Armando Christian Pérez (born January 15, 1981), better known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and 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.” (“Money Is a Major Issue”) under TVT Records. It peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
He released “El Mariel” in 2006 on TVT Records which topped the Billboard Independent Albums chart and peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Rap Albums chart. It included guest appearances from Lil Jon, Twista and Trick Daddy. It included the singles “Bojangles,” “Ay Chico (Lengua Afuera),” “Fuego” and a duet with Puerto Rican singer Ken-Y, “Dime (Remix).”
He followed with “The Boatlift” in 2007 on TVT which peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200. Lead by the single “Secret Admirer” featuring Lloyd on the chorus, subsequent singles included “Go Girl” featuring Trina which peaked at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and #36 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart, and “The Anthem” featuring and produced Lil Jon which peaked at #36 on the Hot 100 and #11 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts.
He then released “Rebelution” in 2009, which included singles “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” and “Krazy.” “Krazy” peaked at #30 on the Hot 100 and #11 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts while “I Know You Want Me” peaked at #2 on the Hot 100.
He later signed with Polo Grounds Music through Sony Music and created his own label Mr. 305 Inc. Other singles from “Rebelution” included “Blanco” featuring Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes and “Hotel Room Service,” the latter of which peaked at #9 on the Hot 100. Other singles included “Blanco,” featuring Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes, and “Hotel Room Service,” which peaked at #9 on the Hot 100.
Released in November 2010 “Armando” was Pitbull’s first Spanish language studio album. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Latin Albums chart and #65 on the Billboard 200. Singles included, “Watagatapitusberry” featuring Sensato Del Patio, Black Point, Lil Jon and El Cata, “Maldito Alcohol” and “Bon, Bon” which reached #61 on the Hot 100.
“Planet Pit,” released in 2011, debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Rap Albums chart. The lead single, “Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor),” featuring T-Pain, reached at #7 on the Hot 100. A second single, “Give Me Everything” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, went to #1 on the Hot 100 becoming his first to top the chart.
2012–2013: Global Warming, Meltdown & Men in Black 3
On October 7, 2011, 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) would release future material on the RCA Records brand.
Pitbull's seventh studio album was titled "Global Warming" and released on November 19, 2012. Pitbull explained that the title reflected the fact that, much like the phenomenon of global warming, he's been around for a while but all of a sudden, people are paying attention. The lead single from the album was "Get It Started" featuring singer Shakira. The third single was Feel This Moment featuring Christina Aguillera.
The second single was for movie Men in Black 3. "Back in Time" was the first lead single for the Men in Black franchise not performed by Will Smith. The song, which plays during the end credits but is not featured on the soundtrack album, samples "Love Is Strange" by Mickey & Sylvia.
Pitbull supported the album with a world tour in the summer on 2013.
In 2013, Pitbull released a diss track towards Lil' Wayne called "Welcome 2 Dade County" shortly after Lil' Wayne's rant on the Miami Heat. Pitbull made his film debut Epic with a voice role of the character "Bufo". He embarked on the North American / Australian Summer Tour with Kesha to promote both their albums, which extends from May to November. He released his song Feel This Moment featuring Christina Aguilera in January 18, 2013 and they performed it live at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, as well as on the fourth season of America's The Voice. The song was a commercial success, peaking at 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later he released final single from his Global Warming album, Outta Nowhere featuringDanny Mercer in late May.
Pitbull announced via Twitter that he would release the extended play to his studio album Global Warming, named Global Warming: Meltdown on November 25, featuring guest appearances from Kesha, Kelly Rowland, Inna, Mohombi and Mayer Hawthorne. The lead single "Timber", featuring recording artist and tourmate Kesha, was released on October 7. The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard hot 100 in 18 different countries.
Pitbull was featured on the early summer single Live It Up, marking his third collaboration with Jennifer Lopez and Redone. The duo performed the song at the Billboard Music Awards, American Idol and Premios Juventud. He also made album appearances for Priyanka 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. Pitbull hosted the American Music Awards of 2013 on November 24, 2013.
Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte will perform the song "We Are One" at the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup.
2014-present: Upcoming eighth studio album
On February 25, 2014 Pitbull released a new single titled Wild Wild Love featuring American recording artist group G.R.L.. It has since debuted at number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100.