BIO

            Born in Managua, Nicaragua, Pedro was born with poetry laced into his bloodstream. He grew up in the Washington D.C. area and spent most of his life on stage, whether performing in choir, theater, dance, Hip- Hop shows, or reciting poetry. Coming to the U.S., he learned English by listening to Rap and Hip-Hop artists, like Bone Thugs N Harmony, setting the foundation for his seemingly effortless rhythmical freestyle future.

             SPOKEN WORD            

              Now a resident of St. Petersburg, FL, Pedro has behind him a long list of accomplishments in the spoken word world, including opening for Russel Simmons’ “Def Poetry Jam” at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; organizing the first local poetry-based Ticket Master event in Tampa Bay ("Foolish State") with his troupe of artists, known as the Nation of Poetry; as well as planning, hosting, and performing at various venues around the Bay area and beyond state and country lines as well.  Amongst many, he has done shows through the Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, where he hosted a monthly poetry and mixed medium open mic night, a yearly week+ long poetry festival called “Say What,” celebrating the Spoken Word, and is one of the places where he has put on a few original Spoken Word plays.            

             FILM

              Pedro has experience in film in addition to his extensive spoken word work and theater.  He has appeared as the likeness of Christ in Martita Contreras’ film installation, “Via Crucis.”  He provided original lyrics and vocals as part of the Purple Burble for Bob Barancik’s acclaimed film “Torn Asunder,” which has traveled the country winning awards in independent film festivals, such as the D.C. Indie Film Festival in the US capital 2008. "Torn Asunder is a fascinating short film with thought-provoking content relevant for this period of political unrest. It's well-crafted with an impressionistic collage of images and a potent sound track designed to heighten the message…This award-winning little film could become one of the most watched films on the internet." Thomas Baker, Ph.D., Coordinator, Accolade Competition. For more awards, information, and to view the film, click here.

             HIP-HOP

              Before Pedro became "el Poeta" he wrote and performed Hip-Hop/Rap in the D.C. area.  After years in the spoken word scene in the Tampa Bay and beyond, he seamlessly made his way back into a more Hip-Hop- focused career in 2008, though he was not new to the scene.  He has performed for radio stations, art galleries, coffee shops, bars and clubs in Colorado, Maine, Florida, the D.C. Metropolitan Area and Nicaragua. He can be heard making guest appearances on Radio Rumbo in Rivas, Nicaragua, WMNF in Tampa, Florida and other stations throughout the country.

              Currently Pedro el Poeta has a professionally recorded two-disc album entitled “Pick Your Poison.”  This album, his second, contains a disc of spoken word poetry and a second disc of Hip-Hop.  "Pick Your Poison… Hip-Hop" was highlighted on RadioIndy.com as “Hip-Hop/Rap with artistic poetry that pulses with upbeat energy and demonstrates the talents this performer has to offer.” -Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team. In October, 2009, Pedro was awarded Radio Indy's Grindie Music Award, the independent artist music excellence award, for his album "Pick Your Poison… Hip-Hop".

              The album is available for purchase on Amazon, itunes, Rhapsody, Napster, and other online music vendors.  You can also purchase the album from the artist directly at any of his shows, or at Daddy Kool Records, Downtown St. Pete.

 

 

El Poeta is currently working on his next album, "Street Reporter Mixtape."