Around the world, the pit bull refers to a breed of dog with a widespread reputation for illegal fighting also hailed for its strength and athleticism. In pop culture, Pitbull is the man behind crunk – a Southern-flavored party rap that dominated urban radio at the turn of the century. In short time, the rapper, songwriter, producer and TV host has risen from appearances on Miami mixtapes to becoming one of the most influential Cuban-Americans in the music industry.

Born Armando Perez, Pitbull's stage name speaks to the hunger and passion he brings to his work. The son of first generation Cuban immigrants, he used those roots as inspiration at the start of his career. His freestyle skills put him on fast track to stardom, and in the late 1990's he was tabbed by Luther Campbell to appear on the single "Lollipop."

Pitbull would climb every stepping stone and knock down every wall put in front of him as he became a major player in the industry. He forged relationships with the likes of Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, earning a slot on their double platinum album, "Kings of Crunk." That union culminated with Pitbull's debut single, "Culo," and to date he's got seven studio albums and two compilation projects to his resume. The most recent is 2012's "Global Warming," is his first on the RCA Records brand and features Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and other superstars.