Tito Nieves

Born as Humberto Nieves, his friends and fans always called him Tito. Although he was born in Río Pedras, Puerto Rico, he lived in New York from a very young age. Far from his country, but immersed in a large Latino community in New York, Tito nurtured himself on tropical music, the blues, and pop music. “In 1975 I decided that music was my thing,” he explains. “At that time I was full of dreams. I looked at pictures of La Fania with those big stars and I could think about how to get to them, how to get close to Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Celia," he recalls about his first days in music.

A Story To Be Told

At the age of 15, Tito Nieves already knew that all paths pointed towards a stage. And true to his goal, the first door he knocked on was that of the Orquesta Cimarrón and he quickly became their main voice for two years.

In the early 70's he joined the orchestra of the great Héctor Lavoe. “Héctor taught me how to walk in the world of music. He took me by the hand and supported me,” states Tito.

“I immediately got my first experience in a recording studio," he recalls, "it happened in 1979 when I was the lead singer for the group Taibori." Next, in the early 80's, Tito became a member of the legendary Conjunto Clásico. "This was a time of growth, when I felt that all my dreams had come true, sharing stages with Celia Cruz and Tito Puente."

“I feel like I was born at the right time,” states Tito. “I had the chance to live in the decades when I could take part in all the changes that were happening in tropical music and which I could share with the real protagonists," he states proudly.

In 1988 he recorded his first solo album, "Classic", which went gold, making "Sonámbulo" his first big hit. The following year he received a second gold album with "Yo Quiero Cantar", which included "I’ll Always Love You".

Breaking Down Barriers

His greatest success was crossing the linguistic border to bring the tropical rhythm to new fans, which the media called the New York Sound.

His long list of hits includes "Can You Stop the Rain", "You Bring Me Joy", "De Mí Enamórate", among many others. But one surpassed all expectations, becoming an iconic song of the 90's: "I Like It Like That".

The song, which had already been recorded in the 60's, sounds fresh, new, and has a strong Latin accent à la Tito. The hit went beyond the record world to become a movie, used in Folgers coffee and Burger King commercials, as well as iconic music for television programs, placing Tito Nieves in the very center of the international scene. “One of the most beautiful moments given to me by this song was being able to share it with one of my musical idols, Stevie Wonder,” recalls Tito. “Throughout my career I've had the honor of meeting other artists that I respect and admire, such as José José or Marlon Brando.”

The Pavarotti of Salsa

Among his many awards are three Ace Awards for best artist (1994) for his video No Me Vuelvo A Enamorar (1996) and best local artist in New York (1997). He also set foot on the Billboard charts with his nomination for the album "Clase". Aparte (1998), the Globo Award for “Best tropical music artist” (1999), Premio Lo Nuestro for his song "Así Mismo Fue” (2000).
From 2002 to 2007 Tito was nominated for six GRAMMY awards, which proves that he continues to evolve and appeal to fans.

“But the greatest recognition comes from fans,” affirms Tito, known as the “Pavarotti of salsa.”
“This was Johnny Pacheco's idea when we were doing some shows for La Fania, and we had to get further and further away from the microphone. So, Johnny said: ‘you've become a Pavarotti.’”

“I think that I used good taste and was classy when working with that genre,” explains Tito. “I wasn't a great composer, but as a singer I gave it my all,” he stresses.

I Already Have Everything

“I have everything,” asserts Tito. “My life and this career have given it all to me. I already have material wealth, affection, security, and success. I only want to enjoy good health to keep working and continue to grow, to change with the new generations, with the new times," he reflects.

Tito Nieves is certain he's on the right path. “I was born at the right time; I mingled with the right people. I can't be anything but happy and share it in every song." And Tito knows that the best is always yet to come.

November 2007
Press Room
Univision Music Group

Tito Nieves' Official Website: www.titonievesonline.com