Vakero
Dominican singer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manuel Varet Marte (born July 21, 1981), known as Vakero, is a Dominican singer and rapper, believed to be one of the most important acts of the Dominican urban music movement and one of the first to gain international exposure.[citation needed] Known for blending elements of punta, cumbia and merengue[which?] with Dominican urban and dembow music, he is heavily influenced by reggae and afro-pop with his characteristic style influenced by the rastafari movement.[1]
Vakero | |
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Born | Manuel Varet Marte (1981-07-21) July 21, 1981 (age 42) San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic |
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Years active | 1995–present |
Children | 10 |
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Marte began his musical career in 1995 as a solo act, before finding underground success as part of Dominican hip hop duo Perfecto Clan. From 2006 to 2008, Vakero was involved in a publicized feud with fellow Dominican rapper Lapiz Conciente, highlighted in the diss track, "Se Partio El Lapiz", along with his debut album "Pa ke te Mate", which gained international attention.[citation needed] By 2008, he was listed on Billboard's Top 5 Rising Latin Urban Act, with the track "Se Partio El Lapiz" being used as part of CSI: Miami's soundtrack.[2][3]
In 2010, he gained international attention for his track "Que Mujer Tan Chula", and in 2011, he received the "Urban Artist of the Year" award from the Soberano Awards. In 2014, along with Mozart La Para and Don Miguelo, he became the first Dominican urban artist to headline at the Festival Presidente De La Musica Latina. In 2015, he released his third studio album "Yo", and in 2017, his album "Mutuacion" was released to positive reception.[4][5][6]