C-Kan
{{Short description|Mexican singer and rapper}}
{{Expand Spanish|topic=bio|C-Kan|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = C-Kan
| height = 6 ft 2.5 in
| image = C-Kan.jpg
| birth_name = José Luis Maldonado Ramos
| alias = El Perro de la C
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1987|7|26}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| instrument = Vocals
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|trap|gangsta rap|reggaeton|reggae}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|rapper}}
| years_active = 2008–present
| label = Mastered Trax Latino [es]
| website =
}}
}}
José Luis Maldonado Ramos (born 26 July 1987),{{Cite web|url=http://masteredtrax.com/c-kan-biografia/|title=C-Kan Biografía|website=masteredrtrax.com|publisher=masteredtrax|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606101249/http://masteredtrax.com/c-kan-biografia/|archive-date=6 June 2016|url-status=dead}} 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).{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6512342/c-kan/chart|title=C-Kan – Chart history |magazine=Billboard|access-date=21 October 2016|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202070054/http://www.billboard.com/artist/6512342/c-kan/chart|url-status=dead}} "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 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
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’.
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.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/mx/artist/c-kan/305830705|title=C-Kan|publisher=iTunes Store}}
=2012–2015=
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).{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6512342/c-kan/biography|title=C-Kan Biography|magazine=Billboard|access-date=21 October 2016|archive-date=2 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102101641/http://www.billboard.com/artist/6512342/c-kan/biography|url-status=dead}}
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.{{cite magazine |last=Cantor-Navas |first=Judy |date=2015-10-29 |title=Meet Mexican Rapper C-Kan |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/c-kans-tidal-concert-live-stream/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2024-04-04}} Popular songs from Clasificación C, Vol. 2 were performed via livestream on 29 October 2015{{cite interview |last=Centeno |first=Tony M. |date=2015-10-29 |title=Mexican Rapper C-Kan Takes His Career To The Next Level With TIDAL |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/viva/mexican-rapper-c-kan-signs-with-tidal-384062/ |work=Vibe |access-date=2024-04-04}} at Auditorio Benito Juárez.{{cite news |last=de la Peña |first=Gloria |date=2015-10-29 |title=Exponentes de hip hop y rap se dieron cita en el Foro de las Fiestas de Octubre |url=https://www.milenio.com/espectaculos/exponentes-hip-hop-rap-cita-foro-fiestas-octubre |work=Milenio |language=es |access-date=2024-04-04}}
=2016–present=
C-Kan made his debut as a soundtrack composer in 2016 for Pantelion Films newest movie, Compadres.{{Cite interview |last=Flores |first=Griselda |date=2016-04-01|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7318793/mexican-rapper-c-kan-compadres-soundtrack-tidal-interview|title=Mexican Rapper C-Kan on Compadres Soundtrack|magazine=Billboard}} On 1 July 2016, he released the album, Antes de Todo.
He was among the more than 60 performers at Budweiser's two-day "Made in America" festival in 2016.{{multiref2 |{{cite press release |last=Pinkard |first=Rudy |date=2016-06-20 |title=Made In America 2016 |url=https://tidal.com/magazine/article/made-in-america-2016/1-28238 |website=Tidal |access-date=2024-04-04}} |{{cite magazine |last=Platon |first=Adelle |date=2016-06-20 |title=Rihanna & Coldplay To Headline Budweiser's 2016 Made In America Lineup |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/budweiser-made-in-america-2016-lineup-7408985/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2024-04-04}} See the poster image included in article; C-Kan is listed on the bottom row.}}
On 26 May 2017 he released a collaboration album with Pipo Ti [es] called Días de sol [es].{{cite news |last=Villegas |first=Lizbeth |date=2017-06-08 |title=C-Kan y Pipo Ti, juntos sacan chispas |trans-title=C-Kan and Pipo Ti, together they create sparks |url=https://www.ntrguadalajara.com/post.php?id_nota=73720 |work=El Diario Guadelejara |access-date=2024-04-04 |language=es}}
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.{{cite news |date=2017-09-17 |title=Documental mexicano Somos lengua llega a Nueva York |trans-title=Mexican Documentary We Are Language arrives in New York |url=http://www.cronica.com.mx/notas/2017/1043603.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917123537/http://www.cronica.com.mx/notas/2017/1043603.html |archive-date=2017-09-17 |language=es |website=Cronica |access-date=2024-04-04}}
In 2020, C-Kan signed with 33 & West for exclusive representation in the U.S. and Canada.{{cite press release |date=2020-09-28 |title=33 & West Signs Mexican Rapper C-Kan: Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/33-west-signs-mexican-rapper-c-kan/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2024-04-04}}
He released the album Mi Cancion in 2021.
C-Kan performed in Houston with Santa Fe Klan on 16 March 2022.{{cite web |last=Guerra |first=Joey |date=2022-01-11 |title=Mexican rappers Santa Fe Klan and C-Kan set Houston date |url=https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/mexican-rappers-santa-fe-klan-and-c-kan-set-16767061 |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=2024-04-04}} He also toured with MC Davo and Dharius from 30 August 2022 to 14 October 2022.{{cite press release |date=2022-07-20 |title=C-Kan, MC Davo, and Dharius Announce USA Tour 2022 |url=https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2022/07/c-kan-mc-davo-and-dharius-announce-usa-tour-2022/ |website=LiveNation |access-date=2024-04-04}}
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.{{cite magazine |date=2023-09-30 |title=Hot Latin Songs, week of September 30, 2023 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/latin-songs/2023-09-30/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2024-04-04}} It had debuted at number 7 in Latin Digital song sales.{{cite magazine |date=2023-09-16 |title=Latin Digital Song Sales, Week of September 16, 2023 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/latin-digital-song-sales/2023-09-16/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2024-04-04}} The music video reached number 14 on YouTube Music's Top Videos in Mexico for the week of 8—14 March 2024.{{cite web |date=14 March 2024 |title=Weekly Top Music Videos: Mexico, for the week of 8 March — 11 March 2024 |url=https://charts.youtube.com/charts/TopVideos/mx/weekly/20240314 |website=YouTube |access-date=2024-04-04}}
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.{{cite web |date=21 March 2024 |title=YouTube Music Mexico Most Popular Streaming Artists, week of 15 March — 21 March 2024 |url=https://charts.youtube.com/charts/TopArtists/mx/weekly/20240321 |website=YouTube Music |access-date=2024-04-04}}
Musical style
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}
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
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.{{Cite interview |last=Campos |first=Carlos Soto |date=2016-05-03 |url=http://www.nacion.com/ocio/musica/C-Kan-ritmo-puede-variar-veces_0_1558444168.html|title=C-Kan: 'El rap eres tú mismo y el ritmo puede variar mil veces'|work=La Nación |language=es}} He is also father of a child.
=Politics=
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".
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.
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.{{cite press release |last=Bryan |first=Beverly |title=The Outspoken Guadalajara MC Has Become an Independent Voice for Mexico's Wired Generation, One Uploaded Rap Video at a Time. |url=https://www.vesperpublicrelations.com/the-outspoken-guadalajara-mc-has-become-an-independent-voice-for-mexicos-wired-generation-one-uploaded-rap-video-at-a-time/ |website=Vesper Public Relations |access-date=2024-04-04}}
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.{{cite news |last=Perez |first=Daniela |date=2016-12-14 |title=C-Kan rechazará ir a Estados Unidos mientras Trump esté en la presidencia |trans-title=C-Kan will refuse to go to the United States while Trump is in office |url=https://www.publimetro.com.mx/mx/entretenimiento/2016/12/14/c-kan-rechazara-estados-unidos-trump-este-presidencia.html |work=Publimetro |access-date=2024-04-04 |language=es}}
Tours
- MC Davo vs C-Kan
- Dos Tipos de Cuidado
- Días de Sol
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width="100%"
! colspan="7"| List of concerts, show data, city, country, place, opening acts. |
| scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Day
! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| City ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| country ! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| place ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Opening act |
|---|
| colspan="7"| North America{{Cite web |last=Mañon |first=Dalva |url=https://elnuevodiario.com.do/c-kan-prepara-gira-toda-la-union-americana/|title=C-Kan prepara su gira por toda la Unión Americana|website=El Nuevo Diario|date=23 August 2017 |language=es-ES|access-date=28 September 2017 |place=Los Angeles, CA}} |
| 19 de diciembre de 2015
| rowspan="15"| México | Gimnasio Municipal Luis Donaldo Colosio. | — |
| 24 de enero de 2016
| Córdoba | — | — |
| 07 de febrero de 2016
| — | — |
| 14 de febrero de 2016
| — | — |
| 20 de febrero de 2016
| Torreón | Blvd. Revolución y Vasconcelos | — |
| 21 de febrero de 2016
| Escena Monterrey | — |
| 27 de febrero de 2016
| Calzada, La Viga | — |
| 10 de abril de 2016
| El Paraiso del Abuelo | — |
| 03 de diciembre de 2016
| Auditorio CEUNO | — |
| 04 de diciembre de 2016
| Escena Monterrey | — |
| 08 de julio de 2017
| — | — |
| 30 July 2017
| "Salón Bugambilias" | — |
| 09 de septiembre de 2017
| "Salón de Convenciones Serdán" | |
- Urbano Fest
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width="100%"
! colspan="7"| List of concerts, show data, city, country, place, notes. |
| scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Day
! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| City ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Country ! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| place ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Note(s) |
|---|
| 09 de octubre de 2013
| rowspan="15"| México | | First urban fest, first rapper in the Fiestas de Octubre. |
| 21 de octubre de 2014
| — | — |
| 29 de octubre de 2015
| — | third city in Guadalajara. |
| 31 October 2015
| second urban of 2015, 2 times bigger, first in CDMX. |
- Mi Canción Tour USA 2022, with Santa Fe Klan{{cite magazine |date=2022-07-12 |title=All the Latin Tours Announced for 2022 (Updating) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/latin-tours-2022-list-1235010060/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2024-04-04}}
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width="100%"
! colspan="7"| List of concerts, show data, city, country, venue, notes. |
| scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Day
! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| City ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Country ! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Venue ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Note(s) |
|---|
| 11 March 2022
| rowspan="20" |United States of America |
| 12 March 2022
| McAllen Performing Arts Center |
| 15 March 2022 |
| 16 March 2022
| House of Blues |
| 17 March 2022 |
| 19 March 2022
| Encore |
| 22 March 2022
| The Observatory |
| 23 March 2022 |
| 25 March 2022
| House of Blues |
| 26 March 2022
| Strummer's |
| 27 March 2022
| House of Blues |
| 3 April 2022
|with Young Micah, Lil Espy, Dopamine, Cuddie Whompus{{cite press release |date=2022-04-03 |title=C-Kan {{!}}{{!}} Mi canción USA Tour 2022|url=https://bossanovaballroom.com/event/c-kan-or-or-mi-cancion-usa-tour-2022-2 |website=Bossanova Ballroom}} |
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width="100%"
! colspan="7"| List of concerts, show data, city, country, venue, notes. |
| scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Day
! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| City ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Country ! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Venue ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Note(s) |
|---|
| 30 August 2022
| rowspan="40"|United States of America | The Ritz |
| 31 August 2022
| Ace of Spades |
| 2 September 2022 |
| 3 September 2022
| Neptune |
| 5 September 2022
| Knitting Factory | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 6 September 2022
| The Depot |
| 8 September 2022
| Summit |
| 9 September 2022
| (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 10 September 2022 |
| 11 September 2022 |
| 12 September 2022
| The Rave | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 13 September 2022
| Intersection |
| 14 September 2022 |
| 15 September 2022
| Iron Works | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 16 September 2022 |
| 17 September 2022 |
| 18 September 2022 |
| 21 September 2022 |
| 22 September 2022
| The Ritz |
| 23 September 2022 |
| 24 September 2022
| House of Blues |
| 25 September 2022
| La Scala de Miami | rowspan="4"|(not a LiveNation venue) |
| 26 September 2022
| Underbelly |
| 27 September 2022
| MegaSol |
| 28 September 2022
| Blue Moon Event Center |
| 29 September 2022
| Parish at House of Blues |
| 30 September 2022
| Club C | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 1 October 2022
| La Catedral |
| 2 October 2022 |
| 3 October 2022
| (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 5 October 2022
| The Echo Lounge and Music Hall |
| 6 October 2022
| Lowbrow Palace |
| 9 October 2022
| House of Blues |
| 11 October 2022
| Crescent Ballroom |
| 12 October 2022
| Observatory OC |
| 13 October 2022
| House of Blues |
| 14 October 2022
| Belasco |
Discography
= Albums =
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width="100%"
! colspan="7"| 70 as lead artist, 49 collaborations, 10 simple. |
| scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Release date
! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Song ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| featuring. ! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Álbum ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Recording(s) |
|---|
| 23 de julio de 2010
| La Cosa Esta Dura | Lil Jock, Kala, Soldis | — |División Mayúscula |
| 15 de junio de 2011
| Me Enrede En La Calle | Agva | — | — |
| 19 de mayo de 2012
| No Puedo Vivir Sin Verte | — | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 21 de octubre de 2012
| Me Pongo Joker | — | — | Lunapsis Films |
| 28 de octubre de 2012
| Rafagas | Kapel Da Most, Zimple | rowspan="19"|Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | rowspan="54"|Mastered Trax Latino |
| 04 de noviembre de 2012
| Mexicanos Al Grito de Guerra | Quetzal |
| 07 de noviembre de 2012
| Ten La Tuya | — |
| 11 de diciembre de 2012
| ¿Dónde Estan? | — |
| 21 de diciembre de 2012
| M.E.X.I.C.O. | — |
| 30 January 2013
| Mi Música Es Un Arma | Zimple, MC Davo |
| 07 de febrero de 2013
| Somos de Barrio | Togwy |
| 26 de febrero de 2013
| Esta Vida Me Encanta | Zimple, Don Aero |
| 28 de febrero de 2013
| Te Lloré | — |
| 13 de marzo de 2013
| No Puedo Vivir Sin Verte | — |
| 04 de abril de 2013
| Embotellado | Don Kalavera |
| 20 de abril de 2013
| Vuelve | MC Davo |
| 29 de mayo de 2013
| Déjame Conocerte | — |
| 26 de junio de 2013
| Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | — |
| 24 de julio de 2013
| La Vida No La Tienes Comprada | Zimple |
| 05 de septiembre de 2013
| Guerreros | Iluminatik |
| 24 de septiembre de 2013
| Me Gusta La Calle | Prynce El Armamento |
| 08 de octubre de 2013
| Sexy | Rigo Luna |
| 30 October 2013
| Ya No Tiene Caso | Zimple, Javier La Amenaza |
| 22 de noviembre de 2013
| Vivo La Vida Cantando | — |
| 29 de noviembre de 2013
| Disculpa | Don Kalavera |
| 24 de enero de 2014
| Se Juntarón Las Mafias | Zimple, Asek | — |
| 11 de marzo de 2014
| Latinos Unidos | Lil Rob | rowspan="12"|Clasificación C, Vol. 1 |
| 08 de abril de 2014
| Quiero Que Sepas | MC Magic |
| 30 April 2014
| Justicia |
| 28 de mayo de 2014
| Los Que Nadie Quiere | Zimple |
| 04 de agosto de 2014
| Si No Estás | T Lopez |
| 12 de agosto de 2014
| Sporty Loco, T Lopez |
| 14 de septiembre de 2014
| La Calle Sabe De Mi Nombre | — |
| 07 de octubre de 2014
| Cuando El Amor Se Acaba | Prynce El Armamento |
| 05 de noviembre de 2014
| Ayer, Hoy & Mañana | — |
| 02 de diciembre de 2014
| Viajando En Una Nube | Pipo Ti |
| 23 de diciembre de 2014
| Yo Soy Quien Soy | T Lopez |
| 30 December 2014
| Un Par De Balas | — |
| 27 de enero de 2015
| Por El Mexicano | Sporty Loco | rowspan="8"|Clasificación C, Vol. 2 |
| 17 de febrero de 2015
| Todo Lo Que Brilla No Es Oro |
| 16 de marzo de 2015
| Intolerable | — |
| 21 de abril de 2015
| Aparece | Pipo Ti |
| 19 de mayo de 2015
| My Everything | Damon Reel |
| 07 de julio de 2015
| Mamá Me Dijo Un Día | — |
| 14 de agosto de 2015
| Mujer Bonita | MC Magic |
| 16 de septiembre de 2015
| ¿Quién Contra Mí? | — |
| 26 de octubre de 2015
| Mi Todo | Damon Reel | — |
| 26 de noviembre de 2015
| Ya Hago Rap | — | — |
| 29 de noviembre de 2015
| Te Vas | Crooked Stilo |
| 18 de diciembre de 2015
| Round 1 | MC Davo | — |
| 01 de febrero de 2016
| Carta de Amor | Javier La Amenaza |
| 26 de febrero de 2016
| Round 2 | MC Davo | — |
| 22 de marzo de 2016
| Maria | — | rowspan="2"|The Take Over, Vol. 2 |
| 29 de marzo de 2016
| Compadres | — |
| 11 de abril de 2016
| Ted | — | — |
| 27 de mayo de 2016
| ¿Cómo Le Digo? | Derian |
| 01 de julio de 2016
| Jodanse Colegas | — |
| 19 de agosto de 2016
| La Música Es Música, La Calle Es Calle | Snoopy, Refye El Demonio |
| 02 de septiembre de 2016
| Pesadilla de Amor | Prynce El Armamento | — | Make Money Records |
| 16 de septiembre de 2016
| Esta Noche | Derian | rowspan="6"|Mastered Trax Latino |
| 21 de octubre de 2016
| No Te Me Vayas | Melodico |
| 20 de noviembre de 2016
| Ando | Refye El Demonio, Ruff | rowspan="2"|MexiCKanos |
| 25 de diciembre de 2016
| Fuego Cruzado | Eslok Diaz |
| 17 de febrero de 2016
| C-Kan Pachino & Concrete De Niro | Concrete, Bz Bwai |
| 31 March 2017
| Cae La Ley | HomeBoys |
| 31 March 2017
| Me Pones A Volar | Prynce El Armamento | — | Make Money Records |
| 28 de abril de 2017
| Narcos | Ill Mascaras | rowspan="3"|Mastered Trax Latino |
| 26 de mayo de 2017
| De Que Me Sirve | Pipo Ti | rowspan="2"|Días de sol |
| 05 de julio de 2017
| Tú Y Yo | Pipo Ti |