Lito & Polaco were a Puerto Rican hip hop duo from Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Musical careers

Lito y Polaco were discovered in the early 1990s by Spanish Hip Hop and

Reggaeton Reggaeton (, ), also known as reggaetón and reguetón (), is a music style that originated in Panama during the late 1980s. It was later popularized in Puerto Rico. It has evolved from dancehall and has been influenced by American Hip hop m ...

pioneer DJ Eric Industry. They formed part of the hip hop/reggaeton group "La Industria" alongside MC Ceja, Jackie, TNT, Prieto Valdez and others. In 1998 Lito y Polaco became increasingly frustrated with their lack of pay and focus from DJ Eric being part of La Industria ( MC Ceja and Big Boy were DJ Eric's prime artists at the time), thus they decided to leave and form their famous duo, eventually signing with

Pina Records Pina Records is a Puerto Rican record label founded by Rafael Antonio Pina Nieves in 1996. It is the most famous and successful record label in the reggaeton music industry due to its long background history and artists. Currently, Pina Records m ...

in 1999. There was much hype surrounding Lito y Polaco's signing with the Pina Records record label especially because of the company's top star

Don Chezina Don Chezina (born Ricardo Garcia Ortiz in 1976) is a singer, producer, and talent scout of Rap, Reggae, and reggaeton music. He is known for his high, nasal voice and fast rapping along with his most famous song "Tra Tra Tra", which in 1998 became ...

bringing a high-profile to the imprint. Immediately, the duo made a huge impact in the underground scene of Spanish Hip Hop and Reggaeton with hit singles such as "Jenga Jenga", "In The Deadline", "Sucesos", "Maniatica Sexual" and "Mundo Frio". Their albums from the year 2000-2004 under Pina Records all went double platinum in Puerto Rico including " Masacrando Mc's", " Mundo Frio" and " Fuera De Serie" ; the last album being distributed by

Universal Latino Universal Music Latin Entertainment, a division of Universal Music Group, is a record company specialized in producing and distributing Latin music in Mexico, the United States, and Puerto Rico. UMLE includes famous Latin music labels such as Uni ...

and the most successful product from the legendary duo internationally. In 2005, the duo separate amicably in order to pursue ambitions as solo artists. Lito MC Cassidy remained under Pina Records and collaborating with fellow artists RKM y Ken-Y and Nicky Jam. Lito never released a solo album under Pina Records and left in 2007 after a financial dispute. He continued to release mixtapes under his own imprint "La Republica" until present time. Polaco signed with Hector El Father's record label 'Gold Star Music' in 2005 and achieved moderate success during this time touring worldwide with Hector and being featured on high-profile records and albums such as "Sonando" featuring Freeway, "Mas Flow 2", "Gold Star Presents: La Familia" and "Los Rompediscotecas". Once Hector "El Father" left the music industry to pursue his faith in Jesus Christ, Polaco became an independent artist and remains one to present time. In 2013 Polaco released a mixtape "Back To The Underground: Polakan Edition" under the record label

White Lion The white lion is a rare color mutation of the lion, specifically the Southern African lion. White lions in the area of Timbavati are thought to have been indigenous to the Timbavati region of South Africa for centuries, although the earliest r ...

. The duo have recently reunited in 2015 and announced a new album accompanied by an international tour.

Awards

The duo's ''Mundo Frío'' album was nominated for ''Billboard'''s Latin Rap Album of the Year but lost to ''El General Is Back'' by

El General Edgardo Armando Franco (born 27 September 1969), better known as El General, is a Panamanian former reggae artist considered by some to be one of the fathers of "Reggae en Español". During the early 1990s, he was one of the artists who initiate ...

Legacy and musical content

Lito y Polaco were renowned for their diverse subject matter and versatile musical styles in the realm of hip hop and reggaeton. Songs such as "Sucesos", "Mirate Al Espejo", "Ella Vive Sola" (featuring

Gustavo Laureano Gustavo Laureano is a Puerto Rican guitarist and composer. He is best known for being the lead singer of the band La Secta AllStar. Career As a songwriter and solo artist Laureano began his career as a songwriter, together with friend Mark Ki ...

of La Secta All-Stars) and "Mundo Frio" are praised for their socially conscious lyrics containing themes about poverty, social injustice, morality, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's). Lito y Polaco are well known for many

commercial Commercial may refer to: * a dose of advertising conveyed through media (such as - for example - radio or television) ** Radio advertisement ** Television advertisement * (adjective for:) commerce, a system of voluntary exchange of products and s ...

reggaeton hits as well including songs such as "Maniatica Sexual", "Rosando Con Mi Piel" featuring Nicky Jam, and "Gata Traicionera" featuring Jacob which have typical reggaeton themes of love and sex alongside a danceable rhythm. The duo also had many lyrical

rap battles Battle rap (also known as rap battling)Edwards, Paul, 2009, p. 25. is a type of rapping performed between two or more performers that incorporates boasts, insults and wordplay. Battle rap is often performed or freestyled spontaneously in live ...

with some of the genre's most renowned artists, most famously against

Tego Calderon Tego may refer to: * Tego (toego), Bhutanese clothing *Tego film, an adhesive sheet used in the manufacture of waterproof plywood *Tego Calderón Tegui Calderón Rosario (born February 1, 1972) is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer and actor. He bega ...

, Vico- C,

Arcángel Austin Agustín SantosBiografía de Arcángel
Retrieved on May 19, 2017 (born Decembe ...

and

Tempo In musical terminology, tempo (Italian, 'time'; plural ''tempos'', or ''tempi'' from the Italian plural) is the speed or pace of a given piece. In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece (often ...

. Throughout their careers, Lito y Polaco were often praised for their lyrics as mc's and are considered some of the best lyricists in the history of Hip Hop En Español. Lito y Polaco are generally regarded as one of, if not the most influential duo in reggaeton history paving the path for future reggaeton duos such as

Wisin y Yandel Wisin & Yandel is a Puerto Rican reggaeton duo consisting of Wisin and Yandel. They started their career in the late 1990s and have been together since, winning several awards including a Grammy Award in 2009. They became the first and the only ...

, RKM y Ken-Y, and Arcángel y De La Ghetto.

Discography

Discography as a duo

*'' Masacrando MC's'' (2000) *'' Los Éxitos Vol. 1'' (2001) *'' Mundo Frío'' (2002) *'' Fuera de Serie'' (2004) *'' Fuera de Serie Live'' (2005) Mixtapes/EP Digital * 2010: ''La Institucion'' * 2015: ''El Reencuentro''

Lito Mc: Álbumes

*''Rompecuello - Mixtape'' (2005) *''De La Calle Pa' La Calle - Mixtape'' (2007) *''Prologo a Historias de la Calle'' (2013) *''Historias de la Calle'' (2013) *''La Jaula de Los Vivos'' (2021)

Polaco: Álbumes

*''El Taltaro - Mixtape'' (2007) *''El Undertaker'' (2010) *''Back To The Underground - Polakan Edition'' (2013) *''Mendoza y Ortega - EP'' (2020)

Singles

Singles as a duo

* Jenga Jenga (1998) * Testimonio De La Calle (2001) * Maniática Sexual (2001) * Mundo Frío (2002) * Piensan (2002) * Rosando Con Mi Piel (featuring

Nicky Jam Nick Rivera Caminero (born March 17, 1981), known professionally as Nicky Jam, is an American singer and actor. He is best known for hits such as " X", " Travesuras", "En la Cama", "Te Busco", "El Perdón", "Hasta el Amanecer", and "El Amante"; ...

) (2002) * Esta Noche Quiero Darte (featuring

Speedy Speedy refers to something or someone moving at high speed. Speedy may refer to: Ships * HMS ''Speedy'', nine ships of the Royal Navy * ''Speedy''-class brig, a class of naval ship * ''Speedy'' (1779), a whaler and convict ship despatched i ...

) (2002) * Mírate Al Espejo (2002) * La Gritona (2002) * Si Ella Es Brava (2003) * Los Cerdos (2003) * Ojos de Diabla (featuring

Divino Daniel Velázquez (born August 7, 1977), better known by his stage name Divino, is an American reggaeton singer. Career Divino began his career at the age of fifteen, when his family moved from The Bronx, New York, to Ponce, Puerto Rico, whi ...

) (2004) * Gata Traicionera (featuring Jacob) (2004) * Ella Vive Sola (featuring

La Secta AllStar La Secta AllStar (or simply La Secta) is a rock en Español band from Puerto Rico. The band members are Mark Kilpatrick (bass guitar), Gustavo Laureano (singer), John Lengel (drums), and Mike Genao (guitar). They are known mostly for the song "La ...

) (2004) * Mis Chavos (2008) * Respeto (Official Remix) (2011) * Rapper 4 Life (2011) * No Me Mates (2012) * Se Van (2014) * Levántate (2014) * Romper Duro (2014) * Fanática del Closet (featuring Sujeto) (2014)

Lito MC Cassidy's singles

* El Gran Robo (featuring

Daddy Yankee Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez (born February 3, 1976), known professionally as Daddy Yankee, is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, composer, and actor. Known as the " King of Reggaetón" by music critics and fans alike, he is the artist who coined ...

) (2002) * Bocon (2005) * Vender Droga (2005) * Me Converti en un Criminal (2006) * Los Matamos Como En Hollywood (featuring Toxic Crow, Cromo) (2006) * Hot Shit (tiraera a Raphy Pina) (2006) * Te Sacamos Alas (2009) * La Republica (2010) * Fin Del Mundo (featuring H-Merced) (2010) * Ambición Callejera (featuring Algenis) (2010)

Polaco's singles

* Rosando Con Mi Piel (featuring

) (2001) * Con Rabia (2005) * La Desordená (2005) * Fuetazo (2006) * Volvio La Era De La Tiraera (tiraera a

Don Omar William Omar Landrón Rivera (born February 10, 1978), better known by his stage name Don Omar, is a Puerto Rican reggaeton singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. On September 1, 2017, he announced that he would retire after a ...

Arcangel Archangels () are the second lowest rank of angel in the hierarchy of angels. The word ''archangel'' itself is usually associated with the Abrahamic religions, but beings that are very similar to archangels are found in a number of other relig ...

) (2006) * Here We Go Yo Remix (featuring

Wisin & Yandel Wisin & Yandel is a Puerto Rican reggaeton duo consisting of Wisin and Yandel. They started their career in the late 1990s and have been together since, winning several awards including a Grammy Award in 2009. They became the first and the only ...

Hector "El Father" In Greek mythology, Hector (; grc, Ἕκτωρ, Hektōr, label=none, ) is a character in Homer's Iliad. He was a Trojan prince and the greatest warrior for Troy during the Trojan War. Hector led the Trojans and their allies in the defense o ...

Yomo Jose Alberto Torres Abreu (born June 17, 1980 in Chicago), known professionally as Yomo, is an American reggaeton singer of Puerto Rican descent. He was raised in Humacao. Before becoming a professional artist, he used to work as a handyman ...

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...

) (2006) * R.I.P. Arcangel (Tiraera pa

) (2007) * Romper Culo (2007) * La Última (Sepultura pa

) (2008) * Palgo (Pentagono: Return) (2008) * El Mundo Es Nuestro (featuring

Cosculluela José Fernando Cosculluela Suárez (born October 15, 1980), known professionally as Cosculluela, is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter. In 2018, he was caught up in a controversy after fellow Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA released a diss ...

J-King & Maximan Casa de Leones (English: House of Lions), also known as Los Leones, were a Puerto Rican reggaeton group. Professional career The members of the group are Miguel A. De Jesús (Guelo Star), Jaime Borges and Charlie Carlson (lead singer) and Héct ...

, Latin Crew, Syko "El Terror", Chyno Nyno) (2008) * Bienvenido A Mi Mundo (Remix) (featuring

Nova & Jory Nova & Jory were a reggaeton duo. Nova was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and Jory was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico. They started their career in 2003 and were signed to Loud Music at the time of their split. Their debut and only album '' Mucha Cali ...

Guelo Star Miguel de Jesús (born September 19, 1981, Ponce, Puerto Rico), also known as Guelo Star, is a Puerto Rican reggaeton rapper, singer, lyricist, occasional producer and promoter. In his musical career, he has worked with artists such as Daddy Yan ...

, Ñejo, Eloy,

Zion Zion ( he, צִיּוֹן ''Ṣīyyōn'', LXX , also variously transliterated ''Sion'', ''Tzion'', ''Tsion'', ''Tsiyyon'') is a placename in the Hebrew Bible used as a synonym for Jerusalem as well as for the Land of Israel as a whole (see Names ...

, Franco "El Gorila", MC Ceja, Chyno Nyno, Syko "El Terror") * Si La Vida Me Trata Mal (featuring Endo & Lele) (Official Remix) (2010) * Si No Te Dejas Ver (featuring Los Santos) (2010) * De Chamaquito Yo (Official Remix) (featuring

Ñengo Flow Edwin Rosa Vázquez Ortiz (born October 15, 1981), known professionally as Ñengo Flow, is a Puerto Rican rapper and singer. He was born in the Río Piedras district of San Juan and grew up in Bayamón where he started in the music business. ...

, Randy Glock,

Gotay Alexis Gotay Pérez (born June 22, 1985) known artistically as Gotay, is an American singer and songwriter from Puerto Rico. He was born in Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state ...

, Franco "El Gorila") (2011) * Danger (Official Remix) (featuring

Kendo Kaponi José Fernando Morales Rivera (born August 19, 1984), known as Kendo Kaponi, is a Puerto Rican rapper and singer. In 2018, he was arrested in Coamo on charges of armed burglary and assault in Florida, where he subsequently served two years in ...

Julio Voltio Julio Voltio (born as Julio Irving Ramos Filomeno on June 11, 1977 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican former reggaeton artist. A pioneer of the reggaeton genre, Voltio retired from music in 2014 and dedicated himself to preaching Christi ...

Gringo ''Gringo'' (, , ) (masculine) (or ''gringa'' (feminine)) is a term in Spanish and Portuguese for a foreigner, usually an English-speaking Anglo-American. There are differences in meaning depending on region and country. In Latin America, it is ge ...

Jomar Jomar Herculano Lourenço (born 28 September 1992), commonly known as Jomar, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a center back. Club career Jomar joined the youth training centre of Vasco da Gama in 2011 and was promoted to the senior side th ...

, Pacho & Cirilo,

) * Tiempos (Official Remix) (featuring Farruko, Yomo)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lito and Polaco Reggaeton duos People from Carolina, Puerto Rico 21st-century Puerto Rican male singers Puerto Rican musical duos Puerto Rican reggaeton musicians Musical groups established in 1992