Miami rapper Pitbull
hopes 2005 will be a banner year, having recently landed a new endorsment deal
with Sean John, along side P. Diddy, Lil Wayne, TI and Lloyd.
The bilingual rapper
recently released a new single "Toma" featuring Lil Jon and spoke
of his strong latin roots.
"When I was
starting out in Miami, other rappers were afraid to speak Spanish," Pitbull
told AllHipHop.com. "They thought it was corny. That’s the reason that
Luke signed me in ’99, cause I did English and Spanish."
Pitbull stayed
with Luke Skywalker Records until his contract expired and then decided to sign
with TVT records.
With influences
from Dade County, Atlanta, Bass, and Latin music Pitbull continues to think
smart.
"TVT lets
me do me," Pitbull said. "My approach is different. My style is versatile.
I’m not pigeon holed as an artist."
On his debut TVT
Records release M.I.A.M.I. (Money Is A Major Issue), which is approaching
gold record sales, Pitbull worked with the Diaz Brothers who have been producing
for him since 2001.
He also worked
with producers Jim Johnson and his lablemate Lil Jon.
"Jon knows
what the people want. If your music isn’t playing in the clubs, you might as
well stop making music," Pitbull said.
Rappers featured
on the album are Trick, Fat Joe, Picalo, and Obie.
His vicious lyrics
give him street credibility and the popularity needed to make it in today’s
industry.
"My goal is
to rock n**gas in the north. At first they didn’t want to let us [southern rappers]
in, but we learned how to rap and now we’re taking this s### over," he
continued. "I can’t wait to go to the Puerto Rican Day Parade, with a bunch
of Chevys kitted up with different interiors, and show them how we do it in
Miami.