P.Diddy to launch "Bad Boy Latino"
Plans to take reggaeton music to another level
Written by the staff of Hispanicsurf.com
 May
2, 2005 -- Hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Sean ''P.Diddy'' Combs is venturing into the Latin music world with Bad Boy Latino, a new label the famed producer has launched with Cuban-American Miami rap artist
Pitbull.
The new label will included reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee, whose latest album,
"Barrio Fino" has sold 800,000 copies, and best-selling urban regional duo
Akwid, who jump-started a California movement mixing rap and Mexican regional music.
''It's one of the fastest growing styles in the world -- it can't be ignored,'' Combs said. 'The combination of what I do with hip-hop and [ Hispanics'] reflection of what's going on in their lives . . . means we can make a lot of hit records together.'' Combs said growing up with Hispanics in the Bronx and living in Miami, where he has had a part-time home for a year and a half, had given him insight into Latin music and culture. ''It's gonna focus on Latin artists and the fusion of what I do
marketing-wise . . . to embrace the movement and take it to the next level,'' Combs said. The producer said his label, with offices in Miami and New York, will be about half Latin rap artists, as well as Latin soul and tropical music.
Combs' involvement gives new legitimacy to the burgeoning success of Latin hip-hop, says
Pitbull, whose debut album M.I.A.M.I.: Money Is A Major Issue, has been certified gold. According to
Pitbull, Puff's involvement will help bring Latin Hip-Hop to the next level. Pit, who is signed to TVT Records, will take part in signing artists, marketing and various other functions to help run the imprint. The company has yet to sign any artists.
''Whether people see it as him [Puffy] jumping on what's hot -- I see it as someone with vision who sees where music is going,'' Pitbull stated.
Diddy said that "Bad Boy Latino" will hold offices in Miami and New York and that it will focus on Latin Rap as well as Latin Soul and Tropical music.
|
