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{{Short description|New York based Puerto Rican gang or musical group}}
{{Multiple issues|1=
{{Unfocused|reason=the article covers mainly a gang, but the infobox musical artist, Discography, and [[:Category:Musical groups established in 1969]] pertain to something else; should probably split off [[Ghetto Brothers (band)]] |date=June 2016}}
{{Unfocused|reason=the article covers mainly a gang, but the infobox musical artist, Discography, and [[:Category:Musical groups established in 1969]] pertain to something else; should probably split off [[Ghetto Brothers (band)]] |date=June 2016}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2016}}
}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ghetto Brothers
| name = Ghetto Brothers
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| alias = The Ghetto Brothers
| alias = The Ghetto Brothers
| origin = [[United States]]<br/>[[Puerto Rico]]
| origin = United States<br/>[[Puerto Rico]]
| genre = [[Funk]]<br/>[[Soul music|Soul]]<br/>[[Latin American music|Latin]]<br/>[[Rock music|Rock]]<br/>[[Salsa music|Salsa]]<br/>[[Garage rock]]<br/>[[Rock en Español]]
| genre = [[Funk]]<br/>[[Soul music|Soul]]<br/>[[Latin American music|Latin]]<br/>[[Hip Hop music|Hip Hop]]<br/>[[Rock music|Rock]]<br/>[[Salsa music|Salsa]]<br/>[[Garage rock]]<br/>[[Rock en Español]]
| years_active = 1964-Present
| years_active = 1964-Present
| label = Salsa Records
| label = Salsa Records
Line 12: Line 16:
}}
}}


The '''Ghetto Brothers''' were a [[gang]] (or club) and [[Musical ensemble|music group]]<ref>[http://www.stealthmag.com/board/viewthread.php?tid=12628]{{dead link|date=June 2016}}</ref> founded in [[New York City]]'s South [[Bronx]] in the late 1960s. The gang eventually spread to much of the Northeastern United States. Like the [[Young Lords]], they were involved in [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] nationalism, including, in the case of the Ghetto Brothers, an association with the then-new [[Puerto Rican Socialist Party]].
The '''Ghetto Brothers''' were a [[gang]] and [[Musical ensemble|music group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stealthmag.com/board/viewthread.php?tid%3D12628 |title=Stealth Magazine - Ghetto Brothers - Power Fuerza |access-date=June 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927183539/http://www.stealthmag.com/board/viewthread.php?tid=12628 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> founded in New York City's South [[Bronx]] in the late 1960s with the motivation to uplift young Latino and Black men in their community.
==History==
Founded in New York City's South [[Bronx]] in the late 1960's, the gang eventually spread to much of the Northeastern United States. Like the [[Young Lords]], they were involved in politics, particularly the [[Independence movement in Puerto Rico|Puerto Rico independence movement]], and were associated with the then-new [[Puerto Rican Socialist Party]]. Its members had political motivation to uplift young Latino and Black men in the community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.classicnystreetgangs.com/ghettobrothers.htm|title=The Ghetto Brothers}}</ref>


⚫
Under [[Benjamin Melendez]]'s leadership, the Ghetto Brothers represented one end of the spectrum in terms of how they treated the women involved with the gang. Referred to as the Ghetto Sisters&mdash;the respectful term contrasted sharply with the names used for the women attached to other New York gangs of the period&mdash;the women were generally viewed as organization members and as girlfriends, whereas many other gangs treated women almost entirely as sexual property.
⚫
The name Ghetto Brothers was chosen by Hui Cambrelen one of the original founders along with Ray delaVega and Benji Melendez. [[Benjamin Melendez]], who left the organization in 1976, was also known as a [[guitar]]ist. He led a band, also known as the '''Ghetto Brothers''', which included his late brother [[Victor Melendez]] on [[Bass guitar|bass]]. They released one album ''Ghetto Brothers - Power-Fuerza'' in 1971, which had only informal, local distribution. It has since been re-released on CD.


⚫
Former [[Hartford, Connecticut]] mayor [[Eddie Perez (politician)|Eddie Perez]] was a member of the Ghetto Brothers when young. ''New York Daily News'' columnist Robert Dominguez was the leader of a Ghetto Brothers division in the Bronx when he was a teen. <!-- Dominguez confirmed by email, rdominguez AT edit DOT dailynews DOT com by User:Jmabel 30 November 2006 --> <!-- Wikipedia required published sources, not private e-mail messages --> In the Connecticut prison system, during the 1990s, the Ghetto Brothers and the Savage Nomads joined together to form Los Solidos (the Solid Ones), which is now one of the most powerful Puerto Rican gangs in the state.
The Ghetto Brothers, especially in their early years, had a reputation as one of the more politically minded and less vengeful of New York-area gangs. After [[Cornell Benjamin|Cornell "Black Benjy" Benjamin]] was killed in 1971 trying to prevent a fight between two rival gangs, the Ghetto Brothers did not seek the expected revenge on those responsible for his death.<ref>{{cite web |author=theroseycross |date=January 17, 2011 |title=Ghetto Brothers - Power Fuerza |url=http://resinhits.blogspot.com/2011/01/ghetto-brothers-power-fuerza.html}}</ref> Instead, under Melendez's leadership (and that of [[Carlos Antonio Suarez]], also known as Carlos Melendez), they were instrumental in achieving a moderately successful truce among South Bronx and other New York-area gangs at the December 7, 1971, [[Hoe Avenue peace meeting]].
⚫
==Origin of the Name==

The name Ghetto Brothers was chosen by Hui Cambrelen one of the original founders along with Ray DelaVega and Benji Melendez.
⚫
Under Melendez's leadership, the Ghetto Brothers represented one end of the spectrum in terms of how they treated the women involved with the gang. Referred to as the Ghetto Sisters&mdash;the respectful term contrasted sharply with the names used for the women attached to other New York gangs of the period&mdash;the women were generally viewed as organization members and as girlfriends, whereas many other gangs treated women almost entirely as sexual property.

⚫
Former [[Hartford, Connecticut]], mayor and convicted [[extortion]]ist, [[Eddie Perez (politician)|Eddie Perez]] was a member of the Ghetto Brothers when young. ''New York Daily News'' columnist Robert Dominguez was the leader of a Ghetto Brothers division in the Bronx when he was a teen. <!-- Dominguez confirmed by email, rdominguez AT edit DOT dailynews DOT com by User:Jmabel 30 November 2006 --> <!-- Wikipedia required published sources, not private e-mail messages --> In the Connecticut prison system, during the 1990s, the Ghetto Brothers and the Savage Nomads joined together to form Los Solidos (the Solid Ones), which is now one of the most powerful Puerto Rican gangs in the state.

⚫
== Other uses of the name ==

*The name '''Ghetto Brothers''' was also used by an unrelated 1990s [[techno]] duo featuring [[Orlando Voorn]] and [[Blake Baxter]].


==Music Group==
⚫
Benjamin Melendez, who left the organization in 1976, was also known as a [[guitar]]ist. He led a band, also known as the '''Ghetto Brothers''', which included his late brother Victor Melendez on [[Bass guitar|bass]]. They released one album ''Ghetto Brothers - Power-Fuerza'' in 1971, which had only informal, local distribution. It has since been re-released on CD.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/11/one-of-the-greatest-lost-albums-of-all-time-has-been-found/265560/
|title=One of the Greatest 'Lost' Albums of All Time Has Been Found
|author=Jack Hamilton
|publisher=The Atlantic
|date=2012-11-26
|access-date=2016-12-09
}}
</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=James |title=The Ghetto Brothers, Pioneers of Hip-Hop Culture, Get Album Reissue |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-ghetto-brothers-pioneers-of-hip-hop-culture-get-album-reissue-236418/ |website=rollingstone.com |date=20 November 2012 |access-date=8 September 2022}}</ref>
==Discography==
==Discography==
*1971 &ndash; ''Ghetto Brothers - Power-Fuerza'' (Salsa Records - SLP 2008) Recorded at Fintone Studio. Produced by Bobby Marin.
*1971 &ndash; ''Ghetto Brothers - Power-Fuerza'' (Salsa Records - SLP 2008) Recorded at Fintone Studio. Produced by Bobby Marin.
Line 31: Line 43:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

* {{cite web
|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/street-gang-turned-band-ghetto-brothers-attract-all-classes-all-races-all-ages-years-after-making-hip-hop-history-6643236
|title=Street-Gang-Turned-Band Ghetto Brothers Attract "All Classes, All Races, All Ages" Years After Making Hip Hop History
|author=Michael Alan Goldberg
|date=2016-12-03
|publisher=Village Voice
|access-date=2016-12-09
}}

==Further reading==
* Jeff Chang, ''Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation'' (2005), {{ISBN|0312425791}}.

{{Organized crime groups in New York City}}
{{Organized crime groups in New York City}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Gangs in New York City]]
[[Category:Former gangs in New York City]]
[[Category:Hispanic-American gangs]]
[[Category:Hispanic-American gangs]]
[[Category:Modern street gangs]]
[[Category:Organizations based in the Bronx]]
⚫
[[Category:The Bronx|The Bronx]]
[[Category:Organizations based in New York City]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Crimes in New York City]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican culture in New York City]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican culture in New York City]]
⚫
[[Category:History of the Bronx]]

Latest revision as of 09:41, 25 October 2024

Ghetto Brothers
Also known asThe Ghetto Brothers
OriginUnited States
Puerto Rico
GenresFunk
Soul
Latin
Hip Hop
Rock
Salsa
Garage rock
Rock en Español
Years active1964-Present
LabelsSalsa Records
MembersBenjamin "Yellow Benjy" Melendez (lead vocals)
Victor Melendez (bass)
Luis Bristo (drums)
Franky Valentin(timbales)
Chiqui Concepcion (Congas)
Angelo Garcia (Bongos)
David Silva (lead guitar)
Robert Melendez (rhythm guitar)

The Ghetto Brothers were a gang and music group[1] founded in New York City's South Bronx in the late 1960s with the motivation to uplift young Latino and Black men in their community.

History

[edit]

Founded in New York City's South Bronx in the late 1960's, the gang eventually spread to much of the Northeastern United States. Like the Young Lords, they were involved in politics, particularly the Puerto Rico independence movement, and were associated with the then-new Puerto Rican Socialist Party. Its members had political motivation to uplift young Latino and Black men in the community.[2]

Under Benjamin Melendez's leadership, the Ghetto Brothers represented one end of the spectrum in terms of how they treated the women involved with the gang. Referred to as the Ghetto Sisters—the respectful term contrasted sharply with the names used for the women attached to other New York gangs of the period—the women were generally viewed as organization members and as girlfriends, whereas many other gangs treated women almost entirely as sexual property.

Former Hartford, Connecticut mayor Eddie Perez was a member of the Ghetto Brothers when young. New York Daily News columnist Robert Dominguez was the leader of a Ghetto Brothers division in the Bronx when he was a teen. In the Connecticut prison system, during the 1990s, the Ghetto Brothers and the Savage Nomads joined together to form Los Solidos (the Solid Ones), which is now one of the most powerful Puerto Rican gangs in the state.

Origin of the Name

[edit]

The name Ghetto Brothers was chosen by Hui Cambrelen one of the original founders along with Ray DelaVega and Benji Melendez.

Music Group

[edit]

Benjamin Melendez, who left the organization in 1976, was also known as a guitarist. He led a band, also known as the Ghetto Brothers, which included his late brother Victor Melendez on bass. They released one album Ghetto Brothers - Power-Fuerza in 1971, which had only informal, local distribution. It has since been re-released on CD.[3] [4]

Discography

[edit]
  • 1971 – Ghetto Brothers - Power-Fuerza (Salsa Records - SLP 2008) Recorded at Fintone Studio. Produced by Bobby Marin.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Stealth Magazine - Ghetto Brothers - Power Fuerza". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  2. ^ "The Ghetto Brothers".
  3. ^ Jack Hamilton (2012-11-26). "One of the Greatest 'Lost' Albums of All Time Has Been Found". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  4. ^ Sullivan, James (20 November 2012). "The Ghetto Brothers, Pioneers of Hip-Hop Culture, Get Album Reissue". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 8 September 2022.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Jeff Chang, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation (2005), ISBN 0312425791.
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