Raúl Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He is well known as the lead singer of The Mavericks and boasts a long career as a solo artist.
Born in Miami, Malo played in local bands around town until he met guitarist Robert Reynolds and created The Mavericks. They rounded out the band with Paul Deakin and Ben Peeler and began to tour the Miami area to play their blend of country and rock music.
The group recorded five albums throughout the 1990s, with hits such as “What A Crying Shame,” “Here Comes the Rain,” “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” and “I Don’t Care (If You Love Me Anymore).” In 2000, they disbanded for a few years before returning in 2003 with their album The Mavericks. They disbanded once more and returned in 2012 where they continue to record and perform to this day.
During the period of disbanding and reunifying, Malo also began a solo career and recorded eight albums. His 2010 album Sinners and Saints peaked on the Billboard Heat seekers charts at number seven. He picked up his solo career with a double album in 2021 as well as a single album in 2023.
Malo’s solo work is informed by a blend of Americana, country, rock-and-roll, Tejano, and pop music. His personal website states that “his free-wheeling, swaggering style seamlessly blends neotraditional country, rock ’n roll, and Latin rhythmic fervor, and prominently features his lush, soaring baritone.”