Baby Rasta y Gringo

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Baby Rasta y Gringo


Img_capt = Baby Rasta y Gringo
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Puerto Rico
Birth_name = Wilmer Alicea & Samuel Gerena
Born = July 3, 1978 (age 29)
Genre = Reggaeton
Years_active = 1988-present
Label =
URL =
Current_members =

Baby Rasta y Gringo (born July 3, 1978 Wilmer Alicea and Samuel Gerena, 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, .

Musical careers

At the age of 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 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 y 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 y Gringo were quickly garnering enemies, due to many of their songs being aimed at other artists, because other artists were dissing them in songs, namely Lito y 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.

With reggaeton finally getting worldwide recognition, and other duo's (H&T, Karel y Voltio, among others) on the verge of separating, they decided to try once more, and released "Sentenciados" in 2004. This was the break they had been waiting for for so long. "Sentenciados" was, and still is, regarded as one of the greatest reggaeton albums of all time. Featuring many hits, it included "El Carnaval", the duo's biggest hit, and one of the most popular dancehall songs in Puerto Rico. They also made big hits with Cheka. Making songs together became a hit for Baby Rasta and Gringo.

eparation and solo careers

They separated in December, 2004 because of problems with their record producer, who Gringo says paid more attention to Baby Rasta alone, instead of to them both as a group. It has been alleged that they have an ongoing beef, with people alleging that Baby Rasta has dissed his former partner in live shows.

Baby Rasta has achieved success and fame, mostly due to his appearing on many artist's albums and landing a hit with his only Billboard Top 100 hit so far, Hay de Mí, with producer Noriega.He also appears in Somos De Calle Remix with Daddy Yankee, Arcangel & De La Ghetto, Guelo Star, MC Ceja, Voltio, Ñejo, Chyno Nyno, and Cosculluela

Gringo's solo album "El Independiente" was released in March 2007. Gringo also released Reggaeton Con Navidad on December 13, 2005. It featured Bebe, Machito, Klasico, and many others.

In 2006 Baby Rasta released his first solo album "La Última Risa", which due to poor promotion did not reach incredible heights in terms of sales. However, many underground fans, most who bootlegged the album, labeled it as the best reggaeton album of the year. Later in 2006, Baby Rasta released his single "Toma Nena". Gringo released his solo album "El Independiente" in 2007.Baby Rasta has a new record of his own called Ilegal Life Records

Reunited

In late 2007, Baby Rasta & Gringo have reunited for the first time in 3 years. Both are producing a new CD called El Comeback. Baby Rasta is to come out with his new CD late 2008 with 'Reality Hip-Hop', 'Romances Del Ruido 3' and 'Reggaeton Fever'.

The duo released "dejame conocerte" the first single from their new album

Rivalry

Baby Rasta & Gringo have been involved in lyrical wars, or tiraera with many reggaeton artists. They have faced Lito & Polaco, Hector & Tito, MC Ceja, and many more.

On the Somos De Calle Remix a Dominican hip hop artist named Vakero though Baby Rasta said something bad about Dominican Republic. The controversy is over the word "trili", which Rasta uses in his verse. In Puerto Rican slang, trini means someone of lower class. However, Vakero misunderstood the word to be "trini" which refers to a group of Dominicans living in New York. Rasta has gone on Dominican radio to clear the situation up, and says if Vakero wants to feud, he is ready. Vakero released the first diss song in the rivalry, in which he insults not only Rasta, but reggaeton in general.

Discography

*Live Desde el Mas Alla (1997)
*New Prophecy (1998)
*Romances Del Ruido (2000)
*Fire Live (2003)
*Romances Del Ruido 2 (2003)
*Sentenciados (2004)
*Sentenciados Platinum Edition (2005)
*The Comeback Coming Soon

olo efforts

Baby Rasta

*La Última Risa (2006)

Gringo

* Reggaeton Con Navidad (2005)
*El Independiente (Promo) (2006)
*El Independiente (2007)

References

* [http://www.cduniverse.com/sresult.asp?HT_Search_Info=Baby+Rasta+Gringo&HT_Search=ARTIST&image.x=11&image.y=12&cart=598660337&style=music&altsearch=yes Cduniverse.com]
* [http://los40.com.co/artista.asp?id=174569 Biography] es icon

ee also

*List of reggaeton artists
* [http://www.billboardenespanol.com/musica/content_display/resenas/nuevas-canciones/e3i32a6c4ade2dd7b2321e63a75d61d43de Baby Rasta Y Gringo, Nuevas Canciones - Billboard En Espñol]