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Elvis Crespo




Elvis Crespo (born July 30 , 1971 in New York, New York ) is a Puerto Rican Merengue singer. He was named "Elvis" after American singer Elvis Presley . When he was small, he and his mother moved to Caguas , Puerto Rico , where Crespo spent his childhood and adolescent years. He is a pop idol in Merengue music.

He is a master of the Dominican Republic 's Merengue tradition, New York-born and Puerto Rico-raised vocalist.

Named after American singer Elvis Presley, Elvis was raised by his mother in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico , from the age of six, Crespo served a long apprenticeship. Launching his career, in 1988, as a member of the Willie Berrios Orchestra, he spent two years with the Lenny Perez Orchestra and six years with the Tono Rosario Orchestra.

Leaving Rosario's group in 1994, Crespo briefly attended the Metropolitan University Of Puerto Rico , where he studied business administration. An invitation to join Grupo Mania, however, was too tempting to resist. Agreeing to join the popular Latin band, he wrote and sang on their hit, "Linda Es". He left the group after three years to focus on his solo career.

His debut album, Suavemente , reached the top slot on Billboard's “National Hot Latin Top 40", in 1998, and spawned two record-breaking singles -- "Tu Sonrisa" and the title track. Crespo received Billboard awards for “Latin album of the year," “male artist of the year," “group or duet of the year," and “song of the year."

As a solo artist during a Stateside "Latin pop" boom that has many Spanish-speaking or bilingual stars moving more toward English vocals, Crespo has set sales records internationally with original songs performed entirely in Spanish . Many of these buyers are Spanish speakers, of course, but others who don't understand the lyrics respond to the driving merengue/salsa blend of the melodies. In 2005 , he recorded a Spanglish version of his hit song "Suavemente" for the soundtrack of the U.S. film Dance with Me (because, Crespo says, that's the way the kids talk these days), and more English-language excursions seem to be in his future.

"Wow Flash!", Elvis Crespo's third solo recording for Sony Music.

Elvis's ability to make music that is accessible has been his trademark over the last three years. Simple lyrics, rich harmonies and pulsating rhythms have been his presentation card.


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