Music mourns the loss of renown salsa artist Tito Rojas el gallo salsero

The music industry is mourning the loss of one of its salsa music classic artists, Julio Cesar Rojas Lopez, who is known in the entertainment world as el gallo salsero Tito Rojas. No, he doesn't sing like a gallo (rooster) but it's more so due to his imitation of a rooster during his performances. The Puerto Rican artist died at the age of 65 at a family residence in Humacao, Puerto Rico due to health complications.

Tito Rojas' passing was confirmed by the director of Criminal Investigations of Humacao, Teddy Morales in indicating that the call to the police was registered at around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2020. The cause of the artist death was due to health complications - a heart attack.

A police officer indicated Tito Rojas had just left from a family gathering at the Tejas neighborhood in Humacao.

“When the activity ended, he left for his residency, but a little while after leaving, he stopped at one of his cousin's house at the Mariana neighborhood and tells him he doesn't feel well,” Morales said. “He asks him to take him to the hospital. When they are about to get in the family member's vehicle, he collapsed,” he added. “A little while after the paramedics arrive and certify he died. There were no signs of violence, but everything seemed to be due to a health situation.”

Tito Rojas' followers were able to enjoy his last presentation on Christmas Eve, a virtual Christmas special titled “Canta Gallo canta” (sing rooster sing) that was transmitted on YouTube. “I want you to enjoy to the max this Christmas special that I prepared for all of you. Dale pa’ bajo,” he wrote. Dale pa’ bajo was a common phrase Tito used in his performances as well in which I'd translate as hit it downward. 

Among all his recordings in his four decades as an artist - albums, singles..., Tito recorded his last album in 2019, Un gallo para la historia, that includes “Vivo feliz,” “Los años no pasan en vano” and “Maldito amor bendito amor,” among others. 

After knowing of Tito Rojas death, the Mayor of Humacao, Luis Raul Sanchez Hernandez, declared five days of mourning and made available the Marcel Trujillo Coliseum to the family for the wake. “If something distinguished Tito Rojas in addition to his voice, it was his humility and commitment to the Humacaeña community,” said the municipal executive.

Source Primera Hora, Facebook, Instagram

A few photos of Tito Rojas in Tampa, FL a few years ago.

Photo credits Doris Irizarry

Our deepest condolences to Tito Rojas family and friends. Rest in peace gallo salsero.

Education secretary nominee Miguel Cardona references 'Flor Palida' in his first speech

I could not be prouder of my roots and I definitely can relate to education secretary nominee Miguel Cardona's first speech. We have a few things in common.

Miguel Cardona is a native from Meriden, CT of Puerto Rican descent whose grandparents were from Aguada, Puerto Rico. In his prime age of 45, currently Connecticut’s education commissioner was educated in Meriden up until high school and then attended college in Connecticut being the first in his family to graduate from college.

Mr. Cardona presented his first speech during a press conference in Wilmington, Delaware after President elect Joe Biden's introduction and presented his education secretary nominee. It was clear what Mr. Cardona's top priority is to be an asset in addressing educational gaps due to school closures during Covid-19.

“For too many students, public education in America has been a ‘flor pálida,’ a wilted rose neglected and in need of care,” stated Cardona. “We must be the master gardeners who cultivate it, who work every day to preserve its beauty and its purpose.” To mention, Cardona's reference to ‘flor pálida’ in education, “Flor Pálida” is the title to salsa artist Marc Anthony's single and is Mr. Cardona's idol who he hopes to meet one day.

And the cream of the crop, he (we) is (are) “... as American as apple pie and rice and beans,” as Mr, Cardona clearly stated.

If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Cardona would replace Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

On behalf of myself and my family our sincerest congratulations to Miguel Cardona's nomination. He is from my hometown, our parents are from Puerto Rico, and my grandparents are also from Aguada - my grandma seeked a better future outside of the island by moving to Meriden, CT. I was fortunate to have a great education in Meriden and then college in the state... 

And lastly, Marc Anthony who I have referred to for many years as mi flaco querido is my favorite salsa artist since we met back in the early 1990s. And yes, we know Mr, Cardona's family. Furthermore, I have an uncle, Sergeant William T. Cardona, who is probably tied to the Cardona family in some way.

Listen to Miguel Cardona's inspiring speech here. And of course listen to Marc Anthony's beautiful song “Flor Pálida” here.  

Dos grandes Daddy Yankee y Marc Anthony se unen y lanzan nuevo éxito 'De vuelta pa’ la vuelta'

A pesar de los momentos difíciles que aún se esta viviendo y la industria del entretenimiento también sintiendo sus afectos, los lanzamientos siguen a flote. Recientemente dos íconos mundiales de la música, Daddy Yankee y Marc Anthony, unieron sus voces para lanzar “De vuelta pa’ la vuelta,” un tema que fusiona la salsa con el género urbano logrando una colaboración única e inesperada. “De vuelta pa’ la vuelta” producido por el ganador del Grammy Latino y aclamado pianista y productor puertorriqueño, Sergio George fue escrita por Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony y Edgardo Barreras. 

“Uno de mis deseos… era grabar una salsa como la de los tiempos de La Fania. Qué mejor satisfacción para un artista que grabar con alguien que uno escuche y lo tenga en su playlist. Marc es un ícono de nuestra música latina. Entrar a su mundo tropical y ser parte de esa magia, siempre estuvo en mi “bucket list.” Por mucho tiempo quería demostrar ese lado musical que algunas personas desconocían de mí, y qué mejor que ir de la mano del maestro Sergio George y un salvaje como Marc. La visión fue traer algo refrescante, poder colapsar el mundo de la salsa con el reggaetón en sus esencias más puras para que la canción tuviera su propia identidad. Esto es salsa de callejón, rumba de barrio con mucha clase pa’ prender la Navidad,” expresó Daddy Yankee.

“Hace mucho tiempo que deseábamos trabajar juntos. Esta colaboración fue muy especial para mí porque tuve la experiencia de ver a Yankee sumergirse totalmente en mi mundo tropical. Él, sin duda alguna, ha hecho historia en el género que representa, y ahora tenemos la oportunidad de unir nuestras voces en este tema que está lleno de elementos musicales que celebran nuestra cultura y que nos dan la oportunidad de representar nuestra raza latina en todas partes del mundo,” expresó Marc Anthony.

El video, “De vuelta pa’ la vuelta,” se estrenó en YouTube el jueves 10 de diciembre lo cual fue reproducido más de 389,000 veces en menos de una hora y se mantuvo unos de los videos mas visto por unos cuantos días. Con respeto al sencillo, fue lanzado en todas las plataformas digital musical el viernes 11 de diciembre y presentemente en iTunes la canción esta en la cima de la música tropical en los Estados Unidos. Además, tanto el video como el sencillo son distribuidos por El Cartel Records/UMG. Vea el video aquí.

Fuente Nevarez Communication

Two music icons Daddy Yankee and Marc Anthony unite and release a new hit 'De vuelta pa’ la vuelta'

Despite the rough times still being lived and the entertainment industry also feeling its affects, new releases are still going strong. Recently two global music icons, Daddy Yankee and Marc Anthony united their voices to release “De vuelta pa’ la vuelta,” a track fusing classic salsa with reggaeton beats, producing for the first time ever a historic and unexpected collaboration. “De vuelta pa’ la vuelta” produced by Latin Grammy winner, acclaimed pianist and Puerto Rican producer, Sergio George was written by Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony and Edgardo Barreras.

“One of my dreams…was to record salsa like back in La Fania days. One of the greatest experiences and satisfaction for an artist is to record with someone they listen to and have on their playlist. Marc is a Latin music icon. To have the honor to enter his musical world and be part of that magic was always on my bucket list, I’ve wanted to show a musical side that not many people know about, and what better way to do that than hand in hand with a legendary producer like Sergio George and a powerhouse like Marc. The vision was to bring something refreshing, to be able to fuse the world of salsa with the essence of reggaeton and at the same time give the song its own identity. This is salsa de callejón,  rumba de barrio with the right touch of elegance to light up Christmas,” expressed Daddy Yankee.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve wanted to work together. It was such an experience to see Yankee dive into my world. He is a force to be reckoned that has set so many precedents in the Latin music scene. Now with this song, we have the opportunity to unite our voices, highlight our culture and honor our Latino roots,” expressed Latin music icon, Marc Anthony.

The video, “De vuelta pa’ la vuelta,” released Thursday, December 10 had over 389,000 views in less than an hour and was one of the most viewed videos for several days. As for the single, it was released on all digital music platforms Friday, December 11 and is presently iTunes top tropical music song in the United States. In addition, both are distributed by El Cartel Records/UMG.

Watch the official music video for “De vuelta pa’ la vuelta,” here.

Source El Cartel Records