Elvis Crespo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elvis Crespo (born July 30, 1971 in New York City, U.S.) is a Puerto Rican- American Merengue singer. He was named "Elvis" after American singer Elvis Presley. When he was small, he and his mother moved to Caguas, Puerto Rico, where Crespo spent his childhood and adolescent years.
Elvis Crespo's most popular song written is called Suavemente.
Raised by his mother in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, from the age of six, Crespo served a long apprenticeship. Launching his career, in 1988, as a member of the Willie Berrios Orchestra, he spent two years with the Lenny Perez Orchestra, four years with the Tono Rosario Orchestra, and two years with Grupomania.
Leaving Rosario's group in 1994, Crespo briefly attended the Metropolitan University of Puerto Rico, where he studied business administration. An invitation to join Grupo Mania, however, was too tempting to resist. Agreeing to join the popular Latin band, he wrote and sang on their hit, "Linda Es". He left the group after three years to focus on his solo career.
His debut album, Suavemente, reached the top slot on Billboard's “National Hot Latin Top 40", in 1998, and spawned two record-breaking singles -- "Tu Sonrisa" and the title track. Crespo received Billboard awards for “Latin album of the year," “male artist of the year," “group or duet of the year," and “song of the year."
As a solo artist during a Stateside "Latin pop" boom that has many Spanish-speaking or bilingual stars moving more toward English vocals, Crespo has set sales records internationally with original songs performed entirely in Spanish. Many of these buyers are Spanish speakers, of course, but others who don't understand the lyrics respond to the driving merengue/salsa blend of the melodies. In 2005, he recorded a Spanglish version of his hit song "Suavemente" for the soundtrack of the U.S. film Dance with Me (because, Crespo says, that's the way the kids talk these days), and more English-language excursions seem to be in his future.
"Wow Flash!" is Elvis Crespo's third solo recording for Sony Music.
Elvis's ability to make music that is accessible has been his trademark over the last three years. Simple lyrics, rich harmonies and pulsating rhythms have been his presentation card.
Elvis Crespo's latest album will launch in September 2006. The title of the album will be either Echate 'Pa'Ca or Por Demanda Popular, as will be decided in an online poll in Univison.com. The merengue artist says he is collaborating with Wyclef Jean, and that the album will be reggaeton-influenced.
