Alofoke
Santiago “Alofoke” Matías is one of the most influential media and music executives in the Dominican Republic and the wider Caribbean. Born Esmelin Santiago Matías García in Santo Domingo’s Capotillo neighborhood, he began his career in music as a touring vocalist with rapper Vakeró in 2000. While studying systems engineering, he identified a gap in media coverage for Dominican urban music and launched AlofokeMusic.net in 2006, which quickly became the go-to platform for emerging hip hop, reggaetón, and dembow artists.
In 2013, Matías launched the now-iconic Alofoke Radio Show, a media juggernaut blending music, entertainment, and social commentary with viral, often controversial interviews. His raw and direct format has featured music stars like Bad Bunny, Anuel AA, J Balvin, El Alfa, Natti Natasha, and Arcángel, as well as political figures including former president Hipólito Mejía and vice president Margarita Cedeño. That same year, he founded Fuse Music, which helped catapult Dominican rapper Mark B to fame through collaborations with Maluma and Bad Bunny.
In 2021, Matías partnered with Ozuna to acquire and relaunch Sonido Suave 99.3 FM as Alofoke FM, cementing his leadership in urban radio. That year, he also co-founded De Último Minuto, one of the country’s fastest-growing digital news outlets.
In 2024, he joined Gerard Piqué and Miguel Layún’s Kings League Américas as president of the team Galácticos del Caribe, alongside fellow team owners like Arcángel, and James Rodríguez.
In 2025, Alofoke Music signed a landmark partnership with Sony Music Central America & Caribbean, making Sony the exclusive distributor of all upcoming releases and acquiring over 700 tracks from the label’s catalog, including hits like “Qué Linda,” “Con Sonido,” and “Baje con Trenza.” The alliance marks a defining moment for Dominican urban music on the global stage.
Recognized for reshaping entertainment and digital communication across Latin America, Matías has earned multiple Premios Soberano as “Youtuber of the Year” and a 2023 Premios Heat award for “Digital Content Platform of the Year.” At 42, he remains a cultural entrepreneur, media innovator, and a powerful advocate for Dominican talent.
In 2013, Matías launched the now-iconic Alofoke Radio Show, a media juggernaut blending music, entertainment, and social commentary with viral, often controversial interviews. His raw and direct format has featured music stars like Bad Bunny, Anuel AA, J Balvin, El Alfa, Natti Natasha, and Arcángel, as well as political figures including former president Hipólito Mejía and vice president Margarita Cedeño. That same year, he founded Fuse Music, which helped catapult Dominican rapper Mark B to fame through collaborations with Maluma and Bad Bunny.
In 2021, Matías partnered with Ozuna to acquire and relaunch Sonido Suave 99.3 FM as Alofoke FM, cementing his leadership in urban radio. That year, he also co-founded De Último Minuto, one of the country’s fastest-growing digital news outlets.
In 2024, he joined Gerard Piqué and Miguel Layún’s Kings League Américas as president of the team Galácticos del Caribe, alongside fellow team owners like Arcángel, and James Rodríguez.
In 2025, Alofoke Music signed a landmark partnership with Sony Music Central America & Caribbean, making Sony the exclusive distributor of all upcoming releases and acquiring over 700 tracks from the label’s catalog, including hits like “Qué Linda,” “Con Sonido,” and “Baje con Trenza.” The alliance marks a defining moment for Dominican urban music on the global stage.
Recognized for reshaping entertainment and digital communication across Latin America, Matías has earned multiple Premios Soberano as “Youtuber of the Year” and a 2023 Premios Heat award for “Digital Content Platform of the Year.” At 42, he remains a cultural entrepreneur, media innovator, and a powerful advocate for Dominican talent.