For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them.

Xcelencia is both a founder and artist working at the intersection of music, technology, and culture. Born in Puerto Rico with Cuban roots, he grew up in the United States, where his cross-cultural upbringing shaped his distinctive musical identity. He’s also a devoted cratedigger with broad-reaching music taste.

MUSIC MENTIONS

- Michael Jackson

- Thriller (album)

- Beastie Boys

Reggaeton and starting to create music (5:15):

- FL Studio (software)

- Nico Canada

- Daddy Yankee

Projects currently working on (12:42):

- CD Baby

- El Niño Estrella (album)

- TAROT

Discovering music (15:31):

- Catalog (website)

- ZORA (website)

- [Sound.xyz](http://sound.xyz/)

- Harrison First

Q&A:

Three artists of note discovered in the last year (19:04):

- Judeline

Underappreciated artist from your favorite music decade (22:04):

- Bee Gees

- Dead Prez

- MF Doom

Desert Island Discs (25:14):

- Cultura Profética - M.O.T.A.

- Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.

- Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

- [Daddy Yankee - Barrio Fino]