Pitbull, before fameCuban rapper Pitbull, who will be taking the stage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas next Saturday, didn't always have such a clean-cut, sharply dressed image.
Before the Miami entertainer shaved his head and started wearing suits, he wore his hair long and in braids. He recently posted an old photo of himself on his Facebook page along with the caption, "ever wonder what I looked like b4 I went worldwide??? this is the original Mr 305 right here!!!! DALEEEE!!!"
The artist known for a long list of hits including "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)," "Krazy," "Give Me Everything" and "International Love" has made significant strides since landing his first recording deal in 2001 on Luke Records, the company owned by 2 Live Crew founder Luther Campbell.
It was during his time on Luke Records that Pitbull's A&R executive secured him a spot on Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz's Kings Of Crunk album. He was next featured on the soundtrack for 2 Fast 2 Furious, and in 2004 put out his debut album, M.I.A.M.I. His career immediately took off after the release of M.I.A.M.I.'s debut single, "Culo."
The rapper born Armando Cristian Pérez has since released five additional albums and collaborated with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Marc Anthony, Chris Brown, Usher and LMFAO.
Pitbull's work ethic and formula for success might best be explained in his rationale for naming himself after the popular crossbread dog. "They bite to lock," Pitbull explained during a 2004 interview in The Washington Post. "The dog is too stupid to lose. And they're outlawed in Dade County. They're basically everything I am. It's been a constant fight."
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Pitbull, Mary J. Blige, Aerosmith, Brad Paisley and seven other superstar artists will perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on Saturday, September 22. Green Day, Lil Wayne, Rihanna and Miranda Lambert are among the acts playing Friday, September 21, the event's opening night. The shows begin at 7 p.m. PST and will be streamed exclusively on Yahoo! Music.
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