Americanos

"Americanos" is a song by former Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson, released as the second single from his 1989 debut album Blast. The song was written by Holly Johnson and was recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell, Townhouse, London and Battery, London.

Background

In the MCA press release for the Blast album, the release stated "Besides "Love Train" and "Americanos," key tracks include "Heavens Here" and "Atomic City."

Music video

In a 1989 issue of the German Bravo magazine, an article based on the music video was published under the headline "Holly Johnson plays lotto fairy". The article revealed the music video's storyline and stated "Living across America you see so called "game-show" games of all kinds, which are the biggest business in the American live television. Everybody takes everyone dreams, and insert the big win. Therefore Holly Johnson chose this topic for his new video "Americanos". Together with photographer Eric Watson, who was already responsible for some Pet Shop Boys videos and for Holly's "Americanos". Directed by Holly, he thought of a fictional television show called "Solid Gold Lottery Show" from where he himself the moderator in a gold lamé suit plays. Superimposed is a typical Mexican-American average family that watches during the broadcast virtually on the screen and have a burning desire to make a big profit in the guessing game. In the lyrics of "Americanos", Holly goes all All-American at the best stockings: How you can become president without a penny, where you wear nothing but blue jeans or chinos and only drink Coke and Pepsi".

Lil Jon

Jonathan Smith (born January 17, 1971), better known by his stage name Lil Jon, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, DJ and actor. He was the frontman of the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, which he formed in 1997, and they released several albums until 2004. He then went solo and released a new album in 2010 titled Crunk Rock. He was also featured on Celebrity Apprentice during its 11th and 13th seasons.

Life and career

Beginnings

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Smith graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in Atlanta. After working as a DJ for Atlanta night clubs, he started working for So So Def Recordings between 1993 and 2000.

Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz

Smith took the stage name Lil Jon and formed musical group Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz with rappers Big Sam (born Sammie Dernard Norris) and Lil' Bo (born Wendell Maurice Neal). The group signed to the Atlanta-based Mirror Image Records and were distributed by Ichiban Records. In 1997, Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz debuted with Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album. It included singles "Who U Wit?" and "Shawty Freak a Lil' Sumthin'", the latter of which came out in 1998. Both singles charted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 70 and No. 62 respectively. In 2000, Jon took part in starting up his own label BME Recordings and signed a distribution agreement with Norcross, Georgia-based Southern Music Distribution. There he released his breakthrough album titled We Still Crunk!. Among the tracks on that project was the hit single "I Like Those Girls", which reached No. 55 on the R&B chart and No. 3 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.

French Montana

Karim Kharbouch (born November 9, 1984), better known by his stage name French Montana, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, former videographer, and hip hop socialite. Born in Morocco, his family emigrated to the US when he was 13 years old. He is the founder of Coke Boys Music, and its predecessor Cocaine City Records. In 2012, he signed a joint-venture recording deal with Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group. Montana has been known for his frequent collaborations with producer Harry Fraud, and with rapper Max B before his conviction. More recently he is known for his collaborations with Rick Ross, Diddy and his MMG and Bad Boy labelmates along with his Coke Boys which include the late Chinx, Lil Durk, and his brother Zack.

French made his mixtape debut in 2007, and released his debut studio album Excuse My French on May 21, 2013. In 2003, he survived a gunshot to the head. Allegedly blackballed by radio and media in his earlier career stemming from his stint with Max B. In 2010, he had his breakthrough with "Choppa Choppa Down" which became a regional hit in clubs and radio throughout the South. By 2012, his single "Shot Caller" would be one of the most added/played tracks on urban contemporary radio in the country. His most successful commercial single "Pop That" remains a popular hit on club and summertime radio playlists to date. In 2014, French Montana was dating Khloé Kardashian, and the couple would be the frequent subject of tabloids and celebrity gossip. The couple formally broke up in mid-2015; French has also been linked to rapper Trina and actress Sanaa Lathan. Best known for his mixtapes, club hits, and feature collaborations, he has been called titles from "King of Mixtapes" to "King of Features".