Chimbala was born Leury José Tejeda Brito in the capital of the Dominican Republic on May 18, 1989. He was raised in a working-class neighborhood of Santo Domingo initially in the 27 de Febrero sector before his family moved to Los Guaricanos in Villa Mella (Santo Domingo Norte).
He grew up in modest circumstances, describing himself as having been “born into a humble family,” and lost his father while still a child. In his youth, Chimbala took on responsibilities to help support his family. For example, as a teenager, he began producing music for local friends in his barrio, partly to contribute to the household income. He essentially started his career as a music producer in his neighborhood at a very young age.
Key Facts About Chimbala (2026)
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leury José Tejeda Brito |
| Stage Name | Chimbala |
| Date of Birth | May 18, 1989 |
| Age (2026) | 36 years old |
| Birthplace | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Background | Raised in a humble, working-class family |
| Early Struggles | Lost his father at a young age and supported his family early |
| Career Start | Began as a local music producer in his neighborhood |
| Profession | Rapper, singer, and music producer |
| Music Genre | Dembow, reggaeton, and tropical urban music |
| Breakthrough Song | “El Juidero” (2019) with Bulin 47 |
| Major Hit | “Loco” (2021) reached #1 on Billboard Latin charts |
| Viral Success | “Che Che” (2024) gained global popularity on TikTok |
| Key Collaborations | Worked with Justin Quiles, Zion & Lennox, Wisin, El Alfa |
| Net Worth (2026) | Not publicly disclosed; income from music, tours, and licensing |
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Chimbala’s Music Career
Leury José Tejeda Brito, known professionally as Chimbala, is a Dominican rapper, singer and producer who has emerged as a leading figure in the Latin urban music scene. His energetic style fuses Caribbean dembow with reggaeton and tropical rhythms, and industry reports note that he has helped take Dominican dembow from underground clubs to a global audience.
Over the past decade, Chimbala has built a reputation as a hitmaker in urban Latin music, earning recognition as a reference point for the genre in Latin America.
Breakthrough in Dembow and Rise in Latin Music
Chimbala began gaining prominence in the mid-2010s by releasing high-energy club tracks in the Dominican Republic. A key early milestone was his 2019 single “El Juidero” (a collaboration with Bulin 47), which became ubiquitous in local dance scenes.
That song in particular broke into Dominican pop culture, and it earned Chimbala his first major award at the national level. This early success set the stage for his transition into broader Latin markets, paving the way for subsequent crossover hits.
Major Songs, Hits, and Career Highlights
Chimbala’s catalog features several major dance hits. For example, his 2018 single “Maniquí” and the 2019 song “Rueda” became popular anthems on Latin dance floors. The 2019 hit “El Juidero” (with Bulin 47) topped Dominican charts as one of the year’s biggest tracks.
In 2021 he released “Loco” featuring Justin Quiles and Zion & Lennox, which became one of his signature songs. Each of these tracks enjoyed millions of streams and widespread airplay.
More recently, Chimbala’s 2024 single “Che Che” went viral on social media – it climbed to #33 on Billboard’s U.S. TikTok chart and generated over 1.7 million user videos, even inspiring an official Fortnite dance emote due to its contagious choreography. (Other notable releases include the romantic track “Déjate Ver” in 2023 and a series of singles blending dembow with tropical and merengue elements.)
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Collaborations with Top Latin Artists
Chimbala has worked with many of the biggest names in Latin urban music. His single “Loco” (2021) paired him with reggaeton stars Justin Quiles and Zion & Lennox.
Beyond that, he has collaborated with leading artists such as Wisin, El Alfa, Carlos Vives, Arcángel and Natti Natasha. These partnerships (both in recordings and on stage) have helped integrate Chimbala into the mainstream Latin music network and introduce his sound to diverse audiences.
Career Achievements, Awards, and Milestones
Chimbala’s career is marked by significant industry recognition. His 2019 song “El Juidero” won the Dominican Republic’s Premio Soberano for Collaboration of the Year in 2020. The 2021 hit “Loco” reached #1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay and Latin Rhythm charts in the United States, a rare milestone for a Dominican urban act.
His 2024 single “Che Che” also earned notable achievements: in addition to its TikTok success, it charted on Billboard’s U.S. Top 50 TikTok Tracks and helped broaden Chimbala’s international profile. In addition, he has received nominations at major Latin music award shows and continued winning acclaim on Dominican radio charts.
Chimbala’s Influence on Dembow and Urban Music
Industry coverage frequently highlights Chimbala’s influence on the dembow genre. Press notes credit him with “taking dembow from the underground to a global movement” and emphasize that he has been at “the vanguard of Latin urban music” for more than ten years.
By consistently blending traditional Caribbean rhythms with modern urban production, Chimbala has helped popularize Dominican dembow both in Latin America and beyond. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers bringing Dominican street music into mainstream Latin pop, inspiring a new generation of urban artists.
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Current Music Projects and Industry Presence
In the 2021–2026 period, Chimbala has remained highly active in recording and touring. During the COVID-19 pandemic he adapted by headlining a virtual concert on the Ultra Conciertos streaming platform in early 2021, performing many of his hits (such as “Maniquí,” “Tan Celoso” and “Rueda”) to an online audience.
As live shows resumed, he launched the U.S. leg of his Coronando el Dembow tour – for example, playing dates in New York, Miami and Orlando in 2023. His recent releases include the 2023 ballad “Déjate Ver” and several dance tracks that have kept fans engaged.
Notably, in late 2024 he put out “Che Che” (which became a TikTok viral hit) and in 2025 he released new singles such as “Te lo quedas” (featuring Alofoke and Bulin 47) and “Bonita” (with Puerto Rican violinist-producer Frabian Eli). Chimbala has also continued appearing at major events; for instance, he performed in Orlando in November 2025 alongside stars like Arcángel and Jowell & Randy.
Chimbala Net Worth
As of 2026, his net worth has not been publicly disclosed, and no figures have been officially verified by major financial authorities. He generates income from recorded music and related royalties, live performances, and licensing deals.
His revenue streams include sales and streaming of his songs, as well as concert and tour fees. For example, his single “Che Che” has accumulated over 85 million streams across digital platforms and 257 million views on YouTube, and it was licensed as an official Fortnite emote highlighting earnings from both streaming and synchronization deals.
He also performs frequently on tour; Songkick data indicate that he held 16 concerts in 2022, contributing to his performance income. However, specific earnings from albums, tours, or endorsements have not been publicly disclosed.
FAQs
Who is Chimbala?
Chimbala is a Dominican rapper, singer, and music producer known for his role in popularizing dembow music. He is recognized as a leading figure in Latin urban music.
What is Chimbala’s real name?
Chimbala’s real name is Leury José Tejeda Brito. He was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
When did Chimbala start his music career?
Chimbala began his career at a young age as a local music producer in his neighborhood. He gained wider recognition in the mid-2010s.
What genre of music does Chimbala make?
Chimbala primarily creates dembow music, often blending it with reggaeton and tropical sounds. His style is known for energetic and dance-focused tracks.
What was Chimbala’s breakthrough song?
His breakthrough came with “El Juidero” (2019), a collaboration with Bulin 47. The song became widely popular in the Dominican Republic.
Has Chimbala won any awards?
Yes, “El Juidero” won Collaboration of the Year at the Premio Soberano in 2020. This marked a key milestone in his career.
