Vico C (born Luis Armando Lozada Cruz on September 8, 1971) is a Puerto Rican rapper and reggaeton songwriter. He is considered one of the founding fathers of reggaeton and the real Father of Hip-Hop (Rap) in Puerto Rico. Vico C has played an influential role in the development of Latin American hip hop.
He was born in New York and raised in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed The Philosopher, lalucho Hernandez adopted the professional name Vico C. Vico C describes reggaeton as "essentially hip-hop but with a flavor more compatible to the Caribbean." Though he maintains they are of the same essence, Vico C believes the difference lies in the quintessential music style; the beat or rhythm of the music.
As one of the founders of hip hop in Spanish, Vico C was able to show that it was possible for one to be able to rap entirely and compellingly in Spanish using just occasional English phrases or slang terms. He can be seen in the rap movement as far back as its "underground" days ghostwriting and producing music for other young performers in the Puerto Rican rap scene.