Vico C
| Vico C | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Luis Armando Lozada Cruz |
| Born |
September 8, 1971 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Origin | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Genres | Christian hip hop, hip hop, reggaeton, rap, urban, ballad, hip house, reggae |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, songwriter, musical producer, arranger |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboard |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Capitol Latin |
Luis Armando Lozada Cruz (born September 8, 1971), better known as Vico C, is a Puerto Rican rapper and reggaeton songwriter. He is considered one of the founding fathers of reggaeton and the Father of Rap. Vico C has played an influential role in the development of Latin American hip hop.
He was born in New York and raised in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed The Philosopher, Luis Armando Lozada Cruz adopted the professional name Vico C. Vico C describes reggaeton as "essentially hip-hop but with a flavor more compatible to the Caribbean."Though he maintains they are of the same essence, Vico C believes the difference lies in the quintessential music style; the beat or rhythm of the music.
As one of the founders of hip hop in Spanish, Vico C was able to show that it was possible for one to be able to rap entirely and compellingly in Spanish using just occasional English phrases or slang terms. He can be seen in the rap movement as far back as its "underground" days ghostwriting and producing music for other young performers in the Puerto Rican rap scene.
Vico C grew up in the Puerta de Tierra barrio in San Juan. He got enrolled in acting classes by the age of nine and began his professional rapping career in 1985. At first, he used to go to bodegas (grocery stores) or pharmacies, buy home recording tapes, record himself singing his songs and then sell the tapes to friends or family.
In 1989, rap in Puerto Rico was at a popular high, and Ruben DJ had released "La Escuela". Vico C entered the charts with his song "La Recta Final". Vico C started touring to places like New York, Chicago, Miami, Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, Panama, the Dominican Republic.
Vico C, in 1992 came through with more songs, his singles "Saborealo" and "María" became gold and platinum albums, respectively. Also in 1994, he established his own record company VC Records, promoting such singers as Lissy Estrella, Francheska, and Lisa M. In the mid-1990s, Vico C was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. His injuries led to his abuse of heroin, cocaine and alcohol.
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