Juan Luis Guerra and his group, 440, have enjoyed tremendous success, both in their native Dominican Republic and the Latin world in general. Guerra grew up in the '70s, listening to American and British rock bands like The Beatles. He attended the Dominican Republic's National Conservatory. Then, with the help of an instructor, he got into the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he became absorbed in jazz.

Eventually, Guerra grew homesick for his own culture. He returned to the Dominican Republic and experimented with mixing American jazz with his native folk music and African rhythmic music. After a minimally successful jazz vocal styled debut, Guerra and his newly formed band, 440, recorded the albums, Mudanza Y Acarreo and Mientras Mas Lo Pienso Tu. Both releases contained merengue and native Latin music and instantly became major hits in the Dominican Republic. Taking the native folk music of Dominican Republic (the merengue and bacháta) to new heights, Guerra infused the lyrics, which were traditionally reserved for love, with social commentary and political themes.

Guerra and 440 hit it big in 1989 with Ojala Que Llueva Cafe, which went on to become a smash throughout the Latino world. Despite the departure of the lead singer, the band's next album, 1990's Bachata Rose, won a Grammy. The album was followed by the controversial Areito and the 1994 release, Fogarate. Guerra and 440's 1998 effort is the excellent Ni Es Lo Mismo Ni Es Igual, featuring trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and Luis Enrique. Guerra and 440 returned six years later with 2004's Para Ti and followed up with La Llave De Mi Corazon in 2007.