Lito & Polaco

Lito y Polaco were discovered in the early 1990s by Spanish hip hop and reggaeton pioneer DJ Eric Industry. They formed part of the hip hop/reggaeton group "La Industria" alongside MC Ceja, Jackie, TNT, Prieto Valdez and others.[1]

In 1998 Lito y Polaco became increasingly frustrated with their lack of pay and focus from DJ Eric being part of La Industria (MC Ceja and Big Boy were DJ Eric's prime artists at the time), thus they decided to leave and form their famous duo, eventually signing with Pina Records in 1999.[2] There was much hype surrounding Lito y Polaco's signing with the Pina Records record label especially because of the company's top star Don Chezina bringing a high-profile to the imprint. Immediately, the duo made a huge impact in the underground scene of Spanish Hip Hop and Reggaeton with hit singles such as "Jenga Jenga", "In The Deadline", "Sucesos", "Maniatica Sexual" and "Mundo Frio". Their albums from the year 2000-2004 under Pina Records all went double platinum in Puerto Rico including "Masacrando Mc's", "Mundo Frio" and "Fuera De Serie" ; the last album being distributed by Universal Latino and the most successful product from the legendary duo internationally.[3]

In 2005, the duo separate amicably in order to pursue ambitions as solo artists. Lito MC Cassidy remained under Pina Records and collaborating with fellow artists RKM y Ken-Y and Nicky Jam.[4] Lito never released a solo album under Pina Records and left in 2007 after a financial dispute. He continued to release mixtapes under his own imprint "La Republica" until present time.[5] Polaco signed with Héctor el Father's record label 'Gold Star Music' in 2005 and achieved moderate success during this time touring worldwide with Héctor and being featured on high-profile records and albums such as "Sonando" featuring Freeway, "Mas Flow 2", "Gold Star Presents: La Familia" and "Los Rompediscotecas". Once Héctor el Father left the music industry to pursue his faith in Jesus Christ, Polaco became an independent artist and remains one to present time. In 2013 Polaco released a mixtape "Back To The Underground: Polakan Edition" under the record label White Lion. The duo have recently reunited in 2015 and announced a new album accompanied by an international tour.[6]

The duo's Mundo Frío album was nominated for Billboard's Latin Rap Album of the Year but lost to El General Is Back by El General.[7]

Lito y Polaco were renowned for their diverse subject matter and versatile musical styles in the realm of hip hop and reggaeton. Songs such as "Sucesos", "Mirate Al Espejo", "Ella Vive Sola" (featuring Gustavo Laureano of La Secta All-Stars) and "Mundo Frio" are praised for their socially conscious lyrics containing themes about poverty, social injustice, morality, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's). Lito y Polaco are well known for many commercial reggaeton hits as well including songs such as "Maniatica Sexual", "Rosando Con Mi Piel" featuring Nicky Jam, and "Gata Traicionera" featuring Jacob which have typical reggaeton themes of love and sex alongside a danceable rhythm. The duo also had many lyrical rap battles with some of the genre's most renowned artists, most famously against Tego Calderon, Vico- C, Arcángel and Tempo.[8] Throughout their careers, Lito y Polaco were often praised for their lyrics as mc's and are considered some of the best lyricists in the history of Hip Hop En Español.

Lito y Polaco are generally regarded as one of, if not the most influential duo in reggaeton history paving the path for future reggaeton duos such as Wisin y Yandel, RKM y Ken-Y, and Arcángel y De La Ghetto.