Spkilla
Encyclopedia
Edwin Almonte, better known by his stage name, SPK and SPKilla, is a Dominican-American record producer
, and DJ. As a youngster, SPK’s exposure to various forms of music ignited the spark that he would eventually kindle into a creative flame. Hip hop pioneers Run DMC, LL Cool J
, N.W.A, EPMD
, Eric B & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane
, Kool G Rap
, and Beastie Boys
were in constant play in his home, along with The Police
and Metallica
. Buju Banton
, Super Cat
, Juan Luis Guerra
,and Luis Vargas
were among the other spins that gave his musical experience a Caribbean vibe.
The innovator of an eclectic sound that merges hip hop, reggaeton, and the grittiness of urban New York City, SPK lists Dr. Dre
, DJ Premier
, Timbaland
, and Pete Rock
as his primary influences as an artist. SPK cites these four maestros as “the reason why I picked up a sampling machine and started making beats."
’.”
2002 - SPK produced a track for the movie Fast and the Furious
that reached number 7 on the Billboard
and number 1 on the Top Soundtracks. The Soundtrack went platinum in 2002 in both the USA and Canada.
, a song peaking at #12 on the Billboard
Hot 100. He made history with Oye Mi Canto
. The Oye Mi Canto
video was the first reggaeton video that played on MTV
. It was one of the countries biggest singles.
In 2006, The Album N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe
was released by Jay-Z
's Roc La Familia
and Def Jam
. SPK produced 10 tracks on that album, working with artists like N.O.R.E, Fat Joe
, Ching Bling, Lil Rob
, Nina Sky
, Big Mato, Divino
, Frankie Negron
, Ja Rule
, Don Omar
, Diddy
and Daddy Yankee
.
and MTV
. That chart-topping song, "Oye Mi Canto," went on to win an ASCAP Latin Award and a Premio Estrella Award
Capone-N-Noreaga
Slam (The Movie)
The Fast & The Furious
Thicker Than Water
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, and DJ. As a youngster, SPK’s exposure to various forms of music ignited the spark that he would eventually kindle into a creative flame. Hip hop pioneers Run DMC, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, N.W.A, EPMD
EPMD
EPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group's name is a concatenation of the members' name "E" and "PMD" or an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith...
, Eric B & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane
Antonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
, Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson , better known by his stage names Kool G Rap , Kool G. Rap, and Giancana , is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew...
, and Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
were in constant play in his home, along with The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
and Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
. Buju Banton
Buju Banton
Buju Banton is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae musician.Banton has recorded pop and dance songs, as well as songs dealing with sociopolitical topics....
, Super Cat
Super Cat
Super Cat is a deejay most popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s dancehall movement. Super Cat was born in Jamaica and was nicknamed Wild Apache. His nickname, the "Wild Apache" was given to him by his mentor Early B...
, Juan Luis Guerra
Juan Luis Guerra
Juan Luis Guerra is a singer, songwriter and producer from the Dominican Republic who has sold over 30 million records, and won numerous awards including 12 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Latin Billboard Music Awards...
,and Luis Vargas
Luis Vargas (musician)
Luis Vargas is one of the Dominican Republic's most popular bachata musicians. When he began in the early 1990s, Antony Santos, considered by some to be one of the most influential bachata musicians of all time, was his güira player....
were among the other spins that gave his musical experience a Caribbean vibe.
The innovator of an eclectic sound that merges hip hop, reggaeton, and the grittiness of urban New York City, SPK lists Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
, Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, and Pete Rock
Pete Rock
Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
as his primary influences as an artist. SPK cites these four maestros as “the reason why I picked up a sampling machine and started making beats."
1998-2002: N.O.R.E debut solo album
1998 - SPK received his 1st big break. N.O.R.E. tabbed SPK to produce 3 tracks for his eponymous debut solo album. However, due to sample clearance issues, only one track of his made the final cut. In spite of the minor setback, SPK managed to make a monumental impression with his limited exposure on the album. That one song let people know there’s a new producer in the game and he’s here to stay. SPK was labeled as the new beatsmith for the new millennium by the bible of hip hop back then, ‘The SourceThe Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
’.”
2002 - SPK produced a track for the movie Fast and the Furious
The Fast and the Furious (2001 film)
The Fast and the Furious is a 2001 street racing action film starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster. Directed by Rob Cohen, The Fast and the Furious was the first mainstream film to feature the Asian automotive import scene in North America. It is the first film...
that reached number 7 on the Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
and number 1 on the Top Soundtracks. The Soundtrack went platinum in 2002 in both the USA and Canada.
2004 to Present
In 2004 SPK produced the track for Oye Mi CantoOye Mi Canto
"Oye Mi Canto" is a Reggaeton single by N.O.R.E.. The song was originally released in 2004 as the lead single from the album 1 Fan a Day, which is heretofore unreleased. It is his second biggest hit, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later included on the 2006 album N.O.R.E. y la...
, a song peaking at #12 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100. He made history with Oye Mi Canto
Oye Mi Canto
"Oye Mi Canto" is a Reggaeton single by N.O.R.E.. The song was originally released in 2004 as the lead single from the album 1 Fan a Day, which is heretofore unreleased. It is his second biggest hit, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later included on the 2006 album N.O.R.E. y la...
. The Oye Mi Canto
Oye Mi Canto
"Oye Mi Canto" is a Reggaeton single by N.O.R.E.. The song was originally released in 2004 as the lead single from the album 1 Fan a Day, which is heretofore unreleased. It is his second biggest hit, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later included on the 2006 album N.O.R.E. y la...
video was the first reggaeton video that played on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. It was one of the countries biggest singles.
In 2006, The Album N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe
N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe
N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe is the fourth solo studio album by rapper N.O.R.E., released on July 18, 2006...
was released by Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
's Roc La Familia
Roc-La-Familia
Roc-La-Familia was an international record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. This sub-label focused on signing international artists, including reggaeton artists, much like Bad Boy Latino. "OG" Juan Perez was appointed the president of the label and Cipha Sounds was the senior vice president...
and Def Jam
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
. SPK produced 10 tracks on that album, working with artists like N.O.R.E, Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
, Ching Bling, Lil Rob
Lil Rob
Roberto Flores , best known by his stage name Lil Rob, is a Mexican American rapper, producer, and actor-Biography:...
, Nina Sky
Nina Sky
Nina Sky is an American musical duo composed of identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino .-Early life and career:Albino's parents moved to New York from Puerto Rico and were divorced when the girls were younger...
, Big Mato, Divino
Divino
Divino is a Puerto Rican reggaeton artist, whose real name is Daniel Velazquez.-Early career:Divino began his career at the age of fifteen, when his family moved from The Bronx, New York, to Ponce, Puerto Rico, Divino decided to concentrate his energies on his day job as an assistant in a juvenile...
, Frankie Negron
Frankie Negron
Frankie Negrón is a singer of Salsa music of Puerto Rican descent...
, Ja Rule
Ja Rule
Jeffrey Atkins , better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor.Born in Hollis, Queens, he began his career in the group Cash Money Click and debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single "Holla Holla"...
, Don Omar
Don Omar
Don Omar, also known as El Rey Don Omar, also known as El Rey Don Omar, also known as El Rey (born William Omar Landrón Rivera; February 10, 1978, is a Puerto Rican Reggaetón singer and actor.-Early life:...
, Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
and Daddy Yankee
Daddy Yankee
Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez , known artistically as Daddy Yankee, is a Latin Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican Reggaeton recording artist. Ayala was born in Río Piedras, the largest district of San Juan, where he became interested in music at a young age. In his youth he was interested in baseball,...
.
Awards and nominations
In 2004, SPK produced a song that made history by bringing reggaetón to the forefront through mainstream radio play and TV networks like BETBlack Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. That chart-topping song, "Oye Mi Canto," went on to win an ASCAP Latin Award and a Premio Estrella Award
Big Mato
- Lo Real Vol 2
- "Intro"
- "Caminos Reales"
- "Te Sigo Amando (Feat. Fuego)"
- "Esa Morenita (Feat. Vakero)"
- "Mi Gente"
- "Nadie Va Parar (Feat. R1)"
- "Se Venden (feat. Chyno Nino)"
- "Tu Y Yo (Feat. N.O.R.E & Lapiz)"
- "Le Voa Tirar (Feat. Nitro, Nore & Veneno)"
- "Ratata (Feat. Charlie Velens & Veneno)"
- "Saquen Frente (Feat. Lapiz ,Veneno, Max AgendeMax SantosMax Agende Santos is the bass player of the bachata group Aventura.He began playing bass at age 12, after borrowing an instrument at school. He and his brother Lenny, now a fellow member of Aventura, often experimented together at home in duo, bass, and guitar...
, Amperaje, Nitro, Temperamento, Botella, R1)" - "Que Se Quemen"
- "Avinsele (Feat. Nitro)"
- "Vida Illegal (Feat. Chavito)"
- "Llego La Hora (Feat. Toxic Crow)"
- "Cuchi Remix"
- "Proceso (Feat. J Mil & Amperaje)"
- "Haybaybay (Feat. Trujillo & Al Ferg)"
- "Ven Aqui (Feat. Veneno)"
- "U Don't Wanna (Feat. Max AgendeMax SantosMax Agende Santos is the bass player of the bachata group Aventura.He began playing bass at age 12, after borrowing an instrument at school. He and his brother Lenny, now a fellow member of Aventura, often experimented together at home in duo, bass, and guitar...
)" - "Prefiero Morir (feat. Geto)
- "Somo De Barrio (Feat. DJ Blass & N.O.R.E)"
- "Oye Mi Canto (Mambo)"
Capone
- Pain, TIme & Glory
- "I'll Day For Mines (Feat. Complexion)"
- "I Miss My Dogs"
Capone-N-NoreagaCapone-N-NoreagaCapone-N-Noreaga was an American hip hop duo that consisted of Capone and Noreaga.-History:In 1996 the duo signed with Penalty Records; it also appeared in The Source magazine's Unsigned Hype column...
- The Reunion
- "Full Steezy"
- Channel 10Channel 10 (album)Sample credits* "Bring it Here" contains a sample of "Tom Sawyer" by Rush.* "S.O.R.E." contains a sample of "A Milli" performed by Lil Wayne & "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" performed by Jay-Z & Lil Wayne.- Follow the Dollar :...
- "Channel 10"
- "My Hood (Clipse, Tha Dogg Pound, Maino, Uncle Murda)"
- The War Report 2 - Report The War
- "Live On Live Long Pt.2"
Lapiz Conciente
- Cotorra Asesina
- "El Bloke (Feat. Big Mato)"
- "Tu Y Yo (Feat. N.O.R.E y Big Mato)"
N.O.R.E
- N.O.R.E
- "It's Not A Game"
- Melvin Flynt ‚ Da Hustler
- "Gangsta's Watch"
- "Goin' Legit"
- "First Day Home"
- "Hold Me Down"
- "If You Want it"
- "Flagrant Cops"
- God's FavoriteGod's Favorite (album)God's Favorite is the third solo studio album by rapper N.O.R.E., released on June 25, 2002. The single "Nothin'" reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his biggest hit single and his only to reach the Top 10...
- "Hit Me Slime (featuring Nas, Ice-T, Mike Kyser & Nelly)"
- "Love Ya Moms (featuring Capone, Musalini-N-Maze, Gold & Complexion)"
- "Banned From Another Club (featuring Final Chapter)"
- "Now I Pray (featuring Musalini)"
- "Holla Back Slime (featuring Busta RhymesBusta RhymesTrevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
& JadakissJadakissJason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
)"
- NorealityNorealityNoreality is the fifth solo studio album by rapper N.O.R.E., released on August 28, 2007.Guests include Three 6 Mafia, Jadakiss, Kurupt, Capone, Swizz Beatz, Tru Life, J. Ru$$, Styles P, Kanye West, and more....
- "Paternity Test"
- N.O.R.E - Y la Familia...Ya Tu SabeN.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú SabeN.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe is the fourth solo studio album by rapper N.O.R.E., released on July 18, 2006...
- "Intro"
- "Soy Un Gangsta (feat. Big Mato, Tru-Life & Veneno)"
- "Mas Maiz (feat. Nina Sky, Big Mato, La Negra of LDA, Fat Joe, Lumidee, Chingo Bling & Lil Rob)"
- "Y Voy (feat. Divino)"
- "Bailar Conmigo (feat. Big Mato, Don Omar & Diddy)"
- "Hablar De Amor (feat. Frankie Negron)"
- "Big It Up (feat. T.O.K. & Big Mato)"
- "Palla Yo Voy (feat. Yaga & Mackie)"
- "Cuchi (feat. Big Mato & Ja Rule)"
- "Oye Mi CantoOye Mi Canto"Oye Mi Canto" is a Reggaeton single by N.O.R.E.. The song was originally released in 2004 as the lead single from the album 1 Fan a Day, which is heretofore unreleased. It is his second biggest hit, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later included on the 2006 album N.O.R.E. y la...
(feat. Nina Sky, Gem Star, Daddy Yankee & Big Mato)"
Slam (The Movie)Slam (film)Slam is a 1998 independent film starring Saul Williams and Sonja Sohn. It tells the story of a young African-American man whose talent for poetry is hampered by his social background. It won the Grand Jury Prize for a Dramatic Film at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.- Synopsis :Raymond Joshua is a...
- Slam (The Soundtrack)Slam (soundtrack)Slam: The Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the 1998 film, Slam. It was released on October 13, 1998 through Epic Records and consisted entirely of hip hop music...
- "Thug Poetry (N.O.R.E feat. Maze)"
The Fast & The FuriousThe Fast and the Furious (2001 film)The Fast and the Furious is a 2001 street racing action film starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster. Directed by Rob Cohen, The Fast and the Furious was the first mainstream film to feature the Asian automotive import scene in North America. It is the first film...
- The Fast & The Furious Soundtrack
- "Tudunn Tudunn Tudunn (Make U Jump) Funk FlexFunkmaster FlexAston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
/N.O.R.E (feat. Willie Stubz)"
- "Tudunn Tudunn Tudunn (Make U Jump) Funk Flex
Thicker Than WaterThicker Than Water (1999 film)Thicker Than Water is a 1999 film starring a host of rappers and urban entertainers such as Fat Joe, Mack 10, Ice Cube, MC Eiht, and others. The film contains rappers from both the East and the West Coast, as it was made after the end of the East Coast-West Coast feud.-Cast:*Mack 10 as DJ*Fat Joe...
- Thicker Than Water SoundtrackThicker Than Water (1999 film)Thicker Than Water is a 1999 film starring a host of rappers and urban entertainers such as Fat Joe, Mack 10, Ice Cube, MC Eiht, and others. The film contains rappers from both the East and the West Coast, as it was made after the end of the East Coast-West Coast feud.-Cast:*Mack 10 as DJ*Fat Joe...
- "Police Rush The Spot (N.O.R.E feat. Maze & Musolini)"