Rafael Hernández is one of the most important figures in Latin music in the United States. He penned what is considered to be the first Latin protest song in the U.S. (“Lamento Borincano”) during the Great Depression. His group "Cuarteto Victoria" was named in honor of his sister Victoria who owned one of the most seminal Latin record shops in New York City called "Almacenes Hernandez" on Madison Ave and 114th St in El Barrio.