If you ask most outsiders about the origins of Crunk, they usually point to Atlanta, thanks to the pioneering efforts of artists like Lil Jon and DJ Smurf. "Close," says rapper Pitbull, "but no dice. Crunk really started down at the bottom."

"Crunk really got started in Miami, with bass music," he said. "Crunk ain't nothin' but bass music slowed down. And bass music got started here in Miami, with Luke, Poison Clan, people lie that. Miami is the New York of the South. And even after all the success, we still get slept on, but that's about to change."

Pitbull is at the forefront of that change, rolling with Crunk movement's premiere label, TVT Records, home to super producer/artist/impresario Lil Jon, as well as the zany Dirty South duo Ying Yang Twins.

The Cuban-American Pitbull has more hardcore lyrics, diverse cultural influences and freestyle skills than most artists would know what to do with. Part of that comes from his upbringing, not to mention his surroundings. Miami's cultural landscape is one of the most cosmopolitan in the world and Pitbull draws on its rich environment for inspiration.

"I've lived all around the place," he said. "That's one thing people don't realize about Miami - we have all kinds of people down here. I have lived around people from both here and overseas. So, early on I learned to appreciate different types of music."

Pitbull's nickname belies the hunger and drive that he brings to his profession - making it to the top is more than just a goal, it's an obsession.

Pitbull got his culture early, almost before he even discovered hip-hop. His parents, both first generation Cuban immigrants, had him memorize the poems of legendary Cuban poet, Jose Martí. This ritual instilled in him an early appreciation for the power of language, as well as the importance of his Cuban roots and looking beyond his own experience for inspiration.

While a lot of 'Sunshine State' (Miami) rappers focus their hip-hop attentions strictly below the Mason-Dixon line, Pitbull's wide interests led him to classics like Nas' "Illmatic" and G-Funk blueprints like "The Chronic" and "Doggystyle." Soon he was developing the freestyle skills that would later earn him fame, flooding the Miami streets with mixtapes (like his "Unleashed Volume 3").

After missing connections with Irv Gotti - a chance meeting brought them into the same studio, but the planned recording session never happened - Pitbull turned to home base for his entry in the game. In the late 90s, he was tabbed by bass music legend Luke to flow over his hit single "Lollipop." "I am grateful for him, not just because "Lollipop" did mad business all through the south,” Pitbull says. “But because he helped me learn the ropes of the business."

Pitbull's next stop was with the producing/management team of the Diaz brothers, which led to a working relationship with Lil Jon, and a freestyle slot on Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, double platinum album, "Kings of Crunk." Both relationships culminated with co-production of Pitbull's debut single "Culo," which ran up the charts throughout Florida and the South.

On the eve of his debut, Pitbull explained why he signed with TVT Records, "They let me know I could have my hand in the pot. That's a good feeling, and it lets me know I'm going to have a long career in this game."

Notable songs include --

Years active: 
   ..90s, ..00s

Born:
   ..in Florida
      ..in Miami

Based:
   ..in Florida
      ..in Miami