BIO

Much like his canine namesake, it’s not very safe to corner Cuban /American MC Pitbull. Since debuting in 2002 alongside Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz’s Kings of Crunk album to last year’s star turn with Trick Daddy and Rick Ross on DJ Khaled’s ode to Miami’s Dade County, “Born N Raised,” Pitbull defies labels. As charismatic as any rapper in hip-hop, Pitbull effortlessly moves between crunk and gritty rap anthems, truly earning his nickname Mr. 305. 

His new album, BOATLIFT, brings together Pit’s ever expansive world on one album; brimming with sexy Caribbean influences and sounds like Merengue, Bachata, and Afro-Cuban, yet still brooding and hard enough for the other side of Miami. 

BOATLIFT is the best of Pitbull’s worlds, melding the sounds of his lyrically dexterous debut, M.I.A.M.I., with the mature sounds and world influences of the critically acclaimed, El MARIEL. 

“The BOATLIFT means so much to me, it means bringing together two different works or trying to, because every album is a new step,” Pitbull explains. “And with the BOATLIFT and being that my family was involved in the boatlift [from Cuba to Miami] and being that it’s sort of me taking everyone on my own ride, it’s my own Boatlift. I feel like everything has to do with a Boatlift, think about how everyone came to this country. There’s so many ways you can go spin and turn it. But bottom line, it’s just my way of taking you on a ride with me in my world and trying to make you understand it.” 

His journey so far has been nothing short of excellent. And it continues on BOATLIFT. The steamy first single, “Secret Admirer” is an instant classic coming from the heartthrob. Paired with the Inc.’s lead crooner Lloyd, Pitbull seduces and sways with a Casanova-like whisper flow, inviting his crush to leave the club with him and make it their own special night together. 

In the video for “Secret Admirer,” Pitbull captures the vibe of the song visually as he employs a Scarface motif; playing the legendary character’s right-hand man, Monolo, in a tale of lust, betrayal, and love. 

“Since the record is so orientated toward women, we’re giving it the street, sexy, urban edge,” Pit says. BOATLIFT is lined with plenty of street records and club bangers. There’s the underground smash, “Sticky Icky,” featuring Jim Jones. And the rumbling “Goon,” featuring C-Ride and solo venom Pit delivers on “Don’t See ‘Em.” 

And what would a Pitbull album be without an over-the-top collaboration with mentor Lil Jon? The rowdy producer and his protégé paired together to create “The Anthem,” the next in a line of proven seizure-inducing singles from the duo, including past hits “Culo” and “Toma.” 

“That’s about to be one of the records you not gonna stop hearing,” Jon says enthusiastically. “It’s crazy and it’s strictly for the ladies. You will see the ladies shaking.” 

MORE (including audio links) >>