Chiko Mendez, a talented artist with a multifaceted career, was born in New York, where he began taking tap, guitar, and trumpet lessons at a young age. By the time he was ten, he had become proficient in English and was well-versed in various musical instruments.
Chiko's early life was marked by poverty and hardship, but he remained focused on his education and cultural development. He spent several years in Central America, where he immersed himself in the local culture and learned to play the native drum, Tambora.
After graduating from high school, Chiko attended Bellas Artes, a community institution that catered to the impoverished. He discovered advanced theatre and sculpting, and commuted daily to neighboring forests to stay with his grandparents.
Chiko's passion for music and theatre led him to pursue a career in the arts. He attended HB Studios in New York, where he honed his performing skills, and participated in over 100 projects in various capacities.
As a backup singer to Marc Anthony in the movie "El Cantante," starring Jennifer Lopez, Chiko gained recognition in the industry. He also appeared in films such as "Lavoe," "Paraiso Travel," and "Garbage," and collaborated with notable performers like Horatio Sanz, Fred Armisen, Debbie Rochon, and Steven Bauer.
Chiko is a self-trained vocalist, composer, musician, and producer, and has built his own home recording studio. He has collaborated with artists like Lisa Lisa, Tito Puente Jr., Jimmy "The Velvet Voice" Sabater, and Dave Valentin, and has had his songs featured in films and commercial releases worldwide.
As a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) and the NY Conservatory for the Arts, Chiko is now welcome to join the AEA (Actors Equity Association),a union for live theatre actors. He is a BMI recording artist and is passionate about writing, producing, and recording songs that fuse genres and cultures, and bridge language barriers.
Chiko is currently collaborating as a screenwriter, producer, vocalist, and actor, developing content for film, TV, music, and theatre.
