Eddie Ávila

Eddie Alexander Ávila Ortiz (born April 26, 1977), originally known by his stage name Eddie Dee, is a Puerto Rican rapper. He began his career in 1990 and launched his debut studio album three years later. His second album became popular in Puerto Rico and was titled Tagwut in 1997. It featured the hit single "Señor Official". His following releases El Terrorista de la Lírica and Biografía (2001), likewise enjoyed underground success. The 2004 album 12 Discípulos is regarded as "the greatest reggaetón various artist album of all time". The album features songs by some of the most successful reggaetón artist, including the intro of the album, where they all come together as one to show that "unity is needed for the genre reggaetón to survive and evolve". It was a collaboration between eleven other artist including Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderon, Ivy Queen, and Vico C among others, who were among the most requested at the time. The track, known as "Los 12 Discípulos" or "Quítate Tu Pa' Ponerme Yo" reached number eight on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart, and was nominated for a 2005 Billboard Latin Music Award for "Tropical Airplay Track of the Year, New Artist". The album itself reached number one on the Billboard Tropical Albums chart for three nonconsecutive weeks.

Musical career

1990-2004: Beginning and rise to fame Eddie Dee was born Eddie Alexander Ávila Ortiz on April 26, 1977 to his mother Diomaris Ortiz and father Eddie Ávila. He began singing and composing songs at an early age before beginning his musical career in 1990, when he started to appear on television shows. His first encounter with fame was in 1987 when he was already famous in his neighbourhood because of his rapping. In 1991 he was one of the dancers in the Puerto Rican propaganda El Sida Está Cañón, led by the singer Ernesto Morales, a message to prevent AIDS. In 1993, he released his debut album Eddie & The Ghetto Crew. Following the album, he began gaining popularity within Puerto Rico by collaborating with other artists. In 1994 Eddie participated on a music video for Straight From The Ghetto, a mixtape by the producer DJ Guichy, being Edde's first participation on a music video. Eddie Dee became popular with the 1997 single "Señor Oficial," from the album "DJ Adam Mad Jam Da' Comeback", which detailed "the injustices that young Puerto Rican men suffered at the hands of the police." It was a commercial success reaching number one in Puerto Rico. format=ogg pos=right

He experienced underground success with his following two releases El Terrorista de la Lírica (2000) and Biografía (2001). It also reached number five on the Billboard Latin Albums chart. "Cuando Es/Wao" was released as the lead single. The title track, "Los 12 Discípulos" was released as the second single and reached number eight on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart. It was nominated for a 2005 Billboard Latin Music Award for "Tropical Airplay Track of the Year, New Artist". It featured Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Tego Calderón, Julio Voltio, Vico C, Zion, Lennox, Nicky Jam, Johnny Prez, Gallego, and Wiso G. Also in 2004, Dee co-wrote Daddy Yankee's super-hit "Gasolina" from his 2004 album Barrio Fino which became a commercial success in the United States and introduced reggaeton to American, European, Asian, and African audiences, A year later was released a special edition for 12 Discípulos, which included a remix version of La Secta's "La Locura Automática" and the single "El Taladro" featuring Daddy Yankee, song that reached the #22 position in Billboard's Latin Tropical Airplay charts. According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, he is "your rapper's favorite rapper".

Discography

Studio albums 1993: Eddie Dee & The Ghetto Crew 2000: El Terrorista De La Lírica TBA: El Diario

Mixtapes 2007: The Final Countdown TBA: 180 Grados

Compilation albums 2004: 12 Discípulos

Greatest hits albums 2001: Biografía 2009: Oro Reggaetonero: 20 Éxitos

Awards and nominations

"Señor Oficial" Puerto Rican Rap and Reggae Award for Best Lyrics

Puerto Rican Rap and Reggae Award for Best Song Puerto Rican Rap and Reggae Award for Best Lyrics

"Los 12 Discípulos"Joint nomination with Gallego, Vico C, Tego Calderón, Ivy Queen, Julio Voltio, Daddy Yankee, Zion & Lennox, Johnny Prez, Nicky Jam and Wiso G Billboard Latin Music Award for Tropical Airplay Track of the Year, New Artist "Gasolina"Joint nomination with Daddy Yankee and Luny Tunes Latin Grammy Award for Record of the Year (as songwriter)