Ray Lugo

Ray Joseph Lugo (born November 15, 1967) is an American musician. Singing in English and Spanish, Lugo is internationally known for his prolific output and diverse solo work, as well as for leading the groups Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra, Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers and other projects.

Early life

Lugo was born in Caracas, Venezuela. His father, Olmedo Lugo, is a Venezuelan lawyer, journalist, and author of Spanish descent. His mother, Lumen Palma, a former secretary, is of Spanish, Italian and Native American descent. As an unwed mother, Lugo's mother, ostracized by her family and facing discrimination from conservative society, left for the United States shortly after his birth. Lugo credits his mother's lifelong love of Classical music for inspiring his interest in the arts.

In his early teens, Lugo was a B-boy, immersed in the Big Apple's nascent hip-hop, graffiti and breakdancing cultures. The rise of punk rock and the intermingling taking place in underground New York City clubs like Danceteria, The Roxy NYC and Save the Robots in the early 1980s drew Lugo towards the emerging hardcore scene largely based around CBGB's through his association with a number of pioneering bands in the genre, Agnostic Front, Bad Brains, Leeway, Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits and others. While in college at New York University, Lugo befriended guitarist Blake Schwarzenbach and drummer Adam Pfahler, who invited Lugo to serve as first vocalist for the earliest incarnation of emo legends Jawbreaker. and would go on to play concerts globally and collaborate with artists such as Fela Kuti & Egypt 80/King Sunny Ade drummer Jojo Kuo, Jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, Antibalas, Faze Action and many others. The band has released five studio albums: 2002's Fuss and Fight, 2004's More Consideration, 2007's Love International, 2009's Heavy Hustling and 2016's 100 Fevers. The group has been featured in international compilations, alongside artists like Femi Kuti, Ska Cubano, Tony Allen, U-Roy, Caetano Veloso, Masters at Work, Quantic, Salif Keita, Gerardo Frisina, Baaba Maal, Jazztronik, Zero 7, Afro Celt Sound System, Joe Bataan, Common, The Orb, Eric B & Rakim and many more.

Boogaloo Destroyers In 2011, Lugo formed the group Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers, centering their sound around 1960s golden-era Boogaloo, a style that was a precursor to salsa in New York City. The band's first album, Mi Watusi, was well received by fans and critics internationally. The second studio album, ¡Que Chevere! saw its release in 2014 and the album proved instrumental in expanding the group's appeal to a new range of fans and critics internationally, culminating in a Summer 2015 show at New York's Lincoln Center, where the band performed with pianist Richie Ray as well as with Boogaloo pioneer Pete Rodriguez, who performed live for the first time in over 30 years.

Coucou Boogaloo, the third studio album by Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers was released in 2025.

Solo 2012 saw the release of Lugo's first solo album We Walk Around Like This, on which he highlighted his expanding eclectic tastes. The album featured tones and sounds from locations he felt to be of particular importance to the history of groove-based music, such as Bahia, Lagos, Kingston, San Juan, and Harlem. The album provided Lugo the opportunity to embark on a solo world tour that featured concerts in the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

In 2016, Lugo provided lead vocals and collaborated with Latin percussionist and bandleader Roberto Roena on Aquarembe by Bosq Y La Candela All-Stars, seeing it released on Fania Records. Lugo's second solo album, 2017's Now, highlighted a nod towards more electronic tones and his search for new approaches.

In 2017, Lugo collaborated with German Hip-Hop supergroup Fünf Sterne deluxe on a song and video titled "Afrokalle", featured on the band's album, Flash.

In January 2018, Lugo embarked on a solo tour of Asia featuring DJ Sets and live performances in Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand and China.

April 2018 saw the release of "Pegate Pa' Ca", a song by Bosq featuring lead vocals by Ray Lugo. The track was part of Bosq's Love and Resistance album which was released on Ubiquity Records.

Lugo released a new album, entitled Family Remixes, in August 2018. The album, released on blue vinyl via Ammonite Records, comprised remixed interpretations of Lugo's "Now" album by producers from Australia, Serbia, Portugal, England, Italy, Puerto Rico and other countries.

Terrificos Working with Cleveland film composer Jake Fader, Lugo formed a new project dubbed "Terrificos" in 2015. The group's sound centers on intertwining influences from South American genres such as Chicha, Cumbia with dance elements and cinematic soundscapes. The duo's first studio album, Go South was well embraced.

A vinyl EP, entitled "Kokolo vs.Terricos" and containing remixes of music by both groups was released in November 2018 on American label Peace & Rhythm.

Personal life

In 2009, Lugo married French Psychotherapist Rachel Jedwab. The couple live with their two children, as well as two older children from Lugo's previous marriage, and split time between the United States and France.

Lugo has held a lifelong interest in the discourses of Buddha, Krishnamurti, Rajneesh and the Tao Te Ching and feels these have helped him become more balanced in life.

In his spare time, Lugo runs a soccer league for children with special needs

Studio albums AlbumLabel Year of release Available formatsRay Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers Coucou Boogaloo Little Boat 2025LP,iTunesRay Lugo Family Remixes Little Boat/Ammonite 2018 LP, iTunesKokolo 100 Fevers Little Boat/Peace & Rhythm 2017 LP, iTunesRay Lugo Now Little Boat 2017 iTunesTerrificos Go South Little Boat/Peace & Rhythm 2016 LP, iTunesKokolo Remixed Worldwide Little Boat 2015 iTunesRay Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers ¡Que Chevere!'''' Freestyle 2014 LP, iTunes

2013 iTunes

2012 LP, iTunes

2011 LP, iTunes

2009 iTunes

2007 iTunes

2004 iTunes

12" singles | EPs Label Year of release Available formatsKokolo vs. Terrificos Remix EP Peace & Rhythm 2018 LPRay Lugo – Bahia Love EP Jazz & Milk 2012 LPKokolo – The Magnificent Seven EP Shiftin' Gears 2010 LPKokolo – Nueva York 12" Malena Rework Freestyle 2007 LPKokolo – Balkan Beat Box Split EP Sol Selectas 2008 LPKokolo – Sabroso 12" Freestyle 2005 LPKokolo – Roy Davis Jr. Split EP Jamayka 2005 LPKokolo – More Consideration EP Freestyle 2005 LPKokolo – Mister Sinister 12" Jamayka 2004 LPKokolo – Root To The Fruit 12" Freestyle 2004 LPIce Cream Headache – Ice Cream Headache" Underhanded 1995 CD

7" singles 7" singleLabel Year of release Available formatsRay Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers - ¡Que Chevere! (My Baby's Got Latin Soul) Freestyle 2014 7"Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers – El Ritmo De Nueva York Freestyle 2014 7"Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers – Swingy Boogaloo Freestyle 2011 7"Ray Lugo's L.E.S. Express – Love Me Good Record Kicks 2010 7"Ray Lugo's L.E.S. Express – I Dream Of Bahia Record Kicks 2009 7"Kokolo – Afrika Man (Feat. Jojo Kuo) Record Kicks 2009 7"Kokolo – Soul Power Record Kicks 2008 7"Kokolo – Girls On Film Record Kicks 2008 7"Kokolo – The Magnificent Seven" VampiSoul 2008 7"Kokolo – The Way Up Tramp 2007 7"Kokolo – Our Own Thing Freestyle 2007 7"Kokolo – Heaven" AfroKats 2007 7"Kokolo – Each One Teach One" AfroKats 2006 7"Kokolo – Donkey" Afrokings 2002 7"Militant – Come In Peace" Underhanded 1996 7"Twin Barrels Burning – Digging A Hole" Dutch East India Trading 1992 7"

Compilations featuring Ray Lugo Music CompilationLabel Year of release Available formatsNew York Fever Wagram 2017 CD, iTunesThe Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club, Vol. 3 Freestyle 2014 CD, iTunesFootprints Jazz & Milk 2014 LP, CD, iTunesThe Rough Guide To Latin Rare Groove WMN 2014 CD, iTunesLounge Anthology Wagram 2013 CD, iTunesThe Greatest Latin Party X5 2013 iTunesFiesta Latina X5 2013 iTunesTop Latin Remix Six Degrees 2013 CD, iTunes10th Anniversary Record Kicks CD< 2013 iTunesI Love Lounge Wagram 2012 CD, iTunesGlobaltronica X5 2012CD, iTunesClub Anthems: The Cure and The Cause Vanilla OMP 2012 iTunesAfro Club Night 2 Kittball Records 2012 CD, LPPlaintaste Of Funk Piola Libri 2011 CDContemporary Afrobeat Tramp 2011 CD, LPSoulshaker Vol. 7 Record Kicks 2010 CD, LPKokolo: Pegao Pegao Radio Pirata 2010 CDDancers Masterpiece P-Vine 2010 CDCity Lounge 7 Wagram 2010 CD, iTunesDeep Funk Vol. 3 La Suite 2010 CD, iTunesMo' Record Kicks Record Kicks 2010 CD, iTunesSoul Shaker Vol. 6 Record Kicks 2009 CD, iTunesH2G Japan H2G Factory 2009 CDPlanet Up The Planet Planetwize 2009 CD, iTunesFunk Aid For Africa Dubspot 2009 CD, iTunesRepublica Afrobeat 3 Love Monk 2009 CD, iTunesBalearic Beach Sessions Cool Pool 2009 CD, iTunesAfrobeat Club Union Square 2009 CD, iTunesRough Guide To Afrobeat Revival World Music Network 2009 CD, iTunesSoul Shaker Vol. 5 Record Kicks 2008 CD, iTunesFunkanova Prominence 2008 CD, iTunesCollected Singles Vol. 5 Freestyle 2008 CD, iTunesCollected Singles Vol. 2 Freestyle 2008 CD, iTunesCollected Singles Vol. 1 Freestyle 2008 CD, iTunesNu Afro Wagram 2007 CD, iTunesSoul Shaker Vol. 4 Record Kicks 2007 CD, iTunesThe Afro Sound Of House Traxsource 2007 CD, iTunesTimeless Anthems Jetstar 2006 CD, iTunesFeel The Beat: Afrofunk Big Sur 2006 CDFreestyle Remixed Freestyle 2006 CD, iTunesLoft Party Kinky Sweet 2006 CD, iTunesBeginners Guide To Afro Lounge Nascente 2006 CDAfrica 100 Pitchfork Media 2005 CDAfrique C'est Chic Box Set Kinky Sweet 2005 CDEven Nice Girls Public Release 2005 CDFrequent Flyer Mile High Kinky Sweet 2005 CD, iTunesAfrique C'est Chic 3 Slip 'N Slide 2005 CD, iTunesFuture World Funk...On The Run Ether 2005 CD, iTunesHouse Afrika House Afrika 2004 CDAfrobeat Sudan Aid Project Modiba 2004 CDOne Love Vol. 1 Pure Hemp 2004 CDAfrican Xpress Shakti/Virgin 2003 CDBig Daddy Volume 3: The Showstopper Big Daddy 2002 CDLive From WFMU WMFU 2002 CD