Vico C (born Luis Armando Lozada Cruz on September 8, 1971) is an Puerto Rican rapper and reggaeton artist. He is considered one of the founding fathers of reggaeton and has played an influential role in the development of Latin American hip hop.
He was born in New York and raised in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed The Philosopher, Lozada Cruz adopted the professional name Vico C. Vico C describes rap as "essentially hip-hop but with a flavor more compatible to the Caribbean." Though he maintains they are of the same essence, Vico C believes the difference lies in the quintessential music style; the beat or rhythm of the music.
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. He got enrolled in acting classes by the age of nine and began his professional rapping career in 1985. At first, he used to go to bodegas (grocery stores) or pharmacies, buy home recording tapes, record himself singing his songs and then sell the tapes to friends or family.
In 1989 Vico C finally got his first big break. Rap in Puerto Rico was at a popular high, and Ruben DJ had become extremely popular with his radio hit "La Escuela" ("The School"). Vico C entered the charts with his super hit "La Recta Final" ("The Final Stretch"). With this song, Vico C reached international fame. Vico C started touring frequently to places like New York, Chicago, Miami, Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, Panama, the Dominican Republic and more places.
Vico C in 1992 came through with more major hits, his singles "Saborealo" ("Taste it") and "María" became gold and platinum albums, respectively. Also in 1994, he established his own record company VC Records, promoting such singers as Lissy Estrella, Francheska, and Lisa M. In the mid-1990s, Vico C was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. His injuries led to his abuse of heroin, cocaine and alcohol.
Soon after, he became an evangelical Christian and went into a voluntary semi-retirement. In 1998, he resurfaced, with the Christian rap CD Aquel Que Había Muerto (He who had Died). The new CD went gold and in 1999, he returned to the touring scene with his concert Antes y despues (Before and After). Soon after, he released a sequel to Aquel que Habia Muerto. With that, he earned the Latino Rap of the year award by Billboard.
In 2004, Vico C released an album titled En Honor A La Verdad (In Honor Of The Truth). 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 Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"), referring to Eddie Dee, himself and Tego Calderón respectively. The single was widely heard. The single was a great combination of the best "Conscience" sub-genre of rap artists.
Vico C's recent albums include Desahogo (Speaking Freely), in early 2005. The album was a success and by June 3, 2006 he came back with another concert, El Encuentro.
Many consider Vico C to be a pioneer of rap. Music industry figures have gone as far as to call him the "Father and Creator of rap" He has worked alongside with many artists including Big Boy, Eddie Dee, Ivy Queen, Héctor & Tito, Tego Calderón. He has also worked with producers Baby Ranks, Tony Touch and Luny Tunes.
Not limited to performing rap in Spanish, he has sung alongside salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa and cumbia group Kumbia Kings.
Vico C tries to maintain a Christian theme throughout his music.
Albums Underground (1985) Soy De La Calle (1988) La Recta Final (1989) Misión La Cima (1990) Hispanic Soul (1991) Xplosión (1993) Dos Tiempos Bajo Un Mismo Tono (1994) Greatest Hits: Vico C (1994) Con Poder (1996) Aquel Que Había Muerto (1998) Historia (1999) Historia 2 (1999) Serie 2000 (2000) Serie Platino (2000) Vivo (2001) Emboscada (2002) En Honor A La Verdad (2003) The Files: The Greatest Hits (2004) Desahogo (2005) El Encuentro (En Vivo) (2006) El Filósofo: Platinum Edition (2008) Babilla (2009)
