Pitbull & J Balvin

When the Southern-flavored party rap called crunk took over urban radio, Miami rapper and future superstar Pitbull decided it was time to seek stardom. The way Pitbull saw it, "crunk ain't nothin' but bass music slowed down." Miami bass music, that is, the kind Pitbull grew up on. His parents were first-generation Cuban immigrants who didn't let their son forget about his culture. They required him to memorize the works of Cuban poet Jos+¬ Mart+¡, and Pitbull understood the power of words right away. Southern acts like Poison Clan and Luther Campbell were early influences, but...