Fiercely loyal to their fans, aggressive and authoritative in their lyrical delivery, and relentless in their pursuit of success, Cayey-bred Puerto Rican artists Raul “Alexis” Ortiz and Joel “Fido” Martinez,” better known as reggaetón duo Alexis y Fido, have more than earned their “Los Pitbulls” nickname. In less than four years, Alexis y Fido have released three albums and contributed tracks to countless compilation albums, furthering their reputation as major contenders in the genre. Indeed, they’ve gone from talented, under-the-radar performers to bonafide superstars with international selling power and a highly marketable name and image, landing film roles, performing at some of the most exclusive Latin music award ceremonies, and scoring endorsement deals with marquis companies.
Though Alexis y Fido have been performing reggaetón since their adolescent years, it wasn’t until 2005 that they exploded into the international stratosphere. Their debut album, 2005’s The Pitbulls, debuted at the No. 2 spot on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers and the Latin Rhythm charts and at the No. 4 spot on the Top Latin Albums chart, eventually reaching gold status with over 200,000 copies sold worldwide. Their debut single, 2005’s “Eso Ehh!,” remained steadfast in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Hot Latin Singles chart for ten consecutive weeks and, in addition, was featured on an episode of HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Wire and in their hit series Entourage.
And that was just the beginning. In 2006, building on the momentum of their debut album, Alexis y Fido released Los Reyes del Perreo, a greatest hits album that included some of the cuts that first garnered attention from reggaetón fans and insiders alike, infectious and danceable songs that appeared in some of the most memorable and highest-selling compilation albums in the history of the genre. From “El Palo,” featured in 2003’s El Band 2 Korrupto to “Tocále Bocina,” from producer Noriega’s Contra La Corriente, “El Rolo” from La Misión 4 and “El Tiburón” from Luny Tunes’ 2005 compilation Más Flow 2, these clever, picaresque cuts established Alexis y Fido as a rambunctious tour de force with boundless creative energy.
A year later, they returned with an even stronger, more infectious sound and image. Right before the release of their sophomore album, 2007’s Sobrenatural, Alexis y Fido appeared in the reggaetón-centered drama Feel the Noise, produced by Jennifer Lopes and starring R&B singer Omarion and up-and-coming actresses Melonie Diaz and Rosa Arredondo. The exposure Alexis y Fido received from their musical role in the film only furthered audiences’ anticipation for the album, which spawned two singles, “5 Letras” and “Soy Igual Que Tú,” both of which topped the Latin Rhythm chart. The latter remained atop Billboard’s Latin Rhythm chart for over a month. Sobrenatural sold over 100,000 units worldwide, further heightening the group’s profile.
Critics have also swooned over the group’s comedic double entendres and high-energy cuts. The duo was invited to perform alongside multi-platinum recording artist Camila at the 2008 Latin Billboard Awards and they joined Toby Love on stage at the 2008 Premios Juventud awards show. Most importantly, in 2008, for the first time in their career, Alexis y Fido were nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards — they received a nod in the Best Urban Music Song category for “Soy Igual Que Tú” and in the Best Urban Music Album field for Sobrenatural. These much-deserved accolades celebrate the perseverant spirit and bright future of this magnetic group.
As Alexis y Fido’s star power increases, so does the duo’s marketability. In 2008, AT&T handpicked Alexis y Fido to star in its widely successful “Far But Close” national campaign alongside actress Roselyn Sanchez and renowned basketball player Carlos Arroyo. In October 2008, they teamed up with Sony Walkman Puerto Rico for a unique campaign aimed at high school seniors — contestants were asked to submit original graphic artwork inspired by the popular Walkman MP3 players, and the school with the winning design scored a private concert with Alexis y Fido during its senior prom. These campaigns simply set the stage for upcoming endorsement deals in fashion, music, and more.
Never ones to ignore their civic duties, Alexis y Fido also participated in various voter outreach campaigns throughout 2008. In Puerto Rico, they joined the “Vota o Quédate Callao” (Vote or Stay Quiet) campaign, encouraging young folks to vote through public service announcements. Stateside, meanwhile, they were invited to speak in the April 2008 panel “Hip-Hop Team: Turn Up the Vote,” which was organized by the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and counted R&B superstar Ciara, music entrepreneur Russell Simmons and rappers Mike Jones and Flo-Rida as fellow participants.
With the upcoming release of Down to Earth, Alexis y Fido will continue their ascent to the top of the reggaetón chain and will continue to prove themselves as the bridge between the genre’s past and its future. Their time to shine has finally arrived.
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