In musical terminology, tempo (Italian for ''time'', plural: ''tempi'') is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.

Measuring tempo

The tempo of a piece will typically be written at the start of a piece of music, and in modern music is usually indicated in beats per minute (BPM). This means that a particular note value (for example, a quarter note or crotchet) is specified as the beat, and the marking indicates that a certain number of these beats must be played per minute. The greater the tempo, the larger the number of beats that must be played in a minute is, and, therefore, the faster a piece must be played. Mathematical tempo markings of this kind became increasingly popular during the first half of the 19th century, after the metronome had been invented by Johann Nepomuk Mälzel, although early metronomes were somewhat inconsistent. Beethoven was the first composer to use the metronome, and in 1817 he published metronomic indications for his (then) eight symphonies. Some of these markings are today contentious, such as those on his "Hammerklavier" Sonata and Ninth Symphony, seeming to many to be almost impossibly fast, as is also the case for many of the works of Schumann.

With the advent of modern electronics, BPM became an extremely precise measure. Music sequencers use the BPM system to denote tempo.

As an alternative to metronome markings, some 20th century composers (such as Béla Bartók and John Cage) would give the total execution time of a piece, from which the proper tempo can be roughly derived.

Tempo is as crucial in contemporary music as it is in classical. In electronic dance music, accurate knowledge of a tune's BPM is important to DJs for the purposes of beatmatching.

Musical vocabulary for tempo

Whether a music piece has a mathematical time indication or not, in classical music it is customary to describe the tempo of a piece by one or more words. Most of these words are Italian, because many of the most important composers of the 17th century were Italian, and this period was when tempo indications were first used extensively.

Before the metronome, words were the only way to describe the tempo of a composition. Yet after the metronome's invention, these words continued to be used, often additionally indicating the mood of the piece, thus blurring the traditional distinction between tempo and mood indicators. For example, ''presto'' and ''allegro'' both indicate a speedy execution (''presto'' being faster), but ''allegro'' also connotes joy (from its original meaning in Italian). ''Presto'', on the other hand, indicates speed as such.

Additional Italian words also indicate tempo and mood. For example, the "agitato" in the ''Allegro agitato'' of the last movement of George Gershwin's piano concerto in F has both a tempo indication (undoubtedly faster than a usual ''Allegro'') and a mood indication ("agitated").

Understood tempo

In some cases (quite often up to the end of the Baroque period), conventions governing musical composition were so strong that no tempo had to be indicated. For example, the first movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 has no tempo or mood indication whatsoever. To provide movement names, publishers of recordings resort to ad hoc measures, for instance marking the Brandenburg movement "Allegro", "(Allegro)", "(Without indication)", and so on.

In Renaissance music most music was understood to flow at a tempo defined by the tactus, roughly the rate of the human heartbeat. Which note value corresponded to the tactus was indicated by the mensural time signature.

Often a particular musical form or genre implies its own tempo, so no further explanation is placed in the score. Thus musicians expect a minuet to be performed at a fairly stately tempo, slower than a Viennese waltz; a Perpetuum Mobile to be quite fast, and so on. Genres can be used to imply tempos; thus Ludwig van Beethoven wrote "In tempo d'un Menuetto" over the first movement of his Piano Sonata Op. 54, although that movement is not a minuet. Popular music charts use terms such as "bossa nova", "ballad", and "Latin rock" in much the same way.

It is important to remember when interpreting these words that not only have tempos changed over historical time, and even in different places, but sometimes even the ordering of terms has changed. Thus a modern largo is slower than an adagio, but in the Baroque period it was faster.

==Beats per minute== Beats per minute (BPM) is a unit typically used as a measure of tempo in music.

The BPM tempo of a piece of music is conventionally shown in its score as a metronome mark, as illustrated to the right. This indicates that there should be 120 crotchet beats (quarter notes) per minute. In simple time signatures it is conventional to show the tempo in terms of the note duration on the bottom. So a 4/4 would show a crotchet (or quarter note), as above, while a 2/2 would show a minim (or half note).

In compound time signatures the beat consists of three note durations (so there are 3 quavers (eighth notes) per beat in a 6/8 time signature), so a dotted form of the next note duration up is used. The most common compound signatures: 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8, therefore use a dotted crotchet (dotted quarter note) to indicate their BPM.

Exotic time and particularly slow time signatures may indicate their BPM tempo using other note durations.

Beats per minute became common terminology in disco because of its usefulness to DJs, and remain important in the same genre and other dance music.

In this context the beats measured are either crotchets (quarter notes) in the time signature (sometimes called down-beats, although the term is ambiguous), or drum beats (typically bass-drum or another functionally similar synthesized sound), whichever is more frequent. Higher BPM values are therefore achievable by increasing the number of drum beats, without increasing the tempo of the music. House music is faster around 120-128 bpm (from regular house music to UK Garage), and Jungle music generally ranges between 150-180 bpm. Psytrance is almost exclusively produced at 145 BPM, whereas Speedcore and Gabber music both frequently exceed 180 bpm.

Extreme BPM

More extreme BPMs are achievable at the same underlying tempo with very fast drum patterns, often expressed as drum rolls. Such compositions often exhibit a much slower underlying tempo, but may increase the BPM by adding additional percussive beats. Extreme music subgenres such as speedcore and cybergrind often strive to reach excessively high BPM rates. The use of extreme tempo was very common in the fast bebop jazz from the 1940s and 1950s. A common jazz tune such as "Cherokee" was often performed at quarter note equal to or sometimes exceeding 368 BPM. Some of Charlie Parker's famous tunes (Bebop, Sha Nuff, Donna Lee) have been performed at 380 BPM plus. John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" was performed at 374 BPM.

Beatmatching

Beatmatching, a tool amongst DJs, concerns the speeding up or down of a record in order to match the BPM of a previous track so both can be seamlessly mixed.

DJs often beatmatch the underlying tempos of recordings, rather than their strict BPM, particularly when dealing with high BPM tracks. A 240 BPM track, for example, will normally match the beat of a 120 BPM track without slowing down or speeding up, because both are likely to have an underlying tempo of 120 crotchets (quarter notes) per minute. Thus, some soul music (around 75-90 beats per minute) can be mixed well with a drum and bass beat (from 150-185 beats per minute).

Normally, the pitch and BPM of a track are linked: spin a disc 10% faster and both pitch and tempo will be 10% higher. Software processing to change the pitch without changing the tempo, or vice-versa, is called time-stretching or pitch-shifting. While it works fairly well for small adjustments (± 20%), the result can be noisy and unmusical for larger changes.

Measures per minute

Measures per Minute (MPM) or bars per minute is another way to measure the speed of music: the number of measures in one minute. It is commonly used in ballroom dance music.

Italian tempo markings

The definitions of the Italian tempo markings mentioned in this section can be found in the Harvard Dictionary of Music and/or the online Italian-English dictionary, both of which are listed in Sources.

Basic tempo markings

All of these markings are based on a few root words. By adding an ''-issimo'' ending the word is amplified/made louder, by adding an ''-ino'' ending the word is diminished/made softer, and by adding an ''-etto'' ending the word is endeared. The metronome marks are broad approximations. Note: Metronome markings are a guide only and depending on the time signature and the piece itself, these figures may not be appropriate in every circumstance.

''Larghissimo'' — very, very slow (20 bpm and below)

''Grave'' — slow and solemn (20-40 bpm)

''Lento'' — slowly (40–60 bpm)

''Largo'' — broadly (40–60 bpm)

''Larghetto'' — rather broadly (60–66 bpm)

''Adagio'' — slow and stately (literally, "at ease") (66–76 bpm)

''Adagietto'' — rather slow (70–80 bpm)

''Andante Moderato'' — a bit slower than andante

''Andante'' — at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)

''Andantino'' – slightly faster than andante

''Moderato'' — moderately (101-110 bpm)

''Allegretto'' — moderately fast (but less so than allegro)

''Allegro moderato'' — moderately quick (112–124 bpm)

''Allegro'' — fast, quickly and bright (120–139 bpm)

''Vivace'' — lively and fast (˜140 bpm) (quicker than allegro)

''Vivacissimo'' — very fast and lively

''Allegrissimo'' — very fast

''Presto'' — very fast (168–200 bpm)

''Prestissimo'' — extremely fast (more than 200bpm)

Additional Terms: ''A piacere'' — the performer may use his own discretion with regard to tempo and rhythm; literally "at pleasure"

''L'istesso tempo'' or ''Lo stesso tempo'' — at the same speed

''Tempo comodo'' — at a comfortable (normal) speed

''Tempo di...'' — the speed of a ... (such as ''Tempo di valse'' (speed of a waltz), ''Tempo di marcia'' (speed of a march))

''Tempo giusto'' — at a consistent speed, at the 'right' speed, in strict tempo

''Tempo semplice'' — simple, regular speed, plainly

Common qualifiers

''alla'' — in the manner or style of, as in:

*''alla breve'' — in short style, i.e., duple time, with the half note (minim) rather than the quarter note (crotchet) as the beat; cut time; 2/2 instead of 4/4; often marked as a semicircle with a vertical line through it (see Time signature)

''alla marcia'' — in the manner of a march (e.g., Beethoven, op. 101)

*''all' ongarese'' — in Hungarian style

''alla (danza) tedesca'' — in the style of the Ländler (ca. 1800), and similar dances in rather quick triple meter (see Beethoven, op. 79, op. 130)

*''alla turca'' — in the Turkish style, that is, in imitation of Turkish military music (Janizary music), which became popular in Europe in the late 18th century (e.g., Mozart, K. 331, K. 384)

*''alla zingarese'' — in the style of Gypsy music

''assai'' — very much, as in ''allegro assai'', quite fast

''ben'' — well, as in ''ben marcato'' (well marked or accented)

''con bravura''— with skill ''con brio'' — with vigor and spirit

''con fuoco'' — with fire

''con moto'' — with motion

''deciso'' — decidedly, decisively

''fugato'' — in fugal style, usually part of a non-fugal composition; such passages often occur in the development sections of symphonies, sonatas, and quartets

''in modo'' — in the manner of, in the style of: ''in modo napolitano'' (in Neapolitan style), ''in modo di marcia funebre'' (in the manner of a funeral march)

''meno'' — less, as in ''meno mosso'' (less quickly)

''appena'' — almost none, as in ''appena forte'' (almost not at all loud)

''misterioso'' — mysterious

''molto'' — much, very, as in ''molto allegro'' (very quick) or ''molto adagio'' (very slow)

''non troppo'' — not too much, e.g. ''allegro non troppo'' (or ''allegro ma non troppo'') means "fast, but not too much"

''non tanto'' — not so much

''più'' — more, as in ''più allegro'' (more quickly); used as a relative indication when the tempo changes

''piuttosto'' — rather, as in ''piuttosto allegro'' (rather quick)

''poco'' — slightly, little, as in ''Poco adagio''

''poco a poco'' — little by little

''polacca'' — generic name for Polish dances, usually the polonaise, as in ''tempo di polacca''; note, however, that the "Polacca" in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 shows little resemblance to the polonaise

''primo'' — principal or early, as in ''tempo primo'', the same tempo as at the beginning

''quasi'' — almost, nearly, as if (such as ''Più allegro quasi presto'', "faster, as if presto")

''senza'' — without, as in ''senza interruzione'' (without interruption or pause), ''senza tempo'' or ''senza misura'' (without strict measure)

''sostenuto'' – sustained, prolonged

''subito'' — suddenly

Note: In addition to the common ''allegretto,'' composers freely apply Italian diminutive and superlative suffixes to various tempo indications: ''andantino,'' ''larghetto,'' ''adagietto,'' and ''larghissimo.''

Mood markings with a tempo connotation

Some markings that primarily mark a mood (or character) also have a tempo connotation:

''Affettuoso'' — with feeling/emotion

''Agitato'' — agitated, with implied quickness

''Appassionato'' — to play passionately

''Animato'' — animatedly, lively

''Brillante'' — sparkling, glittering, as in ''Allegro brillante'', ''Rondo brillante'', or ''Variations brillantes''; became fashionable in titles for virtuoso pieces

''Bravura'' - broadly

''Cantabile'' — in singing style (lyrical and flowing)

''Dolce'' — sweetly

''Energico'' — energetic, strong, forceful

''Eroico'' — heroically

''Espressivo'' — expressively

''Furioso'' — to play in an angry or furious manner

''Giocoso'' — merrily, funny

''Gioioso'' — joyfully

''Grandioso'' — magnificently, grandly

''Grazioso'' — gracefully

''Lacrimoso'' — tearfully, sadly

''Lamentoso'' — lamenting, mournfully

''Leggiero'' — to play lightly, or with light touch

''Maestoso'' — majestic or stately (which generally indicates a solemn, slow march-like movement)

''Malinconico'' — melancholic

''Marcato'' — marching tempo, marked with emphasis

''Marziale'' — in a march style, usually in simple, strongly marked rhythm and regular phrases

''Mesto'' — sad, mournful

''Morendo'' — dying

''Nobilmente'' — nobly (in a noble way)

''Patetico'' — with great emotion

''Pesante'' — heavily

''Sautillé/ Saltando'' — jumpy, fast, and short

''Scherzando'' — playfully

''Sostenuto'' — sustained, sometimes with a slackening of tempo

''Spiccato'' — slow sautillé, with a bouncy manner

''Tenerezza'' — tenderness

''Tranquillamente'' — adverb of tranquillo, "calmly"

''Trionfante'' — triumphantly

''Vivace'' — lively and fast, over 140 bpm (which generally indicates a fast movement)

===Terms for change in tempo===

Composers may use expressive marks to adjust the tempo:

''Accelerando'' — speeding up (abbreviation: ''accel.'')

''Allargando'' — growing broader; decreasing tempo, usually near the end of a piece

''Calando'' — going slower (and usually also softer)

''Doppio movimento'' — double speed

''Meno mosso'' — less movement or slower

''Mosso'' — movement, more lively, or quicker, much like ''più mosso'', but not as extreme

''Più mosso'' — more movement or faster

''Precipitando'' — hurrying, going faster/forward

''Rallentando'' — gradual slowing down (abbreviation: ''rall.'')

''Ritardando'' — less gradual slowing down (more sudden decrease in tempo than rallentando)(abbreviation: ''rit.'' or more specifically, ''ritard.'')

''Ritenuto'' — slightly slower; temporarily holding back. (Note that the abbreviation for ritenuto can also be ''rit.'' Thus a more specific abbreviation is ''riten.'' Also sometimes ''ritenuto'' does not reflect a tempo change but a character change instead.)

''Rubato'' — free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes

''Stretto'' — in faster tempo, often near the conclusion of a section. (Note that in fugal compositions, the term ''stretto'' refers to the imitation of the subject in close succession, before the subject is completed, and as such, suitable for the close of the fugue. Used in this context, the term is not necessarily related to tempo.)

''Stringendo'' — pressing on faster

While the base tempo indication (such as ''allegro'') appears in large type above the staff, these adjustments typically appear below the staff or (in the case of keyboard instruments) in the middle of the grand staff.

They generally designate a ''gradual'' change in tempo; for immediate tempo shifts, composers normally just provide the designation for the new tempo. (Note, however, that when ''Più Mosso'' or ''Meno Mosso'' appears in large type above the staff, it functions as a new tempo, and thus implies an immediate change.) Several terms, e.g., ''assai'', ''molto'', ''poco'', ''subito'', control how large and how gradual a change should be (see Common qualifiers).

After a tempo change, a composer may return to a previous tempo in two different ways:

''a tempo'' - returns to the base tempo after an adjustment (e.g. "ritardando ... a tempo" undoes the effect of the ritardando).

''Tempo primo'' or ''Tempo I'' - denotes an immediate return to the piece's original base tempo after a section in a different tempo (e.g. "Allegro ... Lento ... Moderato .... Tempo I" indicates a return to the Allegro). This indication often functions as a structural marker in pieces in binary form.

These terms also indicate an immediate, not a gradual, tempo change. Although they are Italian, composers typically use them even if they have written their initial tempo marking in some other language.

Tempo markings in other languages

Although Italian has been the prevalent language for tempo markings throughout most of classical music history, many composers have written tempo indications in their own language. The definitions of the tempo markings mentioned in this section can be found in the Harvard Dictionary of Music and/or the online foreign language dictionaries which are listed in Sources.

French tempo markings

Several composers have written markings in French, among them baroque composers François Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau as well as Claude Debussy, Olivier Messiaen, Maurice Ravel and Alexander Scriabin. Common tempo markings in French are:

''Au mouvement'' — play the (first or main) tempo.

''Grave'' — slowly and solemnly

''Lent'' — slowly

''Modéré'' — at a moderate tempo

''Moins'' — less, as in ''Moins vite'' (less fast)

''Rapide'' — fast

''Très'' — very, as in ''Très vif'' (very lively)

''Vif'' — lively

''Vite'' — fast

Erik Satie was known to write extense tempo (and character) markings by defining them in a poetical and literal way, as in his Gnossiennes.

German tempo markings

Many composers have used German tempo markings. Typical German tempo markings are:

''Langsam'' — slowly

''Lebhaft'' — lively (mood)

''Mäßig'' — moderately

''Rasch'' — quickly

''Schnell'' — fast

''Bewegt ''— animated, with motion One of the first German composers to use tempo markings in his native language was Ludwig van Beethoven. The one using the most elaborate combined tempo and mood markings was probably Gustav Mahler. For example, the second movement of his Symphony No. 9 is marked ''Im Tempo eines gemächlichen Ländlers, etwas täppisch und sehr derb'', indicating a slowish folk-dance–like movement, with some awkwardness and much vulgarity in the execution. Mahler would also sometimes combine German tempo markings with traditional Italian markings, as in the first movement of his sixth symphony, marked ''Allegro energico, ma non troppo. Heftig, aber markig'' (Energetically quick, but not too much. Violent, but vigorous).

Tempo markings in English

English indications, for example ''quickly'', have also been used, by Benjamin Britten and Percy Grainger, among many others. In jazz and popular music charts, terms like "fast", "laid back", "steady rock", "medium", "medium-up", "ballad", and similar style indications may appear.

Tempo markings as movement names and compositions with a tempo indicator name

Often, composers (or music publishers) will name movements of compositions after their tempo (and/or mood) marking. For instance the second movement of Samuel Barber's first String Quartet is an "Adagio".

Some such movements may start to lead a life of their own, and become known with the tempo/mood marker name, for instance the string orchestra version of the second movement of Barber's first string quartet became known as ''Adagio for Strings''. A similar example is Mahler's most famous work - the Adagietto from his Symphony No. 5. Another is Mozart's ''Alla Turca'' (here indicating the Janissary music type of mood of the final movement of Mozart's 11th Piano Sonata, K. 331)

Sometimes the link between a musical composition with a "tempo" name and a separate movement of a composition is less clear. For instance Albinoni's ''Adagio'', a 20th century creative "reconstruction" based on an incomplete manuscript.

Some composers chose to include tempo indicators in the name of a separate composition, for instance Bartók in ''Allegro barbaro'' ("barbaric Allegro"), a single movement composition.

Rushing and dragging

When performers unintentionally speed up, they are said to ''rush''. The similar term for unintentionally slowing down is ''drag''. Musicians generally consider unintentional tempo drift undesirable, and these terms thus carry a negative connotation. Therefore neither ''rush'' nor ''drag'' (nor their equivalents in other languages) are often used as tempo indications in scores. Mahler is a notable exception. For example, he used ''schleppend'' (dragging) as part of a tempo indication in the first movement of his Symphony No. 1.

See also

Alla breve

As Slow As Possible

Half time (music)

Multitemporal music

Stop-time

References

Sources

Books on tempo in music:

Music Dictionaries:

Apel, Willi, ed., ''Harvard Dictionary of Music'', Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1969. ISBN 9780674375017

Sadie, Stanley; John Tyrrell, eds. (2001). ''The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'', 2nd edition. NewYork: Grove's Dictionaries. ISBN 1561592390.

External links

Research group specializing in rhythm, timing, and tempo, University of Amsterdam

Tempo indications in Mozart's music

Tempo Terminology, Virginia Tech department of music

Tempo variation among and within 300+ recorded performances of Beethoven's 'Eroica' Symphony

Dolmetsch article on tempo

All8.com's - Beats Per Minute counter ''Tap computer key to the beat''

Category:Units of frequency Category:Rhythm Category:Italian loanwords Category:Musical terminology

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Coordinates	34°03′″N118°15′″N
Name	Nicki Minaj
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Onika Tanya Maraj
Birth date	December 08, 1982
Birth place	Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago
Origin	South Jamaica, Queens, New York, USA
Genre	Hip hop, R&B;, pop
Occupation	Rapper, singer-songwriter
Years active	2002 – present
Label	Cash Money Records, Young Money Entertainment, Universal Republic Records, Universal Motown
Associated acts	Young Money
website	}}

Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982), known by her stage name Nicki Minaj (), is a Trinidadian-born American musician. She was born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago, and moved to the New York borough of Queens when she was five.

After releasing three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009 and being signed to Young Money Entertainment in August 2009, Minaj released her debut album, ''Pink Friday'', in November 2010. It quickly became a commercial success, peaking at number one on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 and being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) a month after its release. She became the first female solo artist to have seven singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at the same time. Her second single, "Your Love", reached #1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Rap Songs chart, making Minaj the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002. She also became the first female artist to be included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List. Minaj was named the 2011 ''Rising Star'' by ''Billboard''. Her second studio album, ''Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded'' will be released on April 3, 2012.

Early life

Maraj was born in 1982 in Saint James, a suburb of Trinidad and Tobago's capital city Port of Spain. Her parents are of mixed Indian and Afro-Trinidadian ancestry and she lived in Saint James with her grandmother until age five, because her parents were looking for a place to live in the Queens borough of New York City at the time. Her mother would occasionally visit, and one day, when Minaj was five, her mother picked her up to move to Queens. According to Minaj, her father drank heavily, took drugs, and once tried to kill her mother by setting the house on fire.

She attended Elizabeth Blackwell Middle School 210, where she played the clarinet. She graduated from LaGuardia High School. At LaGuardia, a school specializing in music and the visual and performing arts, Minaj participated in the drama program. She had initially planned to sing at LaGuardia, but lost her voice on the day of the audition.

Career

2007–09: Mixtapes and Young Money

Minaj released her first mixtape in 2007 after releasing ''Playtime Is Over'' with ''Dirty Money Records''. She released another mixtape on July 7, 2008, titled ''Sucka Free'', under the label ''Be''. On April 18, 2009, Minaj released a third mixtape and appeared in ''XXL'' magazine. She won the Female Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Underground Music Awards. Minaj released ''Beam Me Up Scotty'', another mixtape, in April 2009 under the label of ''Trapaholics Records''; it received positive coverage on both BET and MTV.

In August 2009, Minaj signed a record deal with Young Money Entertainment, with distribution from Universal Motown Records, after fellow American rapper Lil Wayne discovered her and secured the record deal. She then had a solo rap verse in their single "BedRock," which became a commercial success, reaching #2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Minaj also appeared on "Roger That", which charted at #56. The song, and in particular Minaj, received positive reviews from critics. Both songs were included in Young Money Entertainment's debut collaborative studio album ''We Are Young Money'', which was released in December 2009. The album charted in the top ten on the ''Billboard'' 200, reaching #9 and later receiving a Gold Certification by the RIAA. She was then chosen by Mariah Carey to be featured on her single and music video for "Up Out My Face". Critics praised her collaboration for helping to maintain Carey's feminine image and providing a polite track for the female R&B; singer.

2010–present: ''Pink Friday'' and ''Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded''

After a major record label bidding war, Young Money Entertainment announced on August 31, 2009 that Minaj had been released a 360 deal with the label in which she retains and owns all of her 360 rights – including merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements, touring and publishing. In an interview with 95.8 Capital FM, Rihanna stated that after the two collaborated on "Raining Men" from her album ''Loud'' that the duo would be teaming up together for a possible second collaboration on Minaj's ''Pink Friday''. Hip-hop rap artist and producer Kanye West was also confirmed for the album. On August 3, 2010 Minaj revealed on a Ustream.tv channel that the album's name would be ''Pink Friday'', in reference to Black Friday.

''Pink Friday'' was released on November 19, 2010 in both standard and deluxe versions. A buzz single, "Massive Attack", was released in April. In August, Minaj released "Your Love" as the first official single from her debut album. The single peaked at 14 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, 7 on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart and topped the Rap Songs chart. Minaj became the first female artist to be included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List and the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002. In October 2010, Minaj became the first artist to have seven songs on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart simultaneously. Minaj released a joint single with The Black Eyed Peas front man, will.i.am titled, "Check It Out", which is Minaj's most successful single to date in Europe. "Right thru Me" was released September 24, 2010; the music video was released in late October. "Moment 4 Life" was released as the fourth single. The track featured Canadian rapper Drake and was released on December 7, 2010, becoming a success on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The single peaked at number 5 on the Hot Rap Songs. The album gained a Platinum certification in the United States a month after the release. It was hinted by Simon Cowell that Minaj would join the judging panel of the American version of the ''The X Factor.'' Starting in June 2011, Minaj will be supporting ''Pink Friday'' by serving as an opening act along with Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo on Britney Spears' sixth concert tour, the Femme Fatale Tour, in support of her seventh studio album, ''Femme Fatale''. She also was featured on the official remix of Spears' track "Till the World Ends" along with Spears and singer Kesha, which charted at number 3 in the US in April 2011. "Super Bass" was released from ''Pink Friday'' in May 2011, the single charted within the top 10 in many countries including; United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada and more. The song gained positive reviews from critics. Minaj will voice a character in the 3D animated film, ''Ice Age: Continental Drift'', as an unknown character. Minaj is also featured on French DJ David Guetta's 2011 album, ''Nothing but the Beat'' on "Where Them Girls At" and "Turn Me On". She will be featured alongside Madonna and M.I.A. on an upcoming single from Madonna's twelfth studio album, for which a music video has been directed by Megaforce. The trio performed "Give Me All Your Luvin'" from Madonna's new album for the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.

Minaj's second studio album, ''Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded'', was announced through Twitter in November 2011 and is set to be released on April 3, 2012. The album's first single, "Starships", was released on February 14. On February 12, 2012, Minaj debuted her song "Roman Holiday" at the 54th Grammy Awards. The exorcism-themed perfomance drew a mixed response online.

Musical style and image

Image

In an interview with ''Vibe'' Minaj discussed her sexual image stating, "[w]hen I grew up I saw females doing certain things, and I thought I had to do that exactly. The female rappers of my day spoke about sex a lot... and I thought that to have the success they got, I would have to represent the same thing. When in fact I didn’t have to represent the same thing." In an interview with ''Interview'', Minaj commented on her sexual image again stating, "I made a conscious decision to try to tone down the sexiness, I want people—especially young girls—to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sex appeal. You’ve got to have something else to go with that.” Minaj has a tattoo in Chinese characters that reads "" (''shangdi yu ni chang zai'') on her left arm, meaning, "God is always with you."

Alter egos

While growing up, Minaj's home life was often chaotic, with her parents constantly fighting. As a means of escape, she would create characters and live her life through them. In an interview with ''New York'' she stated, "To get away from all their fighting, I would imagine being a new person. 'Cookie' was my first identity – that stayed with me for a while. I went on to 'Harajuku Barbie,' then 'Nicki Minaj'. Fantasy was my reality."

For her debut album, Minaj created another alter-ego named "Roman Zolanski". She stated that in songs like "Bottoms Up" with Trey Songz it is not Minaj rapping, but instead Roman Zolanski, and claims that Roman is her "twin sister". She claims that he was born inside her, out of rage, and becomes him when she is angry. She has also said 'He is a demon inside her'. Roman has been compared to Eminem's alter ego Slim Shady, and on the song "Roman's Revenge" from ''Pink Friday'', Minaj and Eminem collaborate, using these alter egos. On the collaboration, she said "The new album is going to have a lot of Roman on it ... And if you're not familiar with Roman, then you will be familiar with him very soon. He’s the boy that lives inside of me. He's a lunatic and he's gay and he'll be on there a lot." Roman also has a "mother" called "Martha Zolanski", who also appeared on the song Roman's Revenge, with a British accent. Martha appears in the video for "Moment 4 Life" where she appears to be Minaj's magical Godmother. In songs such as "All I Do Is Win (Remix)" it is Minaj rapping. Minaj stated that on her debut album, fans will get to "meet" Nicki, Roman and Onika.

On November 18, 2010, Minaj assumed a different alter-ego named "Nicki Teresa". Wearing a colorful scarf around her head, she went around as the "healer to her fans" as she visited them at The Garden of Dreams Foundation at Fuse studios in New York City. Minaj made an appearance on ''Lopez Tonight'' on December 6, 2010 and presented a different alter-ego for the Spanish-inspired occasion, named "Rosa" (pronounced Rrrrrosa).

Influences

Minaj has stated that artists who have influenced her musical style include Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Lil Wayne, Lauryn Hill, Jadakiss, Natasha Bedingfield, Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim and Missy Elliott. She was also inspired by Janet Jackson, Madonna, Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Jones, M.I.A., and Cyndi Lauper.

Personal life

While some songs and interviews have implied that Minaj is bisexual, she has said that she does not date nor have sex with women, but added in an interview with ''Out'' magazine, "I don’t date men either." In an interview with ''Vibe'' she commented, "I just embrace all people of all lifestyles and I don’t tell them they are bad people. And I say girls are beautiful and girls are sexy and they need to be told that, and if they don’t have anyone to tell them that and mean it, I’m gonna tell them that. But I feel like people always wanna define me and I don’t wanna be defined." She reiterated her dislike of being labeled in an interview with ''Out'', saying: "The point is, everyone is not black and white. There are so many shades in the middle, and you’ve got to let people feel comfortable with saying what they want to say when they want to say it."

During an interview in the May 2010 issue of ''Details'', Minaj was asked if she felt hip-hop was becoming more gay-friendly. She responded, "I think the world is getting more gay-friendly, so hip-hop is too. But it's harder to imagine an openly gay male rapper being embraced, people view gay men as having no street credibility. But I think we'll see one in my lifetime."

In July 2011, Minaj's cousin Nicholas Telemaque was murdered near his home in Brooklyn, New York City.

Discography

''Pink Friday'' (2010)

''Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded'' (2012)

See also

List of awards and nominations received by Nicki Minaj

Notes

References

External links

Category:Nicki Minaj Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:African American female singers Category:African American rappers Category:American musicians of Indian descent Category:American people of Trinidad and Tobago descent Category:Female rappers Category:Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School alumni Category:Hip hop singers Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States Category:People from Queens Category:People from Port of Spain Category:Rappers from New York City Category:Singers from New York City Category:Trinidad and Tobago emigrants to the United States Category:Trinidad and Tobago musicians Category:Trinidad and Tobago people of Dougla descent Category:Young Money Entertainment artists

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Coordinates	34°03′″N118°15′″N
name	Fatboy Slim
background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
birth name	Quentin Leo Cook
alias	Fatboy Slim, and others. See pseudonym section
birth date	July 31, 1963
origin	Reigate, Surrey, England
spouse	Zoe Ball (1999-present)
genre	Big beat, electronic dance, trip hop, dance, rave
occupation	DJ, musician, record producer
instrument	Turntables, keyboard, bass guitar, guitar, drums
years active	1981–present
label	Skint, Astralwerks, Southern Fried
associated acts	The Housemartins, Beats International, Freak Power, Pizzaman, The Brighton Port Authority, David Byrne
website	}}

Norman Quentin Cook (born Quentin Leo Cook on 31 July 1963 in Bromley, England) better known by his former stage name Fatboy Slim, is a British DJ, big beat musician and record producer. He is a pioneer of the electronic dance genre that achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s. Cook has achieved considerable success in the UK charts, performing as Fatboy Slim and with The Housemartins, Beats International and Freak Power. He currently performs as the Brighton Port Authority.

History

Quentin Leo Cook was raised in Reigate, Surrey, England, and was educated at Reigate Grammar School. He played drums in Disque Attack (a British new-wave-influenced rock band). When frontman Charlie Alcock was told by his parents that he had to give up the band to concentrate on his O levels, Cook took over as lead vocalist. At Reigate College he also met Paul Heaton with whom he formed the Stomping Pondfrogs. At 18, he went to the Brighton Polytechnic to study a BA in English, politics and sociology. Although he had begun DJing some years before, it was at this time that he began to develop his skills on the thriving Brighton club scene.

Known as DJ Quentox (The OX that Rocks) Cook and DJ Baptiste started putting on Youth Club Hip Hop jams in Brighton, sowing the seeds of the City's flourishing Hip Hop scene today. These primitive 80s block parties are recalled in the music documentary 'South Coast' which documents Brighton's cult Hip Hop scene from its grass roots to the present day.

In 1985 Cook's friend Paul Heaton had formed a guitar band called The Housemartins. Their bassist quit on the eve of their first national tour, so Cook agreed to move to Hull to join them. The band soon had a hit single with "Happy Hour". They also reached number one just before Christmas 1986 with a version of "Caravan of Love" originally a hit the year before for Isley-Jasper-Isley. However, by 1988 they had split up. Heaton and the band's drummer Dave Hemingway went on to form The Beautiful South, while Cook moved back to Brighton to pursue his interest in the style of music he preferred. It was at this time that he first started working with young studio engineer Simon Thornton, with whom he continues to make records. All Cook's records released from that point onwards have involved both of them to varying degrees (Thornton is credited in 2004 as "Executive Producer" for example).

Cook achieved his first solo hit in 1989, featuring his future Beats International member MC Wildski called "Blame It on the Bassline". Credited to "Norman Cook feat. MC Wildski", the song followed the basic template of what was to come in the style of the music of Beats International. It became a modest hit in the UK Singles Chart, reaching #29.

Cook formed Beats International, a loose confederation of studio musicians including vocalists Lindy Layton, Lester Noel, D.J. Baptiste, rapper MC Wildski, and keyboardist Andy Boucher. Their first album ''Let Them Eat Bingo'' included the number one single "Dub Be Good to Me", which caused a legal dispute revolving around allegations of infringement of copyright through the liberal use of unauthorised samples: the bassline was a note-for-note lift from "The Guns of Brixton" by The Clash and the lyrics borrowed heavily from "Just Be Good to Me" by The S.O.S. Band. The 1991 follow-up album ''Excursion on the Version'', an exploration of dub and reggae rhythms, failed to repeat the success of its predecessor, as it did not chart.

Cook then formed Freak Power with horn player Ashley Slater and singer Jesse Graham. They released their debut album ''Drive Thru Booty'' in 1994, which contained the single "Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out". The cut was picked up by the Levi's company for use in a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign. In 1996, Cook re-joined Freak Power for their second album ''More of Everything for Everybody''.

Cook enlisted help from producer friends Tim Jeffery and JC Reid to create a house music album under the name Pizzaman. The 1995 ''Pizzamania'' album spawned three UK Top 40 hits in "Trippin' on Sunshine", "Sex on the Streets" and "Happiness". "Happiness" was picked up by the Del Monte Foods corporation for use in a UK fruit juice ad. The music videos for "Trippin' on Sunshine", "Sex on the Streets" and "Happiness" were all directed by Michael Dominic.

Cook also formed the group The Mighty Dub Katz along with Gareth Hansome (aka GMoney), Cook's former flatmate. Together they started the ''Boutique'' Nightclub in Brighton, formerly known as the ''Big Beat Boutique''. Their biggest song together was "Magic Carpet Ride".

Recordings, 1997–2008

Cook adopted the new pseudonym Fatboy Slim in 1996. The Fatboy Slim album and Cook's second solo album ''Better Living Through Chemistry'' (released through Skint Records) contained the Top 40 UK hit, "Everybody Needs a 303".

Fatboy Slim's next work was the single "The Rockafeller Skank", released prior to the album ''You've Come a Long Way, Baby'', both of which were released in 1998. "Praise You", also from this album, was Cook's first UK solo number one. Its music video, directed by Spike Jonze, won numerous awards.

''Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars'' was his fourth solo album, released in 2000 and featured two collaborations with Macy Gray and "Weapon of Choice", which also was made into an award-winning video starring Christopher Walken.

In 2003, he produced tracks 3 and 12 for the Blur album ''Think Tank'', and in 2004, ''Palookaville'' was Cook's first studio album for four years.

Fatboy Slim's greatest hits album ''Why Try Harder'' was released on 19 June 2006. It comprises eighteen tracks, including ten Top 40 singles, a couple of Number Ones and two exclusive new tracks – "Champion Sound" and "That Old Pair of Jeans". Most of the songs were shortened and heavily edited, resulting in almost fifteen minutes of unused space on the compact disc release.

In 2006 Cook travelled to Cuba, and wrote and produced two original Cuban crossover tracks for the album ''The Revolution Presents: Revolution'', which was released by Studio !K7 and Rapster Records in 2009. The tracks were called "Shelter" (which featured long term collaborator Lateef); and "Siente Mi Ritmo", featuring Cuba's top female vocal group "Sexto Sentido". The recordings took place in Cuba's legendary EGREM Studios, home of the Buena Vista Social Club, and featured a band made up of Cuba's top young musicians, including Harold Lopez Nussa. Another track recorded during these sessions entitled "Guaguanco" was released separately under the Mighty Dub Katz moniker in 2006.

Cook has also been responsible for successful remixes for Cornershop, Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest and Wildchild. In 2008 he did a remix of the track "Amazonas" for the charity Bottletop.

Cook released a mix album in 2010 titled ''The Legend Returns'' as a covermount album in the June 2010 issue of Mixmag. The Brighton Port Authority (also known as the abbreviated version of the name, The BPA) is an alias for multi-instrumentalist and musician Norman Cook, who is better known as Fatboy Slim.

The Brighton Port Authority

The act debuted in 2008 with a collaboration with David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal titled "Toe Jam", along with a music video featuring nude dancers with censor bars on them, making pictures and words with them.

The soundtrack album for the TV series ''Heroes'' also includes the BPA's track "He's Frank (Slight Return)" (a cover of a song by The Monochrome Set), with Iggy Pop as vocalist. The video for this track features a near life size puppet of Iggy Pop. An alternative club version was released under the "He's Frank (Washing Up)" title with the video featuring some footage of Iggy Pop acting and saying lyrics.

The band's first album, ''I Think We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat'', is the first to be co-produced by Cook's longtime engineer Simon Thornton, who also sings on one track. The album was released 6 January 2009 exclusively at Amazon.com on CD, with downloadable format and other stores scheduled for a month later on 3 February.

Performances

On 13 July 2002 Fatboy Slim performed the second of his free, open air concerts on Brighton Beach. Although organisers expected a crowd of around 60,000 people, the event instead attracted an estimated 250,000 who crammed the promenade and beach between Brighton's piers. Local police forced the event to end early amid safety concerns, overcrowding, and one death. After the music had finished and the crowd began to dissipate, traffic ensued throughout the Brighton area with many caught in traffic jams until the morning.

In June 2005 Fatboy Slim filled the Friday night headline slot on the "Other Stage" at the Glastonbury Festival,. In 2006, Fatboy Slim filled the Saturday headline slot at the Global Gathering festival, Long Marston Airfield in the English Midlands. He played a two hour set, appearing in front of a visual stage set comprising video screens and 3D lighting. A firework display rounded off the show. Having being banned by police from playing in Brighton since 2002, Fatboy Slim was given permission in 2006 to play again in his home town. On 1 January 2007 he played to an audience of more than 20,000 fans along Brighton's seafront. Tickets to the event, titled "Fatboy Slim's Big Beach Boutique 3", were made available only to Brighton residents. The concert was deemed a stunning success by Sussex Police, Fatboy Slim, and the crowd. The Cuban Brothers and David Guetta opened the concert. The next similar event, 'Big Beach Boutique 4', was held on 27 September 2008.

In 2008 Fatboy Slim played at the Glastonbury Festival again, and headlined the O2 Wireless Festival and Rockness Festival. According to an ''NME'' interview, this may have been one of the last times he performed as Fatboy Slim, as he may now focus on his new album, ''The Brighton Port Authority (BPA)''. Also in 2008, Fatboy Slim closed out the famed "Sahara" tent on Friday of the legendary Coachella Valley Music Festival. His introduction included a "Charlie and the Chocholate Factory" opening, that has been called by many one of the most memorable Sahara performances ever.

In 2009 he toured Australia in the ''Good Vibrations'' festival. Also in 2009, he played in Marlay Park, Ireland alongside David Guetta, Dizzee Rascal and Calvin Harris; as well as one huge performance at the Sziget Festival in Budapest. He also has performed at V Festival 2009.

At Glastonbury 2009 he played an unadvertised concert in the "pinball-machine" stage at trash city. In 2010 Fatboy Slim headlined the east dance at Glastonbury Festival. On 18 June 2010 he performed in Cape Town, South Africa as part of the Cool Britannia FIFA World Cup music festival at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. On 30 May 2011 he performed as the headliner for Detroit's Electronic Music Festival in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Biography

Cook was awarded a star on the city of Brighton's Walk of Fame, next to that of Winston Churchill.

He married TV personality Zoë Ball in 1999 at Babington House in Somerset; in January 2003, Cook broke up with Ball but three months later, they reconciled. They have a son named Woody Fred Cook (born 15 December 2000) and a daughter named Nelly May Lois (born 14 January 2010). Cook is a 12% shareholder of the football club he has supported since moving to Brighton in the late 1980s, Brighton & Hove Albion.

''Q'' magazine named Fatboy Slim in their ''50 Bands to See Before You Die'' list.

On 4 March 2009, Cook checked into a rehabilitation centre in Bournemouth to fight a "booze addiction" that he has been battling "for some time".

Because of an extended stay in rehab his performance at Snowbombing (week-long winter sports and music festival held in the Austrian ski resort of Mayrhofen) was canceled – with the slot being filled by 2ManyDJs. Cook then left the clinic at the end of March.

Cook completed the inaugural Brighton Marathon on 18 April 2010 in a time of 4:53:10.

Awards

In 1999, the video to "Praise You" won three MTV awards, for best direction (Spike Jonze), best choreography (Jones as "Richard Koufey") and best breakthrough video. Fatboy Slim's single "The Rockafeller Skank" topped the ''Village Voice'' 1999 Pazz & Jop singles poll. In September 2001, Fatboy Slim's video for "Weapon of Choice", also directed by Spike Jonze, received six prizes at the MTV Video Awards, the most given to a single winner that year. In May 2007, Cook received an Ivor Novello Award for his "outstanding contribution to British music". Cook was also a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers. He has won two Brit Awards, in 1999 and 2001, both for British Dance Act.

Bands and pseudonyms

Norman Cook, now his real name

Beats International

Rockaway 3

Chemistry

Brighton Port Authority

DJ Delite Used in DJ Tools (e.g. acapellas) for Fatboy Slim Singles

Freak Power

Pizzaman

Sensataria

Cheeky Boy

Son of a Cheeky Boy

Son of Wilmot

Sunny Side Up

The Feelgood Factor

The Housemartins, the indie rock band for which Cook was the bassist for from 1985 to 1988.

Yum Yum Head Food

Fatboy Slim

Fried Funk Food

Mighty Dub Katz ("Magic Carpet Ride" dance song, 1996)

Slimboy Fat

Wildchild ("Renegade Master")

Discography

''Main article: Norman Cook Discography''

See also

The Chemical Brothers

The Prodigy

The Crystal Method

Notes

External links

A Conversation with Norman Cook

Fatboy Slim (Discography) – beatbuggy.com

Norman Cook's Cuban Tracks on The Revolution Presents: Revolution

Video: Norman Cook In Cuba (Interview)

Category:Astralwerks artists Category:Electronica musicians Category:English electronic musicians Category:Music from Brighton, England Category:English football chairmen and investors Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Old Reigatians Category:Alumni of the University of Brighton Category:Breakbeat musicians Category:BRIT Award winners Category:Ivor Novello Award winners Category:Grammy Award winners Category:The Housemartins members Category:Remixers Category:People from Hove

bn:ফ্যাটবয় স্লিম bg:Фатбой Слим ca:Fatboy Slim cs:Fatboy Slim da:Fatboy Slim de:Norman Cook et:Fatboy Slim es:Fatboy Slim fr:Fatboy Slim ko:팻보이 슬림 is:Fatboy Slim it:Fatboy Slim he:פאטבוי סלים ka:ფეტბოი სლიმი lv:Fatboy Slim lt:Fatboy Slim nl:Norman Cook ja:ファットボーイ・スリム no:Fatboy Slim pl:Fatboy Slim pt:Fatboy Slim ru:Fatboy Slim fi:Fatboy Slim sv:Fatboy Slim th:นอร์แมน คุก tr:Fatboy Slim uk:Фетбой Слім

Coordinates	34°03′″N118°15′″N
Name	Lito y Polaco
Background	group_or_band
Origin	Carolina, Puerto Rico
Birth name	Rafael Sierra (Lito)Rafael Omar Polaco Molina (Polaco)
Alias	El Duo Mas ViolentoLos Reyes De La TiraeraLos Mas Duros
Birth date	September 30, 1979 (Lito) November 1, 1976 (Polaco)
Genre	Rap, Reggaeton, Gangsta rap, Hardcore rap
Years active	1992–present
Label	Rompe Cuello RecordsTáltaro Records
associated acts	Daddy Yankee, Hector El Father, Yomo, Nicky Jam
Website	}}

Rafael Sierra (Lito) (born September 30, 1979) and Rafael Omar Polaco Molina (Polaco) (born November 1, 1976) comprise a duo hip hop group from Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Musical career

They formed part of the original members of DJ Eric Industry, alongside MC Ceja, Glory, Felo Man and his father TNT.

Both Lito and Polaco were in the process of recording their debut solo albums entitled ''De La Calle Pa' La Calle'' and ''El Táltaro'' respectively, this last one has never been released.

In Late 2007 on a radio show it was announced that the legendary duo will return with a new album, ''La Institucion''.

Current Duo

Polaco

Polaco began his career in 1992 alongside Prieto Valdez on the cd called The Noise from DJ Negro. They both formed the duo Polaco & Prieto until Polaco and DJ Eric's crew started a lyrical war against DJ Negro and The Noise crew, and that is when Prieto broke from the duo. Prieto started a small war with Polaco after his song "Que Ellos Se Creen" which was featured on The Noise 7 in 1997. Polaco responded in the song "Que Vas Hacer" which came out on the production Gargolas 2 in 1999. Although having not gotten along with him for many years Polaco seems to have resolved his differences with Gringo even to the point of supporting him by making a guest appearance on Gringo's solo album El Independiente.

Awards

The duo's ''Mundo Frío'' album was nominated for ''Billboard'''s Latin Rap Album of the Year but lost to ''El General Is Back'' by El General.

Discography

Discography As A Duo

''Masacrando MC's'' (2000)

''Los Éxitos Vol. 1'' (2000)

''Mundo Frío'' (2002)

''Fuera de Serie'' (2004)

''Fuera de Serie Live'' (2005)

As Lito MC Cassidy

''De La Calle Pa' La Calle'' (2007)

Polaco

El Táltaro (2007)

El Undertaker (2009)

Singles

Singles As A Duo

Jenga Jenga (1998)

Testimonio De La Calle (2001)

Maniática Sexual (2001)

Mundo Frío (2002)

Piensan (2002)

Rosando Con Mi Piel (feat. Nicky Jam) (2002)

Esta Noche Quiero Darte (feat. Speedy) (2002)

Mírate Al Espejo (2002)

La Gritona(2002)

Si Ella Es Brava (2003)

Los Cerdos (2003)

Ojos de Diabla (feat. Divino) (2004)

Gata Traicionera (feat. Jacob) (2004)

Ella Vive Sola (feat. La Secta AllStar) (2004)

Mis Chavos (2008)

Respeto(Official Remix) (2011)

Lito MC Cassidy's Singles

Bocon (2005)

Vender Droga (2005)

Me Converti en un Criminal (2006)

Los Matamos Como En Hollywood (ft. Toxic Crow, Cromo) (2006)

Hot Shit (2006) (Tiraera a Raphy Pina)

Te Sacamos Alas (2009)

La Republica (2010)

Fin Del Mundo (ft. H-Merced) (2010)

Ambición Callejera (ft. Algenis) (2010)

Polaco's Singles

Con Rabia (2005)

La Desordená (2005)

Fuetazo (2006)

Volvio La Era De La Tiraera (Tiraera a Don Omar, Arcangel) (2006)

Here We Go Yo Remix (ft.Wisin & Yandel, Hector "El Father", Yomo & Jay Z) (2006)

R.I.P. Arcangel (Tiraera a Arcangel) (2007)

Romper Culo (2007)

La Última (Sepultura a Arcangel) (2008)

Palgo (Pentagono: Return)(2008)

El Mundo Es Nuestro (ft. Cosculluela, Yomo, J-King & Maximan, Latin Crew, Syko "El Terror" & Chyno Nyno) (2008)

Bienvenido A Mi Mundo (Remix) (ft.Nova & Jory, Cosculluela, Guelo Star, Ñejo, Eloy, Zion, Franco "El Gorila", MC Ceja, Chyno Nyno & Syko "El Terror")

Si La Vida Me Trata Mal (ft. Endo & Lele) (Official Remix) (2010)

Si No Te Dejas Ver (ft. Los Santos) (2010)

References

Category:Reggaeton duos Category:Puerto Rican male singers Category:Puerto Rican reggaeton artists

be:Lito y Polaco fr:Lito y Polaco

Coordinates	34°03′″N118°15′″N
Name	Tego Calderón
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Tegui Calderón Rosario
Origin	Santurce, Puerto Rico
Birth date	February 01, 1972
Genre	Reggaeton, reggae, hip-hop, Latin, salsa
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, actor, rapper
Years active	1998–present
Label	Jiggiri Records (2000–present)Sony BMG (2001–2005)Atlantic Records (2006–present) White Lion Records (2002–present) WY Records (2010–present)
Associated acts	Voltio, Don Omar, Aventura, The Game
Website	Official Website }}

Tegui Calderón Rosario (born February 1, 1972) is a Puerto Rican rapper and actor.

Early life

Calderón was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, the son of Pilar Rosario Parrilla, a schoolteacher, and Esteban Calderón Ilarraza, a government worker for Puerto Rico's Department of Health. Moving at a young age from his native Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida, Tego attended Miami Beach Senior High. Here he was exposed to several different cultures, eventually studying percussion and working as a drummer in a rock band. The band would cover songs produced by artists including Ozzy Osbourne and Led Zeppelin. He has noted that both of his parents were fans of Ismael Rivera, and that his father was also interested in jazz. He was influenced by both genres and incorporated them into his music, including songs such as ''Minnie the Moocher''. He eventually developed a music style that combined elements of salsa, plena, dancehall, and hip-hop, focusing on aspects of urban life in his lyrics.

Early musical career

Calderón made several cameo appearances on other rapper's albums, eventually signing with label White Lion. In 2002, he published his first full-length album titled ''El Abayarde''. Despite the fact that Reggaeton was considered an underground genre, the album sold 50,000 copies upon its release, setting a sales record for an urban music album. Three months after publishing ''El Abayarde'', Calderón organized his first concert, which took place at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico and sold out the venue. The following day he became the first rap artist to perform at the annual Puertorican ''Día Naciónal de la Salsa'' (National Day of Salsa).At the same time he finished his album ''El Abayarde'' he finished his voice training, that took three years from his life.

In August 2003, Calderón performed at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Based on his show and performance, ''The New York Times'' noted that he "made the best case for Reggaetón as music with room to grow" being a "forward-looking performer." His second appearance at the venue was in October 2004, where he headlined an event titled ''Megatón 2004''. The concert sold out, with 20,000 in attendance, a mixed crowd of Latino and non-Latino fans.

Calderón's travels subsequently led him to Miami, where he incorporated dancehall elements into his musical style. In 2004, his album titled ''El Enemy de los Guasíbiri'' was released. The album's production included a mix of several urban genres. Calderón claimed that he preferred the influence of these other genres due to his belief that Salsa had "become too corporate and too safe". Years after its release, Calderón stated that he had never approved the release of the ''Guasibiri'' album, which he claimed was rather a collection of old songs and that it should be left out of his discography as an unauthorized album. Following the release of this album, reggaeton gained more influence with several hip-hop producers in New York. Calderón continued working on several mixtapes, being featured in remixes of Usher's "Yeah", Fat Joe's "Lean Back", N.O.R.E.'s "Oye Mi Canto" and Akon's "I Wanna Love You" and also Tego featured Aventura's "We Got The Crown".

2005–Present

Calderón participated on the 2004 and 2005 editions of New York's Puerto Rican Day parade. During this timeframe he became the first Latin American artist to be included on New York's Power-105. Calderón's influence among Latin American youth was noted in a featured published by the Village Voice. The publication claimed that he had "almost single-handedly. .. steered his country’s dominant youth culture out of the island and Latino neighborhoods, and into the American stream of pop consciousness.”

In the summer of 2005, Calderón signed a deal between Atlantic Records and his own independent label, Jiggiri Records, making him the first reggaeton artist to have a deal with a major record company.

In 2006, Calderón and both companies published ''The Underdog/El Subestimado''. He noted that the production includes influence from several Afro-Caribbean rhythms including Reggae, Salsa, Bomba and Rumba. This production featured the guests appearances of Buju Banton, Voltio, Bataklán, Eddie Dee, Luis Cabán, Yandel, Zion, Chyno Nyno, Don Omar and Oscar D'León. Several producers were involved in the album, including Cookee, Major League, Salaam Remi, Eric Figueroa, Luny Tunes, DJ Nelson, Danny Fornaris, DJ Nesty, Naldo, DJ Joe, DJ Fat and Echo & Diesel. At the presentation party for the album, Calderón explained that he no longer considers himself as a reggaeton artist because this genre of music has become too commercial. Noting that reggaeton is becoming too similar to pop music and that he does not let his children listen to it at home unless it is on the radio.

Musical styles and themes

Although Calderón is a reggaeton artist, he claims to like "all types of music". Evidence of this is seen both in his biography (he began his career in music in a metal band and attended a school for music as a drummer) as well as in his music, which incorporates "'several musical tendencies'", including sounds and rhythms from places like Africa, Colombia, and the Caribbean. He obtains the sound for his popular reggaeton music through "fusing an experimental reggaeton style strongly rooted in the working-class Caribbean aesthetics of classic salsa with a strong dose of hip-hop". On ''The Underdog/El Subestimado'', he collaborated with rap duo Anónimo Consejo to create a song entitled "Son Dos Alas" which eventually was shortened to an interdule without Calderón.

Calderón has also been praised for his lyrics, which are much more substantive and uplifting than the misogynist materialistic words that have come to define reggaeton as well as the majority of hip-hop music. Calderón has been described as "the reggaeton champion of an Afro-Caribbean working-class aesthetic" and is known for lyrics that are equal parts poetry and politics. A consistent link between all of his albums "are the social themes and the untouchable bravado that he usually transmits through his artistic outlook." According to Tony Touch, "Tego is someone who represents struggle, an underdog... He's more of an MC, a product of late-'80s hip-hop."

Film and other career projects

Calderón made his acting debut in the film "Illegal Tender" produced by John Singleton. Calderon played the role of Choco, a Puerto Rican gangster whose character was written specifically for him by director Franc Reyes.

Calderón turned down roles in both ''Feel the Noise'' and "El Cantante" and instead chose to appear in Illegal Tender out of respect for its producer. After convincing John Singleton that he wanted to appear in a comedy, Calderón is slated to appear in an upcoming Singleton film which casts him as the coach of a baseball team.

Calderón traveled to Sierra Leone along with artists Raekwon and Paul Wall to film a VH1 documentary about diamond mining entitled "Bling'd: Blood, Diamonds, and Hip-Hop." The documentary focused on the role of Hip Hop in the blood diamond trade, after the filming concluded Calderón publicly announced that he would no longer wear jewelry. His experience in Africa also changed his outlook on life, which influenced the recording of the track "Alegria", encouraging fans to not complain about life and recognize that there are other people with bigger problems in their lives.

Calderon and Don Omar are featured in ''Fast & Furious'' and ''Fast Five'', the fourth and fifth installments of ''The Fast and the Furious'' franchise.

Discography

''El Abayarde'' (2003)

''El Enemy de los Guasíbiri'' (2004)

''The Underdog/El Subestimado'' (2006)

''El Abayarde Contraataca'' (2007)

''El Que Sabe, Sabe'' (2011)

Filmography

! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
2007	''Def Jam: Icon''	Himself	Video game, voice only
2007		Choco	Film Debut
2007	''Bling: A Planet Rock''	Himself	Documentary film / DVD
2009	''Fast & Furious''	Tego Leo	Cameo
2009	''Los Bandoleros''	Tego Leo	Lead Role / Short Film, Part of Fast & Furious
2011	''Fast Five''	Tego Leo	Supporting Role

References

External links

Official website

Tego Calderon, Artistas Destacado – Billboard En Español

Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Puerto Rican people of African descent Category:Puerto Rican musicians Category:Puerto Rican rappers Category:Puerto Rican reggaeton artists Category:Reggaeton musicians

de:Tego Calderón es:Tego Calderón fr:Tego Calderón ko:테고 칼데론 it:Tego Calderón he:טגו קלדרון nl:Tego Calderón ja:テゴ・カルデロン pl:Tego Calderón fi:Tego Calderón