Grogus, forming in 2002 as a side project of renowned jazz quartet Squat, combines various musical elements, including Latin jazz, salsa, son, descarga, New Orleans, merengue, reggaeton, hip hop, funk, and reggae. Initially, Grogus began by adding percussionists and woodwinds to the Squat line up, providing a medium for experimenting with a larger ensemble. The sound drew heavily upon the Latin jazz and funk arrangements of musicians like Tito Puente, Thelonius Monk, Horrace Silver and Duke Ellington.