Puerto Rican singer Héctor Lavoe (Marc Anthony) emigrates to the United States and becomes a pioneer of salsa music. In New York, he meets Puchi (Jennifer Lopez), who becomes Héctor's loving but fiery wife. Signing with Jerry Masucci's Fania record label, Lavoe teams up with trumpeter Willie Colón (John Ortiz) to perfect the new musical style. The duo rise to fame, but Lavoe's struggle with drug addiction threatens his life as well as career.