Vico C

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Template:Short description Template:Family name hatnote Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person Luis Armando Lozada Cruz (born September 8, 1971), known by his stage name Vico C, is an American rapper.<ref name="seizure" /> Not to be confused with reggaeton, Vico C has played an influential role in the development of Latin American hip-hop and urban music.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life and influence

He was born in New York and raised in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed El Filósofo del Rap, ("The Philosopher of Rap"),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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".<ref name="Rivera Marshall Hernandez Radano 2009 p. 28">Template:Cite book</ref>

As one of the founders of hip-hop in Spanish,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="holdsitdown">Template:Cite web</ref>

Vico C grew up in the Puerta de Tierra barrio in San Juan.<ref name="holdsitdown" /> 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. Vico C was discovered by DJ Negro in 1985 whom immediately saw the great potential of hip-hop in Spanish and chose to record Vico's earliest demos. Upon the positive reaction from the barrio, DJ Negro brought Vico to the most successful hip-hop promoter in Puerto Rico, Jorge Oquendo (also known as 'El Sexy Boy'). Jorge Oquendo formed the record label 'Prime Records' with Vico C as the lead artist of the label. Prime Records eventually received a distribution deal via Sony BMG Latin. Prime Records is one of the most successful and influential record labels in the history of Spanish rap and reggaeton known for being the home to legendary acts such as DJ Negro, Vico C, El General, Lisa M, Falo, Brewley MC and more.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

In May 2019, he suffered seizures resulting from an allergic reaction to medication and was hospitalized but recovered.<ref name="seizure">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Career

In 1988, Puerto Rican rap in Puerto Rico was not at a popular high,<ref name="holdsitdown" /> and Vico C was the first one to rap in Spanish in Puerto Rico, considered the Godfather of Puerto Rican hip-hop and the pioneer of this genre, there were others who followed in his footsteps, rapping in the ghettos. Brewley MC, Piro JM, Jimmy MC, Bimbo, (Lisa M, Jelly Dee Franceska, came afterward) Ruben DJ was the first rapper to sound on the radio by releasing "La Escuela" after Vico C fame was already known on the whole island for his underground lyrics. Brewley MC also recorded "El Sida Rap with Green Records". Vico C entered the charts with his song "La Recta Final" which he personally designed the album cover for, with his artistic talents. Vico C was signed to Prime Records and started touring to venues in New York, Chicago, Miami, Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, Panama, the Dominican Republic.Template:Citation needed

Vico C, in 1992 released his singles "Saborealo" and "María" which became hits.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1994, he established his own record company VC Records, released albums for Taino<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Lissy Estrella. Also helping promote such Spanish rap singers as Francheska, and Lisa M<ref name=":1" /> who were originally his back up dancers. In 1990, Vico C was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. His injuries led to his abuse of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol.<ref name="Playphone">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Soon after, he became an evangelical Christian and went into a voluntary semi-retirement. In 1998, he resurfaced, with the "rambunctious", Christian rap CD Aquel Que Había Muerto.<ref name="babilla">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The new CD went gold and in 1999, he returned to the touring scene with his concert Antes 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 2003, 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.

Vico C also known as "el filósofo del rap"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="babilla" /> has worked alongside artists including Big Boy, Eddie Dee,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Héctor & Tito, Tego Calderón en los "12 discipulos". He has also worked with producers Baby Ranks, Tony Touch and Luny Tunes.Template:Citation needed

He has sung alongside salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and cumbia group Kumbia Kings on their album titled Duetos.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Vico C tries to maintain a Christian theme throughout his music.<ref name=":0" /> His brother Jay Lozada is a salsa musician.

In 2020, music by Vico C was part of the annual Banco Popular Christmas songs compilation album.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 2023, he signed a deal with Nain Music, a subsidiary of the Rimas Entertainment record label,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> for an unreleased album by Vico C to be released in May 2023. In March, Vico C presents his new single "Pregúntale a Tu Papá por Mí".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Vico C also won for the best comeback in Premios Tu Musica Urbano.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Movie

Vico C: La vida del filósofo is a biographical film about the life of Vico C. The movie was inspired by the director Eduardo "Transfor" Ortiz's idea, which he conceived while listening to Vico C's song "La inglesa" on the radio. The film portrays Vico C's journey, including his rise to international fame, his Grammy Latino awards, struggles with drug addiction, imprisonment, and the death of his mother. Vico C's son, Luis Armando "Loupz" Lozada Jr., portrays him in the movie, while Vico C himself contributed to the screenplay and provided coaching to the actors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The film Vico C, la vida del filósofo was available for streaming on the Netflix platform in Latin America. The biographical movie, which was released in theaters in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States in 2017, gained popularity and was one of the most-watched films on the streaming platform "Pantaya".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Legacy

Vico C is renowned as the most influential artist in the history of Spanish hip-hop and reggaeton throughout Latin America and Spain. Vico is recognized for having lyrics that were thoughtful, insightful, socially conscious as well as catchy and danceable songs for all kind of audiences. The musical blueprint implemented by DJ Negro and Vico C is the precursor of the genre now known as reggaeton. Many Spanish hip-hop/reggaeton journalists and experts consider Vico C as the greatest or one of the greatest artists in the history of the genre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Discography

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Accolades

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Awards

Template:Awards table !Template:Tooltip |- !scope="row"|2017 |Vico C |Vanguard Award |Template:Won |<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |}

Billboard Latin Music Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result Template:Tooltip
1999 Aquel Que Había Muerto Latin Rap Album of the Year Template:Won <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
2002 Vivo Latin Rap Album of the Year Template:Nom <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
2003 Emboscada Latin Rap Album of the Year Template:Nom <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
2004 En Honor a la Verdad Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year Template:Nom <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2005 "Los 12 Discípulos"
Shared with Eddie Dee, Gallego, Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, Julio Voltio, Ivy Queen, Zion & Lennox, Johnny Prez, Nicky Jam and Wiso G 		Tropical Airplay Track of the Year, New Artist Template:Nom <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
2006 Desahogo Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year Template:Nom <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Grammy Awards

Template:Awards table !Template:Tooltip |- !scope="row"|2006 |Desahogo |Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album |Template:Nom |<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |}

Latin Grammy Awards

Template:Awards table !Template:Tooltip |- !scope="row"|2002 |Vivo |rowspan=5|Best Urban Music Album |Template:Won |<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |- !scope="row"|2003 |Emboscada |Template:Nom |<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |- !scope="row"|2004 |En Honor a la Verdad |Template:Won |<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |- !scope="row"|2005 |Desahogo |Template:Nom |<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |- !scope="row" rowspan="2"|2010 |Babilla |Template:Nom |rowspan="2"|<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |- |"Sentimiento" |rowspan="2"|Best Urban Song |Template:Nom |- !scope="row"|2017 |"Papá" |Template:Nom |<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |- |2023 |"Pregúntale a Tu Papá Por Mi" |Best Rap/Hip Hop Song |Template:Pending | |}

Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Template:Awards table !Template:Tooltip |- !scope="row"|2016 |rowspan="2"|Vico C |rowspan="2"|Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame – Performer |Template:Nom |<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |- !scope="row"|2018 |Template:Pending |<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |}

Lo Nuestro Awards

Template:Awards table !Template:Tooltip |- !scope="row"|2003 |Emboscada |Urban Album of the Year |Template:Nom |<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |- !scope="row" rowspan="2"|2006 |Desahogo |Urban Album of the Year |Template:Nom |rowspan="2"|<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |- |"Desahogo" |Video of the Year |Template:Nom |}

See also

References

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