Christopher Lee Rios (aka Big Pun): 11/10/1971 – 2/7/2000

Christopher Rios (November 10, 1971 – February 7, 2000), better known by his stage name Big Pun (short for Big Punisher), was a Puerto Rican rapper who emerged from the underground rap scene in The Bronx in the late 1990s.

He first appeared on albums from The Beatnuts, on the track “Off the Books” in 1997, and on Fat Joe’s second album Jealous One’s Envy in 1995, on the track “Watch Out”, prior to signing to Loud Records as a solo artist. Big Pun’s career was cut short in 2000 at age 28 when he died of a heart attack.

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Big Pun - Wikipedia
Big Pun - The Internet Movie Database
Christopher Rios, 28, Rapper Recorded Under Name Big Pun - Obituary NYTimes 2/9/2000
Big Pun: The Legacy documentary - YouTube
Big Pun Biography - Big Pun Forever

Fiesta Latina at the White House on PBS - 10/15/09 at 8PM (EST)

Delilah Tollinchi - Latina Funk Rocker

The following was excerpted from Delilah's bio written by friend Jada Gomez:

Delilah Tollinchi is a New York City singer/songwriter with a gutsy blend of rock/blues soul, enhanced with a bit of Latin flavor. Delilah's strong spirit fuels her powerful voice and high octane live show.

Born and raised in the South Bronx, Delilah hails from a family with deep musical roots. Her father is a musician, and her uncle, Julio Colon, is the leader and singer/songwriter for Plena Luna. Actress Christina Souza is Delilah's sister.

Delilah's passion for songwriting was inspired by her granduncle Chiquitin Garcia, the famous songwriter for Puerto Rico's legendary group El Gran Combo.

discodivadelilah (15 images) - Photobucket

Luis Valdez @ the Latino Indie Producers

MP3 of the Speech

American playwright, writer and film director Luis Valdez was the keynoter at the recent gathering of Latino independent filmmakers.

A great teacher and storyteller, Valdez weaves into his talk personal biography, historical vignettes as well as lessons for young Latino filmmakers -- and he does so with warmth and humor.

The introduction is by Moctesuma Esparza.

From Valdez' El Teatro Campesino website:

From the migrant labor fields to Broadway, Luis Valdez remains true to his original vision... performance that addresses the Chicano experience in America in a context meaningful to all Americans.

Valdez's credits include, founder & artistic director of the internationally renowned El Teatro Campesino, council member of the National Endowment of the Arts, and founding member of the California Arts Council. His awards include, Presidential Medal of the Arts, the prestigious Aguila Azteca Award, Governors Award of the California Arts Council.

Best known works:

Zoot Suit

La Bamba

Corridos

Valdez continues to work and mentor a new generation of theatre artists at El Teatro Campesino.

Sofia Vergara's Broadway Debut - 4.27.09

Colombiana Sofía Vergara makes her Broadway stage debut as Matron "Mama" Morton, the reigning cellblock diva of the hit musical CHICAGO for a five-week limited engagement. The 36 year old actriz' stint in the popular production is from April 27th through May 24th.

Links:
Sofía Vergara debutará en Broadway en el musical "Chicago"
CHICAGO Becomes 7th Longest Running Play In Broadway History

Latin music impresario Ralph Mercado has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 67

Latin music impresario Ralph Mercado has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 67.

Mercado, who managed Latin singers including Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in Hackensack, New Jersey.

He was widely acknowledged as the most prominent promoter of salsa music, known for organizing salsa concerts in large arenas including New York's famed Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall.

Mercado's RMM label, founded in 1987, represented more than 130 Latin artists. He sold it to the Universal and Music and Video Distribution Corporation in 2001 after losing a copyright infringement suit.

Mercado is survived by his wife, Cynthia; daughters Debbie, Damaris, Melissa and Chanel; a son, Ralph III; and six grandchildren.

Related:
Ralph Mercado, Impresario, Dies at 67 NYTimes Obit
Ralph Mercado Presents' Photo Gallery
Ralph Mercado Presents website
Ralph Mercado 's Biography

The Latest of 'Phoenix The Rapper': Lunges at Heckler in Miami

Joaquin unveiled the latest installment of his ongoing 'reality' movie this morning during a short rap session at a Miami nightclub. An annoyed Phoenix The Rapper jumped off the stage to confront a heckler. Security stepped in and quickly escorted the angry performer away. End of episode. Real or acting? Some fans and foes are perplexed--although having Casey Affleck videotaping each episode is a big clue.

Regardless, Joaquin is a gifted actor bold enough to seek to redefine the very parameters of his craft. I love it!

BTW: Here's a great photo series of Joaquin Rafael Phoenix.

Related:
'Phoenix the Rapper' on The Late Show with David Letterman
Joaquin Phoenix the Oscar Nominee vs Phoenix the Rapper
Joaquin Phoenix Quits Hollywood for the Guitar

'Phoenix the Rapper' on The Late Show with David Letterman

Phoenix was definitely acting weird in his appearance on The Late Show, which seemed to unnerve Letterman. Q: Was Letterman punked?

I'm also starting to think that Joaquin Rafael Phoenix -- who in my opinion is one of today's greatest actors -- has taken his artcraft up a notch and is now producer, writer, actor of a performance that merges reality and fiction, happens across all media forms and venues, and obliterates the 90 minute timeframe.

In the process, is he careening to the edge of madness?

Joaquin Phoenix the Oscar Nominee vs Phoenix the Rapper

Joaquin the Actor in 'Walk The Line' 2005
Joaquin earned an Oscar nomination for his role as Johnny Cash and he won a Grammy for his performance in the soundtrack.


Joaquin Phoenix Quits Acting - October 31, 2008
"This is not a joke. Might I be ridiculous? Might my career in music be laughable? Yeah, that's possible, but that's certainly not my intention."


Phoenix the Rapper debutes- January 16, 2009
A bearded Phoenix drops three rhymes at Lavo inside The Palazzo, Las Vegas, NV.


Maybe Joaquin never really quit acting.

Related: Joaquin Phoenix Quits Hollywood for the Guitar
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix - Wikipedia

Ricky Martín's Babies - Twins Matteo and Valentino

Not to be outdone by Jennifer and Angelina, Ricky went and had his own twins--Matteo and Valentino--via surrogacy. And they're adorable!

As per Hollywood tradition, Ricky's now 4 month old babies are introduced to the world via the cover of People, too. Jennifer and Angelina collected seven figure fees for their work; unclear what was Ricky's take. But that's not what's important, is it? It's really all about the babies--and they're really very cute.

Enrique Martín Morales (aka, Ricky) tells the magazine he's balancing his career while caring for twins himself. What? No nanny for Ricky's little hombres! Hmmmm. Either the next installment of La Vida Loca can be done very quietly from his tropical mansion or his partner--not that I'm saying he has one--is on diaper duty.

One question: What's with the Jacksonesque grasp?

Maria Hinojosa Speaks Spanglish with Bill Santiago

Latino USA's Maria Hinojosa speaks with comedian Bill Santiago about his new book, Pardon My Spanglish ¡Porque Because!.

Click here for the audio.

Related:
Bill Santiago - Latino Nuyorican Comic
Bill Santiago's Website
Bill Santiago - MySpace
Pardon My Spanglish

Shakira Hearts Obama

Latina recording artist Shakira endorsed Barack Obama this weekend as the best candidate for president.

The Grammy-winning pop artist and humanitarian believes that Obama is best prepared to lead United States -- a place of "profound importance to me".

"I feel in my heart that he would be able to reconstruct peace and confidence in the United States."

Shakira encourages all U.S. Latinos to vote in November.

Si, Se Puede!

Links:
Shakira - wikipedia
Shakira anuncia respaldo a Obama
Shakira Lauds Obama's 'True American Message'
Shakira
La Fundación Pies Descalzos (The Barefoot Foundation)

David Archuleta: 1st American Idol of Latino Heritage (NOT!)

Update: Surprise! David Cook--and NOT Archuleta--took this year's American Idol crown. Congratulations to Cook, Archuleta and the other contenders for a terrific competition.

The Miami-born balladeer, David Archuleta, has been the odds on favorite to win the American Idol singing competition. Tonight, AI fans will see the 17 year old virtuoso beat out rocker David Cook to win the coveted title and lucrative recording contract.

Archuleta's win makes him the first Idol winner of Latino heritage: David's father, James Jeffrey Archuleta, is Spanish heritage and his mother, Xiomara Guadalupe Mayorga, Honduran (Source: IMDB).

Other Latinos finishing in the top 12 included:

Syesha Mercado (Cuban father)
Jason Castro (Colombian parents)
David Hernandez

Eliana Cuevas' Contigo (Reintroduction)

Eliana Cuevas is Canada's brilliant Latin recording artist. The youthful Venezuelan-born beauty's mesmerizing recordings moves the body and soul.

Here is how Joyce Corbett of The Live Music Report describes her:

Poetry and Rhythm - Subtle, strong, elegant, sophisticated yet simple and honest. She impresses with her strength but is never forceful. South American rhythms, poetry, jazz are all elements of her music which obviously flows from the core of her being.

Eliana has many fabulous recordings, but Contigo may be my favorite.

Enjoy.

Eliana Cuevas: Youtube Videos

Eliana Cuevas: MySpaceMusic

http://www.elianacuevas.com/

Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony: Babies Safe at Home

According to Life & Style now: kidnap threats against J.Lo's babies, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony fortified their 10,000 square-foot Brookville, Long Island estate in preparation for their recently delivered twins.

J. Lo's million-dollar gates protect babies (RealLI -2.26.08)

Twin babies for Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

Jennifer Lopez has given birth to twins -- one girl and one boy -- early Friday, February 22nd. The baby girl arrived at 12:12 a.m. and the baby boy at 12:23 a.m.

Congratulations to Jennifer and hubby Marc Anthony!

Latinas Having Babies: Jessica Alba

Stunning U.S. Latina actress Jessica Alba is pregnant. The bebe is due in late spring.

Congratulations!

BTW: Walls can't stop the babies.



Related:

Jessica Alba pregnant to Cash Warren
Latinas Having Babies: Christina Aguilera
U.S. Latinos by the Numbers
Christina Aguilera Finally Admits It: “Yes, I’m Pregnant”
Latinas Having Babies: Thalía, JLo, et al
New Orleans' Latino Boom
California's Booming Latinos: 52% by 2042
Boomers' retirement tied to Latino immigrants
Bilingual Babies -- a Sign of the Times
Jenny Responds to Heather Mac Donald's Screech Against Latinas
The Right's Attack On Latino Parents

Benicio, Evo y Che

Benicio del Toro recently met with Bolivian President Evo Morales to talk about his new films that deal with Che Guevara: Guerrilla and The Argentine.

Benecio is a Puerto Rican born actor best known for his Oscar winning performance in the movie Traffic.

Related:

Benicio del Toro Meets With Bolivian President
Bolivian President Evo Morales: The Daily Show Video
With 17 Nominations, Latinos Win 4 Oscars
Latinos Raid The Oscars
Latino Films Take Top Prizes at Sundance

Salma Hayek's Valentina Paloma

Two month old Valentina Paloma Pinault and mom Salma Hayek.

America Ferrera Named Hispanic Woman of the Year

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The accolades keep coming for America Ferrera.

The Emmy-winning star of "Ugly Betty" is now the Hispanic Woman of the Year, the Hollywood Reporter and Billboard announced Thursday.

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