Glenn Monroig
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Glenn Monroig, also known as "Glen", (born April 22, 1957 in San Juan, Puerto Rico), is a composer and singerof various different types of music styles, such as salsa, boleros and rumba. He is credited with recording the first rap song in Spanish.
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[edit] Earlyyears
Monroig received his primary and secondary education in San Juan. Monroig, his brother Gilberto Jr. and sister Linda were in constent contact with the world of music and were influenced at an early age by their famous father, the renowned singer of boleros, Gilberto Monroig. his professional debut as a singer was at age 14 when he sang at hi's father's night club la" La Guitarrra de Gilberto and later went on to perform at places like Ocho Puertas La Tea and other cafe theters in old San Juan.
[edit] First recording
In 1980, Monroig recorded and had his first "hit" with "Jamas te voy abandonar asi otra vez" (I'm never gonna leave you this way again). In 1982, he represented Puerto Rico in the "OTI" Music Festival with the song "Mirame a los Ojos" (Look into My Eyes). That year he also started his own record label "Mamoku" and later also founded his own recording company called "Sitting Duck".
[edit] The first Spanish language rap song
In 1983, Monroig recorded "No Finjas", the first Spanish language rap song. In 1984, he recorded and sang the song "Me Dijeron" (I was told), which treated the sensitive subject of the homosexual in a respectful way. In 1986, Monroig had one of his greatest "hits' with "Por Siempre" (Forever). He started composing by converting English songs into Spanish, such as "Forever" which was originally written by Kenny Loggins.
Among the singers who have worked with Glenn are:
- Emmanuel,
- Luis Enrique,
- Cheo Feliciano,
- Lucecita Benitez,
- Nydia Caro,
- Lunna. With Lunna, he recorded "A Todo Dar" (Everything Goes), the "first" digitally produced album in Puerto Rico.
- His father Gilberto.
Monroig also wrote the anti-drug theme song for the Government of Puerto Rico's campaign against drugs. The theme has been recorded by Ednita Nazario, Danny Rivera, Sophy and the group Menudo.
Some of the other different styles of music that he has recorded are boleros such as "Intimo", rumbas such as "Rumbo a rumba" and jazz with "Nevando en Puerto Rico".
In the 1990s, Monroig established the "Mezza Lunna Recording Studios" in San Juan, where he continued to work with national and internationally known artists. He also produced and directed musical videos for various artists.
On September 2003, Monroig presented his "Esos son otros 20 pesos" (That will be another 20 dollars) concert at the Antonio Paoli Hall of the Luis A. Ferre Center for the Performing Arts (Centro de Bellas Artes) in San Juan. Monroig is currently involved in all of the aspects of music.
[edit] Currently
He had a long romance with Camille Carrion and became a second father to Carrion's daughter, Paloma Suau. Monroig is currently married to graphic designer Sonia Rivera and in 2004 had a daughter, named Salomé. Glenn Monroig has been an outspoken backer of many causes, such as the anti Castro movements.
[edit] See also
Along with their daughter Salomé they have two daughters named Sofía, and Jessica.Sofía was born in 1995 and Jessica in 1993. Glenn met Jessica when she was 4 and a half and Sofía when she was three. They have a cousin named Alexis who lives in Miami Fl.
