Pitbull | |
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_(cropped).jpg) Pitbull in 2023 | |
| Born | Armando Christian Pérez (1981-01-15)January 15, 1981 (age 44) Miami, Florida, U.S. |
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| Education | Miami Coral Park High School |
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| Years active | 1998–present |
| Works | Discography |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Labels | |
| Website | pitbullmusic |
Musical artist | |
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Armando Christian Pérez (born January 15, 1981), known professionally asPitbull, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He began his career in the early 2000s as areggaeton,Latin hip hop, andcrunk performer, and signed withTVT Records to release his debut album,M.I.A.M.I. (2004). Executive produced byLil Jon, the album moderately entered theBillboard 200 along with his second and third albums,El Mariel (2006) andThe Boatlift (2007).[5] His fourth album,Pitbull Starring in Rebelution (2009), yielded his mainstream breakthrough, spawning the singles "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" and "Hotel Room Service"—which peaked at numbers two and eight on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100, respectively.
Afterrebranding himself as apop artist, Pitbull's sixth and seventh albums,Planet Pit (2011) andGlobal Warming (2012) were both met with continued commercial success; the former spawned his firstBillboard Hot 100-number one single "Give Me Everything" (featuringNe-Yo,Afrojack andNayer), while the latter spawned the top ten hit "Feel This Moment" (featuringChristina Aguilera).[6] His 2013 single, "Timber" (featuringKesha), became his second song to peak the chart, and did so in 18 other countries. His 2014 single, "Time of Our Lives" (with Ne-Yo), peaked within the chart's top ten and led his eighth album,Globalization (2014). That same year, he performed the song "We Are One (Ole Ola)" (withJennifer Lopez andClaudia Leitte), which served as theofficial theme of the2014 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Pitbull made numerousguest appearances on a number of hit songs, including theBillboard Hot 100-top four singles "I Like It" byEnrique Iglesias, "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" byUsher, and "On the Floor" byJennifer Lopez.
Pitbull's subsequent albums,Dale (2015) andClimate Change (2017), trailed commercially. His eleventh album and first independent release,Libertad 548 (2019) focused onLatin hip hop and was led by the singles "No Lo Trates" (withDaddy Yankee andNatti Natasha) and "Me Quedaré Contigo" (featuring Ne-Yo). His twelfth album,Trackhouse (2023), delved further into Latin influences.
Pitbull has sold over 25 million studio albums and over 100 million singles worldwide. He has over 15 billion views onYouTube as of May 2020.[7] He was ranked byBillboard as the 45th Top Artist of the 2010s and the 24th Top Latin Artist of the 2010s.[8][9] Pitbull's other ventures includebrand ambassadorship and for various entities, activism and philanthropy inLatino American communities, a radio station—Pitbull's Globalization—onSirius XM Radio, and ownership of theTrackhouse RacingNASCAR team.[10] As of May 2019, Pitbull has won 35Billboard Latin Music Awards.[11][12]
Armando Christian Pérez was born on January 15, 1981, inMiami, Florida,[13][14] toCuban immigrant parents. While growing up, he was strongly encouraged by his family to "take advantage" of the privilege of living in America, and the opportunities that came with it.[15] His family has a history of fighting against theCastro regime in Cuba.[16] When he was three, he could recite the works of Cuban national hero and poetJosé Martí in Spanish.[17] He learned English by watchingSesame Street as a child.[18] His father was largely absent from his childhood; his parents separated when he was young, and he was raised mostly by his mother,[19] later stating: "my mom is my father and my mother."[20] He briefly stayed with afoster family inRoswell, Georgia. His parents struggled with substance abuse; as a teenager, he was also involved with drug use and dealing, which eventually led to him getting kicked out of the family house.[19] He attendedSouth Miami Senior High School andMiami Coral Park High School. His teacher, Hope Martinez, noticed his talent and got him an invitation to aDMX video shoot. He credits her for his success and says she changed his life.[21] While growing up, he was influenced by theMiami bass genre of pop music[5] and has citedCelia Cruz andWilly Chirino as sources of inspiration,[22] in addition to rappers such asNas,Jay-Z, andSnoop Dogg. He stated that Miami'smelting pot characteristics exposed him to various cultures which influenced his artistry and himself as a person.[15]
It's a melting pot. [...] I've grown up in good neighborhoods, bad neighborhoods, worse neighborhoods. But growing up around so many cultures, it's always allowed me to think out of the box and try new sounds and try new things. You learn something new from every culture, just like I learn something new from every record.
— Pitbull in 2019
He said he chose his stage name of Pitbull because the dogs "bite to lock. The dog is too stupid to lose. And they're outlawed inDade County. They're basically everything that I am. It's been a constant fight".[19] Around the age of seventeen, Pitbull met managerIrv Gotti and was advised to go from only freestyle rapping to writing records.[23]
In 2001, Pitbull was signed toLuther Campbell'sLuke Records by Jullian Boothe, then the label's vice-president of A&R.[24] Pitbull worked withUncle Luke during his early career, being featured on Luke's 2001 albumSomethin' Nasty, including the single "Lollipop" along withLil' Zane.[5] 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. Fernandez "saw the eagerness and hunger he had" and, with the Luke Records deal ending, began working to develop Pitbull. Together they focused on creating a more radio-friendly sound. Fernandez later toldHitQuarters: "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."[citation needed]
Fernandez introduced Pitbull toLil Jon in Miami,[19] hoping to secure the rapper a small guest intro spot on Lil Jon's upcoming albumKings of Crunk. According to Fernandez, Jon took a liking to Pérez and offered him a track on the album; it is called "Pitbull's Cuban Ride Out". This track helped raise the young rapper's profile.[25] Pitbull was featured on Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz' albumKings of Crunk in 2002.[5] Pitbull's song "Oye" was featured on the soundtrack to the film2 Fast 2 Furious the following year.[19] In addition, Pitbull released severalmixtapes, composed offreestyles and remixes of popular rap music.
In 2004, Pitbull released his debut albumM.I.A.M.I., with the lead single being "Culo" produced by Lil Jon and the Diaz Brothers. It peaked at No. 32 on theBillboard 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 theAnger Management Tour, the 2000 hip-hop concert tour headlined byEminem and50 Cent.[26] Pitbull also appeared on theYing Yang Twins' single "Shake", which peaked at No.41 on the Hot 100 and No.12 on the rap chart,Adassa's chart topping single "Kamasutra" &Twista's "Hit the Floor" (#94 Hot 100, No. 20 Rap). Remix albumMoney Is Still a Major Issue was released in November 2005; it included new track "Everybody Get Up", a duet with hip-hop/R&B groupPretty Ricky.
TVT Records, Pitbull's label at the time, andSlip-n-Slide Records disputed over the release ofWelcome to the 305, an unreleased album by Slip-n-Slide that Pitbull recorded in 2001.[24] 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.[27] A US District Court judge affirmed the decision further.[28] 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.[29]
In 2005, Pitbull and rapperSean "Diddy" Combs co-founded Bad Boy Latino, a subsidiary of Combs'sBad Boy Records label. It primarily focuses onLatin hip hop,Latin soul,Latin pop and othertropical music and has offices in New York andMiami, Florida.[30][31] Along with co-founding it, Pérez currently heads theA&R division of the label.[32][33][34]
In January 2006, Pitbull guest-starred inUPN'sSouth Beach. Pitbull recorded "Nuestro Himno" in collaboration withWyclef Jean,Carlos Ponce, andOlga Tañón.[35] OnListennn... the Album, the debut album byTerror Squad member and Miami radio personalityDJ Khaled, Pitbull performed on three singles: "Holla at Me" and "Born-N-Raised" alongside other Southern-based rappers.
He dedicated the album to his father, who died in May that year.[36] Along with the usual party-oriented tracks, Pitbull also included politically themed tracks inEl Mariel.[37] The album was released on October 31, 2006, and included singles "Bojangles", "Ay Chico (Lengua Afuera)", "Fuego", and duet with Puerto Rican singerKen-Y, "Dime (Remix)".El Mariel topped theBillboard independent albums chart[38] and peaked at No. 17 on theBillboard 200 and No. 2 on the rap chart.
Pitbull's third album, titledThe Boatlift, was released on November 27, 2007, spawned by the single "Secret Admirer" featuringLloyd on the chorus. Earlier, Pitbull announced that this album would have a moregangsta rap edge than his earlier albums.[39] Subsequent singles included "Go Girl" featuringTrina, and "The Anthem" featuring and producedLil Jon, that song sampling the hook from the song "El Africano" byWilfrido Vargas and the beat from the song "Calabria" byRune RK. "Go Girl" peaked at No. 80 on theBillboard 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 and ran through 2009 on themun2 cable network.[40][41][42]
Pitbull also appeared onDJ Laz' "Move Shake Drop" andDJ Felli Fel's "Feel It".
For his fourth studio albumPitbull Starring in Rebelution, Pitbull released "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" throughUltra 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 United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands. The song reached No. 1 in France and theEuropean Hot 100 in the week ending August 29, 2009, according toBillboard magazine. "I Know You Want Me" ended at position 17 on theBillboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2009. He later signed withPolo Grounds Music throughSony Music and created his own labelMr. 305 Inc.[43] The single "Hotel Room Service", which samples "Push the Feeling On", peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100. The album went on to sell over 7.5 million worldwide digital singles and albums combined.[44][45]
On their second collaboration since "Go Girl", Pitbull appeared on the debut single of rapper David Rush (formerly Young Bo$$), "Shooting Star", also withKevin Rudolf andLMFAO. An amateur video of Pitbull punching a disruptive audience member at a Colorado concert leaked onto 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.[46] He was tapped by theMiami Dolphins to work alongsideT-Pain andJimmy Buffett to release a new fight song for the Dolphins.[47] The city of Miami granted Pitbull a "Key to the City" honor on August 19, 2009.[48] Another popular single from 2009 was "Blanco", featuringPharrell Williams ofThe Neptunes from the soundtrack to the movieFast & Furious. Pitbull recorded a remix with Mexican pop divaPaulina Rubio for her single "Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes" in November 2009.
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 andGloria Estefan. He was also a featured guest onJanet Jackson's "Heart, Beat, Love" in addition to "Armada Latina", the fourth single off the albumRise Up by Latin rap legends,Cypress Hill.[49] The song was produced byJim Jonsin and also features American salsa singerMarc Anthony. Pitbull then collaborated withAlexandra Burke on the single "All Night Long".[50] He was also featured on "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" byUsher.
Pitbull released his full-length debut Spanish-language album titledArmando on November 2, 2010. He was also one of the most nominated artists of the 2011Billboard Latin Music Awards.[51] He garnered seven 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" forArmando; "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" alongsideEnrique Iglesias. He also won Telehit's award for "Most Popular Artist".[52]
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In April 2011,Jennifer Lopez releasedLove?, which featured Pitbull on two singles. "Fresh Out the Oven" did not meet with critical or popular success, but the second cut, "On the Floor", was a certified hit. The single went on to make itsBillboard Hot 100 debut at number nine, becoming the highest debuting Hot 100 single of Lopez's career.[53]
Pitbull releasedPlanet Pit on June 17, 2011. Pitbull collaborated with T-Pain on its first single, which became a moderate hit; "Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor)", which peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100.[54]
On March 22, 2011, Pitbull released his second single, "Give Me Everything", which features American singersNe-Yo andNayer as well as Dutch DJAfrojack, who also produced the song and co-wrote it with Matt Howard, Pitbull himself and Ne-Yo.; three months later, the song became Pitbull's first single to top theBillboard Hot 100. It was ranked No. 5 on the 2011Billboard Year-End Chart.[55][56]
In August 2011,Lindsay Lohan sued Pitbull, Ne-Yo and Afrojack in response to the song's lyrics referencing her name, "I've got it locked up like Lindsay Lohan." Lohan objected to the negative connotation of the line and claimed that she should have been compensated for the use of her name in the song. The case was dismissed by a federal judge, who ruled the tune's lyrics are protected by theFirst Amendment, which covers freedom of speech and creative expression.[57][58]
On October 7, 2011,RCA Music Group announced it was disbandingJ Records along withArista Records andJive Records. With the shutdown, Pitbull (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) would release future material on theRCA Records brand.
On May 8, 2012, he collaborated with the Italian DJGabry Ponte for the song "Beat on My Drum".[59]
Pitbull's seventh studio album was titled "Global Warming" and released on November 16, 2012. Pitbull explained that the title reflected the fact that, much like the phenomenon of global warming, he has been around for a while but all of a sudden, people are paying attention.[60] The lead single from the album was "Get It Started" featuring singerShakira. The third single was "Feel This Moment" featuringChristina Aguilera.
The second single, entitled "Back in Time", was for the filmMen in Black 3. It was the first lead single for theMen in Black franchise not performed byWill Smith.[61] The song, which plays during the end credits but is not featured on the soundtrack album, samples "Love Is Strange" byMickey & Sylvia. Pitbull supported the album with a world tour in the summer of 2013.
In 2013, Pitbull released a diss track towardsLil Wayne called "Welcome 2 Dade County" shortly after Lil Wayne's rant on theMiami Heat.[62] Pitbull made his film debut inEpic with a voice role of the character "Bufo". He embarked on theNorth American/Australian Summer Tour withKesha to promote both their albums, which extends from May to November.
He released his song "Feel This Moment" featuringChristina Aguilera on January 18, 2013, and they performed it live at the2013 Billboard Music Awards, as well as on thefourth season ofThe Voice. The song was a commercial success, peaking at No. 8 on theBillboard Hot 100. Later he released the final single from his Global Warming album,Outta Nowhere featuringDanny Mercer, in late May. At the2013 Latin Grammy Awards, Pitbull won the award forBest Urban Performance for his song "Echa Pa'lla (Manos Pa'rriba)".[63]
Pitbull announced viaTwitter that he would release the extended play to his studio album Global Warming, namedGlobal Warming: Meltdown on November 25, featuring guest appearances fromKesha,Kelly Rowland,Inna,Mohombi andMayer Hawthorne. The lead single, "Timber", featuring recording artist and tourmate Kesha, was released on October 7. The song peaked at No. 1 on theBillboard Hot 100 in 18 countries.
Pitbull was featured on the early summer single "Live It Up", marking his third collaboration withJennifer Lopez andRedone. Lopez and Pitbull performed the song at the Billboard Music Awards,American Idol andPremios Juventud. He also made album appearances forPriyanka Chopra,Flo Rida,Jessica Mauboy,Belinda,Jason Derulo and other artists. Pitbull provided the post-race concert at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on November 17, 2013.[64] Pitbull hosted the2013 American Music Awards on November 24, 2013.
Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez andClaudia Leitte performed the song "We Are One" at the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup.[65]
On February 25, 2014, Pitbull released a new single titled "Wild Wild Love" featuring recording artist groupG.R.L.[66] It has peaked at number 30 on theBillboard Hot 100.[67]
On April 15, 2014, Pitbull released a single featuringJennifer Lopez andClaudia Leitte called "We Are One (Ole Ola)" from the compilation album for the FIFA 2014 World CupOne Love, One Rhythm.
In May 2014, it was announced that Pitbull would host and co-produce a live New Year's Eve concert special from Miami forFox,Pitbull's New Year's Revolution, on December 31, 2014.[68]
On June 12, 2014, Pitbull performed at theArena de São Paulo as part of the2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. This performance saw him joined byJennifer Lopez andClaudia Leitte to perform the tournament's official song "We Are One (Ole Ola)".[69]
The song drew some controversy for not being a good enough representation of Brazil, which was the host country of the World Cup that year. Critics condemned the song's lyrical content for being filled withcliches about Brazilian culture, as well as for not containing enough lyrics in Portuguese. Others called it a "bad, boring, replaceable pop song."[70]
In June 2014, it was announced that Pitbull would be receiving a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.[71]
On July 8, 2014, Pitbull released a Spanish-language single titled "Como Yo Le Doy" featuringDon Miguelo.[72][73] On July 23, 2014, Pitbull released another single titled "Fireball", which features singerJohn Ryan Produced by Honua Music. Around the same time, he announced his eighth studio albumGlobalization, which was released on November 21, 2014.[74]
On October 18, 2014, Pitbull released another single titled "Celebrate" which was included on thePenguins of Madagascar soundtrack and later included on the albumGlobalization.Globalization was released alongside single "Time of Our Lives", which was Pitbull's first top ten hit since "Timber", peaking at #9 on the Hot 100. It also topped theHot Dance Club Songs,Hot Rap Songs, andRhythmic charts. On November 20, 2014, Pitbull released another Spanish-language single titled "Piensas (Dile la Verdad)" featuringGente de Zona.
On April 21, 2015, Pitbull released his sixth single on theGlobalization album titled "Fun" featuringChris Brown and peaked at number 40 on the Hot 100. On May 8, 2015, Pitbull released a teaser video on Twitter of his upcoming second Spanish studio album and ninth studio album overall titledDale. The album was officially released on July 17, 2015, and included the singles "Como Yo Le Doy", "Piensas (Dile la Verdad)", "El Taxi", and "Baddest Girl in Town".[75] The album led to Pitbull winning hisGrammy Award in the category ofBest Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album.[76]
On October 26, 2015, Pitbull released a new single titled "Free.K", which samplesAdina Howard's "Freak like Me" in the chorus. The song was set to be the first single off his tenth studio album titledClimate Change.[citation needed] On January 7, 2016, Pitbull premiered the second single from his new album titled "Freedom", which also samplesThe Rolling Stones song "I'm Free" in the chorus. To coincide with the release of the single, the artist also teased a 2017Norwegian party cruise. There is a campaign that launched in January 2016 in support of the cruise that is expected to last until later in the year.[77]
That same month, Pitbull recorded a song for the movieRide Along 2 titled "I'm 'Bout That". The song is unavailable on music platforms for unknown reasons.
On February 14, 2017, Pitbull announced thatClimate Change would be released on March 17, with pre-orders starting on February 17.[78]
Pitbull collaborated with American girl groupFifth Harmony on "Por Favor"(released October 27, 2017) before announcing his 5th compilation album, titledPitbull Greatest Hits. The thirteen track album features eleven of Pitbull's most successful leading artist songs, accompanied by "Jungle (with Stereotypes featuringAbraham Mateo andE-40)" and "Locas (featuringLil Jon)", two brand new Pitbull songs. The deluxe edition of the album released exclusively in Japan featured a 14th track, "Celebrate". The compilation album was released worldwide on December 1, 2017.
Pitbull released his first full-length soundtrack album for the filmGotti alongside Jorge Gómez on June 16, 2018. Pitbull is featured on two tracks on the album, "So Sorry" and "Amore" (featuringLeona Lewis).
Pitbull collaborated with Indian singer-songwriterGuru Randhawa on the song "Slowly Slowly", released byT-Series on April 19, 2019.[79][80][81] The song's music video received 38 million views onYouTube within 24 hours, becoming one of the world's all-time most-viewed music videos in 24 hours.[82]
Pitbull's eleventh studio album,Libertad 548, was released on September 27, 2019. The album included the Spanish hit single "No Lo Trates" featuring Daddy Yankee and Natti Natasha, which is RIAA Latin certified 6× Platinum (360,000+ sales). The album's second single "3 to Tango" went viral forJohn Travolta's surprise guest appearance in the song's official music video. The album's third single "Me Quedaré Contigo" was premiered at the 2019Latin American Music Awards, and peaked at #1 on theLatin Airplay andLatin Rhythm AirplayBillboard charts in the United States. The album's first promotional single, "Winning" featuring Yomil y El Dany, is a part of theBoost Mobile "Dale Más" advertising campaign.[83] The album's fourth single "Get Ready" featuringBlake Shelton, which was premiered live by Pitbull at theSuper Bowl LIV Tailgate Tropicale pre-game show, was later added to the "Dale Más" advertising campaign for a series of pre-gameSuper Bowl commercials for Super Bowl LIV, and a remixed version of the single serves as the official theme song for the2020 NASCAR Cup Series. The album's second promotional single, "Cinco de Mayo" withLil Jon featuring Chesca, was released on May 5, 2020. The promotional single was performed live at thePremio Lo Nuestro 2020, and the performance gained over 2 million views on YouTube as of July 2020.[84] The album's fifth single, "Mueve La Cintura" featuringTito El Bambino andGuru Randhawa, was released on June 8, 2020. An accompanying music video, which was filmed in 2019 and directed by David Rousseau, was also premiered on that same date.[85] On July 17, 2020, the remix of "Mala", the original of which is found onLibertad 548, was released as a single. The song, titled "Mala (Remix)", featuresBecky G and additional guest vocals fromDe La Ghetto.[86]
In 2020, amid theCOVID-19 pandemic,LiveXLive launched a partnership with Pitbull, which would grant the platform exclusive rights to concerts, behind-the-scenes, videos and more from Pitbull to be streamed to LiveXLive's premium subscribers.[87] On August 14, 2020, Pitbull released a new single, titled "Te Quiero Baby (I Love You Baby)" with Latin pop singer Chesca and American singerFrankie Valli. The single serves as a Latin interpolation of the originalFrankie Valli & The Four Seasons 1967 smash hit single "Can't Take My Eyes Off You".[88]
On June 22, 2021, Pitbull announced across all of his official social media platforms the I Feel Good Tour, named after hissingle of the same name, and his first dedicated tour since 2017'sEnrique Iglesias and Pitbull Live! North American tour. The 32 city tour featured special guestIggy Azalea and began on August 20, 2021, in Clarkston, Michigan and spanned across the United States through October 13, 2021, in Tampa, Florida.[89] On February 24, 2022, Pitbull performed withIAMCHINO and DJDeorro on the live-debut of their late-2021 single, "Discoteca", at the 2022Premio Lo Nuestro awards.[90] The song samples "Around the World (La La La La La)" by Eurodance groupATC.[91]
On April 11, 2022, Pitbull announced the Can't Stop Us Tour with Iggy Azalea andSean Paul. This marks the second consecutive year Pitbull has toured with Iggy Azalea. Pitbull and Sean Paul have previously collaborated on their hit song, "Shake Señora", from Pitbull's sixth studio album,Planet Pit (2011). The tour began on July 28, 2022, in Raleigh, North Carolina and concluded in Hollywood, Florida on October 19, 2022.[92][needs update]
On April 20, 2023, Pitbull performed a medley of his songs "Let's Take a Shot", "Me Pone Mal" and "Jumpin" with Vikina, Omar Courtz andLil Jon at the 2023Latin American Music Awards.
On October 6, 2023, Pitbull released his long-awaited twelfth studio albumTrackhouse, featuring guest appearances fromT-Pain, El Micha,Lil Jon,Elvis Crespo, Vikina, Omar Courtz,Nile Rodgers,Gipsy Kings andZac Brown. It entered number one on the U.S.iTunes Latin Album Charts.
On July 20, 2024, Pitbull performed at the half-time show of the2024 WNBA All-Star Game. On November 14, he went on stage withJon Bon Jovi at the25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards to perform "Now or Never", a remix ofBon Jovi's 2000 hit single "It's My Life".[93][94][95]
In 2010, Pitbull took part in the "So Kodak" campaign for theKodak brand[96][97] withDrake,Rihanna, andTrey Songz. He also launched a partnership with the soft drink giantDr Pepper[98] as part of the campaign "Vida 23" for which he recorded a song that featured on his albumArmando. Pitbull also announced he has become the spokesperson for Voli Vodka,[99] in which he holds a majority equity stake,[100] and Budweiser has chosen Pitbull to promote its Bud Light line of beer. The commercials currently highlight Pitbull dancing and gyrating on stage holding up a bottle of Bud Light. Pitbull has also purchased an equity stake inMiami Subs Pizza and Grill.[101][102]
In 2012, Pitbull was involved in an advertising campaign withWalmart, in which the Walmart store that received the most Facebook "likes" from June 18 to July 15, 2012, would have Pitbull visit and put on a show there. An orchestrated campaign entitled "#exilepitbull" started byBoston Phoenix reporter David Thorpe[103] andSomethingAwful.com writer Jon Hendren urged people to vote for the Walmart inKodiak, Alaska, one of the most remote cities in the country.[104] In an email to the Associated Press, Walmart confirmed that Kodiak was the winning location.[105] Pitbull visited Kodiak on July 30, where he received a key to the city from Mayor Patricia Branson and performed. David Thorpe, who had started the "#exilepitbull" campaign, was invited to attend and showed up.[106][107]
In November 2013, he started a fragrance with Jacavi Worldwide and Parlux Ltd.[108]
On May 19, 2015, Pitbull launched a new radio channel onSirius XM Radio, calledPitbull's Globalization Radio, which is centered around Rhythmic, Dance/EDM, and R&B/Hip-Hop product from artists from around the world.[109][110] The artist celebrated the channel's debut with a private concert at New York City'sApollo Theater. In addition to launching his customized radio station, Pitbull also plans to launch a pair of projects withEndemol for digital television.[111]
In 2019, Pitbull joinedBoost Mobile to create a series of advertisements to expand Boost Mobile to Spanish communities. The promotional single "Winning" featuring Yomil y El Dany from Pitbull's 2019 album "Libertad 548" was used in the Boost Mobile "Dale Más" advertising campaign that has been actively rolling out advertisements starring Pitbull and his backup dance group The Most Bad Ones. The song "Get Ready" by Pitbull featuringBlake Shelton was later added to the advertising campaign, also from the Pitbull album Libertad 548.[83]
On February 2, 2020, Pitbull was featured in aSuper Bowl commercial forSuper Bowl LIV, alongsideJennifer Lopez,DJ Khaled,Alex Rodriguez, andSteven Van Zandt. The commercial was produced to promoteHard Rock and its affiliations; the commercial premiered during the 2nd quarter ofSuper Bowl LIV.[112] The commercial showcases the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which is also where the music video for "Get Ready" by Pitbull featuringBlake Shelton was filmed. The music video was released on February 10, 2020.[113]
In 2011, Voli Vodka, LLC signs a partnership deal for equity shares with Pitbull.[114] In 2016, Pitbill assumed ownership of Voli Vodka.[114] Priscilla Perez [longtime friend and co-founder] is named CEO.[114] At this time Voli Vodka is rebranded as Voli 305 Vodka, with "305" serving as an ode to Pitbull aka Mr. 305 and Miami's main area code.[114] Voli 305 Vodka becomes the first super-premium handmade vodka in Miami, FL.[114]
On January 15, 2021, it was announced that Pitbull became a co-owner of theNASCAR Cup Series teamTrackhouse Racing.[115][116] On February 14, 2025, Pitbull announced he ended his partnership with Trackhouse Racing.[117]
On August 15, 2023, it was announced that Pitbull became an investor of the restaurant chain Cilantro Taco Grill.[118]
Determined to help the Latino community in his hometown, Pitbull's social impact focus for the last decade has been closing the poverty gap through educational initiatives. He helped start a Tuition-Free Public charter for middle and high school called Sports Leadership and Management (SLAM!), which opened in 2013 in Miami'sLittle Havana, the neighborhood where Pitbull grew up. SLAM! now operates nationwide, including in Miami, Las Vegas and Atlanta, with a 96 percent graduation rate. The school will be run by the non-profitMater Academy.[119]
In response to the destruction caused byHurricane Maria, Pitbull announced he will use his private plane to bring cancer patients from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States for treatment.[120]
On April 13, 2020, Pitbull released a single titled "I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)" (which samples the "I believe that we will win!" chant) during theCOVID-19 pandemic. The song aims to inspire those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak to "face everything and rise". An accompanying music video was released on May 7, 2020, onYouTube,[121] and made its television debut onMTV.[122] Pitbull is donating all proceeds from song sales, streaming and views toFeeding America and theAnthony Robbins Foundation.[123]
Pitbull is a vocal critic ofcommunism and the Cuban government, having called on world leaders to support the2021 protests against theCommunist Party of Cuba.[124]
On December 31, 2020, Pitbull performed for a crowd of first responders inTimes Square during theCOVID-19 pandemic for New Year's Eve.[125]
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Pitbull has been criticized for the way women are depicted in some of his music.[126] For example, song lyrics such as "She say she won't, but I bet she will," and "I like that when you fight back" have generated discussion about whether or not they could be contributing to the "legitimization" ofrape.[127][128]Campaign described him as an artist "whose lyrics are routinely labeledsexist";[129]Complex similarly noted that "many view Pitbull as sexist."[130]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | La Gasolina: Reggaeton Explosion | Himself | Documentary |
| Blood Money | Feature film directed by Gregory McQualter | ||
| 2013 | Epic | Bufo | Voice |
| 2019 | UglyDolls | Ugly Dog | Voice (original English andSpanish dubs) |
| 2021 | Get Ready - Trackhouse Documentary | Team Owner | Documentary |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | South Beach | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2007 | Punk'd | Episode: "Episode #8.7" | |
| 2007–2008 | La Esquina | 2 episodes; executive producer and writer | |
| 2010 | When I Was 17 | 1 episode; withVanessa Minnillo &Chris Paul | |
| 2012 | Shark Tank | Special guest star | |
| 2012–2019 | Dancing with the Stars | 6 episodes; Guest Judge and Musical guest | |
| 2014–2017 | Pitbull's New Year's Revolution | TV special; Host | |
| 2015 | Empire | Episode: "Fires of Heaven" | |
| 2023 | Superfan[135] | 1 episode; Musical guest |
{{cite news}}:|last1= has generic name (help)…scantily-clad dancers twerk against a male artist whose lyrics are routinely labeled sexist.
Still, a lot of people aren't fans of the tour, particularly because many view Pitbull as sexist, and because Robbins is a fairly controversial figure.
