José Ángel López Martínez, popularly known as Jay Wheeler, is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter. Born on April 25, 1994, he gained widespread recognition when a video of his remarkable singing went viral in 2016, leading him to embark on a music career. In 2018, he signed with Dynamic Records and released his debut album “Platónico” the following year, under the executive production of DJ Nelson. DJ Nelson also produced his second album, “Platónicos,” which was released in 2020 and featured the hit single “La Curiosidad” with Myke Towers, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.
Born into a working-class family in Salinas, Puerto Rico, on April 25, 1994, Wheeler discovered his passion for music at a young age by singing at his local church and learning to play the piano. During his teenage years, he temporarily stopped singing due to school bullying, focusing instead on exploring music production. However, at the age of 16, after a breakup with his girlfriend, he found inspiration to write and record a new song titled “Ahora Estoy Mejor.” Encouraged by a friend, he decided to share it online, resulting in an overnight viral sensation with over 500,000 views. This pivotal moment served as a catalyst for Wheeler to fully commit to his musical aspirations.
Wheeler leveraged his growing fanbase to consistently release music on popular social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. This strategy allowed him to cultivate a dedicated following and earn the moniker “La Voz Favorita” (The Favorite Voice). Subsequently, he made the decision to adopt the stage name Jay Wheeler. Engaging his fans in the naming process, he sought a name that would harmonize with “Jay” and ultimately settled on Wheeler as the most fitting suggestion. The combination of “Jay Wheeler, La Voz Favorita” resonated strongly with him. With a steady stream of releases spanning from 2016 to 2018, Wheeler’s talent captured the attention of Dynamic Records, leading to his first record deal. In 2018, a poignant video surfaced, showcasing Wheeler moved to tears as his fans passionately sang along during a live performance. This emotional moment went viral, catching the attention of DJ Nelson, who subsequently extended an offer to become Wheeler’s mentor.