The hip hop duo, Street Vendors, are a customized blend of new school sound with old school credibility. Made up of “Al Negro” Alberto Lopez and “Berretta” Brett Vasquez, the distinctive rap group has a contagious sound filled with memorable verses like, “Thinking like a winner, there’s no way to lose” and “Work.”

 

Native New Yorkers Al Negro and Beretta have been rapping together since they were 11 years old in a young group called Baby Boyz. Al Negro, who is half Black and Puerto Rican, was discovered by music producer and singer Angel Vasquez of TKA, who is also Beretta’s father. The two grew up together in Spanish Harlem when they later went their separate ways. Beretta, of Puerto Rican descent, moved to Rockland County and went on to attend college while Al Negro continued to pursue entertainment doing some movies and commercial work. The young men later reconnected by chance, coming across each other one day when Al Negro was working at a local restaurant. Now, they are back to making feel good music. 

 

Going into the family business, Beretta has always been passionate about music. Growing up around lyrical geniuses like Busta Rhymes and Fabolous, Beretta’s inspirations come from artists like the legendary Big Pun and Tupac as well as contemporary acts like Drake and J. Cole.  Beretta adds, “If I hear a beat that I really like, that’s all the inspiration that I need to write.” Vasquez also feeds off of the collaborating energy of his musical partner, Lopez.  

 

“I cannot see myself not being in music. It’s everything to me, a deep passion,“ says Al Negro, whose musical influences include artists like Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, and Kanye West. Lopez draws from the audience and the way they react, a sure thing for Street Vendors with songs like their body bumping track “Work,” which gives Rihanna a run for her money and will get anyone up and out of their seat.

 

Watching the creative pair in the studio, they really do live up to the lyrics they write. Street Vendors tirelessly grind in the booth, riding the expertly produced hip hop beats that are laced with pop, R&B, and Latin influence. Setting them apart from the over-saturated rap pack is the fact that their music is curse free, something that will stop hip hop heads in their tracks. 

 

Street Vendors are talented artists, with creative verses, and like their motto says “sellers of street music.” With their unique twist of positivity in an industry that tends to highlight the negative, Street Vendors are music makers that motivate and inspire, yet can definitely be appreciated and respected in the streets.