LOS ANGELES, CA — Who is Tito Rodríguez, also known as the “Hood Santa” out of Long Beach, California? He is not the legendary Puerto Rican singer Tito Rodríguez (1923-1973), who had a big impact on the Latin community. Latino Sports founder and president, Julio Pabón, described Tito Rodríguez as a legend, saying, “He was our Frank Sinatra—known worldwide, selling out concerts in Japan, where he met his wife. His house in Puerto Rico even features a pagoda roof.”
Though they share the same name, the singer was a Latin music icon known for mambo and boleros. In contrast, the “Hood Santa” is a modern-day humanitarian who is helping families find affordable housing in the Los Angeles area as well as providing disadvantaged kids with gifts, demonstrating how a shared name can carry extremely different legacies.
Tito Rodríguez, aka the “Hood Santa,” was featured on Fox 11 Los Angeles last week as the news station recognizes the good works and people across the Southern California region throughout the holiday season – Image Credit: Fox 11 Los Angeles
Although they both made their mark in the music business, today’s Tito Rodríguez has taken his success in the Hip-Hop and Rap genre, working with mega stars like Snoop Dogg and Big Tray Deee, while using his wealth to give back to those less fortunate in today’s times of uncertainty and suffering.
It was not a pretty life for Francisco growing up on 15th Street in Long Beach near Compton, California. He was poor and faced daily personal struggles, experiencing poverty and his father committed suicide on Christmas Eve, when he was six years old. It led him into a life of crime at a young age, that eventually sent him to juvenile hall. But a pivotal moment, seeing his mother’s pain spurred his change. He was determined to change his life around for the better.
Today, he can be seen on the streets of poor communities in his Santa outfit, giving out food, toys, and cash to the needy while providing additional resources to families. He got his nickname when a child told him, “Santa don’t come here. You’re the Hood Santa.”
Well, kid, Santa does come to your ‘Hood’ and is not just bringing toys and food. He is showing us that there are still good people in this world.
Hopefully, the efforts from the “Hood Santa” will inspire others to remember where they came from and to give back to those who are struggling in their everyday lives.
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