Born New Yorker and first-generation American Ralph Mercado was honored by co-naming the street where he grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
Friends and family gathered to celebrate this Latin legend, a key figure in salsa in New York, who is now immortalized in his own neighborhood. Sunday, October 5 marked the official premiere of Ralph Mercado Way.
Their daughter, Damaris Mercado, organized the ceremony and celebration. From the booth at the Atlantic Antic’s 50th anniversary to performances by artists performing songs Ralph helped popularize, the entire day paid tribute to his legacy. Damaris spoke with pride about the emotion her family shared in seeing her father’s impact recognized, a legacy that, she assured, lives on in all of them.
“It was like a fog. I just saw a sea of people,” Damaris recalled. Preparation began at 10:00 am, two hours before the Atlantic Antic opened to the public.
Among the numerous food stalls, clothing brands, and nonprofit organizations, the Mercado Project, located near the end of the festival, stood out. Through this project, attendees learned about the contributions of Ralph Mercado and saw historical objects from his career, such as newspaper clippings and instruments that he used.
The Mercado Project seeks to keep Ralph’s legacy alive and educate new generations about his history, showcasing the man behind the music. The booth was filled with anecdotes about his life and influence in New York, including his famous basement parties, where he began his career and forged his first connections.
However, his path did not begin in music. “He worked in the clothing industry, and it was my mother who was in the music industry. She worked for a record company and gave my dad advice. Our house was the headquarters of all the dances and events: the phone calls, the flyers, the envelopes that had to be sent,” Damaris said.
Over time, the races were reversed and Ralph became an unstoppable force. As a pioneer and promoter of salsa, he represented artists such as Eddie Palmieri and Celia Cruz, the “Queen of Salsa.” He also helped launch Marc Anthony’s career and founded Ralph Mercado Management (RMM), as well as The 3 and 1 club.
“He laid a phenomenal foundation,” Damaris said. “He took Latin music to a global level and consolidated the careers of many artists who are legends today.” His influence was not limited to the Latin scene: he also promoted soul icons such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin.
Ralph’s impact transcended borders. “He still has an impact today. A lot of people keep saying how much they miss him and that he left a void in the music industry. It’s a different industry now, but he served his purpose and left a legacy,” Damaris added.
The love for Latin culture was in the air as attendees read his updated biography, available on the Mercado Project website, which includes interviews with Damaris and details of his father’s career.
The ceremony culminated with the reveal of the street name. Damaris couldn’t hide her pride and excitement when she saw Ralph Mercado Way on the light pole. “Seeing his name up there and knowing that it is history, that it is a legacy, is a way to immortalize it,” he said. “I’m glad that, at least on the Mercado Project website, there is a story that explains it.”
Although the ceremony had some setbacks, it reflected Ralph Mercado’s own legacy: a long but passionate process, which finally came to fruition in the Brooklyn neighborhood where he and his friends grew up, the place where a star’s story began.
