Tempo (artist)

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For other uses, see Tempo (disambiguation).

David Sánchez (Tempo)

David Sánchez Badillo (born on 1979 in Ponce, Puerto Rico), known publicly as Tempo, is a reggaeton and rap artist.

Due to the growing popularity of Reggaeton in recent years, mainstream names like; Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Hector y Tito, and Zion y Lennox are easily associated with the genre. It is important, however, to acknowledge roots of reggaeton so that one can better appreciate reggaeton as a whole. People like Ruben DJ, Vico-C, DJ Playero, and DJ Negro were among the first artists to venture from Latin Rap into this new genre.

When he was 5 years old, he moved to New York City where he lived for 4 years. When he returned, he studied for a short time at the Escuela Libre de Música Juan Morell Campos. In 1989, with only 11 years, he started composing his first rap songs, using his environment and surroundings as inspiration. He is also a natural percussionist, participating in several talent shows as a kid.

His childhood was spent in New York and continuously appearing in various talent shows. Tempo first appeared in DJ Joe’s album “DJ Joe 4”. Due to business problems he separates from DJ Joe’s crew. In 1998 he appeared in “Time to Kill” and became friends with DJ Playero. As a result of this new friendship he joined Playeros team in “Playero 41”, where songs like Ya llego la hora featuring Getto and Bailando quiero Verlas. This whole album in general was a huge hit in Puerto Rico. Tempo also collaborated with Mexicano in Hagan Ruido Las Pistolas on his album “Entre el Bien y el Mal”. By this time TEMPO with only 19 yrs was causing great commotion in Puerto Rico with his explicit violent lyrics. Due to this controversy Buddha’s production produced TEMPO’s first solo album “Game Over”. Donde Estan las Girlas, Narcohampon and Ven y Baila are just a few of the hits that Game Over contained. This album reached gold status at the same time he became a father for the first time.

Lyrical battles are in some way the essence of TEMPO, he has battled with practically anyone who stepped up to the plate, among his list are Nicky Jam, Daddy Yankee, Master Joe & OG Black, Rubio y Joel, just to name a few.

In 2000, he releases his new album, "New Game", with the participation of Maicol y Manuel, Baby Rasta y Gringo, and fellow Buddha's Family members, Gastam y Ghetto. This album places Tempo as one of the prime artists in the local hip-hop scene, again reaching gold status. Meanwhile, he's still feuding with artists like Master Joe & OG Black, Daddy Yankee and others.

He produced and participated in Buddha's Family album that also reached gold status and two platinum. Because of his affiliation with Buddha’s family he later became entangled in the infamous Pina Records VS Buddha’s Family rivalry.

He has also received several "Tu Música" and Paoli Awards.

Regardless of his battles, TEMPO is currently facing his greatest battle yet; for he is fighting to appeal his 24yr sentence in a federal prison for narcotics charges, even though no circumstantial evidence has been found against him. Many politicians and fellow rappers say he was the scapegoat of the government for all drug dealers. To this day he claims his innocence and has stated that he has never trafficed drugs.

As for his career Buddha’s production is due to release “Free TEMPO” in summer 2005. This talented artist has greatly impacted reggaeton from its beginnings and will hopefully continue to inspire future generations. At age 26 Tempo has and will always been known to be a rebel, and a revolutionary against society’s injustices.