Lisa M

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Lisa M
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Marlisa Marrero Vázquez
Alias = The Queen of Spanish Rap, La Suprema
Born = birth date and age|1974|1|16
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Died =
Origin = Puerto Rico
Instrument =
Genre = Pop, Merengue, Rap, Reggaetón
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Record producer
Dancer
Years_active = 1980s - present
Label = Prime, Sony International, Right Touch, White Lion
Associated_acts = Vico C
URL =

Marlisa Marrero Vázquez (born January 16, 1974) better known by her stage name Lisa M or her nicknames "The Queen of Spanish Rap" or "La Suprema" (The Supreme), is a Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, record producer and dancer who fuses genres such as pop, merengue, rap, and reggaetón. She is known as one of first female rap artists to debut in Puerto Rico.

Early life

Lisa was born to parents Antonia Vázquez of Dominican descent and Jesús Marrero of Puerto Rican descent in Puerta de Tierra, Puerto Rico, a district in San Juan. She started working at a very young age to better herself and help those around her. Lisa M's passion for music and dancing drove her to start her career and find a place within the industry. She began to train through sports and dance such as street jazz, hip hop, and breakdancing. At age 11, she started writing songs. At age 14 she began getting exposure by winning numerous dance contests throughout Puerto Rico and the United States Lisa's talent was immediately noticed by hip hop pioneer, Vico C, who then hired her to be his choreographer and dancer. At age 14, Lisa also initiated her career as a rapper.

Career

She started her career in the mid-80's with her debut album "Trampa" (Trap) on Prime Records in Puerto Rico, home to some of the founders of the genre such as DJ Negro and Playero. Hits from this album including "Trampa" (Trap) and "La Segunda Cita" (The Second Encounter), which put her on the map as the first Latin female rapper. She became an overnight success and became solicited to perform at top rated events. After the release, album sales exceeded in the weeks making the album go gold. This made Lisa M. the highest paid rapper in Puerto Rico, the U.S. and Latin America of this genre.

In 1990, Lisa M. released her second album, "No Lo Derrumbes", produced by her and Vico C and it included the hits "No Lo Derrumbes", "Tu Pum-Pum" and "Menealo". The album went platinum selling 100,000 copies in Puerto Rico alone. The following year was full of changes in her career. She signed with Latin Performers headed by Norma Pujals for management and later signed a recording deal with Sony International Records. This made Lisa M. an international star and was crowned the official "Queen of Spanish Rap."

Her third album "Flavor of the Latin" included international hits such as "Tiempo de Amar" (Time to love), "Everybody Dancing Now" and "Flavor of the Latin", earning Lisa M. yet again another platinum plaque. This opened the door for her to perform throughout Latin and South America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. and shared the stage with icons such as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, José José, Ricardo Montaner, and Selena among others. Lisa M. then released her fourth album "Ahora Vengo Alborotá" (Now I'm Here Wild). A national tour was later followed by the release of her album that took Lisa to Canada and throughout the U.S. performing on big stages to promote the success of the album.

In 1996, Lisa M. released "Soy Atrevida" (I'm Daring) and later "Muévelo (Your Booty)". Then her 6th album "Y Sobrevivi" (I Survived) was released in 1999, classifying her as "La Suprema" (The Supreme) within the genre.

In 2001, she released her very own calendar and became a host for Telemundo's television show JAMZ, which obtained high ratings and brought reggaetón recognition on an international level. While filming a show for JAMZ, Elias De León, C.E.O. and A&R for renowned label White Lion Records, approached her and offered her a recording deal with them. She made her comeback in 2006 when she released "Respect" which spawned the hit song "Hey Ladies" and received heavy airplay on local Puerto Rican radios. Other hits includes "Fuego" (Fire), "Encendido" (Turned On) featuring Voltio and "Quitate" (Move) featuring Moncho Rivera. The album also features collaborations by reggaetón artists Huracán G, La Bruja ,K-Mil and Waydi, along with the most recognized reggaetón producers, Urba & Monserrate, Nesty, Bones, Taino and Lisa M. herself. This was yet another breakthrough album from Lisa M. of this genre.

Discography

Albums

*"Trampa" (198?)
*"No Lo Derumbes" (1990)
*"Flavor of the Latin" (1991)
*"Taste the Flavor of Lisa M." (1992)
*"Ahora Vengo Alborota" (1992)
*"Soy Atrevida" (1996)
*"Muévelo (Your Booty)" (1996)
*"Y Sobreviví" (1999)
*"Respect" (2006)
*"Respect Deluxe Edition" (2007)

;Albums appeared on

ee also

*List of famous Puerto Ricans

References

* [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?configType=BBCOM_SIMPLEDEFAULT&pubList=Billboard&an=bbcom&action=Submit&kw=&exposeNavigation=true&keyword=lisa+m&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Submit&searchType=ARTICLE_SEARCH Singles History for Lisa M]
* [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=24977&model.vnuAlbumId=776508 Album Chart History for Lisa M]
* [http://www.latinimpulsemag.com/pressrelease/lisa%20m.htm Lisa M Biography] (Spanish)
* [http://www.corrientelatina.com/article.php?id=189 Lisa M Biography] (English)