Luis Ferdinand Vega Jr. (born June 12, 1965), as known as "Little Louie" Vega, is an American DJ, record producer and remixer of Puerto Rican ancestry. He is one half of the Masters at Work musical production team.
Louie Vega is a legendary DJ, producer, and remixer, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the world of house music. Born in the Bronx, New York, into a family of musicians, Vega grew up surrounded by a rich tapestry of Latin, jazz, and soul influences that would later shape his sound. He gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s as one half of the iconic production duo Masters at Work, alongside Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez. Together, they revolutionized house music by blending it with elements of Latin rhythms, funk, soul, and jazz, creating a distinct and soulful style that resonated on dance floors worldwide. Their innovative productions and remixes helped elevate house music from a club phenomenon to a global genre.
Vega’s solo career has been equally illustrious. As a Grammy Award-winning artist, he has collaborated with an impressive roster of artists, including Luther Vandross, George Benson, and Tito Puente, seamlessly fusing house with other genres. His ability to infuse electronic music with live instrumentation and a deep, soulful energy has earned him widespread acclaim. In addition to his studio work, Louie Vega is celebrated for his live DJ sets, where he creates an immersive experience for audiences with his eclectic mixes and rhythmic flair. His long-standing residencies, notably at New York’s renowned club Cielo, have made him a staple in the international house music scene, continuing to inspire new generations of DJs and producers.
Luis Ferdinand Vega Jr. (born June 12, 1965), as known as "Little Louie" Vega, is an American DJ, record producer and remixer of Puerto Rican ancestry. He is one half of the Masters at Work musical production team.
He was born to a musician family, as his father, Luis F. Vega Sr., was a jazz saxophonist, and his uncle was singer Héctor Lavoe of the Fania All-Stars. Vega embarked on his music career as a disc jockey, spinning records at the age of 13.
By 1985, Louie began playing house and block parties in his local Bronx and his first nightclub residency was at the Devil's Nest, in the Bronx, and later he moved to heartthrob (the old Funhouse), Roseland, Studio 54 and the Palladium in Manhattan.[3] During the 1990s, Vega was playing at one of the most influential nightclubs for house music, The Sound Factory Bar at the Underground Network Parties with promoters Don Welch and Barbara Tucker (also singer). During this time, production team Masters at Work began a remixing team which consisted of young producers "Little Louie" Vega and partner Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez.