Punta Rock Music Businessmen of Honduran Garifuna Heritage, THE ROCHEZ BROTHERS, Return to Belize

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The Rochez Brothers aim to re-establish ties and relationships with Belizean Musicians, Artists, Technicians, and other Cultural Forces in Belize

Belize City, Belize, Central America – Love FM, a Belizean Radio Station operating out of Belize City, recently reported that The Rochez Brothers, Punta Rock Music Empresarios and the owners of the GARIFUNA KIDS brand, visited Belize in February 2023 to pay homage to the birthplace of Punta Rock music.

Jorge Rochez, talked about why their visit to Belize was essential. He explained,

“This is a very significant moment for us, being back after a couple of years. I remember we came for the first time, to Belize, in the 1990s. 1995 to be precise. We are here just to revisit and continue that work that we started back then, a couple of years ago.” – Jorge Rochez – Owner Garifuna Kids/Black Men Soul

Mr. Jorge Rochez added,

“You know, everything started here in Belize. The place of Birth of Punta Rock music is in Belize. So we take this country, very serious and with a lot of respect, when it comes to our music. And we also Thank them for starting that journey. We see it as our responsibility to continue what a couple of Belizeans started.” – Jorge Rochez – Owner, Garifuna Kids/Black Men Soul

Mr. Dennis Rochez, co-owner of the Garifuna Kids / Black Men Soul brand, says the visit is also about re-establishing ties between the band and The Belizeans who have been working to keep the Garifuna music alive.

“We have all the people here that are always behind-the-scenes, behind the camera that you don’t see. That have done so much for the Garifuna music, for the Black music of Belize, for all Belizean Music. And you hardly know them. One of them that I’d like to mention is Rene Villanueva and his son, Rene Villanueva Jr. We have a good friendship from way back and coming to see them, meet them after many years is really a special moment for us.” – Dennis Rochez – Owner, Garifuna Kids / Black Men Soul

The Rochez Brothers, along with their Bands/Musicians are doing what they can to ensure that future generations can enjoy the music produced by their ancestors.

In 2024, The International Decade for People of African Descent, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly, comes to an end. Mr. Dennis Rochez explained that he it is important to highlight the work Belize has been doing during this period, to keep Black History alive.

“Belize has given a lot. We are here to meet Brothers, Sisters, and our Government Members, so we could sit around a table and set up a good strategy of how to highlight these good things that we have given to the world. But due to different reasons, discrimination, segregation, you name it, they don’t really want to let the world know of all these positive things we have given to society.” – Dennis Rochez – Owner, Garifuna Kids/Black Men Soul

The Rochez Brothers are the men responsible for the Brand of pioneering Punta Rock Men’s Group, Garifuna Kids. They are also responsible for the group, Black Men’s Soul.

Garifuna Kids had a number of members as the Original members had conflicts with each other and or The Rochez Brothers management, which led to their leaving the group. Despite that conflict, Garifuna Kids released a number of albums in the 1990s. They Include:

Punta Con Garifuna Kids – Baila Baila – 1995