Fito Blanko
| Fito Blanko | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roberto E. Testa |
| Born | Panama City, Panama |
| Origin | Mississauga, Ontario |
| Genres | Tropical Urban |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2003 - present |
| Labels | Crown Loyalty Entertainment, Mr. 305 Inc. |
| Website |
fitoblankomusic |
| Notable instruments | |
| Voice | |
Fito Blanko (born Roberto E. Testa) is a Panamanian-Canadian Tropical Urban singer/songwriter from Mississauga, Ontario.
Biography
At a young age, Fito Blanko immigrated to Canada from Panama. He went to John Cabot Catholic Secondary School, and by the age of 14, he started writing lyrics in English and Spanish. Fito was discovered outside a bus station at Square One City Centre in Mississauga, by a Woman with a recording studio. Fito was seen and heard rapping his own original words.[1]
Fito Blanko has become a household name across Canada, and the contagious mix of rhythm and personality has slowly made way into countless households in the Western Hemisphere. At the prime age of 27, Fito has established himself as a solo artist and this is only the beginning of his professional career.
Fito’s first album, “Higher Level” (2004), had launched his career in the Latin market. At the young age of 19, Fito was already being featured in magazines such as Urban Latino, Billboard Magazine, and was voted “ the newest Latin sensation” in People (en Espanol) Magazine” in 2005. Fito was also making appearances on television Channels such as Mun2, MTV, HTV, Much Music and received awards for his talent: the Latin Industry Award for “Best Solo Artist” and the Canadian Urban Music Award for “Global Rhythms, International Recording Artist”.
Since the release of his first album, Fito has been on the move. In 2006, Fito traveled to Trinidad and recorded the track "Pretty Girl" with Soca/Chutney superstar "The Hitman". This track became a #1 hit single at Carnival in Trinidad in 2007 winning him an Award for Best Chutney Soca Song of the Year at the annual Soca Awards in Trinidad . His continued success had no end as Luny Tunes' Protégée, El Rookie, then featured Fito on the official remix to his hit “No Te Quiere” and he then jumped on the remix “Corran” by Trebol Clan featuring Franco El Gorila. In addition, Fito integrated his stylistic lyrical rhythm on Rochester’s single “Pull Up” which also featured renowned Canadian artist Kardinall Offishall. Finally, and most notably, Fito collaborated with Daryl Riley and Grammy award winning Reggae artist Beenie Man in the hit single “Tear it up”. The America’s (North, Central, and South) and the Caribbean were all demanding this hot, young, talent. Fito began touring top cities, and has made his way across every major city in Canada. The summer of 2008, and 2010, Fito closed the TLN Latin Fest for the second and third time (the first of which was in 2005).
The single produced by Sensei Musica called "Mambo" features one of the hottest talents in the music business today "DRAKE. His second single WHINE ON YOU feat Omari Ferrari has charted on Canadian Charts and the Official Video is on rotation on MUCH MUSIC across the country.
Although it may seem like a long time between his first release and this upcoming album, Amor Y Dinero, Fito Blanko created a good compilation of songs while establishing a strong foundation for his career. Co-owner and President of Crown Loyalty Entertainment (Music Company) along with some of Toronto's Youngest Entrepreneurs sets Fito apart from his counterparts. Well known, well respected and very admired by the Toronto's nightlife, makes him one of the few artists’ with the key to his ciy.
His newest 2011 independent release VIP features one of the hottest Latino artists to date, Fuego. With a National radio and marketing campaign in full stride in 2011, this song has introduced Fito Blanko to the US market like no other.
VIP charted on 3 US Latin Billboards: Latin Rhythm, Tropical Latin, and Latin Pop. From New York to LA to Miami, Fito Blanko is here to climb to the top, and rock all the party’s with his electrifying performances.
2012 was met with a great recognition as Fito was on the front page of the number one newspaper in Canada on New Year's Day. His story has touched the mainstream and although Canada is not known to play Latin music on the Canadian airwaves, the music can not be denied. People to Watch 2012 - Toronto Star http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1112723--12-to-watch-in-2012-fito-blanko
Fito released a new single, "Pegadito Suavecito", in January 2012 and released a remix of that song with Elvis Crespo later that summer. The song hit #1 on the Billboard Latin Tropical chart.[2]
In January 2013, Pitbull’s Record Label Mr. 305 Inc signed Fito Blanko. Robert Fernandez CEO of Mr. 305 Inc. said: "I am very excited to have Fito on board with Mr.305 Inc. I have been managing Fito for two years now, and we felt it was time to bring him into the Mr. 305 family officially. In my opinion, Fito is an artist that can wordplay in the English and Spanish market in a way that is remarkably similar to the way Pitbull does."
Awards and nominations
Discography
Albums
| Album information |
|---|
Higher Level
|
Singles
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | By My Side (featuring Bliz) | Higher Level |
| 2004 | Me Voy A Marchar | Higher Level |
| 2004 | Sobeteo | Higher Level |
| 2004 | Fronteo (featuring Trivales) | Higher Level |
| 2004 | Take Her Home | Higher Level |
| 2006 | Cambia El Juego/Change The Game (featuring Tef) | N/A |
| 2006 | Watch You Flex (featuring Rochester aka Juice) | N/A |
| 2006 | Fuego (featuring Bishop Brigante) | N/A |
| 2006 | Boom Boom | N/A |
| 2006 | Dos Salidas De Emergencia Sensei (Remix) | N/A |
| 2006 | Sexy Love (Remix) | N/A |
| 2007 | Caile Sensei (Remix) (featuring Rochester aka Juice) | N/A |
| 2007 | Pretty Gurl (featuring D'Hitman) | N/A |
| 2007 | No Te Quiere (Remix) | N/A |
| 2009 | Mambo (featuring Drake) | N/A |
| 2009 | [Superstar Parang] D Big Rich Pelau (feat. Various Trinidad Artist) | N/A |
| 2010 | Dip Low | First Class |
| 2010 | Whine On You (featuring Omari Ferrari) | First Class |
| 2010 | Tu Amiga Esta Mejor (featuring Mr.Saik) | First Class |
| 2011 | VIP (featuring Fuego) |
In popular culture
Fito Blanko's track "Meneo" meaning "wiggle" has been used as an Official Motion Pictures Soundtrack in "Furious 7",[3] seventh movie of "Fast & Furious" series and second in "Tokyo Drift" series.
References
- ↑ RDS Marketing</reform>
- ↑ "Chart Highlights: Christina Aguilera's 'Body' Dances Onto Pop Songs". Billboard. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
- ↑ Furious 7 (soundtrack)
External links
- Fito Blanko on MySpace