1990s · New York
Masters at Work
Little Louie Vega and Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez. Latin, soul, jazz and hip-hop drums, all through New York house.
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The story
Who is Masters at Work?
Masters at Work is the New York duo of “Little” Louie Vega and Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez, working together since around 1990.
They brought Latin percussion, jazz, soul and hip-hop drum programming into house, ran their own MAW Records, and remixed a huge list of artists. Their Nuyorican Soul project released an acclaimed album in 1997 with live musicians and vocalists.
The sound
Percussive and musical. Live-sounding drums, Latin rhythm and soulful vocals.
| Members | Louie Vega, Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez |
| City | New York |
| Label | MAW Records |
| Side project | Nuyorican Soul |
| Start with | “The Nervous Track” |
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If you like this
Dig deeper
Under the Radar
DJ Sauce
If Masters at Work is your starting point, here’s who to hear next: El Paso born, Juárez raised, Denver based. Lubdub Records founder. Eclectic house melodies to raw acid cuts.
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FAQ
Questions about Masters at Work
Who is in Masters at Work?
Louie Vega and Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez.
What is Nuyorican Soul?
A Masters at Work project that released a 1997 album blending house, Latin, jazz and soul with live musicians.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikipedia: Nuyorican Soul. Facts checked October 2026. Spot something wrong? Tell us.