Hyde Park is set to be a sea of bald caps as thousands of fans attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing bald caps as Pitbull takes to the stage
The term ‘genre defining’ is often loosely applied to music artists, but few really live it up to the handle. Unless of course, their name is Pitbull. The Cuban-American artist is famed the world over for his high-energy latin hip hop and pop-rap music, with major 2010s’ club hits “Give Me Everything” (with Timber), “Timber” (with Kesha) and “DJ Got US Falling In Love Again”.
Londoners keen to relive their club days are on cloud nine as Pitbull prepares to headline BST Hyde Park on Friday, July 10. Tickets are completely sold out, with the the last release selling from £124.95. Pitbull has sold more than 25 million studio albums, collaborating with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Usher and Shakira, with other hits “I Know You Want Me” and “Hotel Room Service”.
Pitbull’s two-day stint at the O2 last June saw bald cap-wearing crowds descend on London, and BST Hyde Park hopes to set a Guinness World Record on Friday for ‘largest gathering of people wearing bald caps’. Here, we dive into everything you need to know.
Who is Pitbull?
Armando Christian Pérez was born in Miami, Florida, in January 1981, to Cuban immigrant parents. His family background inspired his love of Latin music. As a schoolboy, his teacher arranged for him to view a video shoot by rapper DMX, an event which Pitbull says changed his life. He determined to build a career in music, and took inspiration from Cuban singers Celia Cruz and Willy Chirino, as well as rappers Nas, Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg.
Pitbull’s first album M.I.A.M.I. was released in 2004, and its lead single “Culo” made it to number 32 in the Billboard 100. He appeared as a support act for Eminem and 50 Cent on tour, and went on to co-found his own label, Bad Boy Latino, the following year with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
Pitbull next two albums both sold respectably well and earned nods from critics, but it was his fourth album “Pitbull Starring In Revolution” in 2009 that brought him mainstream success. The album included his breakout international hits “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” which peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and “Hotel Room Service”. A star was officially born.
Bald Cap world record attempt
Thousands of Pitbull fans are going to don bald caps, suits and sunglasses in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record title for the Largest Gathering of People Wearing Bald Caps, creating a fantastic visual moment before he takes to the Great Oak Stage in Hyde Park.
Setlist
Pitbull’s precise setlist at BST Hyde Park is not known, however his recent concert at the Lytham Festival on July 5 contained the following tracks, according to Setlist.fm.
- Don’t Stop the Party
- Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor)
- Hotel Room Service
- International Love
- Rain Over Me
- I Feel Good
- Suave
- The Anthem
- There It Is
- Move, Shake, Drop (DJ Laz cover)
- Culo
- I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
- We Are One (Ole, Ola)
- We Are One (Ole, Ola) (again)
- On the Floor (Jennifer Lopez cover)
- I Like It (Enrique Iglesias cover)
- DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love (Usher cover)
- Feel This Moment
- Feel This Moment (again)
- Gasolina (Daddy Yankee cover)
- JUMPIN (with Lil Jon)
- Damn I Love Miami (with Lil Jon)
- Timber
- Time of Our Lives
- Fireball
- Give Me Everything
Stage times for all BST acts
The event kicks off at 2pm with a set from DJ Jonezy on the Birdcage Stage, with a simultaneous performance from soul artist Sanity on the Rainbow Stage. At 3pm, audiences will be treated to performances from Los Tucanes De Tijuana on the Great oak Stage, with Euan Lawrence on the Birdcage Stage and Mae Hill on the Rainbow Stage.
Lil Jon will take the Great Oak Stage at 4pm, while DJ Dubl and Tia Kofi will perform on the Birdcage Stage and Rainbow Stage respectively at 4.45pm.
British rapper and Britain’s best dressed man (according to GQ) Tinie Tempah will take to the Great Oak Stage at 5.15pm for a 45 minute set, to be followed by Kesha at 6.50pm for a one-hour performance. Pitbull himself will perform on the Great Oak Stage at 8.50pm for a 90-minute show until 10.20pm.
Support Act
Pitbull will be joined by special guest and collaborator Kesha, as well as support acts Tinie Tempah, Lil Jon and Los Tucanes de Tijuana.
Tinie Tempah became an overnight sensation in 2010 when his debut single, “Pass Out,” reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. For years beforehand, Tempah had built up an underground following on the music network Channel U, which promoted Britain’s burgeoning grime and rape scene in the 2000s, in particular Tempah’s track ‘Wifey’.
Kesha first found mainstream attention in early 2009 by singing background vocals on Flo Rida’s number-one hit, “Right Round.” Although uncredited on the track listing, Kesha nevertheless received enough attention for her own record deal the following year, which catapulted her to fame with the international smash hit “Tik Tok”.
Last-minute tickets
Tickets are completely sold out for Pitbull’s headline concert at BST Hyde Park on Friday, July 10, supported by Kesha and Tine Tempah, although a smattering of resale tickets may become available from vendors such as AXS Official Resale or Ticketmaster. Tickets are often resold as a last resort on the day of concerts, so disappointed fans should keep a watchful eye for any sudden offers.
VIAGOGO – Buy Pitbull tickets here.
STUBHUB – Buy Pitbull tickets here.
For those looking for tickets from official retailers, there’s Seat Unique. The major VIP and hospitality-focused retailer sells tickets for enormous events – such as Metallica’s M72 World Tour – with perks such as premium views & seats, early access to the venue, and food & drinks packages.
Here’s the link fans need:
SEAT UNIQUE – Buy Pitbull tickets here.
Pitbull will headline BST Hyde Park on Friday, July 10.
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