Robi Draco Rosa

Biography

Born Robert Edward Rosa Suarez on June 27, 1973, Long Island, New York, Robi Rosa is a multi-talented artist from Ponce, Puerto Rico. He is a composer, writer, singer, musician, poet, painter, and actor. Rosa received international popularity when he co-wrote the hit single "Livin' La Vida Loca" for Ricky Martin in 1999.

As "Robby Rosa" he was a member of Menudo from Valentine's Day, 1984 to 1987. He replaced Johnny Lozada in Menudo and soon became another fan favorite. He sang such hits like Tu Sabes A Chocolate, Hold Me and Like A Cannonball, which was featured in Hollywood hit Cannonball Run 2. He was replaced in Menudo by Ruben Gomez.

After Menudo, Rosa went on to star in a minor Hollywood hit, the 1988 movie named Salsa. In it, he plays Rico, a young man who loves his mother, sister, and Puerto Rico over all things. Living in Los Angeles, Rico wants to win a salsa music contest to return to Puerto Rico. Rico had grown up without a father, and he is protective of his sister in a fatherly way.

Rosa fell in love with his co-star Angela Alvarado. They wed a few months after the movie's release. They are now raising a family.

During the 1990's, Rosa legally changed his name to "Draco Cornelius Rosa" (draco means "dragon" in Latin). He tried to distance himself from his previous image of a clean-cut Menudo guy. He wore a beard, exhibited tattoos on different parts of his body, and started creating music albums with different types of music, including pop and gothic.

Rosa travels between Los Angeles and Puerto Rico to produce and promote his music, also attending events to give free autographs and occasional concerts. His concert at The Warehouse (Puerto Rico) in 1997 is considered especially memorable as a unique experience for his fans. In addition, Rosa found work with his former Menudo bandmate Ricky Martin, for whom he has written some Number 1 hits (such as "Livin' La Vida Loca").

In 2003, Rosa again re-invented himself, getting rid of the tattooed, bad boy image in preparation for the release of a new album titled Mad Love with a new image that resembles that of the old Menudo Robby Rosa. Released in April 2004, the album contains love themes in different musical genres. The album has 15 songs, 3 of which are sung in Spanish. The songs "Crash Push" and "Dancing in the Rain" have already gathered international attention, and the album sold well in Europe.

Rosa received a Latin Grammy Award in 2004 for the video of the song "Crash Push". He is expected to release a live DVD.

Discography

• Como me Acuerdo (2004)
• Mad Love (2004)
• Libertad Del Alma (2001)
• Songbirds & Roosters (1998)
• Vagabundo (1996)
• Frio (1994)

Trivia

Quotes

"Risk everything, regret nothing."

--Robi Draco Rosa

Also see

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

External links

Official sites

• Official site (http://www.robidracorosa.com) at Sony Music

• Rosa's Studio, PhantomVox Productions (http://www.phantomvox.com)

• Biography at PhantomVox Productions' site (http://www.phantomvox.com/draco)