Andy Alemany

From Borikén to Beats, a Musical Journey Rooted in Culture and Community

By Daniela Cintron

Published May 22, 2025
Last Updated May 23, 2025

For Andy Alemany, ser puertorriqueño isn’t just a cultural identity — it’s the rhythm behind every beat, the fire behind every lyric and the compass guiding his life. Though he was raised in New York, his blood has always sung the melodies of Naguabo and Mayagüez, where his parents were born. And now, from his home in Atlanta, he’s turning that heritage into harmony.

“El sabor latino nunca se borra,” he says with conviction. “Even if we’re not in Puerto Rico, we carry it in our blood. It never fades.” That belief pulses through everything he creates. Whether he’s working in the studio, on stage as a solo artist, or behind the scenes at a label, Alemany always finds a way to infuse his sound with the essence of la isla del encanto — Afro-Caribbean rhythms, salsa grooves and the unshakable soul of Puerto Rico.

But music wasn’t always his path.

After landing a corporate job in the medical field, Andy moved to Atlanta in 2007, fresh out of school. His brother had been nudging him to relocate, and once his parents followed, the decision became clear. “My core family was here,” he recalls.

He built a steady career in the medical industry for more than a decade, but quietly, music was calling. What started as a passion became a profession — recordings, live performances, a Latin Grammy nomination and Dove Award nods followed. He transitioned from a background vocalist to a soloist, learning every corner of the industry from publishing and copyrighting to artist development.

“I wear multiple hats now,” he says. “The artist hat, the business hat, the mentor hat. I love teaching others how to make a living in this industry, especially fellow Latinos who might not know where to start.” That mentorship is what fuels him. His work with Lasal Music — a music label focused on developing artists with integrity and craft — lets him uplift others and guide them through the music business maze.

Still, the heart of his work is cultural. “En todo lo que hago con la música, me encanta añadir un poquito de la cultura puertorriqueña,” he explains. Whether it’s a salsa riff or a drum pattern rooted in Afro-Caribbean tradition, Alemany thinks that music is a universal language and that Latin music brings a flavor that moves people, physically and emotionally. “If I can get someone’s attention with rhythm, then I’ve opened the door to connect with them on a deeper level, whether it’s joy, grief or hope.” he says.

Atlanta, he says, has been fertile ground for that mission.

“The opportunities here were endless for work, for creativity, for community,” he says. While the city can seem massive, the music scene is intimate and tightly knit. “Once you meet one writer or singer, you meet the whole network,” he laughs. “It’s a small pool, and it’s full of heart.”

His faith also anchors him in Atlanta. A committed member of a local church community, Alemany sees his musical gifts as a bridge between his spirituality and his culture. “Whether I’m performing or producing, I’m always thinking about how music can heal, uplift and bring people together.”

And no matter where he goes, he carries Puerto Rico with him.

“I’m so proud of being Boricua,” he says. “If I could put the Puerto Rican flag everywhere, I would.” Everything he does is through the lens of his roots — his mom playing guitar at home, the music always present, the stories of his family, the traditions passed down. That’s what shaped him.

Andy Alemany has never lost sight of who he is. He’s a connector, a culture bearer, a musician and, above all, a proud Puerto Rican using his voice to uplift others, one note at a time.

Meet other Puerto Rican creatives in Atlanta.

Daniela is the content manager and bilingual editor for Discover Atlanta. As an award-winning bilingual journalist, she is passionate about shinning light on untold stories about culture, food and Atlanta.