| Intro | Puerto Rican rapper |
| Is | Rapper |
| From | United States of America |
| Type | Music |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 8 September 1971, New York City |
| Age: | 48 years |
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.
Biography
Early life and influence
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.
Career
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.
Soon after, he became an evangelical Christian and went into a voluntary semi-retirement. In 1998, he resurfaced, with the Christian rap CD Aquel Que Había Muerto. The new CD went gold and in 1999, he returned to the touring scene with his concert Antés y después. Soon after, he released a sequel to Aquel Que Había Muerto. With that, he earned the Latino Rap of the year award by Billboard.
In 2004, Vico C released an album titled En Honor A La Verdad. While it was not a major hit it still sold well and one of the album’s singles “El Bueno, El Malo y El Feo”, referring to Eddie Dee, himself and Tego Calderón respectively. The single was widely heard. The single was a great combination of the best “Conscience” subgenre of rap artists.
Vico C’s recent albums include Desahogo, in early 2005. The album was a success and born June 3, 2006 he came back with another concert, El Encuentro.
Many consider Vico C to be a pioneer of rap. Music industry figures called him the “father and creator of rap”. He has worked alongside artists including Big Boy, Eddie Dee, Ivy Queen, Héctor & Tito, Tego Calderón. He has also worked with producers Baby Ranks, Tony Touch and Luny Tunes.
He has sung alongside salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa and cumbia group Kumbia Kings.
Vico C tries to maintain a Christian theme throughout his music. His brother Jay Lozada is a salsa musician.
Albums
Studio albums
- Underground (1985)
- Soy De La Calle (1988)
- La Recta Final (1989)
- Misión: La Cima (1990)
- Hispanic Soul (1991)
- Xplosión (1993)
- Con Poder (1996)
- Aquel Que Había Muerto (1998)
- Emboscada (2002)
- En Honor A La Verdad (2003)
- Desahogo (2005)
- Babilla (2009)
Compilation albums
- Dos Tiempos Bajo Un Mismo Tono (1994)
- Greatest Hits (1995)
- Historia (1998)
- Historia 2 (1999)
- Serie 2000 (2000)
- Serie Platino (2000)
- The Files: The Greatest Hits (2004)
- El Filósofo: Platinum Edition (2008)
- Colaboraciones de Ayer y Hoy (2011)
- Frente A Frente – with Julio Voltio (2013)
Live albums
- Vivo (2001)
- El Encuentro (2006)
Awards and nominations
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Himself | Vanguard Award | Won |
- Billboard Latin Music Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Aquel Que Había Muerto | Latin Rap Album of the Year | Won | |
| 2002 | Vivo | Nominated | ||
| 2003 | Emboscada | Nominated | ||
| 2004 | En Honor A La Verdad | Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2005 | “Los 12 Discípulos” | Tropical Airplay Track of the Year, New Artist | Nominated | Shared with Eddie Dee, Gallego, Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, Julio Voltio, Ivy Queen, Zion & Lennox, Johnny Prez, Nicky Jam and Wiso G |
| 2006 | Desahogo | Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year | Nominated |
- Latin Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Vivo | Best Urban Music Album | Won |
| 2003 | Emboscada | Nominated | |
| 2004 | En Honor A La Verdad | Won | |
| 2005 | Desahogo | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Babilla | Nominated | |
| “Sentimiento” | Best Urban Song | Nominated |