Daniel Velázquez (born August 7, 1977), better known by his stage name Divino, is an American
reggaeton
Reggaeton (, ), also known as reggaetón and reguetón (), is a music style that originated in Panama during the late 1980s. It was later popularized in Puerto Rico.
It has evolved from dancehall and has been influenced by American hip hop, ...
singer.
Career
Divino began his career at the age of fifteen, when his family moved from
The Bronx, New York
The Bronx () is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state, state of New York (state), New York. It is south of Westchester County, New York, Westchester County; north and east of the ...
, to
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce (, , , ) is both a city and a municipality on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.
Ponce, Puerto Rico's most populated city outside the San Juan metropolitan area, was founded on 12 August 16 ...
, while working a day job as an assistant in a juvenile institution.
His brother, K2 Young, had made in-roads in the reggaetón genre as a member of
DJ Playero's crew. He was friends with
Baby Ranks
David Luciano Acosta, known professionally as Baby Ranks, is a Puerto Rican and Dominican reggaeton artist. He has co-billing on the Luny Tunes album '' Mas Flow 2'', and sings on multiple tracks including the single " Mayor Que Yo" ("Older than ...
, with whom he often performed. Divino decided that it was his brother's fate to conquer the genre, while his own musical aspirations faded to the background. In 1999, Divino's brother was killed, only one day after celebrating his 21st birthday. Baby Ranks then asked Divino to join him on a track he was recording for the production ''Darwins The Music II''. Later, they joined forces again for the hit Quiero Esa Nena from DJ Nelsons ''The Flow: Sweet Dreams''. Impressed by Divino's voice and his unique songwriting abilities, other artists began requesting that he appear on their records.
Perhaps the most pivotal release in Divino's career was the song ''Quiero Saber'', which he recorded for the compilation album ''MVP'' which sold over 100,000 copies in 2002. Shortly thereafter, José Angel Gocho Torres, the producer of MVP, teamed up with Raúl López, CEO of Luar Music and MVP Records.
Gocho approached Divino and asked if he would be interested in signing to the upstart label of MVP Records, Divino quickly agreed. In 2003, he released his solo album ''Todo A Su Tiempo'', which included such hits as the Daddy Yankee collaboration ''Se Activaron Los Anormales'', ''Super Gangsteril'' featuring Polaco, ''Ya Estoy Llegando'', and the ballad ''Dile Mar''. But the most meaningful song for Divino was the profoundly personal ''Una Lágrima'', a tribute to his late brother. Divino briefly was a part of the label
Drama Records owned by
Ivy Queen from 2007 to 2008 where he released one single "
Pobre Corazón
"Pobre Corazón" ''(English: Poor Heart)'' is a song recorded by Divino for Ivy Queen's sixth studio album, ''Sentimiento'' (2007). It was composed by Divino along with Queen and produced by Marcos Sánchez. A remix version with Queen was also rec ...
" for her album ''
Sentimiento'' (2007).
Moved by his introspective lyrics and his distinctive flow, audiences and critics alike began to take note. ''Todo A Su Tiempo'' achieved gold status and Divino earned two nominations for the 2004
Billboard Awards: one for Best New Artist and another for Best Tropical Album.
Since then, Divino has released such hits as ''Llégale'', featured in ''Hector El Father Presenta
Los Anormales'' and ''Un Simple Bandolero'', featured in ''MVP 2:The Grand Slam''. With reggaetón earning international acclaim and Divino poised for even greater success, MVP Records released ''Todo A Su Tiempo: Platinum Edition'' in 2006. The album includes original recordings from ''Todo A Su Tiempo'', and the hits ''Noche de Travesura'', ''Un Simple Bandolero'' and ''Llégale'', with two brand new songs, ''Amor de Una Noche'' and ''Para Donde Voy''. later in 2010 He is also recording his second solo album, ''Por Experiencias Propias''. This album is presented with a new musical approach which is the ballad And tropical genres, and is also the first to not contain reggaeton like the previous ones. As Part Of Your New Project Contains Three Singles: ''Mi vida'', ''Conmigo siempre'', & ''Más fuerte que ayer''. Later in the next Year Beginning of the Year 2011 until the middle of 2013 After a Small Musical hiatus Returns with New Label Under the Eme Music label, Then Releases a Single: ''Te deseo lo mejor'' Together with Baby Rasta from the Baby Rasta and Gringo Dúo.
Discography
Studio album
*2004:
''Todo A Su Tiempo''
*2010: ''
Por Experiencias Propias''
References
External links
{{Authority control
Living people
21st-century Puerto Rican male singers
Puerto Rican reggaeton musicians
1977 births