El Roockie

Bio

Iván Vladimir Banista Castillo, known professionally as El Roockie, is a Panamanian reggae artist born in Panama City. He emerged in the early 2000s within Panama’s reggae en español scene, blending dancehall, roots reggae, and Latin rhythms. His breakthrough came with the 2006 album “El Rey Del Roock,” followed by hits such as “La Isla,” “Te Ves Buena,” and “No Digas Na.” El Roockie has collaborated with artists including Makano, Tommy Real, and Danger Man, and remains active in the Panamanian urban and reggae circuit.