Joe Bataan (born Bataan Nitollano, November 5, 1942) is a Filipino-American Latin soul singer, songwriter, and musician widely recognized as the “King of Latin Soul.” Born in New York City and raised in Spanish Harlem, Bataan grew up immersed in the vibrant sounds of Latin boogaloo and African-American doo-wop, which became the foundation of his unique style.

He launched his career in 1966 with his band Joe Bataan and the Latin Swingers, quickly earning acclaim for hits like Gypsy Woman and Riot! His innovative blend of Latin rhythms and soulful English-language ballads captured the attention of Fania Records, making him one of the leading voices in the Latin music scene alongside artists like Ralfi Pagan.

After coining the term “salsoul” with his post-Fania albums and pioneering early hip hop hits such as Rap-O Clap-O, Bataan took a hiatus in the 1980s to focus on family and youth counseling. He returned to music in 2005 with the album Call My Name and has continued to perform worldwide, collaborating with groups like French band Setenta and Spanglish Fly, and headlining festivals including Latin Rock on the Dock.

Bataan’s career spans decades of innovation, from Latin soul classics to contemporary collaborations, earning him lifetime recognition, including the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Filipino American National Historical Society.