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Panamanian
Born Canadian Rocks the Dancehall with Spanish/English Reggae
“Fito
Blanko is definitely one of the hottest rising stars in
Latin music.” Urban Latino 1/13/04
Twenty-one
year old Urban-Latino artist, Fito Blanko has been
making waves in Canada, the U.S and in South and Central America.
Armed with lyrical skills and a “firecracker” personality,
Fito is making a name for himself in the exploding Urban Latino
scene.
Fito Blanko’s
musical influences come from growing up listening to the two
most popular sounds in Panama: salsa and dance-hall reggae.
In the last decade, “Reggaeton” (which is what this style
of music is called) has become the new genre of Urban dance
music in Panama and Puerto Rico, now spreading to other parts
of the world, most recently to North America. Reggaeton is
derived from Jamaican reggae and is heavily influenced by
American hip-hop culture, yet remains distinctly Latin.
By the
age of 14, Fito (born Roberto E. Testa) was already writing
his own lyrics in both English and Spanish. He developed a
natural and raw method of flowing rhymes with a Latino swing,
creating a signature sound. After years of hard work writing
and performing, Fito got a big break in the summer of 2003
when he was asked to collaborate with Panamanian Grammy nominee
“Los Rabanes”. This opened the flood gates to many
opportunities to showcase his talent locally and internationally.
That same summer, two of Fito’s tracks had been serviced to
the American-Hispanic DJ Pool Latinos Unidos. 90% of the djs
added these tracks to their playlists causing them both to
chart in the Top 25 of their Hip-Hop/Reggae Chart in the summer
of 2003. Subsequently, a third track had been serviced, “Sobeteo”,
which also reached the Top 25.
This
exposure has made Fito into a celebrity in the southern United
States and his sound is catching on like wild fire! Up to
now, Fito Blanko has appeared with some of the hottest names
in Latin music, including Cabas, Amarfis and
Angel Lopez. Since Fito’s appearance on the #1 Urban
Latin show in the U.S and Puerto Rico “The Roof” (MUN2) (audience
of over 27 million people) he not only was booked again but
offered a deal to be a VJ for one of the shows. Fito Blanko’s
appeal goes beyond a niche of Reggaeton enthusiasts, attracting
a mainstream pop/dance audience. Much of his music is radio
and club-friendly while maintaining a strong tie to his roots.
Fito Blanko is a new face and new sound sure to be a hit in
North America and Worldwide.
Sensei
Presents: Fito Blanko “Higher Level”
Fito’s debut album has been a long time in the making. “Higher
Level” boasts sophisticated arrangements and superbly production,
offering a glimpse into the musical world of Fito Blanko.
His lyrics are fun, witty and intelligent, and his skill is
unmatched. Keith Kanashiro (a.k.a Sensei) wrote
and produced the music which weaves various Latin genres with
various forms of Reggae including Reggaeton, making "Higher
Level" both original and a true reflection of their many
influences.
“Higher
Level” features tracks like Sobeteo and Ya Llego
which use driving Salsa rhythms and heavy instrumentation
with a distinct reggae kick. Other songs like Me Voy a
Marchar use Cumbia structures and sounds mixed into reggaeton
and the end result is magical.
Adding
to the already talented amalgamation of musicians and singers
on this record, “Higher Level” also includes a track which
features the up and coming Reggaeton trio from Miami Trivales.
Executive production of the album is credited to Radames
Nieves of MRP Music Group, whose influence in the Canadian
Latin music scene is unsurpassed. MRP Music Group is proud
to represent Fito Blanko on an international level.
Sensei
– Producer and Arranger of “Higher Level”
Keith Kanashiro (aka Sensei) was born on July 2nd 1977 in
Toronto, Canada. His parents immigrated to Canada in the late
60’s from Peru. From an early age Keith was constantly surrounded
by both Latin and American mainstream music. At the age of
7 he began studying classical piano at the (OCM) Ontario Conservatory
of Music, and by the age of 9 he moved on to the (RCM) Royal
Conservatory of Music to specialize alongside Canada's greatest
pianists.
In high
school, Keith studied percussion, keyboards, and synthesizers.
He was recognized as one of the most talented young musicians
among his contemporaries and received many honors. His love
for Latin Percussion and Caribbean Rhythms encouraged Keith
to start creating music. Local musicians quickly recognized
Keith's potential and talent. At the age of 15 he began performing
with Canada’s hottest Latin bands. He was named "Sensei" not
only because of his Japanese background but his ability to
master musical tracks. He was highly respected and well recognized
for his distinguished manner of composing, and arranging.
Seeing potential for the genre, Keith established TEN: Trademark
Entertainment North, Inc.
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