Founded by Winston De La Rosa and his brother in-law Rafael Vargas, Fulanito is the first group known to combine "perico ripiao" - traditional accordion-based merengue sounds from the hills of the Dominican Republic - with modern hip-hop and rap.
While industry leaders initially questioned the commercial potential of such an unusual mix of sounds, Fulanito proved them wrong, becoming a party favorite in the U.S., the top-selling act in Colombia, and one of the most recognizable and adored Latin acts from Chile to Switzerland to Japan.
With their 1997 debut album, "El Hombre Mas Famoso de la Tierra" "(The Most Famous Man in the Land,)" Fulanito fast gained international fame with the hit singles "Guallando" ("Grinding") and "La Novela" ("The Soap Opera.") The album sold 500,000 copies, shocking even Winston and Rafael, who say they expected it to sell no more than 10,000, and hoped it would simply "help us get gigs".
"Guallando" featured 61-year-old accordionist Arsenio "El Maestro" De La Rosa's (Winston De La Rosa's Father) lightening chops, and was a surprise hit, co-opted for jingles spun endlessly in nightclubs across the hemisphere. According to Miami-based music writer Karl Ross, "Guallando" marked the first time U.S.-born Dominican performers began to mine their musical roots for inspiration. The addictive, resulting sound appeals as readily to rap fans and world music aficionados - and to many in between. Boston Globe music writer Elijah Wald called Fulanito's sound "fresh and hip, completely different from the mechanical beat of most house fusions". The word "Fulanito" means, roughly, "Little John Doe" in Spanish slang. The roots of the word lie in West Africa, where Spaniards kidnapped men and women to be brought to Spanish colonies in the New World. Among the people brought to the Spanish Caribbean were those of the Fulani nation, known in Africa as great merchants. They brought their skills of commerce with them, and eventually it was known in the Caribbean that if you wanted something done, you went to the Fulani, or business guy.
Vargas was born in the Washington Heights neighborhoods of Manhattan, Winston in the South Bronx during the beginning of the hip-hop era. They grew up in homes saturated with tradition Latin sounds, including merengue and bolero.
In the early 1990s Vargas scored an international dance/house music hit in English with "Wiggle It", recorded by his first organized group, 2 in a Room. The single sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. Vargas later joined Jose Rafael "Pickles" Fuentes and Winston "Big Win" De La Rosa who were known as the 740 BOYZ. Together as the 740 BOYZ, they went on to created a huge international hits like "SHIMMY SHAKE" and "BUMP BUMP". While hanging out at the De La Rosa household, Vargas was treated to many impromptu concerts by the elder De La Rosa, and was reminded of how excited Dominicans got when they heard the traditional old merengue sounds. Having shunned thier parents' music for most of thier lives, the BOYZ suddenly became intrigued by the idea of combining rap, hip-hop and perico ripiao. They asked the elder Arsenio De La Rosa if he would mind experimenting a bit. Soon, the accordionist and the rappers were recording "Guallando".
The song was completed in 1996, and when they played it for friends and family to test the waters, "They loved it", they said. "They went nuts". They approached several large Latin labels, and were rejected by all. "They said they didn't think it would sell anywhere outside of New York and the D.R."
Finally, they convinced thier house/dance label, Cutting Records, to press a Fulanito CD in 1997. The resulting half million in sales astounded everyone in the Latin music industry, where a mere 50,000 sold represents a gold album.
Fulanito's second album, "El Padrino" "(The Godfather)", was released in 1999. On it, Winston experimented even more, incorporating the sounds of samba and other Latin rhythms. Vargas raps about his life, about people he has known, and about having a good time. Fuentes gave his input and ideas of his life in the tough Washington Heights. They were sorry to see the title cut from "El Padrino" misinterpreted by some as glorifying gangster life, saying Their intentions were just the opposite. "The gangster dies at the end", they say. "Sure, he had a lot of money, cars, women, but none of it mattered because he was dead". Vargas says he wrote it with some of the young men he'd grown up with in mind. Another song on the album, "Mother's Day," shows a softer side of the BOYZ, as they pay tribute to their mothers.
The group's third album, The Remixes, was released in March of 2001, and contains three new songs. Their fourth album is expected in the fall of 2001. With a solid tour schedule that takes the group from North Carolina to Japan in the span of a month, Fulanito shows no signs of slowing down.
Pena Por Ti
Fulanito Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cuando Tu Te Mueve′ Así
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón
Con Tu Mini Y Tacón
Cuando La Conocí
Yo Dije: "vaya, Ella Era Para Mí"
Me Asfixié Cuando Yo Vi Eso
Que "mujeryota" Mas Linda, Mira
Como Se Mueve Me Alegra La Vida
Entre A La Pista A Ponerme Cerca De Ella
Parece Como Una Estrella
Esto Es Película,
Esa Mujer Se Puso A Bailar
Tienes Un Cuerpo Como Iris Chacón
Quiero Está' Al Lado De Tu Corazón
Le Dije "negra, Mamita Brega Conmigo
Te Quiero Como El Aire Que Respiro
Tiene′ Un Meneíto De Bomba Que No Se Compra
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (y Eso Es Verdad)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve' Así (Y Eso Es Lo Que Me Gusta)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón, (ay Que Mujer Mas Linda)
Con Tu Mini Y Tacón (me Dejó Encendío')
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (ay Que Tantas Curvas)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve′ Así (imagínate, Y Yo Sin Frenos)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón (ay, Que Tragedia)
Parece Como Iris Chacón (pero Que Novela Dios Mío).
Cada Madrugada Bailamos Juntos
Me Dio La Gana Adorarte Mucho
Te Dí Teléfono Para Que Me Llames
Al Otro Día Te Entregué La Llave
De Mi Corazón Y Mi Apartamento
Te Hice Reina De Mi Aposento
Nunca Pensé Que Era′ Traicionera
Tratándome Como Tierra
Eso Es Película Esa Mujer Se Puso A Robar
Llevó La Plancha Y Televisión
Mi Ropa Entera, El Mejor Sillón
Tomo Mi Disco De Nelson Ned
Agárrelo De La Pared
Se Llevó Todo Por Mi Mala Maña
Después Arrancó La Piraña
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (me Duele Tanto)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve' Así (eso No Se Le Hace A Nadie)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón, (ay Que Mujer Mas Bandida)
Con Tu Mini Y Tacón (me Dejó Planta′o)
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (ay Que Mujer Mas Falsa)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve' Así (tu Eres Una Traicionera)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón, (y Yo Te Quería Mucho)
Parece Como Iris Chacón (cantinero Tráeme Otra)
Que Estoy Sufriendo Aqui
Y Ahora El Hombre Más Famoso De La Tierra: Fulanito... De Tal
Pena, Es Lo Que Siento En Mi Alma
Porque Esa Mujer No Entiende
Me Hace Perder La Calma (ay Mamá)
Quiera Dios Que Encuentre′ Un Hombre En Tu Vida
Que Te Dé Todo El Cariño Que Quizas Yo No Te Dí
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (y Eso Es Verdad)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve' Así (eso No Se Le Hace A Nadie)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón, (ay Que Mujer Mas Bandida)
Con Tu Mini Y Tacón (me Dejó Planta′o)
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (ay Que Mujer Mas Falsa)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve' Así (tu Eres Una Traicionera)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón, (y Yo Te Quería Mucho)
Parece Como Iris Chacón (Pero que novela Dios mio)
The song "Pena Por Ti" by Fulanito tells the story of a man who falls deeply in love with a woman he sees dance at a club. Despite his love for her, she turns out to be unfaithful and steals from him, causing him heartbreak and pain. The lyrics describe how he was initially elated by her dancing, which reminded him of the famous dancer Iris Chacón, and how he hoped to win her love. However, she ultimately betrays his trust, leaving him feeling hurt and alone. The chorus reinforces the idea that he still loves the way she moves, but acknowledges the pain she has caused him.
The themes of love and betrayal are central to this song, and the lyrics effectively convey the man's emotions as he struggles to come to terms with what has happened to him. The use of vivid imagery, such as the reference to Iris Chacón and the idea of the woman as a "piranha," adds depth and complexity to the storytelling. Overall, this song is a poignant and relatable exploration of heartbreak and the challenges of navigating love and trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí,
Cuando Tu Te Mueve′ Así
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón,
Con Tu Mini Y Tacón
I like it when you move like that, but you broke my heart with your mini and heels.
Cuando La Conocí
Yo Dije: "vaya, Ella Era Para Mí"
Me Asfixié Cuando Yo Vi Eso
Solo Pensando En Caerle A Besos
Que "mujeryota" Mas Linda, Mira
Como Se Mueve Me Alegra La Vida
Entre A La Pista A Ponerme Cerca De Ella
Parece Como Una Estrella
Esto Es Película,
Esa Mujer Se Puso A Bailar
Tienes Un Cuerpo Como Iris Chacón
Quiero Está' Al Lado De Tu Corazón
Le Dije "negra, Mamita Brega Conmigo
Te Quiero Como El Aire Que Respiro
Tiene′ Un Meneíto De Bomba Que No Se Compra"
When I met her, I thought she was the one. I was mesmerized by her beauty and energy. I got close to her on the dance floor and was captivated by her every move. She has a body like Iris Chacon, and I wanted to be close to her heart. I told her how much she meant to me and how much I wanted her with me. Her bomba dance moves are priceless.
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (ay Que Tantas Curvas)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve′ Así (imagínate, Y Yo Sin Frenos)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón (ay, Que Tragedia)
Parece Como Iris Chacón (pero Que Novela Dios Mío).
I love it when you move like that. Your curvy body, combined with your dance moves, is driving me crazy. But you broke my heart, and it feels like a soap opera, just like Iris Chacon's dramatic performances.
Cada Madrugada Bailamos Juntos
Me Dio La Gana Adorarte Mucho
Te Dí Teléfono Para Que Me Llames
Al Otro Día Te Entregué La Llave
De Mi Corazón Y Mi Apartamento
Te Hice Reina De Mi Aposento
Nunca Pensé Que Era′ Traicionera
Tratándome Como Tierra
Eso Es Película Esa Mujer Se Puso A Robar
Llevó La Plancha Y Televisión
Mi Ropa Entera, El Mejor Sillón
Tomo Mi Disco De Nelson Ned
Agárrelo De La Pared
Se Llevó Todo Por Mi Mala Maña
Después Arrancó La Piraña
We danced together every morning. I loved you so much that I gave you my phone number and the key to my heart and apartment. I made you the queen of my bedroom. But I never thought you would betray me by treating me badly and stealing from me like a thief. You took everything, including my favorite things, like the TV and Nelson Ned's music.
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (me Duele Tanto)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve' Así (eso No Se Le Hace A Nadie)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón, (ay Que Mujer Mas Bandida)
Con Tu Mini Y Tacón (me Dejó Planta′o)
I like it when you move like that, but you hurt me so much. Leaving me like that in your mini and heels was not right. You're a malicious woman.
Asi Es Que Me Gusta A Mí, (ay Que Mujer Mas Falsa)
Cuando Tu Te Mueve' Así (tu Eres Una Traicionera)
Tu Me Rompiste El Corazón, (y Yo Te Quería Mucho)
Parece Como Iris Chacón (cantinero Tráeme Otra)
Que Estoy Sufriendo Aqui
I love it when you move like that, but you are a traitor. You broke my heart, and I loved you so much. It's like watching an Iris Chacon performance at a bar. I'm suffering here.
Pena, Es Lo Que Siento En Mi Alma
Porque Esa Mujer No Entiende
Me Hace Perder La Calma (ay Mamá)
Quiera Dios Que Encuentre′ Un Hombre En Tu Vida
Que Te Dé Todo El Cariño Que Quizas Yo No Te Dí
I feel ashamed in my soul because that woman doesn't understand me. She makes me lose my temper. I hope you find a man who can give you all the love that I couldn't.
Writer(s): Segura Luis
Contributed by Aaliyah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.