In what year was Fania Records founded?

Fania Records was founded in 1964.

The New York–based label was established by Dominican-born bandleader and composer Johnny Pacheco and American lawyer and promoter Jerry Masucci. It began as a small operation focused on recording, promoting, and distributing Latin music for New York’s growing Latino community.

Fania became central to the international rise of salsa. Its roster eventually included major figures such as Willie Colón, Celia Cruz, Héctor Lavoe, Ray Barretto, Cheo Feliciano, Larry Harlow, and Rubén Blades. Pacheco’s early recording “Cañonazo” helped the young label expand its audience and artist base.

A nearby date often causes confusion: the Fania All-Stars were formed in 1968, four years after the record label itself began. Their celebrated 1971 Cheetah performance and 1973 Yankee Stadium concert came later, during Fania’s rapid growth.