Anthony Santos grew up listening to bachata musicians Eladio Romero Santos, Leonardo Paniagua, and Juan Bautista on Dominican radio. ∙ He launched his professional career as a güira player for bachatero Luis Vargas. ∙ Santos was discovered by Rafael Mañón of RM Records, who offered him a contract after hearing his self-released cassette, La Chupadera. ∙ The romantic lyrics of his first hit, 1992’s “Va Pa’lla,” helped redefine the bachata genre, which had been known for vulgar double entendres and socio-political messages. ∙ Santos’ long run of bachata hits have earned him the nickname El Mayimbe de la Bachata. ∙ Santos has been namechecked as a major influence by 21st-century Dominican-American artists Romeo Santos, Prince Royce, and Bachata Heightz.