| Dogge Doggelito | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 24, 1975 |
| Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Genres | Rap |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Associated acts | The Latin Kings |
Douglas León, known by his stage name Dogge Doggelito (born 24 July 1975) is a Swedish rapper, lecturer, social commentator and author. He is one of the founders Sweden's most successful rap group The Latin Kings (TLK). Doggelito is one of the most acclaimed artists in Sweden.[1] His texts are usually about every day life in the suburbs and being part of the immigrant communities, and racism.
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Douglas Leon was born in Alby, Norra Botkyrka[2] in Stockholm 1975 to a Venezuelan father and a Swedish mother.[3] He has jokingly referred to himself as "Half Indian, half Viking".[4] He grew up in the 80's and came familiar to hip hop in an early age and sooner or later it became a big part in his life. Although he initially wanted to be an actor, he was not accepted into any of the schools.[4] He started to rap in 1986.[5] He participated in many rap contests, including a 3rd place in Rap SM with his group The Latin Kings,[6] and also in his teens he was a member in a break dance group. His brother also had big influence on him towards a career in rap music.
Dogge Doggelito formed his rap group The Latin Kings (TLK) with his friends; the brothers DJ Chepe and Salla (The Salazar Brothers). They formed the group in 1991 and came 3rd in a rap contest in 1992.[7] Their breakthrough came in 1994 when they, with the help of the producer Gordon Cyrus, released their first album Välkommen till förorten. The album received huge success and was awarded with 2 grammys and other awards. The band split up in 2005. Today he is working in the music business and also in the book and TV business.[8] For example he starred in commercials for the Swedish electronics company Elgiganten.[9] He has also released a book with the language professor Ulla-Britt Kotsinas, named "Förortsslang". He has also appeared in movies and TV shows.
He has four children;[10] three daughters.[11] His wife Leonida passed away of cancer in 2004, they had their first child together, daughter Bianca.[12] The death of his wife took hard on him, for one year, he did nothing.[4] Another daughter died during childbirth.[4] He lost his best friend Killer' in 1998.[4] He is the elder brother of the model Daphne Leon,[13] and also the cousin of rapper El Primo.[14]
He is a Christian, born in the Swedish Church, although he calls himself an Orthodox Christian.[4] In 2006, he reportedly voted for the Communist Party (Sweden).[15] He is a staunch advocate for anti-Racism, and has dismissed the Swedish immigrant policies, he has also said that "Even if you are Swedish-born, from the suburbs, you're not viewed of as Swedish".[4] Of his songs, he has the strongest memories from Borta i Tankar, written when his girlfriend broke up with him.[16] According to him, the height of his career came with a concert at Ullevi, with 59 000 visitors, when TLK opened for Swedish pop group Gyllene Tider.[16] Apart from rap, he listens to Venezuelan salsa from the 70s.[4] His favourite food is Pabellón, the Venezuelan national dish.[4] He has been to prison, in the 90s, for slapping two police officers.[16]