Gabriel Muñoz: Elevando el Cuatro Puertorriqueño al Escenario Mundial

In the skilled hands of Gabriel Muñoz, the Puerto Rican cuatro does more than sing—it tells powerful stories of ancestry, resistance, identity, and joy. These melodies, born in the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico, now echo on stages around the globe.

From local performances in Trenton, New Jersey, to iconic venues like the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress, Gabriel has become a proud ambassador of traditional Puerto Rican music. As this genre finds renewed meaning in modern spaces, Gabriel’s mission becomes even more urgent: to preserve, elevate, and innovate the sound of the Puerto Rican cuatro.

Más que un Instrumento Musical

“El cuatro es el instrumento nacional de Puerto Rico—pero fuera de la isla, todavía no es tan conocido,” Gabriel explains in his interview with Mercer Latino. “Lo que yo hago no es música comercial. No es jazz, no es pop. Es profundamente cultural.”

Rooted in jíbaro music and Puerto Rican folklore, the cuatro embodies the soul of a people shaped by resilience and pride. For Gabriel, each performance is an act of cultural preservation and storytelling. “Even if people don’t fully understand the music, especially those outside our culture,” he says, “they feel it. That emotional connection—that’s powerful.”

And that power is spreading. Gabriel’s cuatro has reached audiences not just in the U.S., but in Colombia, Germany, Japan, and beyond. “People write to me. They’re listening. They’re curious. And they’re embracing it.”

Música con Misión y Raíces

Gabriel isn’t only a performer—he’s a cultural educator and mentor. Through his work with educational institutions, oral history archives, and youth programs, Gabriel is ensuring the cuatro’s legacy for future generations.

“Yes, I experiment with other genres,” he says. “The cuatro is versatile. But I always stay grounded in traditional music. That’s my foundation.”

For Gabriel, the mission is clear: spread Puerto Rican heritage through music. As the cuatro continues to travel across borders, he envisions a future where it’s celebrated globally. “I want to take this sound to places that never expected it—and let them feel the rhythm and emotion of Puerto Rico.”

El Cuatro en la Música Global

We asked Gabriel for his thoughts on the cuatro’s presence in global pop music—especially since Bad Bunny’s latest album features the instrument, played by two of Gabriel’s close friends.

“There’s been debate in the traditional scene about this,” Gabriel says. “But to me, it’s a big moment. Bad Bunny included the cuatro. Our sound is now reaching millions.”

Far from dilution, Gabriel sees this as evolution. “We’ve spent years trying to get this music heard. Now it’s in the mainstream. That’s powerful. That opens doors.”

De Trenton al Mundo: Una Historia Boricua

From Trenton, NJ to international stages, Gabriel Muñoz is forging a legacy built on authenticity, passion, and Puerto Rican pride.

“My dream is to see the cuatro recognized around the world—not just as a beautiful instrument, but as a symbol of Puerto Rican identity.”

And with every chord, every performance, and every cultural connection, Gabriel is turning that dream into reality.