Héctor & Tito

Efrain Fines (Tito) and Hector Delgado were born in 1981 and 1979 respectively in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Both artists resided in the neighborhood of Parque Ecuestre and began their artistic pursuits in their teens. Hector El Father was part of the rap group "Masters Of Funk" alongside Rey and Julio Voltio, while Tito El Bambino recorded with various local DJs gaining an appearance in the famous reggaeton series "The Noise vol. 5" which was considered his big break into the music scene. Thanks to local DJs such as Chiclin and Estefano, Tito and Hector form a friendship which evolved into a duo when Hector separated from Masters Of Funk. After appearances on many compilations from local DJs and producers from Puerto Rico, the duo connect with DJ Goldy and sign to VI Music in order to prepare their first album "Violencia Musical". Violencia Musical was released in 1998 and became a huge commercial and critical success in Puerto Rico, selling over 100,000 copies at the time and turning the duo into one of the most popular music groups in the island.[1]

Over the course of time, the reggaeton genre gained prominence outside of Puerto Rico and despite Hector y Tito's temporary loss of popularity due to a Christian album which didn't sell well and rap battles against Rubio y Joel and Baby Rasta y Gringo which also affected their sales; by 2002 Hector y Tito won their lyrical battle against Rubio y Joel and regained their position as one of the most popular acts in Puerto Rico. This was good news for the company Universal Latino which entered in a partnership with VI Music to distribute Hector y Tito's much anticipated "A La Reconquista", which became one of the first widely distributed reggaeton albums during the genre's boom period of 2002-2006. Thanks to international hits such as "Duele (Cuando El Amor Se Va)", "Gata Salvaje" featuring Daddy Yankee and Nicky Jam and "Felina". The positive reception of these songs throughout Latin America and the United States made Hector y Tito protagonists in the expansion of the reggaeton culture alongside artists such as Don Omar, Tego Calderon and the hitmaking production duo Luny Tunes. "A La Reconquista" also served as a launching pad for the career of Don Omar whom was signed to Hector 'El Father' and VI Music leading to Omar writing many of the songs from the album including his featurings. "A La Reconquista" is recognized as one of the greatest reggaeton albums of all-time and was both a commercial and critical success winning a Billboard Latin Music Award for best Latin rap album.[2] The live version of the album A La Reconquista "La Historia: Live" which includes additional live performances of some of the duo's earlier hits was certified Latin platinum by the RIAA in 2003.[3]

Due to unforeseen pressures from the unexpected success, tensions arose between the fellow artists and both decided to pursue solo ambitions amid an inamicable split. Hector changed his name from El Bambino to El Father evolving into a mafioso persona emulating his American hip hop influences such as Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Hector recorded many successful records and platinum albums such as "Noches De Travesura" feat. Divino, "Mayor Que Yo" featuring Varios, and his solo project "The Bad Boy" which was certified Latin platinum by the RIAA in 2006.[4] Hector El Father also had partnerships for his record label "Gold Star Music" with Roc-A-Fella Records and Machete Music/Universal Latino recording a collaboration with Jay-Z "Here We Go" from "Los Rompediscotecas" distributed by Roc La Familia (Roc-A-Fella's Latino division).[5] Hector El Father would retire from the music scene in 2008 to pursue his faith in Jesus Christ.[6]

Tito El Bambino became one of the most popular acts in Latin music and is most well known for the pop-smash "El Amor" from 2009's platinum "El Patron" album.[7] Tito would feature alongside many prominent Latin music acts such as Marc Anthony, Ednita Nazario, Zion y Lennox and Wisin y Yandel.

Tito El Bambino is currently active to present time and remains one of the most popular Latin acts in the music industry.[8] Hector y Tito have publicly reconciled since their split in 2004.[9]

• Hector "El Father" interview