Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento

He turned the orchestra into one of Latin America's premier salsa institutions, ushering in a golden age for the genre.

For over six decades, El Gran Combo not only served as an informal training grounds for dozens of salsa musicians, it also influenced global superstars like Bad Bunny, who sampled one of their songs in his latest album.

Puerto Rican Governor Jennifer Gonzalez Colon announced that the island will soon hold an official date of mourning for Itier.

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

Rafael Itier founded El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico in 1962.

The Korean War veteran served as El Combo's principal pianist and director.

He turned the orchestra into one of Latin America's premier salsa institutions, ushering in a golden age for the genre.

For over six decades, El Gran Combo not only served as an informal training ground for dozens of salsa musicians, it also influenced global superstars like Bad Bunny, who sampled one of their songs in his latest album.

Puerto Rican Governor Jennifer Gonzalez Colon announced that the island will soon hold an official date of mourning for Itier.

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

Rihanna's anti just hit 500 non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album came out nearly a decade ago, in January 2016.

Fans and critics have long awaited a follow-up release from the pop star and Fenty Beauty entrepreneur.

But it looks like Anti is the gift that keeps on giving.

It's now the first album by a Black female soloist to spend that much time on the Billboard 200.

In a post on X, the singer celebrated, writing, God ain't forget about me.

No word about future musical projects, but for now, anti's still going strong.

Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento, NPR News.

Rihanna's Anti just hit 500 non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 chart.