Alex Zurdo
{{Short description|Puerto Rican singer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image =
| caption = Alex Zurdo in 2020
| birth_name = Alexis Vélez Alberio
| alias = Alex Zurdo
De la a a la Z
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|06|10}}
| origin = Puerto Rico
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = Rapper, songwriter
| instrument = Piano
| years_active = 2004–present
| label = AZ Music, Heaven Music, Nain Music
| website = {{URL|http://www.alexzurdomusic.com/site/}}
}}
Alexis Vélez Alberio, also known as Alex Zurdo, is a Puerto Rican Christian music rapper and songwriter.{{Cite news|title=Viva Friday Playlist: The Best Latin Songs of the Week by Fonseca, Alex Zurdo, Felipe Pelaez & More|language=en|work=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8464263/viva-friday-playlist-best-songs-fonseca-alex-zurdo/|access-date=April 8, 2021}}
He has almost a dozen musical productions,{{Cite web|title=Mañana Álex Zurdo se toma el Tabernáculo de la fe|url=https://www.diaadia.com.pa/fama/manana-alex-zurdo-se-toma-el-tabernaculo-de-la-fe-673236|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=Dia a Dia|language=es}} and has been awarded the GMA Dove Award{{Cite web|date=October 16, 2019|title=Complete List Of 2019 Dove Award Winners|url=https://www.nashville.com/complete-list-of-2019-dove-award-winners/|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=Nashville.com|language=en-US}} and Arpa Awards,{{Cite web|title=XV EDICIÓN PREMIOS ARPA – Premios ARPA|url=https://premiosarpa.org/2019/04/05/xv-edicion-premios-arpa/|access-date=February 18, 2021|language=es-MX}} having also been nominated for a Latin Grammy,{{Cite web|title=Lista completa de los ganadores de los premios Latin Grammy 2019|url=https://www.univision.com/shows/latin-grammy/lista-completa-de-los-ganadores-de-los-premios-latin-grammy-2019|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=Univision|language=spanish}}{{Cite web|date=September 24, 2019|title=BMI Congratulates its 2019 Latin GRAMMY Nominees|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi-congratulates-its-2019-latin-grammy-nominees|access-date=February 18, 2021|website=BMI.com|language=en}} and a Tu Música Urbano award.{{Cite web|title=Premios Tu Música Urbano 2020: Aquí están los nominados|url=https://www.telemundo.com/shows/premios-tu-musica-urbano/premios-tu-musica-urbano-2020-esta-es-la-lista-completa-de-nominados-tmna3620655|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=TELEMUNDO.com|language=en}}
He has been the main artist in various concerts and events around Latin America,{{Cite web|date=October 11, 2019|title=Llega a Nicaragua el cantante puertorriqueño Alex Zurdo|url=https://www.vivanicaragua.com.ni/2019/10/11/variedades/llega-nicaragua-cantante-puertorriqueno-alex-zurdo/|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=Viva Nicaragua Canal 13|language=es}}{{Cite web|title=Alex Zurdo pone a bailar a la juventud de Tegucigalpa|url=https://www.elheraldo.hn/entretenimiento/1273549-466/alex-zurdo-pone-a-bailar-a-la-juventud-de-tegucigalpa|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=Diario El Heraldo|language=es-HN}} sharing stages with Funky,{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2016 |title=Concierto de Álex Zurdo y Funky en el sur de Guayaquil |url=https://www.eluniverso.com/vida-estilo/2016/11/11/nota/5896801/concierto-alex-zurdo-funky-sur-urbe |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=El Universo |language=es}} Vico C,{{Cite web |last=Túa |first=Lynet Santiago |title=Alex Zurdo festeja su primera década junto a Vico C y Funky |url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2015/06/01/alex-zurdo-festeja-su-primera-decada-junto-a-vico-c-y-funky.html |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=Metro |language=es}} Marcos Witt,{{Cite web|last=Garcia|first=Marco Antonio Ayala|date=May 22, 2019|title=Heaven Music Fest {{!}} El Cielo en CMDX|url=https://robotto.mx/2019/05/heaven-music-fest-el-cielo-en-cmdx/|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=Robotto.mx|language=es}} Christine D'Clario,{{Cite web|date=July 15, 2019|title=Christine D'Clario en Heaven Music Fest|url=https://robotto.mx/2019/07/christine-d-clario-en-heaven-music-fest/|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=Robotto.mx|language=es}} Tercer Cielo,{{Cite web |title=Regresa el ICPR's Music Fest |url=https://www.elvocero.com/actualidad/regresa-el-icpr-s-music-fest/article_35a6933c-51d6-11e9-b85d-db0eb8429170.html |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=El Vocero de Puerto Rico |language=es}} Danilo Montero,{{Cite web|date=July 29, 2019|title=¡Prográmese! Estas son las actividades al 'gratin' del Festival de Verano en Bogotá|url=https://www.rcnradio.com/bogota/festival-de-verano-de-bogota-tendra-mas-de-200-actividades-gratuitas|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=RCN Radio|language=es}} Marcos Vidal,{{Cite web|title=Christian Fest Live 2020 espera reunir a más de 35 mil personas|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/farandula/Christian-Fest-Live-2020-espera-reunir-a-mas-de-35-mil-personas-20200301-0071.html|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=Noticias de El Salvador - La Prensa Gráfica {{!}} Informate con la verdad|language=es-ES}} and collaborated with artists such as Olga Tañón,{{Cite web|date=June 26, 2018|title=Olga Tañon habla sobre su fe y el video 'Todo Pasará|url=https://cvclavoz.com/podcasts/olga-tanon-habla-sobre-su-fe-y-el-video-todo-pasara/|access-date=February 18, 2021|website=CVCLAVOZ|language=es}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Gabriel Rodríguez EMC,{{Cite web|title=Artista cristiano celebra nominación en Premios Tu Música Urbano|url=https://www.primerahora.com/entretenimiento/musica/notas/artista-cristiano-celebra-nominacion-en-premios-tu-musica-urbano/|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=Primera Hora|language=spanish}} among others.{{Cite web|title=Alex Zurdo celebra en grande sus 10 años de carrera y 32 de vida|url=https://www.heldahoy.com/2015/06/08/alex-zurdo-celebra-en-grande-sus-10-anos-de-carrera-y-32-de-vida/|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=Helda Hoy|language=es-PE}}
Musical career
Alex Zurdo was born on June 10, 1983, in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico.{{Cite web|title=Alex Zurdo – HeavenMusic|url=https://heavenmusic.com/alex-zurdo/|access-date=February 18, 2021|language=es}} At the age of 11 he wrote his first rap songs. At 13, he had his first piano and learned to play it himself.{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2018 |title=Alex Zurdo, el cantante invitado a Color Fest 2018 |url=https://www.eluniverso.com/entretenimiento/2018/10/04/nota/6983861/alez-zurdo-cantante-invitado-color-fest-2018 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=El Universo |language=es}} In the following years he participated in several non-Christian rap and reggaeton productions as "Zurdo",{{Citation|title=El Imperio: Reggaeton - El Imperio {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/el-imperio-reggaeton-mw0000655311|language=en|access-date=February 18, 2021}} in duet with Rey Blasto, Zurdo did also a duet with Blasto in 2003 in the album Rolexx: La Hora De La Venganza.{{Citation|title=Reggaeton Dembow - Various Artists {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/reggaeton-dembow-mw0000562911|language=en|access-date=February 18, 2021}} In the next year at the age of 21, he began his musical ministry, including ministrations, conferences and seminars and launched his first production of Christian music, entitled Nada es mío, distributed by Universal Music Latino.{{Citation|title=Nada Es Mio - Alex Zurdo {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/nada-es-mio-mw0000366768|language=en|access-date=February 18, 2021}}
After his first album, Zurdo released from 2005 to 2009, one album per year. Albums such as Con propósito, Se trata de ti (with Jonny L), De Gloria en Gloria - La Trayectoria, Una y mil razones and Así son las cosas.{{Cite web|title=Testi Canzoni Alex Zurdo Discografia Discography Albums Album|url=http://www.angolotesti.it/A/testi_canzoni_alex_zurdo_49694/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=www.angolotesti.it|language=it}}{{Cite web|title=Fotos: 10 datos que no conocías del cantante Alex Zurdo|url=https://www.elheraldo.hn/fotogalerias/entretenimiento/1272878-468/fotos-10-datos-que-no-conocías-del-cantante-alex-zurdo|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=Diario El Heraldo|language=es-HN}}
His seventh production titled Mañana Es Hoy ("Tomorrow is today") took three years. The musical production was in charge of the producer duo Marcos Ramírez and Víctor Torres (Los Tranz4Merz), Effect-O, DJ Cróniko and Zurdo himself.{{Cite web|title=Concierto de Alex Zurdo en Tegucigalpa|url=https://www.elheraldo.hn/vida/598204-220/concierto-de-alex-zurdo-en-tegucigalpa|access-date=February 26, 2021|website=Diario El Heraldo}} It was promoted with the single "¿Dónde estás?" ("Where are you?"), which talks about the importance of fatherhood.{{Cite web|title=La paternidad le cambió la vida a Álex Zurdo|url=https://www.primerahora.com/entretenimiento/musica/notas/la-paternidad-le-cambio-la-vida-a-alex-zurdo/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=Primera Hora|language=es}} Since 2012, their productions have been released every two years, and nominations and recognitions for various ceremonies such as the Arpa Awards and AMCL began.{{Cite web|title=ALEX ZURDO|url=https://g12radio.com/alex-zurdo/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=G12 Radio|language=es|archive-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804212825/http://g12radio.com/alex-zurdo/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=NOMINADOS|url=http://premiosamcl.jimdofree.com/nominados/33-edición-2012/|access-date=February 18, 2021|website=Premios AMCL|language=es-ES}} This album is Zurdo's first to make it onto the Billboard charts,{{Cite web|date=August 20, 2012|title=El ministro Alex Zurdo por primera vez en la revista Billboard|url=https://www.cristojuvenil.com.do/el-ministro-alex-zurdo-por-primera-vez-en-la-revista-billboard/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=CristoJuvenil.Com {{!}} Actualidad Cristiana|language=es}} debuting at number 9 on Latin Rhythm Albums,{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RsAnJ7Zx_qgC&q=te+busco+alex+zurdo+billboard&pg=RA5-PA54 |title=Latin |date=January 7, 2012 |work=Billboard |language=en}} remaining in the top 15 for over 20 weeks.{{Cite web|title=Latin Rhythm Albums Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/latin-rhythm-albums/2012-06-30|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=Billboard}} For this record production, Zurdo won three AMCL Awards in 2012, in the categories Urban album of the year, Urban song of the year for "Mañana es hoy" and Musical intervention of the year for "Si no hay amor" ("If there is no love") with Vanessa Vissepó.{{Cite web|title=Premios AMCL 2012|url=http://premiosamcl.jimdofree.com/inicio/premios-amcl-2012/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=Premios AMCL|language=es-ES}}
De la A a la Z ("From A to Z") was launched in 2014 and featured the participation of Redimi2, Christine D'Clario, Nancy Amancio and Samuel Hernández.{{Cite web|date=August 1, 2014|title=El cantante de música urbana Alex Zurdo lanza su mas reciente producción musical "De la A a la Z"|url=https://www.buenasnuevas.live/noticias/de-la-a-la-z-nuevo-album-de-alex-zurdo/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=Buenas Nuevas|language=en-US}} The album debuted at number 4 on Billboard
On the "From A to Z" tour,{{Cite web|title=Alex Zurdo celebra 10 años de carrera con el concierto "De la A a la Z"|url=http://www.peoplemusic.com/alex-zurdo-celebra-10-anos-de-carrera-con-el-concierto-de-la-a-a-la-z/|access-date=February 25, 2021|language=en-US}} Zurdo's first live album was recorded, which was titled AZ Live and was released in 2016. The concert that was used for the recording of the album was that of its presentation in his native country, specifically at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot.{{Cite web|title=Alex Zurdo lanza nuevo proyecto musical "AZ Live"|url=http://ondaexclusiva.com/alex-zurdo-presenta-su-nuevo-proyecto-musical-az-live/|access-date=February 25, 2021|language=en-US}} The album was nominated at the 2017 Arpa Awards in the categories "Best Live Album" and "Best Urban Album".{{Cite web|title=XIII EDICIÓN PREMIOS ARPA|work=Premios ARPA|url=http://premiosarpa.org/2017/07/11/xiii/|access-date=February 25, 2021|language=es-MX}}
In 2018, he released his album ¿Quién contra nosotros? (Who Against Us? in English), also, it obtained at the Dove Awards the recognition of "Song of the Year in Spanish" for the single "Sin ti",{{Cite web|date=October 18, 2018|title=BMI Congratulates its 2018 Dove Award Winners|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi-congratulates-its-2018-dove-award-winners|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=BMI.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Alex Zurdo gana el Dove Award a la Canción del Año en Español por su canción "Sin Ti" {{!}} Contexto Media Group|url=https://contextomediagroup.com/alex-zurdo-gana-el-dove-award-a-la-cancion-del-ano-en-espanol-por-su-cancion-sin-ti/|access-date=February 26, 2021|language=es}} while in 2019, being nominated as Best Christian Album in Spanish at the Latin Grammy Awards, Dove Awards and Arpa Awards, being the winner in these last two ceremonies as "Best Christian Album in Spanish",{{Cite web|first1=Matthew|last1=Leimkuehler|first2=Dave|last2=Paulson|title=Dove Awards 2019: A complete list of winners|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/10/15/dove-awards-2019-winners-lauren-daigle-mercyme-hillsong-nashville/3974979002/|access-date=February 18, 2021|website=The Tennessean|language=en-US}} and "Best Urban Album", respectively. Then he launched M.E.M.E. in 2020, (acronym for "Menos Ego, Más Enfoque", "Less Ego, More Focus" in English),{{Cite web|date=August 2, 2020|title='M.E.M.E', lo nuevo del artista boricua Alex Zurdo|url=https://www.eluniversal.com.co/farandula/m-e-m-e-lo-nuevo-del-artista-boricua-alex-zurdo-BX3213650|access-date=February 27, 2021|website=www.eluniversal.com.co|language=ES-es}} where the single "Toca la guitarra, Viejo" ("Play the guitar, dad") dedicated to his father, was approached by various media due to the theme touched, Alzheimer's.{{Cite web|title=Alex Zurdo honra vida de su papá con Alzheimer con canción|url=https://www.diariolasamericas.com/cultura/alex-zurdo-honra-vida-su-papa-alzheimer-cancion-n4201110|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=diariolasamericas.com|language=es-ES}}{{Cite web|title="Toca la guitarra viejo", la nueva canción de Alex Zurdo dedicada a su padre {{!}} Video|url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/video/alex-zurdo-toca-la-guitarra-viejo-musica-nueva-padre-enfermedad-intvw-mariela-encarnacion-pkg-showbiz/|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=CNN|language=es}}
In February 2021, he released UNO, an album collaborating with Funky and Redimi2.{{Cite web|date=February 2, 2021|title=Estrenan "UNO", producción de Alex Zurdo, Funky y Redimi2|url=http://www.hacedoresdeluz.com/estrenan-uno-produccion-de-alex-zurdo-funky-y-redimi2/|access-date=February 26, 2021|website=Hacedores de Luz|language=es}} In March 2021, he participated in "Al Taller del Maestro", a benefit streaming concert performed by Alex Campos, where Evan Craft was also present.{{Cite web|date=March 20, 2021|title=Alex Campos y sus amigos en concierto virtual "Al taller del maestro" [VIDEO]|url=https://diariodelsur.com.co/noticias/vida-moderna/alex-campos-y-sus-amigos-en-concierto-virtual-al-taller-del-669404|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=diariodelsur.com.co|language=es}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
In 2022, he released his first EP titled DTOX. In the third edition of the Tu Música Urbano Awards, he was recognized as Top Christian Artist,{{Cite web |title=Alex Zurdo gana en la categoría Top Artista Cristiano en los Premios Tu Música Urbano 2022 |url=https://www.telemundo.com/shows/premios-tu-musica-urbano/video/alex-zurdo-gana-en-la-categoria-top-artista-cristiano-en-los-premios-tu-musica-urbano-2022-tmvo10459126 |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=TELEMUNDO.com |language=es}} in addition to being nominated in the Urban Christian Song category again.
In 2023, he collaborated with Gocho on his return to music for the single "Hablaré".{{Cite web |date=2023-03-31 |title=Gocho lanza el tema "Hablaré" junto a Alex Zurdo |url=https://www.metro.pr/entretenimiento/2023/03/31/gocho-lanza-el-tema-hablare-junto-a-alex-zurdo/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Metro Puerto Rico |language=es}} He again received nominations at the Tu Música Urbano Awards. He participated in the remix of "Danzando (Versión Urbana)" with Travy Joe, Harold Velázquez and the Venezuelan band Montesanto.
Personal life
On April 8, 2008, he married Denisse Contreras, sister of singer Daliza Contreras,{{Cite web|date=June 12, 2019|title=Alex Zurdo estrena nuevo tema junto a su esposa.|url=https://www.micparadio.com/single-post/2019/06/12/alex-zurdo-estrena-nuevo-tema-junto-a-su-esposa|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=micparadio|language=es}} wife of Dominican rapper Willy González, known as Redimi2.{{Cite web|date=October 14, 2014|title=Entrevista a Alex Zurdo|url=http://www.lacatapulta.net/entrevista-2/entrevista-alex-zurdo/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=La Catapulta|language=es}}
In 2011, his first child was born. In 2014, Zurdo became a father for the second time.{{Cite web|last=Neri|first=Anabella|title=¿Sabes quién es Alex Zurdo?|url=https://www.aboutespanol.com/alex-zurdo-biografia-2449281|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=aboutespanol|language=en}}
Discography
- 2004: Nada es mío
- 2005: Con propósito
- 2006: Se trata de ti (with Jonny L)
- 2007: De Gloria en Gloria - La Trayectoria
- 2008: Una y mil razones
- 2009: Así son las cosas
- 2012: Mañana es hoy
- 2014: De la A a la Z
- 2016: AZ Live
- 2018: ¿Quién contra nosotros?
- 2020: M.E.M.E.
- 2021: UNO (with Funky and Redimi2)
- 2022: DTOX
- 2023: CONXION
- 2024:Dual (With Gabriel Rodriguez EMC)
- 2025 UNO Live(with Funky and Redimi2)
Awards and nominations
= [[Latin Grammy Award]]s =
= [[GMA Dove Award|Dove Awards]] =
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2018 || Sin Ti || Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year || {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2019 || ¿Quién contra nosotros? || Spanish Language Album of the Year || {{won}}
|-
| Mi GPS || Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year || {{nom}}
|-
| 2021 || UNO (with Funky & Redimi2) || Spanish Language Album of the Year || {{nom}}
{{end}}
= [[Arpa Awards]] =
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2015 || De la A a la Z || Best Urban Album || {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2017 || rowspan="2" | AZ Live || Best Urban Album || {{nom}}
|-
| Best Live Album || {{nom}}
|-
| 2019 || ¿Quién contra nosotros? || Best Urban Album || {{won}}
|-
| 2021 || UNO (with Funky & Redimi2) || Best Urban Album or Track || {{won}}
|-
| 2023 || "Guarda Tu Corazón" || Best Urban Album or Track || {{nom}}
{{end}}
= [[Premios Tu Música Urbano]] =
= Unción Awards =
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2012 || Himself || Best Male Psalmist || {{won}}
{{end}}
References
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zurdo, Alex}}
Category:Converts to Christianity