Music: Pitbull can’t do it alone

Pitbull’s newest album is full of unoriginal tracks

Often collaborating with other artists to create chart-topping tracks, Armando Christian Pérez, or “Pitbull,” failed to do so in his newest album, “Armando,” which was released on Nov. 2. Despite its club-worthy beats and conglomeration of cultural pieces, the actual songs don’t stand a chance against his collaborative works such as “Right Round” with Flo Rida and “DJ Got us Falling in Love” with Usher. Almost every track is saturated with recycled beats and other artists’ songs altogether.One of Pitbull’s least unique tracks, “Mujeres,” is the Spanish version of “Girls” by the Beastie Boys. Although, The Beastie Boys’ version was popular back in the 80’s, Pitbull couldn’t revive it. The lyrics are translated word for word and it’s hard not to be reminded of the original song by the familiar electric piano tune. If the album needed another quick and easy track to fit a required number of songs, this would be it. He didn’t stop there when looking for popular hits to mix. Pitbull took the international hit swing house song, Yolanda Be Cool’s “We No Speak Americano,” and wrote over it with his signature Spanish rapping in “Bon Bon.” Like the last track, this one encompasses girls and vulgarity. His themes aren’t the only things that don’t change. Pitbull’s habit of picking internationally popular songs just didn’t end. He does it again in “Guantanamera,” using the instrumental track from French artist Stromae’s “Alors on Danse.” This song was number one in over 10 different countries in 2009. His addiction to repetition won’t suppress the appetite of fans looking for something new.His attempt at making his own original tracks still proves difficult.The track “Watagatapitusberry” is a whole other story. The speed picks up and it begins to sound like Pitbull’s other hit tracks, especially with Lil Jon screaming repetitive lyrics in the background. Though unlike those hit tracks, a reoccurring, undecipherable phrase only known to those who live in the Santo Domingo neighborhoods is overused. He ends the album with “Preguntale,” a slower Spanish rap that doesn’t fit with the rest of the album’s fast pace. Its placement on the list will just leave the listener a little less than satisfied. Unoriginality seems to be a reoccurring feature with Pitbull. If it’s something new that his fans are searching for, then his latest album isn’t it.

{cc-by-nd}