R.K.M & Ken-Y

Infobox musical artist
Name= R.K.M & Ken-Y


Background = group_or_band
Birth_name = José Nieves (R.K.M)
Kenny Ruben Felix Vázquez (Ken-Y): February 6, 1981 (age 27) (RKM)
September 7, 1984 (age 23) (Ken-Y) [ [http://www.moron.nl/biography.php?artist=Rakim%20Y%20Ken-Y&bio=biography Biography RKM y Ken-Y Biography ] ]
Died =
Origin = Gurabo, Puerto Rico
Genre = Reggaetón (Romantico)
Years_active = 2003–present
Label = Pina Records/ Universal Music Latino
URL = [http://www.pinarecords.net Official website]

José Nieves (R.K.M) and Kenny Vázquez (Ken-Y), both of Gurabo, Puerto Rico, are a popular reggaeton duo.

Early career

The duo started their career of music in high school. R.K.M (formerly known as "Rakim") got inspired by the recent explosion of reggaeton music in the 90's. He encouraged Ken-Y to join him to form a duo. They later would perform at sweet 16 birthday parties and public events.

Soon the duo went on to record their music. Nicky Jam gave the duo a chance to make an appearance on his album, Vida Escante. R.K.M & Ken-Y were featured on "Pasado" and "Me Estoy Muriendo". The two singles were instant hits all across Latin America. They also won The Draft, a contest for upcoming Latin artist they won the best Latin and raggae award in 2007.

Professional career

This success caught the eyes of Omar and Ralphy Pina, two reggaeton moguls. They were quickly signed to the label and a year later released "Masterpiece". The album was a huge sensation and has been nominated for Premio Lo Nuestro of 2007. Their first hit single was "Down". The track reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in 2006. The album also spawned 4 other singles, music videos, and many awards. Although their album went platinum, it sold about 600,000 copies.

The duo soon after went on a tour across the world. They have released their songs performed on tour onto an album entitled . They also have released a special edition version of the album entitled .

They are currently working on their fourth studio album entitled "The Royalty", which is set to release on Sept. 9, 2008. [ [http://www.zona787.com/foro/index.php?s=675c4c2ed938a3242906f45cc6e17a16&showtopic=2490&pid=9917&st=0&#entry9917 Ken-Y un regreso a la moda - .·´¯`·->zσиα 787 <-·´¯`·. Fø®üm ] ]

The first single of their new album would be "Mis Días Sin Ti" a song they collaborated with Findy and Daddy Yankee, months ago. This new version would be with R.K.M instead and some parts of the song will be in English. In the song you hear Raphy Pina announcing the return of RKM & Ken-Y February 15, 2008. The date is actually a concert they are holding in the Choliseo in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The concert's headline is Romantic en el Choliseo. Famous reggaeton artists like Wisin & Yandel, Tito "El Bambino", Nicky Jam, and Arcangel were present. Other artists like N'Klabe, and Karis were also present.

Since their debut album, R.K.M & Ken-Y have gone on to appear and guest star on many songs. They have worked with artists such as Cruzito, Don Omar, Daddy Yankee, José Feliciano, Pitbull, Hector "El Father", David Bisbal, and many others. They rose from a no name group to one of the most respected reggaeton duos in music today.

It is also rumored that they are starting their own label in 2008. The name hasn't been decided yet but it is known that it will focus on Christian artist. Both artists have commented that this is their way of thanking God for what he has done with them.

On May 30, 2008, they performed at a Hillary Clinton rally in San Juan. The group was included in a concert titled "Vota o quédate callao". [cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/noticia/otros_asi/espectaculos_asi/unen_sus_voces_en_vota_o_quedate_callao/218283| title=Unen sus voces en “Vota o quédate callao”| author=Aixa Sepúlveda Morales| publisher="Primera Hora"| language=Spanish| date=2008-08-11| accessdate=2008-08-11]

tyle

R.K.M & Ken-Y are a pioneering duo of romantic reggaeton musicFact|date=May 2008. R.K.M provides his romantic rapping verses for many songs while Ken-Y provides the vocal lyrics. R.K.M tends to have fast, upbeat verses while Ken-Y sings many hooks. The style is similar to other reggaeton duos, such as Wisin & Yandel and Zion & Lennox.

Discography

*"Masterpiece" (2006)
*"" (2006)
*"" (2007)
*"The Royalty" (2008)

2006 Masterpiece

*Dame Lo Que Quiero
*Down

*Me Matas
*Dime [Ken-Y Only]

*Igual Que Ayer

2007 Masterpiece: Commemorative Edition

*Down (Remix) (Ft. Hector "El Father")
*Me Matas (Remix) (Ft. Daddy Yankee)

*Dime (Remix) [Ken-Y Only] (Ft. Pitbull)

*Llorarás

Llorarás - Single
*Llorarás Bachata Version

2008 The Royalty"So far there has been two official singles for this album"

*Mis Días Sin Ti

*Te Regalo Amores

*Tuve Un Sueno (ft. Plan B) "is said to be the next single for The Royalty"

Collaborations

* 2004: Vida Escante: "Pasado" (Ft. Nicky Jam)
* 2004: Los Bandoleros: "Si La Ves" (Ft. Don Omar)
* 2005: Buddha's Family 2 Desde La Prisión: "Hoy Te Vi"
* 2005: El Draft 2005: "Tú No Estás"
* 2005: Fuera De Serie Live: "Ando Solo" [Ken-Y Only] (Ft. Polaco)
* 2005: Pina All Stars 2: "Nena"
* 2005: Ground Zero: "Baílalo"
* 2006: Rompecuellos: "La Noche Más Triste" [Ken-Y Only] (Ft. Lito MC Cassidy)
* 2006: : "Un Sueño"
* 2006: Toby Love: "Tengo Un Amor (Remix)" (Ft. Toby Love)
* 2006: : "Quiero Conocerte"
* 2006: The Bad Boy: "Te Vas" [Ken-Y Only] (Ft. Hector "El Father")
* 2007: Millennium: "Ella Me Hechiza"
* 2007: Los Vaqueros Wild Wild Mixes: "Quizás (Remix)" [Ken-Y Only] (Ft. Tony Dize)
* 2007: Ivy Queen: "En Que Fallamos (Remix)" [Ken-Y Only] (Ft. Ivy Queen)
* 2007: It's My Time: "Fans" (Ft. Tito "El Bambino")
* 2007: Premonición: ¿Quién Me Iba A Decir? (Ft. David Bisbal)
* 2007: La Nueva Escuela: "Si Ya No Estás" (Ft. N'Klabe)
* 2007: Los 4 Fantasticos: "La Amas Como Yo" [Ken-Y Only] (Ft. Karis)
* 2007: Señor Bachata: "Mar y Cielo" (Ft. José Feliciano)
* 2007: The Black Carpet: "Gas Pela" [RKM Only] (Ft. Nicky Jam)
* 2007: The Black Carpet: "Ton Ton Ton" (Ft. Nicky Jam)
* 2007: The Black Carpet: "Quédate Con Él" [Ken-Y Only] (Ft. Nicky Jam & Cruzito)
* 2008: The Black Carpet: "Gas Pela (Remix)" [RKM Only] (Ft. Nicky Jam & Erick Right)
* 2008: Ana Isabelle: "Quien Dijo Amigos (Remix)" (Ft. Ana Isabelle)

References

External links

* [http://www.universalmusica.com/rkmykeny/Home.aspx R.K.M. & Ken-Y's Universal Music in Spanish] Official Website
* [http://www.pinarecords.net/ Official Website] on Pina Records
* [http://billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=701900&model.vnuAlbumId=759736 Stats of RKM y Ken-Y's Singles on Billboard]
* [http://billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=701900&model.vnuAlbumId=759736 ]
* [http://www.zona787.com/foro/index.php?s=675c4c2ed938a3242906f45cc6e17a16&showtopic=2490&pid=9917&st=0&#entry9917]