Baby Rasta & Gringo | |
---|---|
Also known as | Los Lobos |
Born |
December 31, 1978 (Gringo) |
October 11, 1976 (Baby Rasta)
Origin | Puerto Rico |
Genres | Reggaeton |
Years active | 1990–2004, 2007–present |
Labels | Eme Music, Universal Music |
Associated acts | Zion & Lennox, Plan B, Daddy Yankee |
Members |
|
Wilmer Alicea (Baby Rasta) (born October 11, 1976) and Samuel Gerena (Gringo) (born December 31, 1978), respectively are a reggaeton duo from Puerto Rico, famous for their track El Carnaval (The Carnival). They were originally called "Eazy Boyz". After changing their names they released three albums, New Prophecy in 1998, Fire Live in 2003 and Sentenciados in 2004. Sentenciados came out in both parental advisory and edited versions, and a "platinum version", including a bonus DVD, was released in 2005. Even though their first album came out in 1998, they started recording together in an album produced by DJ Negro, The Noise: Underground.
Wilmer Alicea was born on October 11, 1976 and Samuel Gerena was born in December 31, 1978 in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. At the age of 12 and 10 they started their career in 1988, and along with DJ Playero and Vico C, were one of the first reggaeton artists. Even so, they failed to get much recognition. By the age of 16 and 14 (1992) reggaeton was extremely popular among the underground scene. Due to its obscene and vulgar lyrics, the Puerto Rican government tried to eliminate it completely. Baby Rasta & Gringo, along with Tempo, responded by producing songs aimed at the government.
In 1998 they released their first album, titled New Prophecy. With the arrival of Héctor y Tito, who were quickly becoming reggaeton's greatest talent, were one of among others their biggest competition.
After only appearing on several compilation albums, they released their second album, Fire Live in 2003. It sold better than their previous album. Baby Rasta & Gringo were quickly garnering enemies, due to the term tirarea, where artist attack/Diss other artist in lyrics. The famous tireara was with the duo Lito & Polaco and Pina Records. Even after all this, they were the most popular underground duo, with sold-out concerts in dance halls and such. They were also getting individual attention, with Baby Rasta being noted for his skills at writing romantic lyrics and Gringo for his rapping abilities.