Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and raised in Queens, New York, Unorl Angel “DJ Steelo” Santiago always knew his passion was to breathe life into every party from his favorite place on earth—the DJ booth. At 13, Steelo stumbled into his first house party and gazed upon the DJ, spinning records and creating the night’s vibe. From that moment on, he knew what he was meant to do with his life.

By his late teens, DJ Steelo had gone from mixing George Delmon and Noel beats in his bedroom with his first pair of turntables to performing in nightclubs across the city. Always persistent to follow his dreams, young Steelo would volunteer to carry the crates of more experienced DJs – anything to get him in the doors of New York’s best nightclubs in the late ’90s.

Despite the sometimes chaotic and overwhelming vibe of the dance floor, DJ Steelo always felt at home in a room full of people, especially when he was in charge of crafting the beats. While other DJs at the time were playing around with House and Hip Hop music, Steelo added a unique flair to his beats, combining elements of Latin and Reggeaton music to the biggest hits of the era. His ear for blending tracks made DJ Steelo stand out, gaining the recognition of some of the biggest club promoters of the 2000s, including Ruben Rube, who arranged for Steelo to work as a resident DJ on Saturday nights at the legendary China Club in midtown Manhattan.

Working at the China Club opened doors for DJ Steelo. He moved his way up to the club’s big room, where he encountered the unbelievable experience of DJing for a packed room. His mix of reggaeton and Latin beats as well as his presence on the mic caught the attention of notorious producers such as Pablo Diaz and the legendary club promoter John “Gungie” Rivera. Though initially nervous, Steelo hit it off with Rivera, who arranged for the accomplished DJ to work at Roomba and Club NV in Soho. From there, Steelo took over New York, spinning disks all over the city.

Promoters and producers praise Steelo for his incredible ability to read the crowd and understand which beats will connect with the dancers in front of him. Steelo isn’t afraid to try new things, which has earned him a reputation as a revolutionary in the DJ world. He became one of the first DJs in the New York scene to incorporate Reggaeton into his mix. He further proved this reputation when he traveled to Switzerland in 2006. There, DJ Steelo helped to introduce his fusion of Latin, Reggaeton, and House music to the scene in Northern Europe. Despite his nerves, he stayed true to his style – and Switzerland loved it!

With his international acclaim, DJ Steelo returned to the US, where his career flourished. He collaborated with artists like Stevie B., Angel, Sweet Sensation, Raquela, Aby, and George Lamond. Eventually, he broke into the radio scene, first with his internet radio show, “The Throwdown Mix Show With DJ Steelo,” and later with his Texas-based program on My 106.3, My Music My Station. He spun his hit mixes for two years in the prime-time morning and evening slot from Monday to Friday.

From vinyls to CDs to laptop tracks, DJ Steelo has grown up alongside the modern DJ movement. His experience with many modes of music sets him apart from other DJs on the scene as he blends nostalgia with modern taste. He knows how to read the room and isn’t afraid to try new beats. DJ Steelo brings an infectious energy into every room. As DJ Steelo continues to evolve along with the constantly changing music scene, he hopes to find more opportunities to DJ on the radio and continue traveling around the world. He’s excited to continue mixing freestyle and Latin beats with Reggeton and some of his favorite old school sounds. “I just love making people dance, forget about their problems and just have a good time out there,” he said. Shaping the scene since the 90s, DJ Steelo is a staple of New York’s musical culture.