Obie Bermúdez
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Obie Bermúdez (born 1980 in Aibonito, Puerto Rico), is a Latin Grammy winning-pop singer and composer.
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[edit] Early years
Bermudez was born into a family who loved music. His father and grandfather were both musicians. He received his primary education in the town of Aibonito, however in 1992 the family moved to New Jersey. There he received his secondary education. Bermudez followed the family legacy to love and respect music. This love and respect was what empowered Bermudez with the drive to pursue his dream, even when the circumstances were less than favorable. In 1996, he recorded his first "demo".
[edit] Career as a singer
In 1998, Bermudez recorded his first CD and debuted as a professional singer with Locales (Locals). Locales was recorded by BMG Records. His music recordings contained more musical instruments then your typical salsa orquestra and his songs contain a social message.
In 2000, Bermudez moved to New York, believing that there he would be able to obtain the success that he wanted, however that did not occur and he ended up working in a laundromat in order to sustain himself economically. While working at the laundromat, he came into contact with all sorts of people from different levels of society. The experiences that he gained by observing and coming into contact with these people would serve him in the near future with his song writing.
In 2003, he was contracted to participate in the United States musical tours of Juanes, Paulina Rubio and Juan Luis Guerra. In 2004, Bermudez released his second CD Confesiones. This CD contained three songs which reached the Top 10 singles on Billboard's Hot Latin Charts.
On January 2005 he released Todo el Año (All year long) which included the songs Maldita Boca (My stupid mouth) and Ya te Olvide (I have forgotten you), he also released Como Pudiste (How could you?).
[edit] Currently
In his current production Todo el Año, Bermudez express' that he is closer than ever to the emotions of the common men and that he continues to stay connected to the everyday people who walk the streets. In his style he express' a handful of experiences of the past year. Todo el Año covers many personal themes including love. As the singer explained: "The opportunity to present this Album is more than a blessing. I'm happy that the public has embraced me and feel so fortunate... I hope that Todo el Año will be another album that my fans can relate to." The album won a Latin Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Album in 2006.
In 2006, Bermudez began working towards his theatrical debut in the production of El Canto del Coquí, which should be staged in 2007. He also revealed in an interview conducted by "People en Español" in its' January 2006 issue, that he may participate in a movie production, however he failed to mention the title of the film.
Obie Bermúdez Lo Que Trajo El Barco (“What The Ship Has Brought In”)
“…integrity and presence has won Bermúdez a much deserved place all over the Latin music charts…Bermúdez sets himself apart as an artist not only willing to take risks, but delighting in them” – All Music Guide
“[Obie Bermúdez is] a talent on par with Juanes or Alejandro Sanz”- Houston Chronicle
A heartfelt lyrist whose smartly crafted pop tales have become a constant presence on the Latin Music charts, Obie Bermúdez returns with the August 29th release of his fourth album, Lo Que Trajo El Barco (What The Ship Has Brought In). The album represents the eagerly awaited follow-up to Bermudez’ Latin GRAMMY winning album Todo El Año which further established the young artist as a leader among Latin Music’s new generation of singer-songwriters by garnering three nominations and taking home the award for Best Male Pop Vocal Album.
Born in the mountain town of Aibonito, Puerto Rico and named after his uncle, Obie’s family moved to the farmlands of Vineland, New Jersey just before his teens. Music actually wasn't his first passion -- it was poetry. He learned guitar from his father, a big Beatles fan, while also being influenced by his mother's lively salsa sounds. Soon, he brought his two loves of words and music together, recording a demo in 1996 that led to an international label deal and the release of his debut album Locales two years later.
Though he received some acclaim, that first album didn't make him an overnight star; Obie chose to step back from his career and took a job at a New York Laundromat in the South Bronx, where his life and that of customers and co-workers inspired the songs that would fill his second album, Confesiones, released by EMI International in 2004. The album’s lead single "Antes" topped Latin charts worldwide and lead to Confesiones receiving multiple Latin GRAMMY nominations.
Obie next followed with the award-winning Todo El Año, a rich collection touched by personal experience and reflection, offering further heartfelt and soulful tales as the vivid title track shot to #1, and the album’s Latin Grammy win followed.
Now, Obie Bermúdez returns to the Latin Pop landscape once again with Lo Que Trajo El Barco (“What The Ship Has Brought In”). Working with multiple-Grammy winning producers Sebastian Krys and Andres Castro, Obie describes the album as a musical growth that still maintains his distinctive style and sound and provides a reminder that "No matter how much we move ahead in our lives and modify ourselves, we still need life’s basic anchors of hope, faith, and charity towards others”.
On the new album, a host of accomplished players took part in the sessions, including Fania All-Stars bassist Sal Cuevas, Sergio George percussionist Luis Quintero, renowned drummer Lee Levin, and famed Brazilian percussionist Laercio Da Costa. Producer Krys says the music is combination of Puerto Rican rhythms and the rich landscape of New York, with a story behind every song. The first single “Sigo Con Ella” (I’m Still With Her), is a song of devotion and dreams derived from the one you love.
All Music Guide has praised Obie for his original arrangements and sheer musical integrity, "a sonic palette rich with acoustic flavor and a tasteful mix of his Latino and alt-rock influences, an artist not only willing to take risks, but delighting in them." As he said the historic night he won his Grammy, “Nothing is impossible." For Obie Bermudez." making music is all about seizing the day, in fact, the moment, to find creative vigor and purpose. He told the Times, "I've always said that opportunities come around again and again. The important thing is not to be caught sitting on your hands when it comes." He is romantically linked to Latin Pop Superstar Jennifer Pena. He also co-wrote with her for her recently released album Dicen Que el Tiempo.
