Pitbull Proved Me Wrong
I laughed when Pitbull was announced at the headliner for this year’s Wawa Welcome America concert on the Parkway in Philly. It seemed like a bad joke after all the years with The Roots and then Mary J. Blige leading the show.
Pitbull and Philly? I didn’t get it. Pitbull, born Armando Christian Perez, was Miami. I mean one his nicknames is Mr. 305, the area code for Miami. His other nickname, my favorite, is Mr. Worldwide. When I think of Pitbull I think of salsa hips, tight white pants, and Miami. He’d be a joke at Philly’s 4th of July concert.
Man, was I wrong.
Pitbull brought it. I accidentally turned on the broadcast as his intro started and I was glued to the television for the following 75 or so minutes. And, damn, I know way more Pitbull songs than I thought. Dude is a hit machine. Dude is in great cardio shape, too, because he didn’t stop dancing or bouncing for the entire set.
However, the music wasn’t the highlight. It was Pitbull’s messaging between songs that captured the essence of America and the Fourth of July. He spoke of being the son of Cuban immigrants, of being raised in a single-parent home, of hard work, and accepting one another no matter our backgrounds. Pitbull was a messenger of positivity.
The theme of Pitbull’s set was about inclusivity, being united rather than divided, and how we are all one regardless of your or what language you speak. He delivered his message from a place of love, without any divisive or heated rhetoric in turbulent, divided times. He even gently reminded us all that we are descendants of immigrants unless you are Native American.
I’m not gonna be putting on Pitbull records or songs while hanging around the house or in my car–maybe Don’t Stop the Party. Most of the people I know won’t. His music doesn’t work like that. But, I ain’t gonna complain if I’m drunk at a wedding or on a dance floor and one of his jawns comes on because I’ll associate with fun times, positivity, and acceptance.
Pitbull for President…stranger things have happened.