Glenn Monroig

Infobox musical artist
Name = Glenn Monroig


Img_capt = Promotional picture of Glenn Monroig
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Background = solo_singer
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Born = birth date and age|1957|4|22
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Origin = San Juan, Puerto Rico
Instrument = Vocals Guitar
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Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 1980 - present
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Glenn Monroig (born April 22, 1957), is a composer, guitarist, and singer of various different types of music styles, such as salsa, boleros and rumba. He is credited with recording the first rap song in Spanish.

Biography

Early Years

Monroig was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education. Monroig, his brother Gilberto Jr. and sister Linda were in constant contact with the world of music and were influenced at an early age by their famous father, the renowned singer of boleros, Gilberto Monroig. His professional debut as a singer was at age 14 when he sang at his father's night club "La Guitarra de Gilberto" and later went on to perform at places like Ocho Puertas La Tea and other cafe theaters in old San Juan.

First recording

In 1980, Monroig recorded and had his first "hit" with "Jamas te voy abandonar asi otra vez" (I'm never gonna leave you this way again). In 1982, he represented Puerto Rico in the "OTI" Music Festival with the song "Mirame a los Ojos" (Look into My Eyes). That year he also started his own record label "Mamoku" and later also founded his own recording company called "Sitting Duck".

The first Spanish language rap song

In 1983, Monroig recorded "No Finjas", the first Spanish language rap song. In 1984, he recorded and sang the song "Me Dijeron" (I was told), which treated the sensitive subject of the homosexual in a respectful way. In 1986, Monroig had one of his greatest "hits' with "Por Siempre" (Forever). He started composing by converting English songs into Spanish, such as "Forever" which was originally written by Kenny Loggins.

Among the singers who have worked with Glenn are:
*Emmanuel,
*Luis Enrique,
*Cheo Feliciano,
*Lucecita Benitez,
*Nydia Caro,
*Yolandita Monge,
*Lunna,
*His father Gilberto.

With Lunna, Monroig recorded "A Todo Dar" (Everything Goes), the "first" digitally produced album in Puerto Rico. Monroig also wrote the anti-drug theme song for the Government of Puerto Rico's campaign against drugs. The theme has been recorded by Ednita Nazario, Danny Rivera, Sophy and the group Menudo.

Some of the other different styles of music that he has recorded are boleros such as "Intimo", rumbas such as "Rumbo a rumba" and jazz with "Nevando en Puerto Rico".

In the 1990s, Monroig established the "Mezza Lunna Recording Studios" in San Juan, where he continued to work with national and internationally known artists. He also produced and directed musical videos for various artists.

2003-present

On September 2003, Monroig presented his "Esos son otros 20 pesos" (That will be another 20 dollars) concert at the Antonio Paoli Hall of the Luis A. Ferre Center for the Performing Arts (Centro de Bellas Artes) in San Juan. Monroig is currently involved in all of the aspects of music.

After several years of inactivity Monroig released "A papi" in 2007. The production was intended as an homage, and is composed of twenty-seven songs originally sang by Gilberto Monroig, released in a two disk set.cite book| title=Glen Monroig en su delirio musical| author=Hiram Guadalupe Pérez| publisher=Primera Hora| location=Puerto Rico| chapter=Así| language=Spanish| date=2007-06-15| pages=44] The album includes Monroig's commentary on several matters including his relationship with his father and parts of his life. The music was composed by Franky Suárez and was performed by more than fifty musicians. The production was well received by the Puerto Rican media, with mainstream newspaper "Primera Hora" calling Monroig's performance a "prodigious interpretation, which defies the atmosphere and displays his strength and vocal versatility", while at the same time illustrating a "man of marvelous sapience and an exquisite taste for romantic and candent melody." The musical soundtrack received a similar reception, being regarded as "excellent interpretations". After twelve year without publishing a entirely orignal propossal, Monroig announced the release of an new production in October 2008. Among the themes included there is a song name "Claro" which critisizes the political situation of Puerto Rico. [cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/noticia/musica/espectaculos_asi/harto_de_la_politiqueria/236762| title=Harto de la politiquería| author=Karol Joselyn Sepúlveda| publisher="Primera Hora"| language=Spanish| date=2008-10-08| accessdate=2008-10-11]

Personal life

He had a long romance with Camille Carrion and became a second father to Carrion's daughter, Paloma Suau. Monroig is currently married to graphic designer Sonia Rivera with whom he has a daughter - Salomé - born in 2004.

Glenn Monroig has been an outspoken supporter of many causes, such as the anti Castro movements.

ee also

*List of Puerto Ricans
*Puerto Rican Songwriters

References

External links

* [http://www.prpop.org/biografias/PR Popular Culture]
* [http://www.musicaboricua.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?LNG=en-US&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=GlennMonroig Online Discography]