Pitbull Evolves as a World Artist: ‘I’ve Created My Own Lane’

Before Pitbull became an International pop star, he first laid the groundwork in 1994 as a rapper in the Miami bass scene under the auspices of Luther Campbell. In 2004, he released his debut LP ‘M.I.A.M.I.’ (Money Is a Major Issue) at the height of the crunk-era and caught everyone’s ear with Spanglish raps on the Lil Jon-produced crunk banger ‘Culo.’

Throughout his career, Pitbull has managed to maintain his hip-hop credibility as he pursues the worldwide stage with his new LP ‘Planet Pit.’ “I think from ‘M.I.A.M.I.’ to ‘Planet Pit’ … It shows maturity, growth, evolution [and] someone that’s been learning, applying [and] observing,” he tells MTV News.

Pitbull’s latest single ‘Give Me Everything’ (featuring Ne-Yo) is, undoubtedly, the best song of the year. Plus, the Cuban-American rapper’s contributions on dance-oriented hits by Enrique Iglesias (‘I Like It’), Jennifer Lopez (‘On the Floor’) and by Usher (‘DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love’) have helped him become a global artist with his music.

So is Pitbull concerned about people thinking he has abandoned his hip-hop roots? “In no way shape or form,” he states. “I’ve been on tracks with Rick Ross, Lil Wayne [and] Fat Joe. On those tracks, I think I definitely held my own and everybody respects me for the simple fact that I’ve created my own lane.”