Las Chicas del Can were a groundbreaking all-female merengue group that emerged from the Dominican Republic in the early 1980s, becoming one of the most beloved and historically significant ensembles in the genre's history. At a time when merengue was almost entirely a male-dominated space — both in terms of performance and the social settings where it was consumed — Las Chicas del Can broke through with energy, talent, and sheer force of personality.

Founded and led by Wilfrido Vargas, who recognized the commercial and cultural potential of an all-women merengue band, the group evolved into an institution in its own right, with lead vocalist Sandra Reyes becoming the face of Dominican merengue for a generation. Their recordings were enormously popular across the Caribbean, Latin America, and among Latinos in the United States, and their concerts were celebrated events.

Songs like El Africano — a cover that became iconic — demonstrated their ability to take material from anywhere and make it Dominican. Beyond their commercial success, Las Chicas del Can hold a lasting place in history as pioneers who challenged gender norms in Dominican music and proved that women could lead — not merely accompany — one of the country's defining popular art forms.