Alex Zurdo
Alex Zurdo | |
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![]() Alex Zurdo in 2018 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Alexis Vélez Alberio |
Also known as | Alex Zurdo |
Born | June 10, 1983 |
Origin | Puerto Rico |
Genres | |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | AZ Music, Heaven Music |
Associated acts | Redimi2, Funky, Manny Montes, Vico C |
Website | www |
Alexis Vélez Alberio, also known as Alex Zurdo, is a Puerto Rican Christian music rapper and songwriter.[1]
He has almost a dozen musical productions,[2] and has been awarded the GMA Dove Award[3] and Arpa Awards,[4] having also been nominated for a Latin Grammy,[5][6] and a Premio Tu Música Urbano.[7]
He has been the main artist in various concerts and events around Latin America,[8][9] sharing stages with Funky,[10] Vico C,[11] Marcos Witt,[12] Christine D'Clario,[13] Tercer Cielo,[14] Danilo Montero,[15] Marcos Vidal,[16] and collaborated with artists such as Olga Tañón,[17] Gabriel Rodríguez EMC,[18] among others.[19]
Musical career[]
Alex Zurdo, was born on June 10, 1983, in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico.[20] At the age of 11 he wrote his first rap songs. At 13, he had his first piano and learned to play it himself.[21] In the following years he participated in several non-Christian rap and reggaeton productions as "Zurdo",[22] in duet with Rey Blasto.[23] At the age of 21, he began his musical ministry, including ministrations, conferences and seminars and launched his first production of Christian music, entitled "Nada es mío", distributed by Universal Music Latino.[24]
After his first album, Alex released from 2005 to 2009, one album per year. Albums such as Con propósito, Se trata de ti (with Jonny L), De Gloria en Gloria - La Trayectoria, Una y mil razones and Así son las cosas.[25][26]
His seventh production titled "Mañana Es Hoy" ("Tomorrow is today") took three years. The musical production was in charge of the producer duo Marcos Ramírez and Víctor Torres (Los Tranz4Merz), Effect-O, DJ Cróniko and Alex himself.[27] It was promoted with the single «¿Dónde estás?» ("Where are you?") that talks about the importance of fatherhood.[28] Since 2012, their productions have been released every two years, and nominations and recognitions for various ceremonies such as the Arpa Awards and AMCL began.[29][30] This album is Alex Zurdo's first to make it onto the Billboard charts,[31] debuting at number 9 on Latin Rhythm Albums,[32] remaining in the top 15 for over 20 weeks.[33] For this record production, Alex won three AMCL Awards in 2012, in the categories Urban album of the year, Urban song of the year for «Mañana es hoy» and Musical intervention of the year for «Si no hay amor» ("If there is no love") with Vanessa Vissepó.[34]
De la A a la Z ("From A to Z") was launched in 2014 and featured the participation of Redimi2, Christine D'Clario, Nancy Amancio and Samuel Hernández.[35] The album debuted at number 4 on Billboard's Latin Rhythm Albums chart.[36] This album won an AMCL Award in 2014 in the category Urban Album of the Year and Urban Song of the Year for "No soy yo" with Redimi2,[37] and was also nominated at the 2015 Arpa Awards for "Best Urban Album".[38]
On the "From A to Z" tour,[39] Alex Zurdo's first live album was recorded, which was titled AZ Live and was released in 2016. The concert that was used for the recording of the album was that of its presentation in his native country, specifically at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot.[40] The album was nominated at the 2017 Arpa Awards in the categories "Best Live Album" and "Best Urban Album".[41]
In 2018, he released his album ¿Quién contra nosotros? (Who Against Us? in English), also, it obtained at the Dove Awards the recognition of "Song of the Year in Spanish" for the single «Sin ti»,[42][43] while in 2019, being nominated as Best Christian Album in Spanish at the Latin Grammy Awards, Dove Awards and Arpa Awards, being the winner in these last two ceremonies as "Best Christian Album in Spanish",[44] and "Best Urban Album", respectively. Then, he launched M.E.M.E. in 2020, (acronym for "Menos Ego, Más Enfoque", "Less Ego, More Focus" in English),[45] where the single "Toca la guitarra, Viejo" ("Play the guitar, dad") dedicated to his father, was approached by various media due to the theme touched, Alzheimer's.[46][47]
In February 2021, he released UNO, an album colaborating with Funky and Redimi2.[48] In March 2021, he participated in "Al Taller del Maestro", a benefit streaming concert performed by Alex Campos, where Evan Craft was also present.[49]
Personal life[]
On April 8, 2008, he married Denisse Contreras, sister of singer Daliza Contreras,[50] wife of Dominican rapper Willy González, known as Redimi2.[51]
In 2011, his first child was born. In 2014, Alex Zurdo became a father for the second time.[52]
Discography[]
- 2004: Nada es mío
- 2005: Con propósito
- 2006: Se trata de ti (with Jonny L)
- 2007: De Gloria en Gloria - La Trayectoria
- 2008: Una y mil razones
- 2009: Así son las cosas
- 2012: Mañana es hoy
- 2014: De la A a la Z
- 2016: AZ Live
- 2018: ¿Quién contra nosotros?
- 2020: M.E.M.E.
- 2021: UNO (with Funky and Redimi2)
Awards and nominations[]
Latin Grammy Awards[]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | ¿Quién contra nosotros? | Best Christian Album | Nominated |
Dove Awards[]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Sin Ti | Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year | Won |
2019 | ¿Quién contra nosotros? | Spanish Language Album of the Year | Won |
Mi GPS | Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
Arpa Awards[]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | De la A a la Z | Best Urban Album | Nominated |
2017 | AZ Live | Best Urban Album | Nominated |
Best Live Album | Nominated | ||
2019 | ¿Quién contra nosotros? | Best Urban Album | Won |
Unción Awards[]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Himself | Best Male Psalmist | Won |
References[]
- ^ "Viva Friday Playlist: The Best Latin Songs of the Week by Fonseca, Alex Zurdo, Felipe Pelaez & More". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Mañana Álex Zurdo se toma el Tabernáculo de la fe". Dia a Dia (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Complete List Of 2019 Dove Award Winners". Nashville.com. October 16, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ "XV EDICIÓN PREMIOS ARPA – Premios ARPA" (in Spanish). Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Univision. "Lista completa de los ganadores de los premios Latin Grammy 2019". Univision (in Spanish). Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ "BMI Congratulates its 2019 Latin GRAMMY Nominees". BMI.com. September 24, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ "Premios Tu Música Urbano 2020: Aquí están los nominados". TELEMUNDO.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Llega a Nicaragua el cantante puertorriqueño Alex Zurdo". Viva Nicaragua Canal 13 (in Spanish). October 11, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Zurdo pone a bailar a la juventud de Tegucigalpa". Diario El Heraldo (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ Noviembre, 11 De; 2016 - 00h07 (November 11, 2016). "Concierto de Álex Zurdo y Funky en el sur de Guayaquil". El Universo (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ Túa @lynetonline, Metro-Lynet Santiago. "Alex Zurdo festeja su primera década junto a Vico C y Funky". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ Garcia, Marco Antonio Ayala (May 22, 2019). "Heaven Music Fest | El Cielo en CMDX". Robotto.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Christine D'Clario en Heaven Music Fest". Robotto.mx (in Spanish). July 15, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ VOCERO, Redacción, EL. "Regresa el ICPR's Music Fest". El Vocero de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "¡Prográmese! Estas son las actividades al 'gratin' del Festival de Verano en Bogotá". RCN Radio (in Spanish). July 29, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Christian Fest Live 2020 espera reunir a más de 35 mil personas". Noticias de El Salvador - La Prensa Gráfica | Informate con la verdad (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Olga Tañon habla sobre su fe y el video 'Todo Pasará". CVCLAVOZ (in Spanish). June 26, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ "Artista cristiano celebra nominación en Premios Tu Música Urbano". Primera Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Zurdo celebra en grande sus 10 años de carrera y 32 de vida". Helda Hoy (in Spanish). Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Zurdo – HeavenMusic" (in Spanish). Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Octubre, 4 De; 2018 - 00h00 (October 4, 2018). "Alex Zurdo, el cantante invitado a Color Fest 2018". El Universo (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ El Imperio: Reggaeton - El Imperio | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved February 18, 2021
- ^ Reggaeton Dembow - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved February 18, 2021
- ^ Nada Es Mio - Alex Zurdo | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved February 18, 2021
- ^ "Testi Canzoni Alex Zurdo Discografia Discography Albums Album". www.angolotesti.it (in Italian). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Fotos: 10 datos que no conocías del cantante Alex Zurdo". Diario El Heraldo (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Concierto de Alex Zurdo en Tegucigalpa". Diario El Heraldo. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "La paternidad le cambió la vida a Álex Zurdo". Primera Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "ALEX ZURDO". G12 Radio (in Spanish). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "NOMINADOS". Premios AMCL (in Spanish). Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ "El ministro Alex Zurdo por primera vez en la revista Billboard". CristoJuvenil.Com | Actualidad Cristiana (in Spanish). August 20, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (January 7, 2012). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
- ^ "Latin Rhythm Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Premios AMCL 2012". Premios AMCL (in Spanish). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Nuevas, Buenas (August 1, 2014). "El cantante de música urbana Alex Zurdo lanza su mas reciente producción musical "De la A a la Z"". Buenas Nuevas. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Latin Rhythm Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "GANADORES". Premios AMCL (in Spanish). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ premiosarpacom. "XI EDICIÓN PREMIOS ARPA – Premios ARPA" (in Spanish). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Zurdo celebra 10 años de carrera con el concierto "De la A a la Z"". Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Zurdo lanza nuevo proyecto musical "AZ Live"". Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ premiosarpacom. "XIII EDICIÓN PREMIOS ARPA – Premios ARPA" (in Spanish). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "BMI Congratulates its 2018 Dove Award Winners". BMI.com. October 18, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Zurdo gana el Dove Award a la Canción del Año en Español por su canción "Sin Ti" | Contexto Media Group" (in Spanish). Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Paulson, Matthew Leimkuehler and Dave. "Dove Awards 2019: A complete list of winners". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ "'M.E.M.E', lo nuevo del artista boricua Alex Zurdo". www.eluniversal.com.co (in Spanish). August 2, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Zurdo honra vida de su papá con Alzheimer con canción". diariolasamericas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ ""Toca la guitarra viejo", la nueva canción de Alex Zurdo dedicada a su padre | Video". CNN (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Estrenan "UNO", producción de Alex Zurdo, Funky y Redimi2". Hacedores de Luz (in Spanish). February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Campos y sus amigos en concierto virtual "Al taller del maestro" [VIDEO]". diariodelsur.com.co (in Spanish). March 20, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Zurdo estrena nuevo tema junto a su esposa". micparadio (in Spanish). June 12, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Entrevista a Alex Zurdo". La Catapulta (in Spanish). October 14, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Neri, Anabella. "¿Sabes quién es Alex Zurdo?". aboutespanol. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- 1983 births
- Living people
- Puerto Rican rappers
- 21st-century American rappers