Pitbull isn't who you think he is. The bilingual star gets pigeonholed too often as simply the Latin rapper or the oversexed ladies man. He'll gladly wear each of those titles and with honor, too. That's a part of who he is. But after recording four acclaimed albums, receiving undervalued recognition for the massive hits he's produced, and battling with his previous label until they were bankrupt and he was released, Pit is ready to break free from his past in more ways than one with his next album, Rebel-ution. "I'm able to maneuver now," Pit says of his free agent status. "I never had the chance to put out a classic album dealing with the situation I was dealing with at TVT. With this album, I want to be able to showcase my versatility to the full extent. Where everything I put out before had the big club sound—it's about making hit records—it's a business, but it's also about making statements. I want to take it to the next level. Everybody knows me, but I haven't been able to step in there and wow people. That's what I'm looking to do on this album and this run." The Miami native fought valiantly in court for two years to win his release from TVT Records. The Orchard quickly signed the rapper to a digital singles distribution deal. And with the upcoming release of Rebel-ution in 2009, Pitbull is looking to partner with a major label for his services in both English and Espanol. He wants to prove there's more to the Cuban lothario than just making club anthems. "Only a select few really know about my ability, but once I do a record with a Lil Wayne or T.I. and I spit something fierce on there, they'll know I can bring it," Pit says. "Then it's done. Signed, sealed, delivered. That's basically what we're gonna accomplish this go around." For years Pitbull made a name for himself in Miami as he earned the nickname Mr. 305. Whether it was battle rapping in the hungry streets of Dade County, rhyming with Trick Daddy, or ripping stages as Uncle Luke looked on. As the New Miami Movement has risen, from Rick Ross to Flo Rida, Pitbull has been instrumental in the collective's success. He appeared alongside Ross on DJ Khaled's massive hit "Holla At Me" which also featured rap greats Lil Wayne, Fat Joe and Paul Wall, and paved the way for his city to go national with his early hits like "Culo" and "Toma" and to his more recent bangers "The Anthem" and "Krazy." "I feel like I'm the ambassador, I bring everyone together," Pit explains. "Black folks, Haitians, Jamaicans, I make music with and for everyone. I have an international, global appeal. As far as Miami, the circle was introduced to me through Luke and Trick and I introduced the circle to Rick and Flo, to the boys that's doing it now. And we all still together." Not looking to get locked into only being an artist, Pitbull recently launched his own website, PlanetPit.com. The social-networking site has attracted over 3,000,000 new members in just over a month. Here, Pit can connect to his growing legion of fans, ranging from his rabid hometown followers to his expansive world base. "It's a place where I can have a hands on experience with the fans and a place where the fans can go and laugh, and see something entertaining," Pitbull says of the site. "But at the same time I'll have things that are relevant in the news. There's always something new on Planet Pit with everything that's going on in the world. It's entertaining but educating at the same time." In addition to Planet Pit, the enterprising rapper has kept his eye keen on other business opportunities and ventures. He stars in his own show, La Esquina, on mun2 which is in its second season. The first season of the show, which he created, was the network’s highest rated original program. He has also launched a record label, Mr. 305 Inc., as well as a charitable effort called Imaginate to help Latinos and immigrants pay for college. His label will feature a roster of artists just as diverse as the boss. And for his philanthropic endeavors, Pitbull has signed NIKE as the first sponsor for his effort. "I didn't go to college, but my kids will," Pit says. "My mother went, my father didn't. It's definitely something the Latin community and with minorities as a whole, where we tend to not even look at college or think about it. There's a lot of people that don't go to college and are successful. But there is nothing wrong with being well educated, both in schools and in the streets. That's what makes someone very dangerous in the corporate world." These are lessons the rapper intends to incorporate into his future moving forward. Having learned from his own independent label experience and rocking alongside some of the hip-hop's greats, now, Pit says, it's time for him to show the game why he can soon be Mr. Worldwide. "I want to try to put together something unique, with emotions, ideas, and touch on what's going on in the world today," Pit says, citing works by Nas, Snoop Dogg, Juvenile and Jay-Z as influences. "I want something that's not dummy proof, but ADD proof. What you say on the intro has to be right, and then you get off into the record. And that's what I want to do with this album. "The word revolution is a strong word," he continues. "And the word rebel is powerful. Because you're looking for change, that's what revolution is, but when you're a rebel in it, you're fighting for that change. And that's what my thing is, with everything I've been fighting with. TVT was my Cuba. There was a lot of people there who were great, great people. There were some that weren't. But now I've jumped free and broke out on a raft. And I'm out to sea. I have to prove myself; I have to be a rebel. I have to get on records and burn mufuckas. But I like being the underdog. I like the position." For now, at least….

Website

www.planetpit.com

Influences

Luther Campbell, José Marti, Poison Clan, 2 Live Crew