Jorge Solano-Lopez, professionally known as SolanoMusic, is a hip-hop artist originally from the Dominican Republic who grew up on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.
Active since the mid-1990s, his musical journey has taken him from the Caribbean to Europe and Africa through studio recordings, international collaborations, live performances, and cultural projects.
Rooted in hip-hop, his musical style has evolved to incorporate R&B, soul, and Caribbean influences.
Solano's musical journey began in 1995 in Cay Hill, Saint Martin, following Hurricane Luis.
Together with friends from his neighborhood, he began writing lyrics, developing his flow, and performing locally.
By the late 1990s, he was part of Rising Sun, a hip-hop group connected to the emerging Hip Hop Foundation movement in Saint Martin. These early experiences established the foundation of his musical identity.
In the early 2000s, Solano continued his musical journey in France, spending time in Grenoble, Lyon, and Paris. His European years introduced him to professional recording environments, international producers, and new opportunities.
Among his early recordings was You Should Know (2002), featuring fellow Saint Martin musician LM Fidem, recorded in Lyon.
Other collaborations included Paris-based artist Humphrey and Danish producer Easy Cut, also credited as Ezi Cut in historical artist materials.
His career also included live performances and opening appearances for international acts, including DJ Premier and Slum Village.
One of the defining moments of SolanoMusic's career came through Rap Life, featuring Paris-based artist Humphrey.
The collaboration began in France and expanded internationally, with the music video filmed in Stockholm, Sweden, in June 2005. Solano's historical artist archives document the video shoot on June 9, 2005, alongside a performance at Berns in Stockholm.
The music video subsequently received airplay on TRACE TV, while the song also gained exposure in Cameroon.
This period represented a major milestone in Solano's career, connecting his music and artistic collaborations across France, Sweden, the Caribbean, and Africa.
In 2006, Solano's international journey extended to Cameroon through events surrounding the Cameroon Hip-Hop Awards.
He appeared on the announced lineup of preliminary concerts alongside international artists including French rapper La Fouine and J-Ro of the American hip-hop group Tha Alkaholiks.
The experience further connected his musical career to the African hip-hop scene and marked an important chapter in his international development.
Today, SolanoMusic continues developing new music and creative projects. His contemporary work brings together hip-hop, R&B, soul, Caribbean influences, and introspective songwriting.
Much of his earlier material came from a place of anger and confrontation — songs shaped by frustration with the world and the need to name what felt wrong out loud. That work is not erased; it is transformed.
His music today is more reflective, grounded, soulful and intentional. The energy has not disappeared — it has matured. The questions are still difficult, but the delivery is steadier.
Projects such as Everyday Rebel reflect this evolving perspective: questioning conformity, thinking independently, choosing awareness over distraction, and exploring growth, identity, truth and transformation.
Alongside music, Solano is active in cultural development, audiovisual production, and writing — including House Of Hip-Hop Saint Martin – Association Cultures Urbaines and his book, The Unsatisfied Soul: Forward Is Not Always the Best Direction.
House Of Hip-Hop Saint Martin – Association Cultures Urbaines is an initiative dedicated to promoting hip-hop culture, supporting local artists, developing educational and artistic opportunities, and strengthening Saint Martin's creative community.
houseofhiphopsxm.comSolano's media company, JOSOLO Creative Agency, develops audiovisual and cultural content, including interviews, podcasts, documentary projects, and creative productions exploring Caribbean identity, music, and society.
josolocreativeagency.comSolano is the author of The Unsatisfied Soul: Forward Is Not Always the Best Direction, exploring reflection, personal growth, and the search for meaning.
Amazon
Forward Is Not Always the Best Direction
By Jorge Solano-Lopez
Beyond music, Jorge Solano-Lopez explores personal growth, identity, and the search for meaning through writing.
In The Unsatisfied Soul: Forward Is Not Always the Best Direction, he challenges the constant pursuit of progress and external achievement, inviting readers to question familiar ideas about success, fulfillment, and personal transformation.
Through reflections on self-awareness and inner alignment, the book explores the importance of understanding oneself rather than simply moving forward.
