Rapping with Pitbull
By Lesley Abravanel
Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, whose just release a new CD The Boatlift, got the inspiration for the album being raised by a single Cuban-immigrant mother in Miami.
"Most immigrants that came to this country came through some type of boatlift," Pitbull says. "This is my way of taking everybody on a ride through my eyes; this is my boatlift -- my way of bringing them to freedom through the universal language of music. Now let's ride!''
Before we rode, we asked Pitbull a few random questions.
What do you love about Miami?
"I love that Miami is a cultural melting pot. It’s the most international city in the world. Miami has so many different cultures you can learn from."
What do you dislike about Miami?
"Sometimes the community tends not to support the hometown teams . . . unless they’re on a winning streak. Even with their hometown artists like Trick Daddy, Rick Ross and myself, they are not there through thick and thin. . . . Miami is still a young city and just started developing its pride. I feel that with time the kids that are growing up .will be die-hard fans for anything that has to do with Miami."
If a visitor could do only one thing in Miami, what would you suggest?
"I would tell them to let loose in Miami. You have to be your alter ego. . . You gottta’ get freaky!"
The most romantic place to go?
"The Rusty Pelican has a beautiful view of the city and great food. Make sure you sit in the back."
What is your wildest Miami moment?
"Pulling over and having wild sex on the side of the highway – outside the car."
Favorite place to shop?
"The Shoe Gallery downtown. I’ve been shopping there since I was 15 years old. They always have the newest and most up to date clothes. They have a nice clearance section too."
Favorite bar/club and why?
"My favorite is the Red Room in the back of the Shore Club. It's sexy, I always have a good time and nobody really bothers me."
What kind of music do you like that people would be surprised you like--are you a closet country or disco fan?
"I like freestyle music. Debbie, Deb, Lisa Lisa and TKA."
What song most reminds you of Miami?
"Right now it's “I’m So Hood,” by DJ Khaled featuring Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, T-Pain and Plies."
Favorite place to get away from it all down here?
"Baleen’s restaurant in Coconut Grove. It has a beautiful view of the bay. I go out there when I need to relax, to have meetings or look for solutions."
I'll be meeting Pitbull here in costa Rica..I'm tica but raised in NY!!! work for a hip hop radio station as an on-air personality..and i'll be chilling at Prive Lounge..gettin freaky like he says
Posted by: raque15 on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 12:20