Vico C

Luis Armando Lozada Cruz (born September 8, 1971), known by his stage name Vico C, is an American rapper.

Early life and influence He was born in New York and raised in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed El Filósofo del Rap, ("The Philosopher of Rap"), Luis Armando Lozada Cruz adopted the professional name Vico C. Vico C describes reggaeton as "essentially hip-hop but with a flavor more compatible to the Caribbean".

As one of the founders of hip-hop in Spanish, Vico C was able to show that it was possible for one to be able to rap entirely and compellingly in Spanish using just occasional English phrases or slang terms. He can be seen in the rap movement as far back as its "underground" days ghostwriting and producing music for other young performers in the Puerto Rican rap scene.

Vico C grew up in the Puerta de Tierra barrio in San Juan.

In May 2019, he suffered seizures resulting from an allergic reaction to medication and was hospitalized but recovered.

Career In 1988, Puerto Rican rap in Puerto Rico was not at a popular high, In 1994, he established his own record company VC Records, released albums for Taino and Lissy Estrella. Also helping promote such Spanish rap singers as Francheska, and Lisa M

Soon after, he became an evangelical Christian and went into a voluntary semi-retirement. In 1998, he resurfaced, with the "rambunctious", Christian rap CD Aquel Que Había Muerto. The new CD went gold and in 1999, he returned to the touring scene with his concert Antes y después. Soon after, he released a sequel to Aquel Que Había Muerto. With that, he earned the Latino Rap of the year award by Billboard.

In 2003, Vico C released an album titled En Honor a la Verdad. While it was not a major hit it still sold well and one of the album's singles "El Bueno, El Malo y El Feo". The song gets its name by referring to Eddie Dee, himself and Tego Calderón respectively, and was the biggest hit of the album.

in 2005 he released another album, Desahogo.

Vico C also known as "el filósofo del rap" Héctor & Tito, Tego Calderón en los "12 discipulos". He has also worked with producers Baby Ranks, Tony Touch and Luny Tunes.

He has sung alongside salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa and cumbia group Kumbia Kings on their album titled Duetos.

Vico C tries to maintain a Christian theme throughout his music.

In 2023, he signed a deal with Nain Music, a subsidiary of the Rimas Entertainment record label, for an unreleased album by Vico C to be released in May 2023. In March, Vico C presents his new single "Pregúntale a Tu Papá por Mí". Vico C also won for the best comeback in Premios Tu Musica Urbano.

Movie Vico C: La vida del filósofo is a biographical film about the life of Vico C. The movie was inspired by the director Eduardo "Transfor" Ortiz's idea, which he conceived while listening to Vico C's song "La inglesa" on the radio. The film portrays Vico C's journey, including his rise to international fame, his Grammy Latino awards, struggles with drug addiction, imprisonment, and the death of his mother. Vico C's son, Luis Armando "Loupz" Lozada Jr., portrays him in the movie, while Vico C himself contributed to the screenplay and provided coaching to the actors.

The film Vico C, la vida del filósofo was available for streaming on the Netflix platform in Latin America. The biographical movie, which was released in theaters in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States in 2017, gained popularity and was one of the most-watched films on the streaming platform "Pantaya".

Legacy Vico is recognized for having lyrics that were thoughtful, insightful, socially conscious as well as catchy and danceable songs for all kind of audiences. The musical blueprint implemented by Vico C is the precursor of the genre now known as reggaeton. Many hip-hop/reggaeton journalists and experts consider Vico C as one of the pioneers of the reggaeton genre and the Latin rap genre.

Billboard Latin Music Awards

Grammy Awards

Desahogo Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album Latin Grammy Awards

Vivo

Emboscada

En Honor a la Verdad

Desahogo

Babilla

"Sentimiento"

"Papá" 2023 "Pregúntale a Tu Papá Por Mi" Best Rap/Hip Hop Song Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Lo Nuestro Awards

Emboscada Urban Album of the Year

Desahogo Urban Album of the Year

"Desahogo" Video of the Year