Rafael Hernández Marín was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on October 24, 1892. Displaying musical talent from a young age, he learned to play multiple instruments, including the cornet, violin, trombone, guitar, and piano. During World War I, Hernández served in the U.S. Army's 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, where he played in the regimental band. After the war, he pursued a career in music, composing over 3,000 songs that spanned genres such as bolero, guaracha, and canción. Among his most celebrated works are "Lamento Borincano," "Preciosa," and "El Cumbanchero." Hernández's music often reflected the cultural pride and resilience of the Puerto Rican people, solidifying his legacy as one of the island's most cherished composers. He passed away on December 11, 1965, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.