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Fito Blanko (born Roberto E. Testa) is a Panamanian-Canadian tropical urban singer, songwriter, and producer.
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Fito Blanko | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Roberto E. Testa |
| Born | May 7 Panama City, Panama |
| Origin | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Tropical urban |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2003-present |
| Labels | Crown Loyalty & Mr. 305 |
| Website | fitoblanko |
Fito Blanko created his own sound by combining his Panamanian dancehall roots with a North American delivery. Fito Blanko is officially a Mississauga walk of fame inductee, class of 2017. He was inducted alongside Canadian music Icons; Liberty Silver, Randy Lennox and Alex Pagman.
Fito has history that spans back to the early 2000s as a teenagers jumping in the Latin pop/urban market. Songs with Drake (2009) showcases some of the history behind Canada's most prolific Latin pop artist. Fans and industry professionals agree Fito Blanko is one of the hottest talents to enter the Latin crossover market. Fito Emigrated from Panama to Canada as a youngster, and he began writing lyrics in English and Spanish at the age of 14.
He expanded into the American Market in 2011 with the independent release of "VIP" featuring Fuego, which charted on three U.S Latin Billboard charts: Latin Rhythm, Tropical Latin, Latin Pop. From New York to L.A to Miami, Fito quickly developed a reputation for lighting up parties with his electrifying performances and charm.
The year 2012 kicked off with Canada's largest daily newspaper, The Toronto Star, giving Fito front-page coverage in its People To Watch 2012 feature. His Follow up single " Pegaito Suavecito' topped the radio charts in South Florida for almost a month during the summer 2012 further branding his unique style in the U.S. The re-release of 'Pegaito Suavecito" featuring the tropical music legend and multi Grammy Award Winning Icon 'Elvis Crespo' went on to dominate the charts and became Blanko's first number #1 Latin Billboard chart topper in November 2012.
In 2013 Fito Shared the stage with 'Elvis Crespo' performing the #1 Tropical Billboard hit 'Pegaito Suavecito' during Premios Lo Nuestro 25th Anniversary wards ceremony. During the week of the 2013 Billboard awards, Fito Blanko had 4 songs charting in the top 40 simultaneously, and became the 1st Canadian Latino Artist to achieve these chart positions. 'Mi Princesa', 'Esta Fiesta Remix', 'Pegaito Suavecito', 'Si Te Agarro' all appeared in various Billboard Charts at the same time. In July of the same year, Fito was nominated for the 'Cancion del verano' (song of the summer) category at Premios Juventud where he performed live with DJ Chino and Papayo their hit single 'Si Te Agarro'. Adding to the list of nominations, Fito & Elvis Crespo were nominated for their 'HIT' in the 'Best Party Song' ( Cancion Comienza Fiestas) at the Premios Tu Mundo in August 2013 making Fito a leading voice in Tropical Music. Blanko was nominated for 'Best Urban Performance' at the 14th annual edition of the Latin Grammy awards and was awarded platinum status for 'Pegaito Suavecito' by the U.S RIAA. Fito was also recognized with a BMI Award of Excellence in 2014 from the most airplay in the U.S & Puerto Rico.
In 2015, Blanko was featured on the original motion picture soundtrack for the Furious 7 ( Previously known as Fast & Furious). The Grammy- Nominated artist's "Meneo" is heard during the movie and appears courtesy of Mr305Inc on the 16-track Soundtrack LP by Atlantic Records. The album went #1 on the Billboard 200 and the movie also went on top the box office charts setting a world record for the fastest movie to reach 1 billion dollars in sales. Blanko was named Cultural Ambassador/Spokes person of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am games. The Pan Am games provided the perfect platform for the young artist to step up as a community leader and give back. His Pan Am games inspired theme song 'Come Alive' was featured during the live broadcast of the opening/ closing ceremonies which also included performances by Pitbull and Kanye West. The Grammy nominated artist was recognized with the prestigious #1 Song Award by the 'Society Of Composers Authors Music Publishers Canada' (SOCAN) that same summer and later inducted in Mississaugas 'CANADIAN MUSIC WALK OF FAME' (Class of 2017).
Fito Participated in the official Swiss FIFA RUSSIA 2018 Anthem 'OLE OLE' with DJ Antoine. The song was heard in all tournament stadiums and broadcast worldwide during all Swiss games garnering millions of streams online. Blanko kicked off 2019 with two Top10 Billboard productions. 'La Gringa' with 'Bright Lights' peaked #6 in the U.S Billboard dance charts and cracked the Billboard Hot Electronic Top20 charts becoming Blankos first entry in the U.S American charts. Fitos second entry in the charts that year came as the co producer/songwriter of "Ella Me Beso" by Elvis Crespo. The song went on to crack the Top10 peaking at #4 in the Tropical Billboard Charts. The Latin stars international appeal and sound was sought after by the Czech artist and Eurovision superstar Mikolas Josef the same year. They collaborated in the European Hit 'Accapella' Produced by Canadian music veteran Jenson Vaughn. The song took the #1 iTunes spot in Czech Republic, Poland and Germany and has over 25 YouTube views to date. 2020 saw the resurgence of 'Meneo' regaining popularity via TikTok & Instagram Music. The song accumulated over 500,000 streams in April 2020 alone and peaked #3 In the Japanese iTunes/Shazam charts.
Blankos Production/Remixing credits include: Pitbull,Gente De Zona, Rick Ross, J Balvin, Enrique Iglessias, Shakira, Fat Joe, Chris Brown, Sergio George, Beenie Man and Juan Magan to name a few. Fito's contribution and impact to Canadian Latin music is one of a kind
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| Awards, nomination and highlights for Fito Blanko | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
| 2005 | People's Magazine | New Latin Sensation | Fito Blanko | Recognition |
| 2005 | The Latin Industry Award | Best Artist | Fito Blanko | Awarded |
| 2005 | Canadian Urban Music | Global Rhythms, International Recording Artist | Fito Blanko | Awarded |
| 2007 | The Annual Socca Awards | Carnival Chutney Monarch of The Year | Fito Blanko | Awarded |
| 2011 | Billboard Debut | Latin Rhythms, Tropical, Latin Pop | VIP | Awarded |
| 2011 | Billboard Top 10 | Latin Rhythm | VIP | Awarded |
| 2012 | Toronto Star Front Page | Artists to Watch 2012 | Fito Blanko | Recognition |
| 2012 | #1 Billboard | Tropical Airplay | Pegaito Suavecito | Awarded |
| 2013 | Premios Lo Nuestro | Best Tropical Song | Pegaito Suavecito | Nominated/ Performer |
| 2013 | Premios Juventud (Latin Teenage Choice Awards) |
Cancion Del Verano (Song of the Summer) |
"Si Te Agarro" (credited to DJ Chino feat. Fito Blanko, Papayo) |
Nominated |
| 2013 | Premios Tu Mundo (Latin World Awards) |
Cancion Comienzas Fiestas (Best Party Starter Song) |
"Pegadito Suavecito" (credited to Elvis Crespo & Fito Blanko) |
Nominated |
| 2013 | Canadian Urban Music Conference | One To Watch Artisrt of The Year | Fito Blanko | Awarded |
| 2013 | Billboard Top 40 | 4 Songs in Top 40 Simultaneously | Fito Blanko | Awarded |
| 2013 | Latin Grammy | Best Urban Performance | Pegaito Suavecito | Nominated |
| 2013 | Latin Grammy | Presenter | Presenter | |
| 2014 | BMI | PREMIO BMI EXCELENCE | Pegaito Suaveceito | Awarded |
| 2014 | Billboard Article | 4 Artists to Watch | Fito Blanko | Recognition |
| 2014 | Latino Magazine | Front Cover | Fito Blanko | Recognition |
| 2015 | Furious 7 Soundtrack | #1 Box Office Records ($1 Billion) | Meneo | Awarded |
| 2015 | Billboard 200 | #1 Billboard Hot 200 | Meneo | Awarded |
| 2015 | Socan | Socan #1 Award | Meneo | Awarded |
| 2015 | RIAA | RIAA PLATINO | Pegaito Suaveceito | Awarded |
| 2015 | 2015 Pan AM Games | Ambassador | Fito Blanko | Recognition |
| 2016 | RIAA | RIAA Platinum | Meneo - Furious 7 Soundtrack | Awarded |
| 2017 | Canadian Music Walk of Fame | Inductee 2017 - Star | Fito Blanko | Awarded |
| 2018 | Russia 2018 FIFA world Cup | Switzerland Official Song | "Ole Ole" Ft. DJ Antonie | |
| 2018 | Direct Co Op Award | The David Award | Fito Blanko | Awarded |
| 2019 | Billboard Top 10 | Dance Club Charts & Hot Electronic (Top 20) | Gringa | Awarded |
| 2019 | Billboard Top 10 | Tropical Airplay | Ella Me Beso | Awarded |
| 2019 | #1 iTunes Charts | #1 ItUnes Charts Czech Republic | Acapella | |
| 2019 | GOLD / PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS | Gold & Platinum in Japan, UK, Australia | Meneo Furious 7 Soundtrack | Recognition |
| 2020 | #3 iTunes Charts | #3 iTunes Charts in Japan | Meneo | Recognition |
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Albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Higher Level |
|
| First Class | 2009 |
| Paraiso Nocturno | 2015 |
| Furious 7 "Meneo" | 2015 |
| Party People | 2018 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "By My Side" (featuring Bliz) |
Higher Level |
| "Me Voy A Marchar" | ||
| "Sobeteo" | ||
| "Fronteo" (featuring Trivales) | ||
| "Take Her Home" | ||
| 2006 | "Cambia El Juego / Change The Game" (featuring Tef) |
Non-album singles |
| "Watch You Flex" (featuring Rochester aka Juice) | ||
| "Fuego" (featuring Bishop Brigante) | ||
| "Boom Boom" | ||
| "Dos Salidas De Emergencia Sensei" (Remix) | ||
| "Sexy Love" (Remix) | ||
| 2007 | "Caile Sensei" (Remix) (featuring Rochester aka Juice) | |
| "Pretty Gurl" (featuring D'Hitman) | ||
| "No Te Quiere" (Remix) | ||
| 2009 | "Mambo" (featuring Drake) | |
| "Superstar Parang D Big Rich Pelau" (featuring Various Trinidad Artists) | ||
| 2010 | "Dip Low" | |
| "Whine On You" (featuring Omari Ferrari) | ||
| "Tu Amiga Esta Mejor" (featuring Mr.Saik) | ||
| 2011 | "VIP" (featuring Fuego) |
Featured artist
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | "Ole Ole" (DJ Antoine featuring Karl Wolf and Fito Blanko) |
Non-album singles |
| 2019 | "Yes" (Karl Wolf featuring Super Sako, Deena and Fito Blanko) | |
| "Acapella" (Mikolas Josef featuring Fito Blanko and Frankie J) |
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