Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Who is Pitbull?
Pitbull is a Cuban-American singer and rapper who rose to the limelight in the dawn of the 2000s and etched his name in gold on the global music scene. Over the years, he has demonstrated rare excellence in his career, having released music in two different languages and built both an international and multi-lingual fanbase.
Being a first-generation American, young Pitbull was always advised to grab the opportunities that America presents to him and make the most out of them. He was also immersed in the poetic writings of José Martí, a Cuban national hero. Perhaps, this exposure to literature and poetry paved the way for the creative and electrifying lyrics that characterize Pitbull’s music today.
Growing up without a father in Miami, young Pitbull was exposed to the rough side of life. He dabbled into taking addictive substances and was under foster care for a while. Along the line, the youngster discovered and began to explore his passion for music.
His breakthroughs in music gave credence to his giftedness, and before long, the rapper began to make waves in the bubbly city of Miami. Till today, he credits the “melting pot” city that Miami is as instrumental to his personal build-up.
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Armando Christian Perez |
| Popular Name: | Pitbull |
| Gender: | Male |
| Birth Date: | January 15th, 1981 |
| Age: | 42 years |
| Parents: | Armando Perez and Alysha Acosta |
| Siblings: | Jennifer Betances |
| Birth Place: | America |
| Nationality: | Cuban-American |
| Ethnicity: | Cuban |
| Education: | South Miami Senior High School, Miami Coral Park High School |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
| Children: | Bryce and Destiny Perez |
| Dating: | N/A |
| Net Worth: | $100 Million |
| Source of Wealth: | Music, Endorsements, Entrepreneurship, TV, Radio |
| Height: | 5ft5 (1.7m) |
| Weight: | 73kg (161 lbs) |
Early Life and Career Information
Pitbull’s real name is Armando Christian Perez. He was born to a Cuban immigrant couple who settled in Miami, Florida. On the 15th of January, 1981, the couple welcomed baby Pitbull into their home. His birth came with so much joy and hope for them, cementing their quest to live out the American Dream.
Pitbull grew up having a solid connection to Cuba and its cultures. Despite living in the English-speaking America, Spanish was the first language he learned to speak. In fact, the rapper claims to have learned English by watching Sesame Street on Television. At the tender age of three, he spoke Spanish fluently and recited Spanish poems by heart.
Regrettably, Pitbull had to grow up without the privilege of a father figure in his life. His father–a drug user–was unstable in the home until he eventually left. His absence in Pitbull’s life was later felt when the young boy subsequently began to tread the drug-afflicted path of his dad, breaking his mom’s heart further to the point where she sent him away from the family house.
All these happened in the bloom of his teenage years. Through it all, his dad was absent while his mom struggled to put him in order. In his later years as an accomplished man, he still remembers the depth of his mother’s care for him in those years. In his words, “my mom is both my father and my mother.”
Thankfully, Pitbull was able to complete high school. He first attended South Miami Senior High School, then Miami Coral Park High School, where he graduated. After high school, young Pitbull knew that University was not the next chapter of his adventurous life. He searched within and found music to be his next big deal. So, he launched his rap career in Miami.
Pitbull’s humble beginnings started with a signing to Luke Records in 2001. He was introduced to rapper Lil john, who allowed him a song on an upcoming album, thereby boosting Pitbull’s social profile. Three years later, Lil John sat at the producer’s desk for Pitbull’s debut album M.I.A.M.I, an album that pushed the Cuban star into the American limelight.
M.I.A.M.I peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 11 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. The following year, in 2005, he released a remix of the album and joined the widely acclaimed Anger Management Tour headlined by Eminem and 50 Cent. He later co-founded Bad Boy Latino label with Sean “Diddy” Combs and is currently heading the Artists & Repertoire division of the label.
In 2006, Pitbull collaborated with other immigrant artists to record Nuestro Himno, the Spanish version of the US anthem. It was released on DJ Khaled‘s debut album. That year, he also released his second album, El Mariel, and dedicated it to his father, who died five months before its release. The album was No. 1 on the Billboard independent albums chart.
In 2007, the rapper released The Boatlift, his third studio album, where he featured his long-time partner Lil John. He also began a variety show, Pitbull’s La Esquina, which debuted in May 2007. The show ran through 2009, airing on the mun2 cable. Pitbull subsequently released Pitbull Starring in Rebelution, his fourth album, which sold over 7.5 million copies worldwide.
The Latino superstar brought his music home with his 2010 release, Armando. The full-length Spanish album made him one of the most nominated at the 2011 Billboard Latin Music Awards. He thereafter won Telehit’s award for “Most Popular Artist.”
Following that release, he released Planet Hit, Global Warming, Global Warming: Meltdown, Globalization, and Dale, which won a Grammy award. He subsequently released Climate Change, Gotti, and Libertad 548.
Pitbull’s Net Worth
Pitbull is a mega superstar and a businessman. From co-founding a music label to launching a TV show and a radio channel, he proves his entrepreneurship drive is impeccable. He has also signed endorsement deals with bring brands like Kodak, Walmart, and Boost Mobile, bringing his net worth to a whopping $100 Million.
Lessons From the Life of Pitbull
Defeat Your Circumstances
Pitbull was faced with dire challenges as a young man. He had two options; to succeed despite the skewed circumstances or to throw in the towel. He chose the former, and so can you!
