Sergio Vargas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sergio Vargas
Background information
Birth name	Sergio Pascual Vargas Parra
Also known as	El negrito de villa
Born	(1960-03-15) March 15, 1960 (age 65) Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic
Genres	Merengue
Occupations	Singer musician songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1980–present

Sergio Pascual Vargas Parra was born in Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic, on March 15, 1960. He is a very popular singer of merengue and bolero music. Sergio Vargas became famous in the 1980s and 1990s, which was known as the "Golden Age of Merengue." He is still a leading figure in Dominican merengue music today. His brothers, Kaki and Johnny, are also merengue singers and have often worked with him in their music careers.

Sergio Vargas also served as a deputy (a type of representative in government) for his hometown of Villa Altagracia. He was part of the Dominican Liberation Party from 2006 to 2010.

Sergio Vargas's Music Journey

Sergio Vargas is known as "El negrito de Villa," which means "the little black guy from Villa." He first gained attention by taking part in the Festival of the Voice, organized by musician Rafael Solano. Sergio finished second in this competition.

Starting with Orchestras

In 1982, Sergio joined the Dionis Fernández orchestra. With this group, he sang many hit songs like "The designers" and "To the rhythm of the night." After that, Sergio became the lead singer for the orchestra "Los Hijos del Rey" (The King's Children). This group was first led by Fernando Villalona and Raulín Rosendo. Sergio's popularity grew a lot with this group. They even had fan clubs in places like Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Panama, and the United States.

Becoming a Solo Artist

In 1986, Sergio Vargas released his first solo album. It was called "La quiero a morir" (I Love Her to Death). This song was a Spanish version of "Je l'aime à mourir" by the French singer Francis Cabrel. In 1987, he recorded another successful album with Los Hijos del Rey called "The earth quaked." When Sergio decided to become a solo artist, most of the musicians from Los Hijos del Rey joined him. His solo albums included popular songs like "Marola" and "Bamboleo."

Popular Albums

Sergio Vargas has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of his well-known ones:

• I love her to death (1986)
• The Earth Trembled (1987)
• Cyclone (Festa do interior) (1988)
• The unconditional (1989)
• This is my country (1991)
• Bullfighter (1992)
• My proposal (1996)
• Time of love (1997)
• Once Upon a Meringue (1999)
• Go and tell him (2001)
• New, old and half-used loves (2009)

Famous Songs

Sergio Vargas has sung many hit songs, both with groups and as a solo artist.

Songs with Los Hijos del Rey

• For her
• My pride
• A Man and a Woman
• Je l'aime à mourir (I love her to death)
• The earth quaked

Songs with Dionis Fernández & Orquesta

• The designers
• To the rhythm of the night

Songs as a Solo Artist

• Marola
• The vampires
• Girlfriend
• The little window
• Heart of stone
• Tell him
• Magic
• Like a bolero
• Women
• What have you believed
• Go and tell
• My brunette

Famous Cover Songs

Sergio Vargas is also known for singing his own versions of songs by other artists. These are called "covers."

• Je l'aime à mourir, (originally by Francis Cabrel)
• Bamboléo (originally by Gipsy Kings)
• This humble house (originally by Roberto Carlos)
• Black Pearl (originally by Yordano)
• The unconditional (originally by Luis Miguel)
• Bullfighter (with José Alberto "El Canario"; originally by Julio Iglesias)
• Until you forget me (originally by Luis Miguel)
• Oh! woman (originally by Juan Luis Guerra)
• I live for her (originally by Andrea Bocelli)

Awards and Recognitions

Sergio Vargas has received many important awards for his music.

Sovereign Awards

In 2018, he received the Great Sovereign award at the Sovereign Awards ceremony. This is a very important award in the Dominican Republic. In his speech, he spoke about the importance of education for Dominican musicians.

He also won a Casandra Award (now called a Sovereign Award) in 1988 for his concert called "Sergio." This concert was named "show of the year." Sergio Vargas also won an award for the best music video for his song "Las vampires."

International Success

In 1989, a big record company called CBS International offered him a deal. He signed with them.

The year 1991 was very successful for Sergio. He won another Casandra award for his international reach. He sang at New York's Madison Square Garden in front of 20,000 people at the Merengue Carnival. He also filmed a special program for Sony Music International.

In 1993, he received a gold record, which means his music sold very well. He also performed at the famous Eight Street Festival in Miami.

In 2021, Sergio Vargas won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Merengue/Bachata Album.

Today, Sergio Vargas is known as "the artist of the Homeland." His band is one of the most active in the music scene. People in countries like Colombia recognize him as a favorite merengue artist.

Golden Congos Award

Sergio Vargas has also won the Golden Congos award at the Barranquilla Carnival Orchestra Festival in Colombia.

Activism and Hair Protest

Sergio Vargas is also known for his activism. During the time Hipólito Mejía was president (2000–2004), Sergio decided to stop cutting his hair. This was a way to protest until the government fixed all the streets in his hometown of Villa Altagracia. To this day, Sergio still has long hair. For him, not cutting his hair is a symbol of being a Revolutionary and always remembering his roots. It also shows his ongoing fight for Villa Altagracia to be recognized and improved.

See also

In Spanish: Sergio Vargas (cantante) para niños