just waiting to get home to knock it out in the studio. You work with several local artists in Miami like B.A.N.G., Cubo and Piccalo. Why do you feel it’s important to work with up-and-coming artists? I think it’s always important ‘cause you’re opening the doors for them. If any of them succeed, then of course it will be part of my success also. If one hand washes the other, then we’ll both wash our face. The more successful they become, it makes the whole circle successful. We all need to unite and make it happen. That’s pretty much what it’s about to me – the whole Dade County, 305 movement. I’m blessed to be a part of it. Did you ever have anyone look out for you when you were coming up? Who were your mentors as an artist? Luke was my mentor. You sponsored a scholarship contest a while back. How did you come up with the plan for that? It’s a basically a foundation we opened up to make sure certain kids go to college and get their education. I thought, what a better way to give back to the community than to send them off to a university. Do you feel that going to college and getting an education important? Me, myself, I ain’t go to college but it’s a great opportunity for someone underprivileged to experience that. Do you know who won the contest? To be honest, we don’t have a winner picked out yet. What do you love most about living and working in Miami? How is it different from any of the other places you’ve been? I love everything here. The weather – everything. It feels good to be home. There’s no other city in the world like it. It’s the most international city in the world. There’s so many different people and cultures here. What would you say to people living in the United States that complain about the problems here? Does it seem like Americans are spoiled to a certain degree? Most definitely but I can understand that. I’ve gone back to Cuba and seen what’s going on over there. I’ve done been to different countries and seen what poverty is like in their country. How would you compare poverty in other countries to poverty in the U.S.? A ghetto here in the United States is like Beverly Hills compared to another country’s or island’s ghettos or neighborhoods. I get a chance to un32
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derstand it; a lot of people don’t because they don’t get out. They don’t understand the freedom and opportunities that we have here. You know, the number one disease we’ve got in this country is called ignorance. Is there anyone you haven’t worked with yet that you’d like to collaborate with in the future? The only person that I didn’t get a chance to work with, that I really wanted to work with was Celia Cruz. She’s a legend. I’ve pretty much worked with everybody and I think it’s only gonna continue. What’s the most requested Pitbull song right now? I got two. I got a record that’s number one on the Spanish charts. It’s called “Dime” featuring a cat named Ken-y. I also got a record called “Ay Chico” that’s taking off. Do you have anything else you want to tell people about before we finish the interview? I think we’ve pretty much covered everything. Just let them know make sure to check me out on Myspace www.myspace.com/pitbull. And I always appreciate the love because without them, there is no Pitbull. Look out for my music and The Boatlift. Go get El Mariel – it’s in stores right now. Words: Ms. Rivercity Photo: Vincent Edmond Louis
For more on Pitbull, check out the November 2006 issue of OZONE Magazine online at www. ozonemag.com