“El León de la Salsa” was born in the Caracas neighborhood of Etamin where he began to show interest in percussion instruments and to sing at social activities as a young child. His capacity to improvise, the texture of his voice and his intense love for the music make Oscar D’León a born “sonero” in the best Latin tradition.

Today, his name is recognized all over the world, but in his home country of Venezuela, his is an idol, not only as a singer and musician, but also as a self-made man of humble origin who overcame his circumstances and achieved fame and fortune. Oscar D’León is possibly the most recognized Venezuelan artist outside his own country.He was influenced by the great masters of Cuban music, especially by “soneros” Beny Moré and La Sonora Matancera. His other influences come from the New York ssala sound of the 60s, particularly Eddie Palmieri and the Fania generation.Besides being a great sonero, Oscar D’León is an extraordinary showman, an entertainer who takes charge of the stage even before singing his first words, and he moves with the easiness of a professional dancer.

On June 20th, Oscar D'Le?n suffered 3 heart attacks while performing in the Caribbean Island of Martinique. Medical tests discovered that he had 3 heart attacks, 1 on the stage while performing and 2 more in the hospital. The diagnosis of the heart attacks were due to high cholesterol and he was told to control his diet in the future. Doctors gave D'Le?n two pacemakers, and he was forced to cancel tour dates in severaL countries. "This is a lesson to take care of myself more," said D'Le?n. During a news conference Monday, June 30, in his hometown of Caracas, D'Le?n said: "Oscar D'Leon will be around for a while. If God lets me, I'll be singing until I'm 90."

Oscar D’León has recorded more than 50 albums, including several gold records. He has also received numerous awards and honors.

With La Salsa Mayor: Con Bajo y Todo El Oscar de la Salsa" Siéntate Ahí Doble Play

La Salsa Mayor (1977)

El Más Grande (1978)

Oscar de León y su Salsa Mayor (Top Hits, 1979)

El Rey de los Soneros (RMM, 1992)

Sonero del mundo (RMM 82003, 1996)

En Nueva York (RMM 82153, 1997)

Toitico Tuyo (1997)

La Fórmula Original (RMM 282 268, 1999)

En Vivo (RMM 284 097, 2000)

Doble Play, con Wladimir (Universal Music Latino 013 179, 2000)

Más que Amor, Frenesí (Universal Music Latino 14465, 2001)

Edición Limitada (Universal Music Latino 017 672, 2002)

The Best (RMM 017, 2002)

Infinito (Universal music, 2003)