Pitbull (rapper) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pitbull
Pitbull in 2023
Born	Armando Christian Pérez (1981-01-15) January 15, 1981 (age 44) Miami, Florida, U.S.
Other names	Mr. 305 Mr. Worldwide
Education	Miami Coral Park High School
Occupation	Rapper singer songwriter businessman actor
Years active	1998–present
Works	Discography
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Hip hop Latin hip-hop reggaeton pop rap pop
Labels	RCA Polo Grounds Mr. 305 Inc. Sony Latin Radical by The Orchard Poe Boy Bad Boy Latino Ultra J TVT Luke

Armando Christian Pérez (born January 15, 1981), who is known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is also known by the nicknames Mr. 305 and Mr. Worldwide. He started his career in the early 2000s, making music in genres like reggaeton, Latin hip hop, and crunk.

Pitbull's first album, M.I.A.M.I., came out in 2004. He became a huge star with his 2009 album, Pitbull Starring in Rebelution. It had the hit songs "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" and "Hotel Room Service". These songs were very popular and played on radios all over the world.

Later, he changed his style to be more of a pop artist. His albums Planet Pit (2011) and Global Warming (2012) were very successful. He had his first number-one hit song, "Give Me Everything". Another famous song, "Timber" featuring Kesha, also reached number one in the U.S. and many other countries. In 2014, he performed the official song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup called "We Are One (Ole Ola)" with Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte.

Pitbull has sold over 25 million albums and 100 million singles around the world. His music videos have more than 15 billion views on YouTube. He is also a businessman and owns part of the Trackhouse Racing NASCAR team. He has won many awards, including 35 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Early Life

Armando Christian Pérez was born on January 15, 1981, in Miami, Florida. His parents were immigrants from Cuba. His family encouraged him to work hard and make the most of living in America. When he was only three years old, he could recite poems by the famous Cuban poet José Martí. He learned to speak English by watching the TV show Sesame Street.

Pérez had a difficult childhood. His parents separated when he was young, and his mother raised him. He went to South Miami Senior High School and Miami Coral Park High School. He was inspired by the Miami bass style of music and by artists like Celia Cruz and Willy Chirino. He also listened to rappers like Nas, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg. Living in Miami, a city with many different cultures, helped shape his music and who he is as a person.

Music Career

2001–2005: Getting Started

Pérez chose the stage name "Pitbull" because he admired the dog's strength and determination. In 2001, he signed with Luke Records. He was introduced to producer Lil Jon, who featured him on the album Kings of Crunk in 2002. This helped people start to notice him. His song "Oye" was in the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious.

In 2004, Pitbull released his first album, M.I.A.M.I.. The main single, "...", was produced by Lil Jon and became a hit. He then joined the Anger Management Tour with famous rappers Eminem and 50 Cent. This helped him become even more well-known.

2006–2010: Becoming a Star

Pitbull performing at the Allstate Arena, B96 Jingle Bash, Chicago

Pitbull's second album, El Mariel, came out in 2006. He dedicated it to his father, who had passed away that year. The album had both party songs and songs with political messages. His third album, The Boatlift (2007), included the popular song "The Anthem" featuring Lil Jon.

His fourth album, Pitbull Starring in Rebelution (2009), was his big break. The song "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" became a massive international hit. It reached number two on the U.S. charts and number one in France. Another hit from the album was "Hotel Room Service".

In 2010, Pitbull released his first Spanish-language album, Armando. He also collaborated with many famous artists. He was featured on Usher's hit song "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" and Enrique Iglesias's song "I Like It".

2011–2013: Mr. Worldwide

Pitbull performing in 2011

In 2011, Pitbull released the album Planet Pit. It featured his first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100, "Give Me Everything". The song featured Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer. He also worked with Jennifer Lopez on her hit song "On the Floor".

His next album, Global Warming, was released in 2012. It included the hit single "Feel This Moment" with Christina Aguilera. He also recorded the song "Back in Time" for the movie Men in Black 3.

In 2013, he released "Timber" featuring Kesha. The song was a huge success, reaching number one in the U.S. and 18 other countries. He also hosted the American Music Awards that year.

2014–2018: Global Fame and New Music

Pitbull performing with Enrique Iglesias at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, 2015

In 2014, Pitbull performed "We Are One (Ole Ola)" with Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte at the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. That same year, he released the album Globalization. It had the top-ten hit "Time of Our Lives" with Ne-Yo.

Pitbull (left) with Claudia Leitte and Jennifer Lopez performing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony

His second Spanish album, Dale, was released in 2015. It won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album. In 2017, he released the album Climate Change and a Greatest Hits album.

2019–Present: Recent Work

Pitbull's eleventh album, Libertad 548, came out in 2019. It featured the popular Spanish song "No Lo Trates". He also released the song "Get Ready" with country singer Blake Shelton. This song was used in commercials for Super Bowl LIV and as a theme song for NASCAR.

In 2021, Pitbull went on his first major tour in years, the I Feel Good Tour. In 2022, he toured again with the Can't Stop Us Tour. His twelfth album, Trackhouse, was released in October 2023. It featured a mix of artists, including T-Pain, Lil Jon, and Zac Brown.

Business and Other Projects

Pitbull samples his Voli 305 vodka at a sampling station at the Blue Flame Restaurant in The Daytona hotel prior to the 2024 Daytona 500 while business partner Priscilla Perez looks on.

Pitbull is a smart businessman. He has worked with many famous brands like Kodak, Dr Pepper, and Bud Light. He also has his own brand of vodka called Voli 305 Vodka and an ownership stake in the Miami Subs Pizza and Grill restaurant chain.

In 2012, he was part of a funny campaign with Walmart. People voted online to have him visit any Walmart in the country. A writer encouraged people to vote for the most remote location, which was in Kodiak, Alaska. Pitbull was a good sport and visited Kodiak, where he was given a key to the city.

He has his own radio station on Sirius XM Radio called Pitbull's Globalization Radio. In 2021, he became a co-owner of the NASCAR Cup Series team Trackhouse Racing.

Helping the Community

Pitbull is dedicated to helping the Latino community. In 2013, he helped open a public charter school in Miami called Sports Leadership and Management (SLAM!). The school is tuition-free and helps students prepare for college. SLAM! has been very successful and now has schools in other cities like Las Vegas and Atlanta.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he released a song called "I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)". All the money from the song went to charities that help feed people. He has also spoken out in support of people in Cuba who are asking for more freedom.

Discography

• M.I.A.M.I. (2004)
• El Mariel (2006)
• The Boatlift (2007)
• Pitbull Starring in Rebelution (2009)
• Armando (2010)
• Planet Pit (2011)
• Global Warming (2012)
• Globalization (2014)
• Dale (2015)
• Climate Change (2017)
• Libertad 548 (2019)
• Trackhouse (2023)

Concert tours

• 2009–2011: Rebelution Tour
• 2012: Planet Pit World Tour
• 2013: North American Tour 2013 (with Kesha)
• 2015: Pitbull Live in Hong Kong
• 2016: The Bad Man Tour (with Prince Royce and Farruko)
• 2017: Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull Live! (with Enrique Iglesias)
• 2021: I Feel Good Tour (with Iggy Azalea)
• 2022: Can't Stop Us Now Tour (with Iggy Azalea and Sean Paul)
• 2023: The Trilogy Tour (with Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin)
• 2024: The Trilogy Tour 'The Party Continues' (with Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin)
• 2024: Party After Dark Tour

Opening act

• 2014–2015: Enrique Iglesias – ... and Love Tour
• 2018: Britney Spears – Piece of Me Tour

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Pitbull (cantante) para niños