From The Founder: Why NEON Exists?

• January 3, 2026January 7, 2026
• NEON

NEON was born out of necessity—my necessity.

I’m an introvert, and I always have been. But I was raised in noise, rhythm, and culture. I grew up surrounded by music, not as a hobby, but as a way of life. My family was full of musicians, and my cousins weren’t just throwing weekend parties—they were DJ’s. Weekends meant turntables, crates, speakers pushed to their limits, and music that didn’t ask permission. The house became a club long before I knew what a club was.

One of my earliest memories, around the age of three, is hearing underground Reggaetón for the first time thanks to my cousin Omar. He had a vast collection from Playero, DJ Joe, Reggaetón Sex—music that felt raw, rebellious, and alive. His brother Luis was an 80’s breakdancer and turntablist, a true DJ who moved effortlessly between Disco, Pop, R&B, Merengue, and House. At the same time, I was raised around Trovadores and traditional Puerto Rican culture. Music surrounded me from every angle—urban and traditional, underground and folkloric—all coexisting naturally.

When I discovered Hip-Hop in the late 90’s, everything locked into place. I remember watching local music video shows on Channel 7, 12, 24, 30, and 52. These programs showed local artists, scenes, and clubs—Luxor, Shannan’s Pub, Laser, Flow La Discoteca, Hollywood, Stargate like Top Rap Video. As a kid, I didn’t just watch them for entertainment. I watched them with intention. I imagined myself there. I knew, even then, that music wasn’t something I would consume—it was something I would dedicate my life to.

Time passed, and many of those spaces disappeared. The only one I ever experienced from that era was Shannan’s Pub. With the loss of those venues, something else faded too: the Hip-Hop culture that shaped Reggaetón before it went global. The graffiti. The DJs. The breakdancers. The rap battles. The skaters. The sneaker culture. The underground spirit that made everything feel real.

NEON EXISTS BECAUSE I REFUSE TO LET THAT DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY.

I created NEON to gather what’s been scattered—to give artists, DJs, venues, and creators a place where they can be seen, documented, and connected. A space without algorithms deciding value. A place where you can share your art, message each other, and define your own reality.