Tempo (rapper)

Tempo
Birth name David Sánchez Badillo
Also known as
  • El Narco Hampón
  • El Rey de la Perla del Sur
  • El Rey del Área Sur
El León del Área sur
Born (1977-09-25) September 25, 1977[1]
Ponce, Puerto Rico, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1994–present
Labels
  • Free Tempo LLC
  • Sony BMG
  • Buddha's Productions
  • Free Music Inc.
Associated acts

David Sánchez Badillo (born September 25, 1977), better known as Tempo, is a Puerto Rican rapper and songwriter.[2]

Early life

David Sanchez Badillo was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Tempo studied in the Escuela Libre de Música Juan Morel Campos of the municipality.[3] At the age of five years moved to upstate Haverstraw, New York, Rockland County, with his family for a period of four years.

He returned to Puerto Rico and at the age of 11 began to write his first rap lyrics. He began his career by participating in talent shows.

Career

Beginnings–1998

Tempo first appeared in DJ Joe 3, which was released in 1995, with another appearance in DJ Joe 4 a year later. Initially, Tempo began as a member of 'El Escuadron Del Panico' alongside artists Master Joe, OG Black, Genio, Trebol Clan, Ranking Stone and DJ Joe as the musical producer. Despite underground recognition and a hit single with "Figura De Campeona" alongside DJ Joe, by 1997, Tempo was not satisfied with his musical prospects alongside 'El Escuadron Del Panico' and joined the Nuyorican rap group S.P.I.C (Spanish People In Control) produced by veteran hip hop promoter, producer and artist James De La Raza[4][5].

After coming back from New York to Puerto Rico to restart his solo career in 1998, Tempo began collaborating with "El Escuadron Del Panico" again. Around this time, thanks to his burgeoning friendship and performances alongside Mexicano 777, Tempo met DJ Playero which led to him being added to his roster and recording his first major hit in the reggaeton genre with "Bailando Quiero Verlas" in 1998 on Playero 41: Past Present & Future. This was a very controversial move at the time, because Mexicano had a personal rivalry against Master Joe and OG Black which lasted many years and was included in their mutual discographies[6]. Tempo's first song with Playero was a collaboration with Mexicano known as "Hagan Ruido Las Pistolas" and one of the classic spanish hip hop diss tracks of all-time.[7] Tempo then began working on recording his debut album "Game Over" with DJ Playero after becoming one of the first artists signed by Buddha's Productions in the late 1990s.[2]

1999–2002

Under the label Buddha's Productions, his album Game Over was released in 1999 with appearances by Héctor & Tito and MC Ceja among others. New Game was released the next year with appearances by Baby Rasta & Gringo and Maicol & Manuel among others. Both albums where certified gold shortly after. Tempo also acted as co-producer on the album Buddha's Family, which received a gold record certification. He produced the album Vida Eterna by Getto & Gastam in 2002. During this time he also recorded El que Tenia que Llegar for DJ Frank's Time to Kill, Empiezo la Accion for Boricuas NY vol 2[8] and Tu y Quien Mas for the compilation album from Alex Gárgolas titled Gargolas vol 3.[9]

By 2001, Tempo was the most successful hip hop/reggaeton artist in Puerto Rico with multiple gold and platinum albums. In the island, it is reported that he outsold mainstream Puerto Rican acts such as Chayanne and Ricky Martin. In an interview with Alofoke, Tempo reported that because of his success in record sales, Sony Latin representatives sought the artist in Puerto Rico and managed to get him a meeting with legendary record executive Tommy Mottola via videophone[10]. In the end, Tempo received an undisclosed seven digit sum from Sony to sign for a multiple album deal which included the successful "Exitos" album.[11]

His album Éxitos is a compilation released by Sony, comprising mainly old material but also featuring new songs. According to reggaeton publications of the time, Exitos sold over 500,000 copies worldwide and is now a rare out of print album though it has been rereleased digitally in recent years by Tempo's independent label. Tempo would eventually complete his album deal with Sony by releasing an album from prison known as "Free Tempo" which includes the hit single "Deja Que Hable El Dembow" featuring Wisin y Yandel.[12]

2013–present

Tempo was released on October 9, 2013 to a halfway house in Puerto Rico for 6 months to finish his sentence.[13] During this time he was able to record his mixtape Free Music, which was released as a free download on his official website on December 21, 2013.

His first concert after his release was in May 17, 2014 in the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.[14]

Release of Tu Historia

The single "Tu Historia" was released on February 14, 2015 and is considered a return to form for the legendary artist as his initial releases, after his prison stint, such as "Free Music" received mixed reviews. The song is renowned for its sharp criticisms of modern hip hop reggaeton and how much of the music lost its essence in favor of mainstream propaganda.[15][16][17]

Feuds

Upon release from prison, Tempo immediately began having feuds and rap battles against many notable reggaeton acts, including Cosculluela and Residente. In the 90's and early 2000's Tempo was renowned for his rap battles against many artists where he was mostly victorious (Some argue Daddy Yankee as Tempo's only true loss in the rap battle avenue).[18] In his recent battles, Tempo was mostly declared victorious again except against Residente where many modern mainstream audiences declared Residente as the victor in the lyrical battles (though underground audiences argue otherwise)[19].

Despite the perceived losses to the mainstream reggaeton audience (the underground audience differs in opinion), Tempo currently has more notoriety in the mainstream than ever before thanks to recent hits such as "Ella y Yo" feat Farruko, Anuel AA, Almighty, and Bryant Myers and "Vivir Mi Vida" feat. Farruko among others. Tempo is currently preparing his latest album "Back To The Game" for release in 2018.[20][21]

Arrest & Imprisonment

On October 10, 2002, Tempo was detained and imprisoned for alleged drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit such acts. Tempo always declared his innocence and the charges were never proven which lead to his eventual freedom.[22] While he was in prison, previously recorded songs were released in various compilation albums. In 2003 came "Quien Quiere Guerra" on "Desafio"(2004) and "Van A Ver Lo Que Es Muerte" on "Las Plagas 2"(2003). In 2004, the song "Que Es Lo Que Quiere?" was released in DJ Nelson's Flow la Discoteka.[23]

Free Tempo was released June 2009. This production received a nomination under Best Long Form Music Video in the Latin Grammy Awards of 2009 for the video which featured The London Symphony Orchestra.[24]

Discography

Studio
Compilation
Live
  • 1995: Lirios del Sur Underground Live (with K-2 Young) (Bootleg) (Digital Release)
  • 2001: Unplugged (Bootleg) (Digital Release)
Producer credits

References

  1. ↑ Birchmeier, Jason. "Daddy Yankee Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  2. 1 2 Bonacich, Drago "Tempo Biography", Allmusic, retrieved December 12, 2010
  3. ↑ "Biography Tempo". Reggaeton en Cuba. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  4. ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/de-la-raza-mw0000024828 James De La Raza
  5. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/SPIC-Spanish-People-In-Control-SPIC-Spanish-People-In-Control/release/6388559 S.P.I.C album credits
  6. ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/artist/master-joe-mn0000322438/discography Master Joe and OG Black discography
  7. ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mexicano-777-mn0000383251/biography
  8. ↑ "Boricuas NY 2 album". CD Universe, retrieved April 21, 2015.
  9. ↑ ""Gargolas vol 3 album". Allmusic, retrieved April 21, 2015.
  10. ↑ http://alofokemusic.net/historica-entrevista-tempo-habla-arcangel-residente-cosculluela-ultimo-album/ Radio interview in the Dominican Republic
  11. ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/exitos-mw0000218716 Exitos credits
  12. ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/free-tempo-mw0000816954 Free Tempo album credits
  13. ↑ Vasquez, Jose (October 10, 2013). "Tempo Returns to Puerto Rico". La Mezcla. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Tempo ofrecerá su primer concierto tras 11 años preso" (in Spanish). El Universal. May 16, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Flex Responde al Verse de Tu Historia donde Tempo lo Menciona" (in Spanish). Rapeton. February 18, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  16. ↑ "RKM Reacciona Ante Mencion de Tempo En Su Nueva Cancion Tu Historia" (in Spanish). FlowHot. February 17, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  17. ↑ Aspirilla, Yuselin (February 27, 2015). "Panas le Tiran Tempo pa que Respete" (in Spanish). Critica. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  18. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND2dvblp45o Daddy Yankee vs Tempo rap battle
  19. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/3020805/residente-tempo-reggaeton-battle-of-the-century/ MTV news report of Residente vs Tempo battle
  20. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFM6kcRNcIs Ella y Yo Youtube cound 101 Million as of 1/7/18
  21. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/videos/spanish/2017/05/22/cnnee-showbiz-pelea-virtual-residente-y-tempo.cnn/video/playlists/cnnee-showbiz/ CNN report of Calle 13 vs Tempo
  22. ↑ "Rapero Tempo puede quedar libre en los próximos seis años gracias a acuerdo" (in Spanish). Noticias Sin. April 28, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  23. ↑ "DJ Nelson's Flow la Discoteka". Amazon, retrieved April 25, 2015.
  24. ↑ Tirado, Frances (October 10, 2013). "Tempo: Pilar del género urbano" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
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