Mexicano 777 (Puerto Rican rapper)

Mexicano 777
Born	September 2, 1972 Caguas, Puerto Rico
Died	July 23, 2015 Manatí, Puerto Rico
Occupation	Rapper

Israel Perales Ortiz (September 2, 1972 – July 23, 2015) better known in the music world as Mexicano 777, was a Puerto Rican rapper who gained fame across Latin America, and in the United States. Mexicano 777 was from Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Perales Ortiz adopted the artistic nickname "Mexicano 777" to honor his step-father, who is Mexican.

Mexicano 777 began his musical career during the early 1990s, alongside such artists as DJ Playero and DJ Adam. During this era, Puerto Rico had a list of popular hip-hop singers, or "rappers", which included Ruben DJ, Vico C, Francheska, Don Chezina and others.

In 1993, Perales Ortiz allegedly participated in an armed robbery of a Fajardo restaurant, in which he was accused of pulling a firearm on employees and taking off with $2,000 dollars in cash.

On June 22, 1997, Mexicano 777 was at a discothèque when a shooting took place. He held 19 year old Laura Isabel Aponte Rivera on his hands and prayed before she was taken to a hospital, where she died of a gun shot to the head. Aponte Rivera's mother Myra Rivera credited Mexicano 777 with helping her see her daughter at the hospital before she died.

During 1998, Mexicano 777 released his first CD, named "Entre el Bien y el Mal" ("Between Good and Evil"). He was later named "Rap Artist of the Year" in Puerto Rico. In 1999, Mexicano 777 became involved in the so-called Fight of the Millennium boxing fight between Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya, writing a song named "Triunfo del Milenio' ("Triumph of the Millennium"), which was played live before the bout.

Mexicano 777's 2001 album, "God's Assassins" became a major musical and cultural hit. The album included 14 songs, including a collaboration, "Guerreros" ("Warriors") with another artist also known as "Mexicano 777", Mad Lion.

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