The power of Pitbull: Self-made mogul has reached superstar status

Pitbull is living up to his nickname — Mr. Worldwide. The Cuban-American performer, who started rapping on the streets of Miami, has reached superstar status, and has the bank account to prove it. In 2018, Armando “Pitbull” Perez earned a massive $32 million, landing him at No. 8 on the list of Forbes highest-paid hip-hop acts. Pitbull earned more than Kim Kardashian’s controversial husband Kanye West — shocking right? Well, not to Pitbull, who knows the power of music: “My music is global music; it’s music for everybody. And if I can make you escape for three minutes, then I did my job. With 10 albums and more than 90 songs to his name, Pitbull has fans worldwide chanting, “Dale que tu puedes [Go for it, you can].” It’s a motto he certainly lives by. “My family would always tell me the opportunity I had, to be part of a country that gives you freedom, gives you the opportunity to control your own destiny, and, more than anything, allows you to be whatever you want to be,” he told Vanity Fair. He’s collaborated with several megastars, including Jennifer Lopez and Kesha. He also has many fans in the hip-hop scene, like fellow mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs. “He has so many talents as an artist and an entertainer,” Combs said. "He’s also an ambassador, connecting the hip-hop and the Latin communities and encouraging that important crossover appeal.” Pitbull fell in love with music when he was 13. At 38, he shows no signs of slowing down. Last year, he and Enrique Iglesias won a Billboard Latin Music Award for Tour of the Year. When he’s not selling out arenas, Pitbull is giving back: He recently set up a charter school in Miami for grades 6 to 12. “It’s never been about money. It’s never been about fame. It’s been about a journey.”