Manerra, whose name is Manuel Ramón Vásquez, is a Dominican singer-songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer from Santo Domingo. He won the Premio Soberano for Revelación del Año in 2023 and received his first two Latin Grammy nominations in 2026.

Training and radio

He studied classical and popular piano at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música while still at school, and graduated as a lawyer from the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE). He then worked in radio as host, presenter and producer at Pura Vida and Super Q, of Grupo Aire, where he first ran his own program, «Café a las 12».

Breakthrough

In 2018 he posted on Instagram a blues arrangement of «Me Enamoro de Ella» by Juan Luis Guerra. Guerra shared it on his own accounts, and the video spread. That year he had also won Best Music for a documentary project. His first album followed, and his music brings together bachata, son and bolero with jazz and blues.

«Bachata Colonial», «Como la Luna» and «Mantequilla y Café» made him known, and in June 2023 he released «En la Sombrita», which includes «Azul», «Son a Cuba» and «Santiaguera Bonita». The Soberano named him the first revelation of alternative music in the country. He has also won five Premios Indie Dominicano, and Forbes República Dominicana listed him among the most creative of 2022.

Latin Grammy nominations

In September 2026 «Todo Llega» earned him two Latin Grammy nominations, for Best Merengue and/or Bachata Album and, for the title song, Best Tropical Song. He presents the «Todo Llega Tour» on October 31, 2026, at Escenario 360 in Santo Domingo.