Uptown 2011 Movers & Shakers: Michael Diaz – The Strategist

BY Led Black (@Led_Black)

Photo by Mike Fitelson.

Juan Bago is a character.

Michael Diaz, on the other hand, is most definitely not. Another thing that Michael Diaz is not – is an overnight sensation. Michael has been putting in work for years now, planning, plotting and building relationships. The thing that most people don’t know about Michael is that while he loves to joke and kid around, at his core, he is a thinker, a theorist and a strategist.

What else could explain the type of year that this man is currently enjoying? It began early in February with the explosion of Pan Con Queso. All of a sudden, it seemed that Juan Bago was ubiquitous. World Star Hip-Hop, Billboard, NY Daily News, Mun 2 and La Mega just to name a few.

Not one to rest on his laurels, while Pan Con Queso was making its inevitable climb to a million plus hits, Michael was already working on his next viral masterpiece. To dispel any inkling of being a one-hit wonder, Juan Bago and his partner O, dropped Dominis In The Heights in October and solidified their standing.

In between those 2 mega hits, Michael Diaz created and starred in a short film that debuted at the New York International Latino Film Festival, had a popular radio show on blog talk radio and had one hell of a epic birthday party at Apt 78 in the summer. Not to mention that Michael and the Bago Bunch (Dominican Pie, Frank Nibbs, Jakira Torres, Sasha Inoa) pulled off the amazing, theatrical double-hitter adaptations of Piri Thomas’ Down These Mean Streets and Junot’s The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao at the Shabazz Center in one night in June.

Just recently, Michael did some uproariously funny voice over work in tandem with Joe Jonas (yeah, that Joe Jonas) and Mun 2. With all that said, Michael remains the same humble and hardworking guy he has always been. While 2012 is not yet here, Michael has been busy plotting the major moves he will be making in the coming new year. Stay tuned and grab your shades because the future looks quite bright for Michael Diaz. That’s ok – indeed!

Photo by Mike Fitelson.

Check out:

Uptown 2011 Movers & Shakers: Ydanis Rodriguez – A Man of the People

Uptown 2011 Movers & Shakers: Mino Lora and Bob Braswell – Bringing Theater to The Heights

Uptown 2011 Movers & Shakers: Gloria Pazmiño – From Avena to Zuccotti in 12 easy months

Uptown 2011 Movers & Shakers: Jose Morales & A Year At The Apartment

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  • lola
    May 6, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    Good afternoon
    i have been listening latley to a up and coming arist by the name of Ehlee. I believe she in bodies the true defintion of a diamond in the rough. Raised by her older sister and mother. Ehlee’s mother widowed whe she was young. She sought refudge in music. She sings, raps, and writes all her material, attends college and works part time.If you have time please check her out.