Fania Takes Nueva York | From Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York

Fania Takes Nueva York | From Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York

From Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond by Pushkin Industries

June 11, 2026 · 36 min · Season 6

About this episode

The episode explores the birth of salsa music in New York City during the 1960s, focusing on Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci's partnership that led to the creation of Fania Records.

The 1960s brings social and political change to the world and to New York City, where a young Johnny Pacheco keeps people dancing with his orchestra and charanga music. The Dominican musician is also going through a divorce and his lawyer, Jerry Masucci, happens to be a fan of Johnny’s music. The two form a music partnership that will forever change music. They call their music label Fania Records. Hosted by Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress and Brooklyn native Rosie Perez and produced by Pulitzer Prize-winning Futuro Media. “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York,” is the most comprehensive audio narrative yet made about the birth and wild heights of salsa, a genre that continues to shape global culture today. Listen to Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York wherever you listen to podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Rosie Perez

Topics covered

  • salsa
  • music history
  • New York City
  • cultural change
  • Fania Records

Keywords

  • salsa
  • Johnny Pacheco
  • Jerry Masucci
  • Fania Records
  • New York City
  • 1960s
  • music partnership
  • cultural change

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fania Records, Futuro Media

Places: New York City

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