The Year of the Pitbull
02/25/2010
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Pitbull introduced Calle Ocho in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood to the world last year with "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)," the international smash from his 2009 album Rebelution. To kick off what he calls "The Year of the Pitbull," the globetrotting artist will return to his native Miami March 12-14 to serve as the King of Carnaval Calle Ocho, a popular street festival that attracts more than 1.5 million to the city every year.
"I remember having some crazy times at Carnaval Calle Ocho growing up. To come back this year to serve as king is an amazing honor and the perfect way to start what's going to be my year," says Pitbull, who was given the key to the City of Miami last August and calls himself Mr. 305 in honor of the city's area code.
His royal turn at Carnaval marks the start of a "Krazy" year for Pitbull (aka Armando P�rez), who is nominated for two 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards, a BMI Award, three Winter Music Conference awards including Best Latin Track, Best Rap/Hip Hop Dance Track, and the 25th Annual International Dance Music Award for Best Latin/Reggaeton. Last year, Pitbull won the Billboard Latin Music Award for "Latin Digital Download Artist of the Year" for his hit single "Krazy." Pitbull was also honored with a "Special Achievement in Music-Hot Track" award for "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" at the 2009 ALMA Awards.
Just this month, Pitbull joined more than 50 of the biggest names in Latin music to record "Somos El Mundo," the Spanish-language version of "We Are The World," which will benefit Haitian earthquake victims. In addition, he is featured on Janet Jackson's highly anticipated new single, "Heart, Beat, Love." Pitbull can also be heard on "Armada Latina" from Cypress Hill's forthcoming album. In fact, Pitbull's 2004 certified-gold debut, M.I.A.M.I., was the biggest-selling bilingual hip-hop debut since Cypress Hill's 1991 self-titled debut.
Pitbull steps away from the studio this March to perform with Ludacris on MTV's Spring Break, before appearing on VH1's Hip Hop Honors Tribute in early April. Pitbull continues his U.S summer tour, kicking off a new leg in June.
As if that were not enough, the artist will drop new music later this year with the release of his Spanish album Armando in early May, followed by a new English album this summer.
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