Afro-Latino Lyricists You Should Add to Your Playlist — Legends in Their Own Right

Cultural heritage is a beautiful thing and sometimes it can go unnoticed, even in the public eye. Let's turn the spotlight on Afro-Latino rappers.

While many fans know that artists like Cardi B and Fat Joe are Latinx, there are more than a few rappers others you may not have known are of Afro-Latino descent — including but not limited to the list of artists below.

These talents have graced the stages and airwaves, captivating us with their lyrical prowess and infectious beats. They've embraced the cultural fusion that defines their identities and we love to see it.

While he's best known for his talent and hard-hitting bars, Dave East's ethnicity is one thing many fans may not know about the rapper. He's of Bajan, Creole, and Dominican descent.

Growing up in East Harlem, Dave East embraced his Afro-Latino identity while navigating the gritty streets of New York City. His multicultural background has significantly influenced his music, giving it a unique and diverse flavor.

Afro-Latino recording artist Schoolboy Q, whose real name is Quincy Matthew Hanley, hails from Los Angeles. He was born to an African-American mother and a Honduran father, which adds another layer to his rap persona.

He's widely recognized for his affiliation with the Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) crew and his impressive discography including songs like "Collard Greens," "Man of the Year," and "THat Part" with Kanye West.

Kevin Jerome Gilyard, also known as Kevin Gates, hails from Baton Rouge, La.

Known for his introspective lyrics, emotional depth, and non-nonsense personality, Gates is Black and Puerto Rican. His Afro-Latino heritage plays a significant role in shaping his distinct sound as he often raps in Spanish in his music.

Swizz Beatz (born Kasseem Dean) is renowned for his role as a producer and DJ in the hip-hop world. He has impacted the music industry with his production work in countless ways, collaborating with a wide range of artists including but not limited to Jay-Z, Kanye West, DMX, Mary J. Blige, and more.

What many might not know is that Swizz Beatz's dad is Eritrean and Jamaican while his mom is Jamaican and Puerto Rican.

His stage name probably gives it away, but Juelz Santana's background is Black and Dominican. The rapper's heritage has significantly influenced his music persona and style over the years.

From the gritty streets of Harlem, Juelz emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the early 2000s alongside fellow Diplomats Cam'ron and Jim Jones.

BIA is another artist who comes from an Afro-Latino background. She's of Puerto Rican descent, though, she was born in Medford, Mass.

She first came into the public eye when she appeared on the reality show Sisterhood of Hip-Hop, which aired on Oxygen. BIA's journey from the booth to the global stage has been nothing short of remarkable.