DJ Charlie Chase, born Carlos Mendes in 1959, is a pioneering Puerto Rican DJ who played a pivotal role in the early hip-hop scene of the Bronx, New York. As a co-founder of The Cold Crush Brothers in 1975, alongside DJ Tony Tone, Chase was instrumental in integrating Latino influences into hip-hop, thereby broadening the genre's cultural scope. His innovative techniques and dynamic performances not only set new standards for DJs but also paved the way for future generations of Latino artists in hip-hop. Chase's contributions have been crucial in shaping the genre's evolution and ensuring its rich, multicultural foundation.