Pitbull
Pitbull World Tour 2011
Background information
Birth name	Armando Christian Pérez[1]
Born	(1981-01-15) January 15, 1981 (age 31) Miami, Florida, United States
Origin	Miami, Florida, United States
Genres	Hip hop, Latin rap, hip house, crunk (early)
Occupations	Rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, television host
Years active	2003–present
Labels	RCA, TVT, Bad Boy Latino,[2] Polo Grounds, Mr. 305 Inc.
Associated acts	Lil Jon, Nayer, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony, Shakira, Chris Brown, Gabry Ponte
Website	www.pitbullmusic.com/us/home

Armando Christian Pérez (born January 15, 1981), better known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, pop singer-songwriter and record producer. His first recorded performance was from the Lil Jon album Kings of Crunk in 2002, after which he released his debut album in 2004 titled M.I.A.M.I. (short for Money Is a Major Issue) under TVT Records. Since then, he has released three other albums under the label: El Mariel in 2006, The Boatlift in 2007, and Planet Pit in 2011^[3]

He then released Rebelution in 2009, which included singles "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" and "Krazy". The latter peaked at No.30 on the Hot 100 and No.11 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts while "I Know You Want Me" peaked at No.2 on the Hot 100 and peaked within the top ten spots of charts in the UK, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands. The song reached No.1 in France and the European Hot 100 on the week ending August 29, 2009 according to Billboard magazine. He later signed with Polo Grounds Music through Sony Music and created his own label Mr. 305 Inc. Another single from Rebelution was "Hotel Room Service", which peaked at No.8 on the Hot 100. Rebelution went on to sell over 7.5 million worldwide digital singles and albums combined.^[4]

Pérez is also the host of his own Spanish-language program on the cable channel Mun2 titled La Esquina (Spanish for The Corner).^[1][5]

In 2005 Pérez and rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs co-founded Bad Boy Latino, a subsidiary of Combs' Bad Boy Records label. It primarily focuses on Latin Rap, Latin Soul, Latin Pop and other Tropical music, and has offices in New York City and Miami.^[6][7] Along with co-founding it, Pérez currently heads the A&R division of the label.^[2][8][9]

Pérez has become a product endorser, representing alongside Drake, Rihanna, and Trey Songz the “So Kodak” campaign for the Kodak brand^[10][11] and embarking on a partnership with the soda giant Dr Pepper^[12] as part of the campaign “Vida 23” for which he recorded the song specifically featured on his album Armando.^[13] Pitbull also announced he has become the spokesperson for Voli Vodka,^[14] in which he holds a majority equity stake.^[15]

Early life[link]

Pitbull was born to Cuban parents in Miami, FL. When he was three, he could recite the works of Cuba's national hero and poet, José Martí.^[16] He encountered problems early in his career as a rapper because he was blue-eyed, white and Cuban American.^[17] He was also influenced by the Miami bass genre of pop music^[3] and has cited Celia Cruz and Willy Chirino as sources of inspiration for his music.^[18] Perez's parents separated when he was young, and he was raised by his mother. He later spent time with a foster family in Roswell, Georgia.^[19] At age 16, his mother kicked him out of their house after he became a drug dealer, as had his father before him. He then graduated from Miami Coral Park High School and focused his career in rapping.^[19]

Pitbull explained the reason behind choosing his stage name, saying about the dog "they bite to lock. The dog is too stupid to lose. And they're outlawed in Dade County. They're basically everything that I am. It's been a constant fight."^[19] After meeting Lil Jon in Miami,^[19] Pitbull was featured on Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz' album Kings of Crunk in 2002.^[3] Pitbull's song "Oye" was featured on the soundtrack to the film 2 Fast 2 Furious the following year.^[19] In addition, Pitbull also released several mixtapes, composed of freestyles and remixes of popular rap music. Campbell featured Pitbull in his single "Lollipop".^[3]

Music career[link]

2001–2003: Luke Records and TVT Records[link]

In 2001 Pitbull was signed to Luther Campbell's Luke Records by Jullian Boothe, then the label's vice-president of A&R.^[20] In 2001 Pitbull was introduced to Robert Fernandez of Famous Artist Music & Management, an independent label and management company specializing in developing artists, by the Diaz Brothers, a producer duo signed to the company.^[21] Fernandez "saw the eagerness and hunger he had" and, with the Luke Records deal ending, began working to develop Pitbull.^[21] Together they focused on creating a more radio-friendly sound. Fernandez later told HitQuarters: "At that time his music had a lot of verses and took a long time to get into the hook, and so we took time in getting the songs catchier and less on the rap side."^[21] Pitbull recorded between 50 and 70 songs.

Fernandez introduced Pitbull to Lil Jon with a mind to trying to secure the rapper a small guest intro spot on Lil Jon's upcoming album "Kings of Crunk".^[21] According to Fernandez, Jon took a liking to Pitbull and went one better by offering him his own track on the album called "Pitbulls Cuban Ride Out", a feature that would help raise the young rapper's profile.^[21]

[edit] 2004–05: M.I.A.M.I.

In 2004, Pitbull released his debut album M.I.A.M.I., with the lead single being "Culo" produced by Lil Jon and the Diaz Brothers. It peaked at No.32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No.11 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. Other singles included "Dammit Man", "Back Up", "Toma", and "That's Nasty" (both featuring Lil Jon). He joined the Anger Management Tour, the 2000 hip-hop concert tour headlined by Eminem and 50 Cent.^[22] Pitbull also appeared on the Ying Yang Twins' single "Shake", which peaked at No.41 on the Hot 100 and No.12 on the rap chart, and Twista's "Hit the Floor" (#94 Hot 100, No.20 Rap). Remix album Money Is Still a Major Issue was released in November 2007; it included new track "Everybody Get Up", a duet with hip-hop/R&B group Pretty Ricky.

TVT Records, Pitbull's label at the time, and Slip-N-Slide Records disputed over the release of Welcome to the 305, an unreleased album by Slip-N-Slide that Pitbull had recorded in 2001.^[23] A Miami judge ruled that Slip-N-Slide had a legal right to release the album as it was recorded when Pitbull was a Slip-N-Slide artist, and prior to him signing with TVT Records.^[24] A U.S. District Court judge affirmed the decision further.^[25] TVT was then ordered in March 2007 to pay Slip-N-Slide $9.1 million for attempting to block the album's release to record stores and digital download entities.^[26]

[edit] 2006–08: El Mariel and The Boatlift

In January 2006, he guest-starred in UPN's South Beach. Also in 2006, he recorded "Nuestro Himno" in collaboration with Wyclef Jean, Carlos Ponce, and Olga Tañón.^[27] On Listennn... the Album, the debut album by Terror Squad member and Miami radio personality DJ Khaled, Pitbull performed on three singles: "Holla at Me" and "Born-N-Raised" alongside other Southern based rappers.

Pitbull performing at the Allstate Arena, B96 Jingle Bash, Chicago, December 15, 2009

El Mariel, Pitbull's second album, was released in October 2006. The title was in reference to the town from which the Cuban refugees came to Florida (1980) and referenced in the movie Scarface. He dedicated the album to his father, who died that year in May.^[17] Along with the usual party-oriented tracks, Pitbull also included politically-themed tracks in El Mariel.^[28] The album was released on October 31, 2006, and included singles "Bojangles", "Ay Chico (Lengua Afuera)", "Fuego", and duet with Puerto Rican singer Ken-Y, "Dime (Remix)". El Mariel topped the Billboard independent albums chart^[29] and peaked at No.17 on the Billboard 200 and No.2 on the rap chart.

Pitbull's third album, titled The Boatlift, was released in November 2007, spawned by the single "Secret Admirer" featuring Lloyd on the chorus. Earlier, Pitbull announced that this album would have a more gangsta rap edge than his earlier albums.^[30] Subsequent singles included "Go Girl" featuring Trina, and "The Anthem" featuring and produced Lil Jon, that song sampling the hook from the song "El Africano" by Wilfrido Vargas and the beat from the song "Calabria" by Rune RK. "Go Girl" peaked at No.80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.36 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart; "The Anthem" No.36 on the Hot 100 and No.11 on the Hot Rap Tracks.

His variety show, Pitbull's La Esquina, debuted May 2007 on the mun2 cable network.^[31] On December 21, 2007, Pitbull was arrested for drunk driving; he posted $1,000 on bail and pleaded not guilty.^[32] He was later acquitted from the charge.^[33] Pitbull also appeared on DJ Laz' "Move Shake Drop" and DJ Felli Fel's "Feel It".

[edit] 2009–2010: Rebelution and Armando

For his fourth studio album Rebelution, Pitbull released "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" through Ultra Records after his former label TVT Records went out of business. "Krazy" peaked at No.30 on the Hot 100 and No.11 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts. "I Know You Want Me" peaked at No.2 on the Hot 100 and peaked within the top ten spots of charts in the UK, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands. The song reached No.1 in France and the European Hot 100 on the week ending August 29, 2009 according to Billboard magazine. On Dec. 11, 2009, Billboard announced their Year-End Canadian Update, placing "I Know You Want Me" at No.7 on the Hot 100 chart and No.2 on the CHR/Top 40 chart.^[34] He later signed with Polo Grounds Music through Sony Music and created his own label Mr. 305 Inc.^[35] Another single was "Hotel Room Service", which samples "Push the Feeling On" and which peaked at No.9 on the Hot 100. On their second collaboration since "Go Girl", Pitbull appeared on the debut single of rapper David Rush (formerly Young Bo$$), "Shooting Star", also with Kevin Rudolf and LMFAO. An amateur video of Pitbull punching a disruptive audience member at a Colorado concert leaked on the Internet in late May 2009. Pitbull explained to MTV News that it was because the fan kept throwing cash around the stage, and after Pitbull pulled him up to the stage, he threw a stash of money right in Pitbull's face.^[36] He has been tapped by the Miami Dolphins to work alongside T-Pain & Jimmy Buffett to release a new fight song for the Dolphins.^[37] The city of Miami granted Pitbull a "Key to the City" honor on August 19, 2009.^[38] Another popular single from 2009 was "Blanco", featuring Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes from the soundtrack to the movie Fast & Furious. In 2010, Pitbull performed the rap section in the Haiti benefit song "Somos El Mundo", a Spanish version of "We Are the World", that included a huge group of Latin artists led by Emilio and Gloria Estefan. He was also a featured guest on "Armada Latina", the fourth single off the album Rise Up by Latin rap legends, Cypress Hill. The song was produced by Jim Jonsin and also features Marc Anthony. Pitbull then collaborated with Alexandra Burke on the single "All Night Long". He was also featured on "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" by Usher.

Pitbull also released his full-length debut Spanish-language album titled Armando on November 2, 2010. Pitbull is also one of the most nominated artists of the upcoming Latin Billboard Music Awards].^[39] He garnered 7 nominations for “Latin Rhythm Airplay, Song of the Year” for “Bon, Bon”; “Latin Rhythm Airplay, Artist of the Year, Solo Artist”; “Latin Rhythm Albums, Album of the Year” for Armando; “Latin Rhythm Albums, Artist of the Year, Solo Artist”; “Social 50, Latin Artist of the Year”; “Latin Digital Download of the Year” for “Bon, Bon” and “Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event” for the song “I Like It” alongside Enrique Iglesias. He also won Telehit’s award for “Most Popular Artist”.^[40]

[edit] 2011–present: Planet Pit and Global Warming

Pitbull released his highly anticipated follow-up English album, Planet Pit, on June 21, 2011. Pitbull collaborated with T-Pain on its first single, "Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor)". Pitbull has also collaborated with Jennifer Lopez on her single "On the Floor". On March 22, 2011, Pitbull released his second single, "Give Me Everything" featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, and three months later, the song became Pitbull's first single to top the Billboard Hot 100.^[41] On May 2, 2011, Pitbull and Mýa appeared on WWE Monday Night RAW to celebrate Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's birthday.^[42][43] Pitbull appeared as musical guest on Conan on August 1, 2011.^[44] On August 22, 2011, Lindsay Lohan sued Pitbull, Ne-Yo and Afrojack in response to "Give Me Everything"'s lyrics referencing her name.^[45]

On October 7, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records. With the shutdown, Pitbull (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release his future material on the RCA Records brand. It was announced that Pitbull's seventh studio album will be titled "Global Warming". It is said the album will be released in the summer of 2012. It was also announced that the lead single from the album will be titled "Get It Started" featuring singer Shakira. Pitbull was attached to the Men In Black 3 soundtrack, releasing the song "Back in Time", which samples "Love Is Strange" by Mickey & Sylvia.

Pitbull will start his new world tour in June 2012. The tour includes the concert in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on June 26.^[46]

Discography[link]

Main article: Pitbull discography Studio albums 2004: M.I.A.M.I. 2006: El Mariel 2007: The Boatlift 2009: Rebelution 2010: Armando 2011: Planet Pit 2012: Global Warming Compilation albums 2005: Money Is Still A Major Issue 2012: Original Hits Awards and nominations[link] Year Award Category Work Result 2008[47] Teen Choice Awards Best Hip Hop Song The Anthem Nominated 2009[48] Billboard Latin Music Awards Latin Digital Download Artist of the Year Won 2009[49] Teen Choice Awards Best Hip Hop Song I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) Nominated 2010[50] NRJ Music Awards International Song of the Year I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) Nominated 2010[51] Teen Choice Awards Best Rap Artist Nominated 2011[52] ALMA Awards FavoriteArtist Of the Year Won 2011[53] American Music Awards Favorite Pop/Rock Artist Nominated 2011[54] Latin Billboard Music Awards Latin Rhythm Airplay Song of the Year Bon, Bon Nominated 2011 Latin Billboard Music Awards Latin Rhythm Album of the Year Armando Nominated 2011 Latin Billboard Music Awards Latin Rhythm Airplay Artist Nominated 2011[55] Latin Grammy Awards Best Urban Music Album Armando Nominated 2011 Latin Grammy Awards Best Urban Song Bon, Bon Nominated 2011[56] Teen Choice Awards Best Hip Hop Song Give Me Everything Nominated 2011[57] PopCruch Music Awards Best Song of the Year Give Me Everything Nominated 2011[58] Billboard Music Awards Best Latin Artist Nominated 2011[59] MTV Europe Music Awards Best Hip Hop Artist Nominated 2011[60] MTV Video Music Awards Best Hip Hop Video Give Me Everything Nominated 2011 MTV Video Music Awards Best Collaboration Give Me Everything Nominated 2012[61] People's Choice Awards Favorite Hip Hop Artist Nominated 2011[62] American Music Awards Favorite Latin Artist Nominated 2012[63] NRJ Music Awards International Artist of the Year Nominated References[link] ^ a b Hustle and Row: All Aboard Pitbull's Boatlift. Latinrapper.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-11. ^ a b From the Kennel to the Streets: Pitbull Brings Miami Heat. Latinrapper.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-11. ^ a b c d Jeffries, David. "Pitbull – Biography". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p542550. Retrieved November 16, 2009.  ^ "Pitbull’s Rebelution Sold Over 7.5 million Worldwide Digital Singles and Albums Combined". http://planetpit.com/2011/02/15/pitbulls-rebelution-sold-over-7-5-million-worldwide-digital-singles-and-albums-combined/.  ^ Edelhauser, Kristin (September 25, 2007). "Viva Entrepreneurship". The Washington Post (The Washington Post Company). http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092601051_pf.html. Retrieved August 17, 2009.  ^ "P Diddy & Pitbull launch Bad Boy Latino | P Diddy". Rap Basement. April 29, 2005. http://www.rapbasement.com/puff-daddy/p-diddy-pitbull-launch-bad-boy-latino.html. Retrieved June 15, 2011.  ^ "P.Diddy to launch "Bad Boy Latino"". Hispanicsurf.com. May 2, 2005. http://www.hispanicsurf.com/newsroom/2005/pdiddy_to_launch_badboy_latino-050205.htm. Retrieved June 15, 2011.  ^ "Pitbull speaks about Bad Boy Latino". Bad Boy Forever. http://www.badboyforever.com/article/pitbull-speaks-about-bad-boy-latino. Retrieved June 15, 2011.  ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums. "Bad Boy Latino Launches". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001021401#/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001021401. Retrieved June 15, 2011.  ^ Pitbull, Drake and Trey Songz Embody “So Kodak”. Latinrapper.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-11. ^ "Wall Street Journal: Kodak Refocuses To Address Younger, Hipper Audience". http://planetpit.com/2010/09/23/wsj-kodak-refocuses-to-address-younger-hipper-audience/.  ^ Pitbull Scores Two Latin Grammy Nods and Release iPad App. Latinrapper.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-11. ^ "Pitbull at Club 23 Vida 23 with Melissa Hernandez". http://planetpit.com/2011/03/24/pitbull-at-club-23-vida-23-with-melissa-hernandez/.  ^ Pitbull Becomes Official Spokesman for Voli Vodka. Latinrapper.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-11. ^ "Pitbull Lands Equity Stake In Voli Vodka". http://planetpit.com/2011/03/25/pitbull-lands-equity-stake-in-voli-vodka/.  ^ Balmaseda, Liz (February 9, 2003). "A new breed;". The Miami Herald. Archived from the original on July 24, 2003. http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20030724130816/http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/liz_balmaseda/5135581.htm.  Also alternatively titled "Miami rapper Pitbull is poised to sink his teeth into rap's big time" ^ a b Faber, Judy (September 27, 2006). "Pitbull Sinks His Teeth Into New Album". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/26/entertainment/main2042098.shtml. Retrieved August 17, 2009.  ^ Herrera, Jr., Reynaldo (May 1, 2009). "Pitbull Exclusive Interview". Open Your Eyes Magazine. http://www.oyemag.com/index.php/pitbull-rapper/. Retrieved December 26, 2009.  ^ a b c d e Wiltz, Teresa (July 25, 2004). "Hustling to the Beat". The Washington Post (The Washington Post Company). http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9488-2004Jul23.html. Retrieved August 16, 2009.  ^ "Labels Fighting Over Music Pitbull Made When He Was A Puppy". mtv.com. August 16, 2005. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507698/labels-fighting-over-pitbulls-early-work.jhtml. Retrieved 25 August 2011.  ^ a b c d e "Interview with Robert Fernandez". HitQuarters. August 9, 2011. http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/2011/August8_15_33_31.html. Retrieved August 25, 2011.  ^ "For The Record: Quick News On P. Diddy, Pitbull, Gwen Stefani, Luther Vandross, Backstreet Boys, 311, Disturbed & More". MTV News. July 5, 2005. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1505227/20050705/puff_daddy.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ Harris, Chris (August 16, 2005). "Labels Fighting Over Music Pitbull Made When He Was A Puppy". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507698/20050816/pitbull_2_.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Nick And Jessica, Dr. Dre, Green Day, Ashanti, Pitbull, Wyclef Jean & More". MTV News. October 5, 2005. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510938/20051005/simpson_jessica.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Britney, Lindsay, Fugees, Ludacris, Dave Chappelle, T.I., Bravery & More". MTV News. January 31, 2006. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1522917/20060131/spears_britney.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Kanye, 'High School Musical,' Angels & Airwaves, Gwen, Diddy, Public Enemy & More". MTV News. March 19, 2007. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1554956/20070319/west_kanye.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ "Spanish Version of 'Star-Spangled Banner' Draws Protests". Associated Press. Fox News. April 28, 2006. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193533,00.html.  ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (September 15, 2006). "Pitbull Barks About Parties, Politics On October's El Mariel". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1540922/20060914/pitbull_2_.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ "El Mariel > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r858313. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (April 27, 2007). "Lil Jon, Trick Daddy Among Boatload Of Guests On Pitbull's Boatlift". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1558115/20070426/pitbull_2_.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ "Raper Pitbull’s New TV Show ‘Pitbull’s La Esquina’" (Press release). mun2. March 21, 2007. http://www.latinheat.com/print.php?nid=1066&origen=1.  ^ Harris, Chris (December 22, 2007). "Pitbull Arrested For Drunk Driving In Miami; Will Plead Not Guilty To Charge". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1577522/20071221/pitbull_2_.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ "Miami rapper Pitbull acquitted of DUI". Associated Press. July 10, 2009. http://www.pbpulse.com/music/2009/07/10/miami-rapper-pitbull-acquitted-of-dui/. Retrieved May 9, 2010.  ^ "Billboard Year-End Canadian Update". Billboard Magazine. http://www.billboard.biz/billboardbiz/photos/pdf/canadian_update.pdf. Retrieved December 11, 2009.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (June 9, 2009). "Pitbull Leads A Tour Of His Miami". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1613531/20090609/pitbull_2_.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 27, 2009). "Pitbull On Punching Disruptive Fan: 'Natural Instinct Kicked In'". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1612255/20090527/pitbull_2_.jhtml. Retrieved August 9, 2009.  ^ T-Pain, Pitbull Remake Miami Dolphins Fight Song. Hhspot.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-11. ^ "Change the Locks! Pitbull Gets Keys to Miami". WTVJ. 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ABC.com. 20/11/2011. http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/winners/ThemeGallery/889892.  ^ "Billboard Latin Music Awards 2011". billboardevents.com. 28/04/2011. http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/latin/images/2011_Billboard_Latin_Awards_Finalists_and_Winners.pdf.  ^ "Billboard Latin Music Awards 2011". billboardevents.com. 28/04/2011. http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/latin/images/2011_Billboard_Latin_Awards_Finalists_and_Winners.pdf.  ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2011". teenchoiceawards.com. 07/08/2011. http://teenchoiceawards.com/voteMusic.aspx.  ^ "PopCruch Music Awards". popcrush.com. 01/01/12. http://popcrush.com/2011-popcrush-music-awards-vote-now/.  ^ "Billboard Music Awards 2011". billboard.com. 22/04/11. http://www.billboard.com/features/billboard-1005122862.story#/bbma/features/2011-billboard-music-awards-finalists-pg4-1005153872.story.  ^ "MTV Europe Music Awards 2011". mtvema.com. 06/11/2011. http://pt.mtvema.com/nomeados.  ^ "MTV Video Music Awards". mtv.com. 28/08/11. http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2011/categories.jhtml.  ^ "People's Choise Awards 2012". peopleschoice.com. 11/01/2012. http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/awards/nominees/.  ^ "American Music Awards 2011". ABC.com. 20/11/2011. http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/winners/ThemeGallery/889892.  ^ "NRJ Music Awards 2012". http://nrjmusicawards.nrj.fr.+28/01/2012. http://www.metrolyrics.com/2012-nrj-music-awards.html.  External links[link] Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pitbull (rapper) Official Website Pitbull (entertainer) on Facebook Pitbull interview Pitbull feature at Inked Magazine v t e Pitbull Discography Studio albums M.I.A.M.I. El Mariel The Boatlift Rebelution Armando Planet Pit Global Warming Compilation albums Money Is Still a Major Issue Original Hits Mixtapes Pitbull : Free Agent The Streets Are Talking International Takeover: The United Nations Mr. Worldwide Concert tours Rebelution Tour Planet Pit World Tour Related articles Lil Jon v t e Pitbull singles Discography M.I.A.M.I. 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"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the debut song by the British band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. The single reached number one in the UK Singles Chart^[1] on 8 June 1967, and stayed there for six weeks. Without much promotion, it reached #5 on the US charts, as well. It is one of the fewer than 30 all-time singles to have sold 10 million (or more) copies worldwide.^{[citation needed]}

With its haunting Bach-flavoured instrumental melody, soulful vocals, and unusual lyrics—by the song's co-authors Gary Brooker, Keith Reid,^[2] and Matthew Fisher-- "A Whiter Shade of Pale" reached #1 in several countries when released in 1967. In the years since, it has become an enduring classic. It was the most played song in the last 75 years in public places in the UK (as of 2009),^[3] and the United Kingdom performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited in 2004 recognised it as the most-played record by British broadcasting of the past 70 years.^[4] Also in 2004, Rolling Stone placed "A Whiter Shade of Pale" #57 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

More than 1000 recorded cover versions by other artists are known.^[5] The song has been included in many music compilations over the decades and has also been used in the soundtracks of numerous films, including The Big Chill, Purple Haze, Breaking the Waves, The Boat That Rocked and notably in Martin Scorsese's segment of New York Stories. Cover versions of the song have also been featured in many films, for example by King Curtis in Withnail and I and by Annie Lennox in The Net.

The original writing credits were for Brooker and Reid only. On 30 July 2009, Matthew Fisher won co-writing credit for the music in a unanimous ruling from the Law Lords.

Recording and personnel[link]

The song was performed and recorded at Olympic Studios in London, England with Gary Brooker providing the vocals and piano, Matthew Fisher on a Hammond M-102 organ, David Knights on bass and Ray Royer on guitar. Drums were by session drummer Bill Eyden. A few days later, the song was re-recorded with the band's then newly-recruited drummer Bobby Harrison. That version, though, was considered inferior^{[citation needed]} and one of the original mono recordings was chosen for release.

Producer for the record was Denny Cordell and Keith Grant was the sound engineer.^[6]

The song was included on the original U.S. release of the Procol Harum album, but not on the UK version.

Lyrics[link]

Reid got the title and the starting point for the song at a party. He overheard someone at the party saying to a woman, "You've turned a whiter shade of pale," and the phrase stuck in his mind.^[7][8] The original lyrics had four verses, of which only two are heard on the original recording. The third verse has been heard in live performances by Procol Harum, and more seldom also the fourth.^[9] The author of Procol Harum: beyond the pale, Claes Johansen, suggests that the song "deals in metaphorical form with a male/female relationship which after some negotiation ends in a sexual act."^[8] This is supported by Tim de Lisle in Lives of the Great Songs, who remarks that the lyrics concern a drunken seduction, which is described through references to sex as a form of travel, usually nautical, using mythical and literary journeys.^[10] Other observers have also commented that the lyrics concern a sexual relationship.^[7]

Structurally and thematically, the song is unusual in many respects. While the recorded version is 4:03 long, it is composed of only two verses, each with chorus. The piece is also more instrument-driven than most songs of the period, and with a much looser rhyme scheme. Its unusually allusive and referential lyrics are much more complex than most lyrics of the time (for example, the chorus focuses on Chaucer's The Miller's Tale). Thus, this piece can be thought of as a forerunner to the progressive rock that would reach its zenith about ten years later.

The phrase a whiter shade of pale has since gained widespread use in the English language, noticed by several dictionaries.^[11][12][13] As such, the phrase is today often used in contexts independent of any consideration of the song. (See ^[14] for many annotated examples complete with links to original sources.) It has also been heavily paraphrased, in forms like an Xer shade of Y--this to the extent that it has been recognised^[15][16] as a snowclone – a type of cliché and phrasal template.

Composition[link]

The song is in moderate time, in C major, and is characterised by the bassline moving stepwise downwards in a repeated pattern throughout. In classical music this is known as a ground bass. The harmonic structure is identical for the organ melody, the verse and the chorus, except that the chorus finishes with a cadence. The main organ melody appears at the beginning and after each verse/chorus. But it is also heard throughout, playing variations of its theme and counterpointing the vocal line. Both the vocal and the organ accompaniment reach a crescendo at the beginning of the chorus "And so it was, and later ..."; where the organist rapidly runs his finger down and up the entire keyboard. The final instrumental fades out to silence - a common device in pop music of the time.

The Hammond organ line of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's "Sleepers, Wake!" and "Air on the G String" - both of which use a similar stepwise bass motion. But contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach,^[17] although it makes clear references to both pieces. This similarity is referred to in the 1982 play The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard and the 1991 film The Commitments. A yet closer melodic influence that is seldom cited can arguably^{[weasel words]} be found in the organ choral prelude "O Mensch bewein dein' Sünde groß" (O Man, Lament Your Sin So Great), BWV 622, from Bach's Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book). The music also borrows ideas from "When a Man Loves a Woman" by Percy Sledge.^[18]

Reception[link]

The single was released on 12 May 1967 by Deram Records and entered the UK charts on 25 May. In two weeks it reached number one where it stayed for six weeks, and on the UK chart for a total of 15 weeks. A May 1972 re-release on Fly Records stayed in the UK charts for a total of 12 weeks, and reached number 13 as highest. In the US, it reached #5 and sold over one million copies. In the Netherlands it entered the chart at number one in June 1967 and again reached number one in July 1972.

Chart positions: # 1 (UK), # 1 (the Netherlands), # 1 (Germany), # 1 (Ireland), # 1 (Australia), # 1 (World), # 3 (Norway VG-lista), # 5 (USA Hot 100). "A Whiter Shade of Pale" also managed to peak at number twenty-two on the soul charts in the U.S.^[19]

Over time, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" has earned extensive critical acclaim:

• John Lennon was a great fan of the song and was known to have played it repeatedly in his Rolls Royce. When it was released in England, Lennon (and friends in his circle) reportedly confused Brooker's soulful vocals with Steve Winwood, who had popularity at the time with The Spencer Davis Group.
• It was named joint winner (along with Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", which also uses the word 'fandango') of the Best British Pop Single 1952–1977 at the BRIT Awards, part of Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee.
• #57 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.
• British TV station Channel 4 placed the song at #19 in its chart of the 100 greatest number one singles.^[20]

Authorship lawsuit[link]

In 2005, former Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher filed suit in the High Court against Gary Brooker and his publisher, claiming that he co-wrote the music for the song.^[21]

Fisher won the case on 20 December 2006 but was awarded 40% of the composers' share of the music copyright, rather than the 50% he was seeking and was not granted royalties prior to 2005.^[22]

Gary Brooker and publisher Onward Music were granted leave to appeal, and a hearing on the matter was held before a panel of three judges during the week of 1 October 2007. The decision, on 4 April 2008, by Lord Justice Mummery, in the Court of Appeal upheld Fisher's co-authorship^[23] but ruled that he should receive no royalties as he had taken too long (38 years) to bring his claim to litigation. Full royalty rights were returned to Brooker.^[24]

On 5 November 2008, Matthew Fisher was granted permission to appeal this decision to the House of Lords.^[25] Lawyers say it is the first time the Law Lords have been asked to rule on a copyright dispute involving a song.^[26] The appeal was heard in the House of Lords on 22–23 April 2009.^[27]

On 30 July 2009 the Law Lords unanimously ruled in Fisher's favour. They noted that the delay in bringing the case had not caused any harm to the other party; on the contrary they had benefited financially from it. They also pointed out that there were no time limits to copyright claims under English law. The right to future royalties was therefore returned to Fisher.^[28][29] The musicological basis of the judgment, and its effect on the rights of musicians who contribute composition to future works, has drawn some attention in the music world.^[30]

Video[link]

The first video for the song was shot in the ruins of Witley Court in Worcestershire, England.^[31] The Witley Court video features four of the five musicians who played on the hit single: Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher, David Knights and Ray Royer, in performance and walking through the ruins. Only the drummer in the video isn't on the record: early band member Bobby Harrison is seen miming to session man Bill Eyden's drumming. According to Shindig! Magazine's Procol Harum cover story by Alan Robinson (November–December 2009 issue – page 55), the video was directed by Peter Clifton whose insertion of Vietnam War newsreel footage caused it to be banned from airplay on the "Top of the Pops" TV show. The band subsequently made another video using "Scopitone" technology, but by this time, Robin Trower and B.J. Wilson had replaced Royer and Harrison in the band, so only three of the five musicians on the recording are represented, and no performance footage included – only the five musicians cavorting around London, running across fields, etc. This lineup, with Fisher in a monk's cowl, also mimed to the song on Top of the Pops, (though Gary Brooker sang live) and black and white footage of this performance has been shown online, perhaps constituting the third video of the song from 1967. (See also its inclusion on the 'Top of the Pops 40th Anniversary 1964–2004 DVD'.)

There was also a video shot as part of Joel Gallen's Deja-View music video series.^[32] Originally airing on various networks in late 1985 through 1986, this video starred Harry Dean Stanton and Bernie Taupin, but featured no member of the band. It has also aired on VH1 Classic, and has recently surfaced online.^[33][34]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Bill Eyden Obituary
• Procol Harum — A Whiter Shade Of Pale, live video from Eagle Rock Entertainment's official channel on YouTube
• A Whiter Shade of Pale: authorised lyrics of all four verses

Cuban American · Cubano estadounidense

Gloria Estefan · Andy García · Marco Rubio · Enrique Murciano · Cameron Diaz · Eva Mendes · Pitbull · Christina Milian
Total population
1,785,547 0.6% of the total US population (2010)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Predominantly in Miami, Tampa Bay Area, Northern New Jersey, New York. Growing populations in California, Texas, North Carolina and Georgia.
Languages
Spanish · American English
Religion
Predominantly Roman Catholic
Related ethnic groups
Spaniards · Italians · Portuguese · Hispanics Afro-Cuban · Jewish Cuban · Chinese Cuban

A Cuban American (Spanish: Cubano estadounidense) is a United States citizen who traces his or her "national origin" to Cuba. Cuban Americans are also considered native born Americans with Cuban ancestry or Cuban-born persons who were raised and educated in US. Cuban Americans form the third-largest Hispanic group in the United States and also the largest group of Hispanics of European ancestry (predominantly Spanish) as a percentage but not in numbers.^[2][3][4]

Many communities throughout the United States have significant Cuban American populations.^[5] However Miami, Florida, with a Cuban American population of 856,007 in its environs,^[6] stands out as the most prominent Cuban American community, in part because of its proximity to Cuba. It is followed by the Tampa Bay Area and North Hudson, New Jersey, particularly Union City and West New York.^[5] With a population of 141,250, the New York metropolitan area's Cuban community is the largest Cuban-American community outside of Florida.^[6]

Immigration[link]

Early migrations[link]

Prior to the Louisiana Purchase and the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, all of Florida and Louisiana were provinces of the Captaincy General of Cuba (Captain General being the Spanish title equivalent to the British colonial Governor). Consequently, Cuban immigration to the U.S. has a long history, beginning in the Spanish colonial period in 1565 when St. Augustine, Florida was established by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, and hundreds of Spanish-Cuban soldiers and their families moved from Cuba to St. Augustine to establish a new life. Thousands of Cuban settlers also immigrated to Louisiana between 1778 and 1802 and Texas during the period of Spanish rule.^{[citation needed]}

Key West and Tampa, Florida[link]

In the mid-to late 19th century, several cigar manufacturers moved their operations to Key West to get away from growing disruptions as Cubans sought independence from Spanish colonial rule. Many Cuban cigar workers followed. The Cuban government had even established a grammar school in Key West to help preserve Cuban culture. There, children learned folk songs and patriotic hymns such as "La Bayamesa", the Cuban national anthem.

In 1885, Vicente Martinez Ybor moved his cigar operations from Key West to the town of Tampa, Florida to escape labor strife. Ybor City was designed as a modified company town, and it quickly attracted thousands of Cuban workers from Key West and Cuba. West Tampa, another new cigar manufacturing community, was founded nearby in 1892 and also grew quickly. Between these communities, the Tampa Bay area's Cuban population grew from almost nothing to the largest in Florida in just over a decade, and the city as a whole grew from a village of approximately 1000 residents in 1885 to over 16,000 by 1900.

Both Ybor City and West Tampa were instrumental in Cuba's eventual independence.^[7] Inspired by revolutionaries such as Jose Martí, who visited Florida several times, Tampa-area Cubans and their sympathetic neighbors donated money, equipment, and sometimes their lives to the cause of Cuba Libre.^[8] After the Spanish-American War, some Cubans returned to their native land, but many chose to stay in the U.S. due to the physical and economic devastation caused by years of fighting on the island.^[9]

Other early waves[link]

Several other small waves of Cuban emigration to the U.S. occurred in the early 20th century (1900–1959). Most settled in Florida and the northeast U.S. The majority of an estimated 100,000 Cubans arriving in that time period usually came for economic reasons (the Great Depression of 1929, volatile sugar prices and migrant farm labor contracts),^{[citation needed]} but included anti-Batista refugees fleeing the military dictatorship, which had pro-U.S. diplomatic ties.

Post-Castro Revolution[link]

Political upheaval in Cuba created new waves of Cuban immigrants to the U.S. In 1959, after the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro, a large Cuban exodus began as the new government allied itself with the Soviet Union and began to introduce communism. From 1960 to 1979, hundreds of thousands of Cubans left Cuba and began a new life in the United States. Most Cuban Americans that arrived in the United States initially came from Cuba's educated upper and middle classes. Between December 1960 and October 1962 more than 14,000 Cuban children arrived alone in the U.S. Their parents were afraid that their children were going to be sent to some Soviet bloc countries to be educated^{[citation needed]} and they decided to send them to the States as soon as possible. This program was called Operation Peter Pan (Operacion Pedro Pan). When the children arrived in Miami they were met by representatives of Catholic Charities and they were sent to live with relatives if they had any or were sent to foster homes, orphanages or boarding schools until their parents could leave Cuba. In order to provide aid to recently arrived Cuban immigrants, the United States Congress passed the Cuban Adjustment Act in 1966. The Cuban Refugee Program provided more than $1.3 billion of direct financial assistance. They also were eligible for public assistance, Medicare, free English courses, scholarships, and low-interest college loans. Some banks even pioneered loans for exiles who did not have collateral or credit but received help in getting a business loan. These loans enabled many Cuban Americans to secure funds and start up their own businesses. With their Cuban-owned businesses and low cost of living, Miami, Florida and Union City, New Jersey (dubbed Havana on the Hudson,)^[10] were the preferred destinations for many immigrants and soon became the main centers for Cuban American culture. Union City had the opportunities offered by the embroidery industry. According to author Lisandro Perez, Miami was not particularly attractive to Cubans prior to the 1960s.^[11] It was not until the mass exodus of the Cuban exiles in 1959 that Miami started to become a preferred destination. Westchester, Florida within Miami-Dade County, was the area most densely populated by Cubans and Cuban Americans in the United States, followed by Hialeah, Florida in second.^[12] In 2010, Hialeah, Florida was the area most densely populated by Cubans and Cuban Americans in the U.S., followed by Westchester, Florida in second.