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By Simone Hilliard

When Pitbull dropped his debut album M.I.A.M.I (Money is a Major Issue) in 2004, many questioned whether the upstart Cuban-American emcee had the ability to not only win over the dirty south, but transcend audiences nationwide.

After seven years in the game, 6 albums under his belt and a roster of Hot 100 hits, the unlikely success of Mr. Armando Perez has astounded most, but it's safe to say Pit's salsa-infused sounds and bravado-laced Spanglish lyrics aren't leaving our playlists anytime soon.

However, can Mr. 305 really become Mr. Worldwide? With his latest effort Planet Pit, the rapper has seemingly abandoned his hip hop roots in hopes of breaking global barriers, and along the way has picked up his first #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Give Me Everything." The song was also number 1 in the UK's top singles list.

In an interview, Pit shared his global mission for his latest effort.

"Instead of speaking to the block, I rather speak to the globe so the block can go, 'Oh wait a second, there is a whole lot more out there...And that's where the respect and credibility comes into play. You can't buy that and no record can buy that."

The rapper also explained how his sound has evolved during his seven year career.

"I think from M.I.A.M.I. to Planet Pit, how it transitions, what it shows is maturity, growth, evolution, someone that's been learning, applying, observing."

But is one #1 hit enough to solidify international staying power? Arguably, Pitbull hasn't gone platinum out the gate with any of his lps, nor is he a Grammy Award winning artist. However, as one of the most nominated artists at this year's Latin Grammys, Mr. 305 may receive the acclaim to push him over the top.

Do you think Pitbull has the gusto to go global? Sound off in the comments, or @MTV3.

Tags Grammy, Latin Grammys, Miami, Mr. 305, Pitbull, Planet Pit

By Larry Yepez Jr.

With the hype of the NBA Finals, the Miami music icon Gloria Estefan released her latest song "Wepa" in honor of the Miami Heat and the great season they played. The video was shot in Miami's American Airlines Arena and features the excitement of a Miami Heat Game. Miami at night, Heat players jamming, spinning cheerleaders, dancing fans and of course... glorious Gloria on fire.

Although the Dallas Mavericks took the championship trophy by beating the Miami Heat this weekend, thanks to Gloria the Miami Heat now has their own anthem! (Mavericks, where is your anthem sung by a major Latin superstar?  Huh?!)

"Wepa" is the first single from Gloria's upcoming album "Miss Little Havana". The up tempo Latin-flavored "Wepa" was produced by Pharrell Williams. The song's rhythm is very catchy; the progressive Latin beats make you instinctively want to shake it like a Polaroid picture! "Wepa" is a feel-good song that transmits the positive energy of Miami's happy, beautiful people.

What do you think of Wepa?

Tags Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Gloria Estefan, Heat, Miami, NBA, Wepa

By Larry Yepes

The launch of the Heineken TransAtlantic Festival was on fire this past weekend, as the Colombian band Bomba Estereo sparked up the fest with an explosion of Electro-Cumbia, Rap, House  and Hip-Hop beats.

The crowd in the downtown Miami loft was shaking their booty to the unique sounds of these groundbreaking artists, a mix of all kinds of people from the hipsters to the yuppies and even some funky 50+ music lovers, some representing with typical Colombian sombreros vueltiaos but all jamming to the same vibe.

Bomba E's singer Liliana Saumet is captivating to watch, her energy radiates as she passionately sings her soul out in a beautiful classic cumbia voice and then all of a sudden, effortless and seamless, she breaks out and turns into a hardcore, in-your-face rapper!

True raw talent at its best, along with catchy cosmic dance beats was the perfect combo for a great show that built up as the crowd favorites pumped up the energy, and certainly the loft was pumping when 'Ponte Bomb' -  Bomba's new single, a take on Technotronic's classic 'Pump Up the Jam'-, rocked the house.

But when the roof really went on fire…or better yet, on fuego, was when Bomba brought the house down with their biggest hit 'Fuego'.  And with that  burning, Bomba Estereo Ignited the Ninth Annual Heineken TransAtlantic Festival that will be going on until Saturday April 30.

Tags Bomba Estereo, Festival, Heineken, Miami, Music, TransAtlantic

By Michael Lopez

The second we heard that Bravo’s Real Housewives reality series was headed to Miami, we knew it would be full of colorful Latinas. The series’ big premiere this week confirmed our predictions, and then some. Brazilian bombshells, Latin basketball wives, and a “Cuban Barbie” take the franchise in an interesting direction.

Believe it or not, Miami is the seventh spinoff of the popular Real Housewives brand. Since the first batch of Orange County ladies debuted in 2006, Bravo has introduced us to memorable socialites from New York, Atlanta, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Beverly Hills.

Though Orange County’s Peruvian Jo de la Rosa was the franchise’s first Latina housewife, Miami features the most Spanish-speakers yet. Four of the six cast members have Latin-American roots.

Cristy Rice, a self-described “sassy Latina” who is divorced from basketball star Glenn Rice and is the mother of three, is already building tension with castmate Larsa Pippen, who also happens to be married to NBA legend Scotty Pippen.

Marysol Patton may well account for two Latinas on the show, as her eccentric mother Elsa Carreras Patton is already becoming a fan favorite. A single socialite who runs her own PR firm, she considers herself the queen of Miami’s elite party circuit.

Alexia Echevarria, executive editor of the city's Venue Magazine, has already dubbed herself “Cuban Barbie.” Living in a “blended family” with a new husband and children from a prior marriage, she’s all about the glitz and glam.

And what fun is a season without a firecracker? That would be Brazilian Adriana De Moura. Recently single, she’s openly admitted that she’s addicted to gossip and has some very flirtatious ways. Could that create some friction with the hubbies? It wouldn’t surprise us.

Of course, the real question is, how did the Miami Housewives stack up after Wednesday's premiere? Ratings were lower than expected — the ladies tied with the Food Channel’s Cupake Wars —but we imagine things will perk up once the catfighting begins.

What did you think of the Real Housewives of Miami? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Bravo, Chisme, Cultura, Miami, Real Housewives, Real Housewives Of Miami, Television

By Michael Lopez

How cool would it be to see Pitbull slide down your chimney in a big red suit and fluffy white beard? Well, that may never happen, but the native Miami rapper did spread some Christmas cheer around his old stomping grounds in the city's Wynwood neighborhood.

According to the Miami Herald, Pit's company, PlanetPit.com, the city of Miami and the nonprofit Imaginate Foundation gave away more than 500 toys — including Barbie and Bratz dolls, footballs, BMX bikes and even pre-paid cell phones — to children ages 1 to 16 at the annual Toy A-Way event at Roberto Clemente Park last Saturday. The holiday event also featured bounce houses, music and plenty of edible treats.

A merry Armando Pérez (Pitbull's real name) even tweeted about the event:

“This is what Christmas is all about yeeooowwwww!”

Any fan of Pitbull knows he’s a festive and generous guy. “Santa Pit” has also given away a stocking of prizes each day through his “12 Days of Christmas” campaign. For his generosity and community involvement, Armando certainly earned a spot at the top of our good deed doers list.

What have you done to help needy families in your community this holiday? Brag below or @MTV3.

Tags 12 Days of Christmas, Armando Perez, Christmas, Health, Holidays, Miami, Pitbull, Toy A-Way

By Bashira Webb

If we learned anything from the cult classic "Hackers," it's that tech geeks are generally misunderstood and actually badass. Cool hackers will change their grades in school or mess with Miley Cyrus (just playin'!). Unfortunately, there is always a bad apple in the bunch to mess it up:

On Tuesday morning (May 25), a geek with a vendetta changed electronic road signs in Miami to say “ No Latinos, No Tacos.” You've lost your cool pass, homie!

But seriously, who doesn't like tacos?

It isn’t known how long the sign was flashing the message, but by 6 a.m. the Florida Highway Patrol and road crew showed up and tried to fix the sign.

On the “Today in South Florida” Facebook page, locals posted their reactions:

“Wow someone has a lot of time on their hands to think up of how they can belittle and disrespect a group of people who help keep this country going.” - Luly Cueto-Belot

“greatest thing i ever saw ...let's take this country back dammit!!!!...south will rise again motherefffer!!” - David Pines

Well David, opinions are like a**holes — everyone has one.

Source: [NBC Miami & Guanabee]

What do you think about the Miami hacker? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Florida, Hackers, Immigration, Miami, SB 1070, tacos

The equally stunning Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian were seen hanging out yesterday in Miami. Does this seem like an unlikely pairing? We thought so too! First stop for the divas was the Dolphins/Saints game where Reggie Bush, Kim Kardashian's boyfriend, and his team took the win, 6-0. The the duo met up at LIV nightclub inside the Fountainbleau Hotel where JLo debuted her new single " Fresh Out the Oven" featuring Pitbull. Oh Yeah, March Anthony was there too! We wonder if there was any rivalry between las dos parejas, considering Reggie Bush plays with the Saints and Marc Anthony is co-owner of the Dolphins?  [Twitter]

Can we expect to see more of these dazzling divas together? We hope so! Jenny has never looked better and KK is smokin' too!

Photos via Twitter

Tags Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Marc Anthony, Miami, miami dolphins, Pitbull, Reggie Bush

For a music collabo that is, don't get any ideas!  Mr. 305, aka Pitbull is teaming up with Paulina Rubio for the remix of her song, "Ni Rosas Ni Jugetes."

Paulina recently tweeted asking her fans if they liked Pitbull -- is that even a question? Yes! Si! Oui! Por supuesto that we do, Paulina.  We're pretty sure the remix will be sick, since lately he's been the go-to guy for hot Latin music collabos -- JLo has asked Pitbull to appear on her single, "Lola."

This isn't la primera vez that Paulina and Pitbull have teamed up.  The two hit the stage together in 2004 at the Los Premios MTV Latin America.  And from what we remember things got pretty hot and heavy, so we have high expectations for a new collabo!

Photo Via Getty Images

Tags blog, J.LO, Jennifer Lopez, Miami, Mr. 305, MTV Video Music Awards, Ni Rosas Ni Jugetes, Paulina Rubio, Pitbull, Remix, twitter

We announced last week that Beyoncé would be gracing the VMA stage with her "Diva" presence, but we are personally just as excited about Cuban rapper Pitbull participating in the Wale-emceed house band.  Pit, along with the All-American Rejects and 3OH!3 will be performing versions of their hit canciones with Wale throughout the VMA espectáculo.   We pulled Pitbull aside to ask algunas preguntas about how the whole VMA gig went down and to find out which of the VMA nominees have Mr. 305's stamp of approval.  Read the whole thing below!

You're gonna be part of the VMA house band in this year's show. How did that come about, and what can viewers expect to hear from you during the show?

What can be expected is great energy, a good vibe.  We going to put it down Dade County style!

What do you think are the chances of Wisin y Yandel winning the VMA for Best Pop video, and do you think they deserve to win?

I really don't know what their chances are, but if they win it's a great victory para todos los Latinos.

Who are you rooting for at the VMAs for Video of the Year?

Lady Gaga, because she has taken the music industry by storm with her distinctive music and style.

What do you have in store for us for your future music videos? Do you think we'll see a Pitbull video nominated for a VMA anytime soon?

I think you will see a Pitbull video nominated in the near future.  We will continue to make sexy, sophisticated videos with nothing but the finest, most exotic beautiful women in the world!

Lastly, congrats on being granted the key to Miami!  What does that honor mean to you?

It's a blessing and a great honor, especially for someone born and raised in Miami.

Ahí lo tienes.  Check out VMA.MTV.COM para más información about the show, and make sure to tune-in to the VMAs on September 13th at 9pm EST on MTV.  Watch it again con la familia entera when it airs con subtítulos en español on MTV Tr3s, September 20th at 5pm EST!

Photo via Ace Buhr (RCA Music)

Tags 2009 mtv video music awards, 3OH!3, All-American Rejects, Beyonce, Exclusive Entrevista, Lady Gaga, Los-Angeles, Miami, Mr. 305, Pitbull, VMAs, Wale, Wisin y Yandel

Look out Miami! You might want to change your locks, porque Pitbull's got las llaves de la ciudad ahora!

El rapero was honored esta semana by Miami Commissioner Tomas Regalado, who gave the "Hotel Room Service" cantante the prestigious distinction due to his "sharing a positive message of Miami" throughout el país y el mundo.  Never mind the DUIs, rumors of a drug-dealing past, or the recent infamous beatdown of one of his fans en un concierto!  We still believe Pitbull is an upstanding citizen and example for the 305... Bromas a un lado, you can't deny that Pit knows how to put el ambiente festejero de Miami on blast in catchy party songs como "I Know You Want Me" and "The Anthem."

Upon receiving his golden key, el rapero cubano was actually overcome con orgullo:

I can't help but keep staring at it, because it's something I've worked so hard for. I'm very passionate about Miami.

If only the commissioner had thought of granting Pitbull las llaves to some sexy ladies' hotel rooms as well... Bueno, y ahora a celebrar con Pitbull's latest Miami Social-style ménage-a-trois video, "Hotel Room Service." [Hip Hop Wired]

Photo via WireImage

Tags Commissioner Tomas Regalado, Hotel Room Service, I know You Want me, keys, Krazy, Miami, Mr. 305, Pitbull