Notable People from Sotomayor Houses (Bronxdale Houses):

1. Sonia Sotomayor – U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Justice Sonia Sotomayor (1954- ) is the 111th Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Court’s first Hispanic-American Justice. She is an iconic figure in the American legal community with a 30-year career.2

Over a thirty year career she served as an assistant district attorney; a commercial litigator; a U.S. District Court Judge; and a U.S. Appellate Court Judge. In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her to serve as the 111th Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. On August 8, 2009, she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.4

The Justice Sonia Sotomayor Houses and Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center include 28 seven-story buildings comprising 1,497 apartments that house nearly 3,500 residents. The United States Supreme Court’s first Hispanic-American justice, Justice Sotomayor grew up in the Bronxdale Houses from 1957 to 1969.5

2. Andre Harrell – Music Executive and Rapper (1960–2020)

Andre O’Neal Harrell (September 26, 1960 – May 7, 2020) was an American record executive, media proprietor, and rapper. He formed the short-lived East Coast hip hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde with Alonzo Brown in 1980; they signed with Profile Records in 1981.6

The family resided in the Bronxdale Houses, a public housing project in the East Bronx, where Harrell experienced the realities of working-class existence in a densely populated, diverse neighborhood.7

After disbanding in 1986, Harrell founded the record label Uptown Records, which saw commercial success in contemporary R&B, new jack swing, and hip hop music releases into the next decade. The label entered a distribution deal with MCA Records and signed artists including Jodeci, Heavy D & the Boyz, Mary J. Blige, Guy, Al B. Sure, the Notorious B.I.G., and Sean Combs. Harrell is credited with discovering Combs and giving him his start in the industry.6

Harrell was appointed CEO of Motown from 1995 to 1997.6

3. Disco King Mario – Hip-Hop Pioneer DJ (1956–1994)

Disco King Mario (July 1, 1956 – May 21, 1994) was a prominent Black American DJ and pioneer of hip-hop culture. He is known for being one of the founding fathers of hip-hop. His outdoor parties and park jams made him well known in and around the Bronxdale housing projects, and he was also a member of the Black Spades.8

Mario moved from Edenton North Carolina, and relocated to the Bronxdale Houses in the 1960’s. In the early 1970’s he began to DJ and organize outdoor block parties and park jams. He is noted as one of the first DJ’s to start doing this in The Bronx and New York City. His events brought him recognition throughout New York City.8

Mario influenced some of the other DJs who were also throwing events around the time of DJ Kool Herc’s 1973 indoor party, which is often hailed as the start of hip-hop. Afrika Bambaataa started out as an assistant to Disco King Mario, and Mario loaned Bambaataa the technical equipment for many of his first DJ appearances. Mario’s negotiating ability and clout also helped Bambaataa gain access to many venues and spread Bambaataa’s name throughout the community.8

As the story goes, the Black Spades gang was founded around 1968 at the Bronxdale Houses, and by all accounts Mario was a member from their inception. As the Spades grew, so Mario’s power and influence grew across the borough.9

4. Drag-On – Rapper

Drag-On, born Melvin Jason Smalls, is an American rapper raised in the Bronxdale Housing Projects in The Bronx, New York City, New York. He is best known for his affiliation with the late DMX, as both artists were signed to the Ruff Ryders record label. Drag-On has appeared in the 2001 film Exit Wounds and the 2003 film Cradle 2 the Grave, alongside his label-mate DMX.10

5. Aaron “Superman” Davis – Professional Boxer

Aaron Davis, known as “Superman,” turned professional in 1986 and won his first 32 fights. His rise included a stunning 9th-round knockout upset over Mark Breland, capturing the WBA Welterweight Title in 1990. He lost the title the following year to former light-welterweight champion Meldrick Taylor.10

Notably, Aaron Davis was never knocked out in a professional fight and retired in 2002. Aaron is from Disco King Mario’s Building, Bronxdale Housing Projects, Bronx, New York.10

The Sotomayor Houses (Bronxdale Houses) have produced remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to American law, music, hip-hop culture, and sports. The development holds a particularly important place in hip-hop history as the birthplace of much of the early culture that would go on to become a global phenomenon.