SongVault Artist Profile

Alkatraz was born the son of Benigno and Francisca Ortiz at Bellvue hospital in Manhattan, New York.

Half Dominican and Puerto Rican he was raised in what is known as new york’s largest Dominican community (Washington heights),birthplace where he first acquired the skills that would give him what is now considered by many to be his signature sound.

Benigno in his younger days was the lead singer in a salsa band so music was always a large influence of Alkatraz’s life..At the age of twelve his father by the request of alkatraz enrolled him into guitar lessons for a year.

He then continued to study guitar on his own under the influence of guitar legends like:
Eric Clapton / Jimmy Hendrix / Robert Cry / Carlos Santana / Randy Rhoads and Bob Marley.

Having this wide range of music under his belt, he then furthered his talents by emulating many rock bands such as Guns and Roses / Metallica and the ever so great Motley Crew.

Around the same time he was also very much interested in hip hop. listening to the The Beastie Boys / Ice-T / Public Enemy / NWA / Ice Cube / Run DMC among others.

Due to the broad seleccion of music styles he listened and played to, you can hear all these influences in his music today. Alkatraz is bringing something fresh to the game which is making him a very reputable desired producer and now MC.

Alkatraz has showcased on MUN2 cable network TV show "New York Underground Rapumentaries" which aired on Saturday’s at midnight, from 2003 to 2004. Alkatraz does guitar work for BigMato. Has created beats for G Cardona / Creature / Dungoen Master of the WU TANG family.

He recently finished his Instrumental album titled “INSTRUMENTAL MADNESS ” under the label Underground Records Inc. While having put this project on he has also been in the lab prepairing a crossover album where he incorporates much of the same energy and sound with latin flava not to be confused as raggaeton but in reality it is latin hip hop.