M.J.
as seen on myspace
wed 6/25/2008
M.J. couldn't stay behind the music for long.
A sound engineer and producer, 23-year-old José A. Matos Negrón, aka M.J., left the console behind and picked up a microphone after he was discovered by DJ Negro at The Noise – the Puerto Rican club nights promoted by the DJ collective of the same name. Backed by romantic reggaetonero Zion, M.J. earned a spot on Los Benjamins: La Continuación by Luny Tunes. Dile, a romantikeo jam with sizzling synths and acoustic guitar, became a minor hit in Puerto Rico – no small feat when you're on an album with the likes of Daddy Yankee, Don Omar and Wisin y Yandel.
Earlier this month, M.J. released his debut album, Mi Sentimiento. Produced by Eliel, Memo and Mambo Kingz, the album includes his latest hit, He Venido, a syrupy reggaetón-flavored pop track. There's also the techno-ish She Makes Me Feel with Sean Kingston, and Se Fue featuring Zion, which sounds a lot like reggaetón's answer to Apologize by Timbaland and OneRepublic. As his star rises, M.J. remains humble: "Everything has happened so quickly that I sometimes find it hard to believe that I've received so many blessings in my career."
Flex
as seen on myspace
fri 12/14/2007
If Felix Danilo Gomez wants attention, he's got it. The lanky, "romantic style reggae" singer is known throughout Latin America as Nigga. Why? Because he "sang like a black guy from Jamaica." Perhaps anticipating a possible backlash, the Panamanian performer – and/or his record label – wisely changed his name to Flex on U.S. releases.
Now 27 years old, Flex made his debut 10 years ago on Sin Censura Vol. 1 (Without Censorship Vol. 1) alongside Panamanian reggae artist Toby King. His first buzzworthy single was the off-key but heartfelt ballad La Balada de Nigga (Nigga's Ballad), dedicated to his deceased mother. This year, Flex made an appearance on U.S. Billboard charts with Te Quiero, a romantic pop track featuring syrupy rude boy crooning and a dem bow beat. Already a hit in Latin America, the song has been number one on Mexican radio charts for ten weeks and counting.
Flex's self-titled album, which has already sold 50,000 copies in México, is set to be released in the U.S. in early 2008.
Pee-Wee vs. Ken-Y
versus
fri 5/4/2007
| name | Irvin Salinas. | Kenny Vásquez. |
| hometown | Othello, Washington but grew up in Mission, Texas. | Gurabo, Puerto Rico. |
| birthdate | December 8, 1989. | September 7, 1984. |
| style | Urban cumbia-pop. | Romantikeo. |
| musical influences | Justin Timberlake and Brian McKnight. | Daddy Yankee and Chayanne. |
| lucky break | Became lead singer of the Kumbia All-Starz once he and others quit The Kumbia Kings. | Got the opportunity to work with Don Omar and Nicky Jam with the help of producer Raphy Phina. |
| signature look | Tank top and peach fuzz. | Stunna shades and motorcycle jacket. |
| could be the next | Frankie J. | Ricky Martin. |
| still a virgin? | Look at that innocent face. | Already someone's baby daddy. |
| most recent release | A.B. Quintanilla III presents Ayer Fue Kumbia Kings, Hoy Es Kumbia All Starz. | The Masterpiece: Commemorative Edition. |
| the critics | All Music says: “The music is comparably top-notch as far as Latin pop goes.” | Amazon.com says: "Much of the problem lies with Ken-Y, whose weak vocals and wimpy delivery play up the genre's repetitiveness and often-insipid lyrics." |
| the fans | "Damn, wish Pee-Wee was my man … I love him and want him to be my dueño for sure." – Griselda F | "Damn Ken Y u r so hot I can eat u up. Just playin, but I admire u so much that evertime I see u, I start to jump n scream." – Jenny |
| webprops | 18,551 friends on the new official Kumbia Kings MySpace. | 78,087 friends on official R.K.M. & Ken-Y MySpace. |
| best video moment | Plays a campesino from Mexico's pre-independence era in Chiquilla. | Turns into a stalker and watches his girl's every move in Me Matas. |
┼♥┼ яosαяio ┼.. Says:
