José Luis Maldonado Ramos (born 26 July 1987),[1] better known by his stage name C-Kan, is a Mexican singer, songwriter and rapper signed to Mastred Trax since 2012. He became popular in 2012 through his success on social networks, with his demo "Voy Por El Sueño De Muchos" (2012) "Classification C, Vol. 1" (2014).[2] "Vivo La Vida Cantando" is the title of the first single from his second album, entitled Clasificación C. In 2015, C-Kan released his third album entitled "Clasificacion C, Vol. 2". HMexiCKanos was released on 20 November 2016 in physical format in Mexico and digital format (on iTunes).

C-Kan
Background information
Birth nameJosé Luis Maldonado Ramos
Also known asEl Perro de la C
Born (1987-07-26) 26 July 1987 (age 37)
OriginGuadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
InstrumentVocals
Years active2008–present
LabelsMastered Trax Latino [es]

C-Kan has over 5 million subscribers on its YouTube channel and over 100 million views. He worked with artists such as MC Davo, Dharius, Santa Fe Klan, Gera Mx, B-Real, Don Dinero, Don Cheto, Lil Rob, T Lopez, Chingo Bling, Baby Bash, SPM, King Lil G, 50 Cent, MC Magic, Pipo Ti, Al2 El Aldeano, Kinto Sol, Fermín IV and Sick Jacken.

Career

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C-Kan began rapping when he was a teenager, rhyming about life in the streets, gangs, drugs and violence. His first group mixtape, 'Get Money', released in 2006. That same year his first individual mixtape arrived: ‘Déjenme Afinar los Gallos’.[1]

In 2007, he released his second mixtape, called "Siluetas del Rap", and a few months after, he released "Déjame Afilar Los Gallos". Following this h was signed by Mastered Trax Latino. Along with fellow rappers, Bodka37 and Masibo, C-Kan formed a group called Radikales, releasing their first single "La Rebelión de un Sueño" by the end of 2007.

For the following years, he focused on new singles and improving his onstage performance. He attracted attention through his music videos posted on YouTube, as well as appearances on Mexican news programs where he spoke about the social issues in his lyrics.[3]

2012–2015

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C-Kan signed to Mastered Trax Latino in 2012, and released his first album: Voy por el sueño de muchos. Two years later he released his second album as part of Mastered Trax, titled Clasificación C, followed by Clasificación C, Vol. 2 (2015).[1][4]

In 2015, C-Kan and Julión Álvarez were the only two Mexican artists promoted through Tidal after the music-service launched its platform in Mexico.[5] Popular songs from Clasificación C, Vol. 2 were performed via livestream on 29 October 2015[6] at Auditorio Benito Juárez.[7]

2016–present

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C-Kan made his debut as a soundtrack composer in 2016 for Pantelion Films newest movie, Compadres.[8] On 1 July 2016, he released the album, Antes de Todo.[8]

He was among the more than 60 performers at Budweiser's two-day "Made in America" festival in 2016.[9]

On 26 May 2017 he released a collaboration album with Pipo Ti [es] called Días de sol [es].[10]

C-Kan appeared alongside Tanque, Menuda Coincidencia, Beast Jin, Serko Fu, Tino El Penguin, Aczino [es], and Mike Díaz in Kyzza Terrazas' documentary Somos lengua, covering the growth of rap and hip-hop in Mexico. The documentary premiered at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York 22 September 2017.[11]

In 2020, C-Kan signed with 33 & West for exclusive representation in the U.S. and Canada.[12]

He released the album Mi Cancion in 2021.[13]

C-Kan performed in Houston with Santa Fe Klan on 16 March 2022.[13] He also toured with MC Davo and Dharius from 30 August 2022 to 14 October 2022.[14]

On 30 September 2023, the song Por Mi México (Remix), a collaboration between Lefty Sm and Santa Fe Klan, and featuring Dharius, C-Kan, MCDavo, and Neto Peña, peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.[15] It had debuted at number 7 in Latin Digital song sales.[16] The music video reached number 14 on YouTube Music's Top Videos in Mexico for the week of 8—14 March 2024.[17]

For the week of 15 March — 21 March 2024, C-Kan was at number 64 on the YouTube Music Mexico Most popular Streaming Artists Chart.[18]

Musical style

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Maldonado states his musical influences are reggaeton & rap. Maldonado stated that his biggest influences are rappers like Control Machete, Cypress Hill, Dyablo, Magisterio, Caballeros del Plan G, Gamberroz, Big Boy and Vico C.

Maldonado's music has been known as "reggaetonero" and "romantic rapper". Most of his songs are often used autotune.

Personal life

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C-Kan was born and raised in the city of Guadalajara. At the age of 12 his father died, and he began making a life on the streets of Guadalajara. Alongside crime and violence, rap was also part of his life, and at 16, Ramos Maldonado discovered his talent for it.[19] He is also father of a child.[19]

Politics

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He has stated that the violence he talks about in his music is a reflection of real life that is a direct result of "poverty and the lack of education".[5]

C-Kan is also known for supporting the free use of marijuana in México. In an interview for the Costa Rican newspaper La Nación, he admitted using it, and claimed that public opinion will change as he believes misinformation is responsible for the current attitude toward the use of marijuana.[19]

C-Kan has stated that he believes the government of Mexico is manipulating the public through the news media, praising social media as a vehicle for allowing people to obtain information the government would prefer they not have. He specifically cites the incidents of the Iguala mass kidnapping, and the incident in which the Federal Police killed protestors in Apatzingán. He has also expressed concern with the distribution of wealth in Mexico.[20]

In 2016, C-Kan publicly stated that he would not enter the United States as long as Donald Trump remained President in direct response to the disparaging comments Trump made regarding Mexicans.[21]

Tours

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  • Urbano Fest
  • Mi Canción Tour USA 2022, with Santa Fe Klan[23]
  • LiveNation USA Tour 2022, with MC Davo and Dharius[14]

Discography

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Albums

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Títle Details Positions Positions
USA[2] MEX
Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos' iTunes 1
Clasificación C, Vol. 1
  • Launching: 21 July 2014[29]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download
Billboard
Top Latin Albums, 42[30]
Latin Rhythm Albums, 3[31]
Clasificación C, Vol. 2
  • Launching: 16 March 2015[32]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download
Billboard
Top Latin Albums, 28[33]
Latin Rhythm Albums, 5[34]
Antes de Todo
  • Launching: 30 June 2016[35]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download
  • Deluxe Edition release same day[36]
Billboard
Latin Rhythm Albums, 6[37]
MexiCKanos
  • Launching: 19 November 2016[38]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download
Billboard
Top Latin Albums, 24[39]
Latin Rhythm Albums, 3[40]
Días de Sol
with Pipo Ti
  • Launching: 25 May 2017[41]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download
Greatest Hits
  • Launching: 1 November 2018[42]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download
Baúl
  • Launching: 5 November 2020[43]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download
Mi Canción
  • Launching: 19 August 2021[44]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download
Baúl 2
  • Launching 7 December 2023[45]
  • Label: Mastered Trax Latino
  • Formats: CD, Music download

Music videos

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "C-Kan Biografía". masteredrtrax.com. masteredtrax. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b "C-Kan – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  3. ^ "C-Kan". iTunes Store.
  4. ^ "C-Kan Biography". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b Cantor-Navas, Judy (29 October 2015). "Meet Mexican Rapper C-Kan". Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  6. ^ Centeno, Tony M. (29 October 2015). "Mexican Rapper C-Kan Takes His Career To The Next Level With TIDAL". Vibe (Interview). Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  7. ^ de la Peña, Gloria (29 October 2015). "Exponentes de hip hop y rap se dieron cita en el Foro de las Fiestas de Octubre". Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b Flores, Griselda (1 April 2016). "Mexican Rapper C-Kan on Compadres Soundtrack". Billboard (Interview).
  9. ^
  10. ^ Villegas, Lizbeth (8 June 2017). "C-Kan y Pipo Ti, juntos sacan chispas" [C-Kan and Pipo Ti, together they create sparks]. El Diario Guadelejara (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Documental mexicano Somos lengua llega a Nueva York" [Mexican Documentary We Are Language arrives in New York]. Cronica (in Spanish). 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  12. ^ "33 & West Signs Mexican Rapper C-Kan: Exclusive". Billboard (Press release). 28 September 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  13. ^ a b Guerra, Joey (11 January 2022). "Mexican rappers Santa Fe Klan and C-Kan set Houston date". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  14. ^ a b "C-Kan, MC Davo, and Dharius Announce USA Tour 2022". LiveNation (Press release). 20 July 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Hot Latin Songs, week of September 30, 2023". Billboard. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Latin Digital Song Sales, Week of September 16, 2023". Billboard. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Weekly Top Music Videos: Mexico, for the week of 8 March — 11 March 2024". YouTube. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  18. ^ "YouTube Music Mexico Most Popular Streaming Artists, week of 15 March — 21 March 2024". YouTube Music. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  19. ^ a b c Campos, Carlos Soto (3 May 2016). "C-Kan: 'El rap eres tú mismo y el ritmo puede variar mil veces'". La Nación (Interview) (in Spanish).
  20. ^ Bryan, Beverly. "The Outspoken Guadalajara MC Has Become an Independent Voice for Mexico's Wired Generation, One Uploaded Rap Video at a Time". Vesper Public Relations (Press release). Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  21. ^ Perez, Daniela (14 December 2016). "C-Kan rechazará ir a Estados Unidos mientras Trump esté en la presidencia" [C-Kan will refuse to go to the United States while Trump is in office]. Publimetro (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  22. ^ Mañon, Dalva (23 August 2017). "C-Kan prepara su gira por toda la Unión Americana". El Nuevo Diario (in European Spanish). Los Angeles, CA. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  23. ^ "All the Latin Tours Announced for 2022 (Updating)". Billboard. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  24. ^ Jerkins, Justin (24 February 2022). "Top 35 Live Shows & Concerts This Month: March 2022". 365 Things in Houston. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  25. ^ "C-Kan at Encore in Tucson, AZ". Phenomenon Concerts (Press release). 19 March 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  26. ^ "C-Kan, Arce MX". Strummer's (Press release). 26 March 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  27. ^ "C-Kan || Mi canción USA Tour 2022". Bossanova Ballroom (Press release). 3 April 2022.
  28. ^ "C-Kan: Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  29. ^ "C-Kan: Clasificación C, Vol. 1". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Top Latin Albums, week of August 9, 2014". Billboard. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Latin Rhythm Albums, week of August 9, 2014". Billboard. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  32. ^ "C-Kan: Clasificación C, Vol. 2". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Top Latin Albums, week of April 4, 2015". Billboard. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Latin Rhythm Albums, week of April 4, 2015". Billboard. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  35. ^ "C-Kan: Antes de Todo". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  36. ^ "C-Kan: Antes de Todo: Deluxe Edition". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  37. ^ "Latin Rhythm Albums, week of July 23, 2016". Billboard. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  38. ^ "C-Kan: MexiCKanos". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  39. ^ "Top Latin Albums, week of December 10, 2016". Billboard. 10 December 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Latin Rhythm Albums, week of December 10, 2016". Billboard. 10 December 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  41. ^ "C-Kan: Días de Sol". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  42. ^ "C-Kan: Greatest Hits". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  43. ^ "C-Kan: Baúl". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  44. ^ "C-Kan: Mi Canción". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  45. ^ "C-Kan: Baúl 2". AudioMack. Retrieved 4 April 2024.