Luis Armando Lozada Cruz, known professionally as Vico C, is an American rapper and songwriter who is widely recognized as a pioneer of Spanish-language rap and a central figure in the development of Latin hip-hop and reggaeton. Born on September 8, 1971, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Puerto Rico, he earned the nickname "El Filósofo del Rap." In the mid-1980s, he began creating a distinct musical style by blending hip-hop and reggae with socially conscious Spanish lyrics. His early work alongside DJ Negro helped lay the foundational blueprint for the reggaeton genre.
Throughout his career, Vico C has incorporated Christian themes into his music. He has collaborated across genres, including work with salsa artist Gilberto Santa Rosa and the cumbia group Kumbia Kings. His brother, Jay Lozada, is also a salsa musician, and his son, Luis Armando "Loupz" Lozada Jr., portrayed him in a biographical film about his life.
In addition to his early hip-hop and reggaeton contributions, Vico C has released a steady stream of material over several decades. His catalog includes albums such as "Babilla" (2009) and "Pánico" (2023), as well as the 2012 compilation "Mis Favoritas". He has continued to release music into the mid-2020s, with recent singles including "Pregúntale A Tu Papá Por Mi" (2023), "Ella Va" (2023), and the 2024 releases "La vecinita (Erikk Garx Remix)" and "Canoita electro (remastered)".
