Marc Anthony and many other Latin legends. Once having traveled all over Europe, Latin America, and Central America, D’Mingo realized that he had learned enough from the music business to launch his own career as a solo artist.
He then reached out to a fellow colleague by the name of Miguel Bonilla. Bonilla was his band mate with La India and an up and coming producer. Miguel recorded a three-song demo for D’Mingo and once completed, presented it to John “Jelly Bean” Benitez. Benitez at the time had a label called, H.O.L.A. Recordings. Within a few weeks D’Mingo was signed and on his way to recording his first solo project “Que Vacile Mi Gente” which was released in 1998. D’Mingo’s first single, entitled “Rumba” with its sonic sound and edgy lyrics, quickly became an anthem in “Los Barrios” all across America.
By the time he started to record his sophomore album, D’Mingo felt that it was time for collaboration between a Salsero and a Rapper. Being that he was a fan of the Latin hip hop genre, long before its global recognition began. He set out to record a track with a local artist from Puerto Rico by the name of “Winchester” today known to the world as, “Daddy Yankee”. This event was the beginning of a long time friendship with the star that has lead to other collaborations between the two. Such as the Albums “Guatauba 2000” and “Boricuas NY” which featured some of the most popular Latin rappers of that time.
While performing at Orchard Beach, in the Bronx D’Mingo was introduced to Cuban Link. Link was in the middle of recording his solo project, entitled “24K”. On this album the two collaborated on what became his hit single “Flowers for the Dead”. In which was later dedicated to Christopher Rios, known to his adoring fans as “Big Pun”.
Through this budding relationship the two were called to participate on a track on Ms. Angie Martinez solo album, “Up Close and Personal” released in 2000. The single “Live at Jimmy’s”, which included Angie, Cuban Link, Sunkiss and the late Big Pun became an instant success and helped boost D’Mingo’s career.
After some additional touring with Cuban Link and Angie Martinez, D’Mingo decides to relocate to Miami. While in Miami D’Mingo came across a fellow artist he had met in New York by the name of Jose Guitian aka “Don Dinero”. The two would collaborate on Dinero’s first solo album entitled “Que Bola” released in 2002. The album’s single entitled “Pana Pana” became the first Latin Hip-Hop track to be played in Miami’s local radio station 96.5, which at the time only played tropical music.
It was after the success of “Pana Pana” that D’Mingo got a call from the offices of EMI Records. EMI had approached D’Mingo about producing an album for Latin Hip-Hop Legend Vico C. This was the beginning of the artist’s career as a Record Executive, since at his meeting with EMI D’Mingo was offered to come aboard not only as a record producer, but also as the labels Director of A&R. After excepting the position D’Mingo went on to produce and air what would earn him a Latin Grammy in 2004 for his work on Vico C’s album “ En Honor A La Verdad” as well as a number #1 Billboard position for his work on Thalia’s salsa remix of “Cerca De Ti”.
While having his success as EMI’s Director of A&R, D’Mingo was approached by Mr. Craig Kallman, who at the time was C.E.O. of Atlantic Records. Kallman at the time was after “Tego Calderon” who was Latin Hip-Hop’s newest and quickest rising star. Kallman offered D’Mingo the position of Vice President of A&R for Atlantic Records, if he would assist in closing the deal with Calderon. D’Mingo was up for the challenge and 3 months later was named VP of Latin A&R for Atlantic.
Over the years of the experience he has encountered D’Mingo is back to his roots as an entertainer. He is in the middle of recording his next album, which in the artist’s words will be his best work to date. The album will be titled “The Untold Story”.
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