R.K.M. & Ken-Y

Biography

R.K.M & Ken-Y is a Puerto Rican reggaeton duo formed in 2003 by José Nieves (R.K.M) and Kenny Vázquez (Ken-Y). The artists are renowned in the Latin music world for being the first to successfully fuse mainstream pop music with the reggaeton street rhythms of Puerto Rico and expose the style to a wide international audience. The sound introduced by R.K.M & Ken-Y would go on to inspire the pop reggaeton songs of successful acts such as CNCO, J Balvin, and Maluma. The duo had a very successful career with the Spanish-speaking audience of Latin America, the United States, and Spain until their separation in 2013. In June 2017, the duo announced their official return by Pina Records. In mid-2021 the Duo confirmed that they are on hiatus and are currently working on their solo projects.

Early career

R.K.M & Ken-Y hail both from Gurabo, Puerto Rico, Ken-Y was born on September 7, 1984, and has turned into one of the most recognized duos in reggaeton. The duo started their music career in high school. R.K.M (formerly known as "Rakim" but changed to avoid confusion with the established hip-hop artist) was inspired by the explosion of reggaeton music in the 1990s. He encouraged Ken-Y to join him to form a duo; they performed at 15th birthday parties (quinceañeras) and public events.
In 2002 both artists were discovered by veteran reggaeton producer and former artist Q Mack Daddy (who also discovered Magnate & Valentino and worked for Héctor el Father's Gold Star Music record label). Q Mac gave the duo their first big break in Puerto Rico on the fourth volume of his famous compilation series "The Warriors". After debuting with "Una Noche Mas" from Q Mac's album "The Warriors 4: Los 14 Guerreros", the song was a local hit in Puerto Rican radio and caught the attention of many record producers as most people noticed the duo's similarity to popular reggaeton artists Zion & Lennox. After working with DJ Negro on The Noise Live: Asi Comienza El Ruido and Mr. Notty (Money Machine) for the compilation "Ban-2 Korrupto", the success of these songs drove a bidding war between Puerto Rican labels to sign them. Ultimately, the duo chose to sign with Pina Records in early 2004 making their first appearance in the greatest hits various artists album "Pina All-Stars 2" which included 3 new songs from R.K.M y Ken-Y to introduce the duo to a wider audience.
After being featured on reggaeton records with veteran labelmate Polaco, the duo received their first big break on an international scale in 2005 by working with the renowned artists Don Omar and Nicky Jam. R.K.M y Ken-Y recorded the collaboration "Si La Vez" with Don Omar from his various artists' album "Los Bandoleros" executively produced by Don Omar. Nicky Jam gave them a chance to make an appearance on his album, "Vida Escante". They were featured on "Pasado" and "Me Estoy Muriendo". These songs were very popular within the reggaeton community. The duo's contribution to the Don Omar album helped mold the group into a more mainstream attraction. Soon afterward Chencho Corleone (from reggaeton duo Plan B) allowed R.K.M y Ken-Y to appear on his various artists' album "El Draft" co-executively produced with Boy Wonder (Chosen Few Entertainment). Boy Wonder, the producer of the CD/DVD Chosen Few El Documental, and Chencho Corleone, of the popular but controversial duo Plan B, were producing a CD entitled "El Draft Del Reggaeton" which provided up-and-coming artists a shot at recognition. Fans were allowed to vote for their favorite artists and R.K.M y Ken-Y won the competition which made their song into the album's lead single. "Tu No Estas" from "El Draft Del Reggaeton" became R.K.M y Ken-Y's first song to chart in the United States. This newfound exposure built up anticipation for their debut album, "Masterpiece: Nuestra Obra Maestra" distributed by Universal Latino in partnership with Pina Records.

International success

In 2006, R.K.M & Ken-Y's debut album "Masterpiece×MasterPiece14 February 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Dame lo que quiero3:342Cruz y maldición4:053Down3:454Igual que ayer3:525Suéltate3:476Dime4:237Me matas3:168Adiós3:089Nos fuimos2:5410Tocarte toa4:4511Si la ves3:4512Sacarte de mi mente3:4213De la calle soy3:1914Amigo3:0315Dime qué sera3:2116Way, Way4:1117Noche triste3:38" was released, debuting at #2 on the Latin Billboards, behind only Marc Anthony's "Sigo Siendo Yo: Grandes Éxitos." Their single "Down" debuted at #1. On August 18, the duo had their first concert in a sold-out Choliseo. Currently, they are working on a Pina Records compilation album titled "Los Magnificos." The album was nominated for Premio Lo Nuestro of 2007. Their first hit single was "Down", reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in 2006 and would win Best Reggaeton Song at the Billboard Latin Music Awards. Four other singles were released from the album, as well as music videos. The album went double Latin platinum in the United States and sold about 600,000 copies worldwide. The duo had many successful tours across the world for various years after "Masterpiece" including headlining the world-renowned Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile. They have released the songs performed on tour on an album entitled Masterpiece: World Tour (Sold Out). They have also released a special edition version of the album entitled Masterpiece: Commemorative Edition×Masterpiece: Commemorative Edition17 April 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 37 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Oh oh porque te están velando3:152Dame lo que quiero (new version)3:353Llorarás4:014Te vas (remix)3:465Me matas (remix)3:516Yo te motivé mejor que él3:027Cruz y maldición4:108Dime5:059Down (remix)3:4710Igual que ayer2:5511Hoy te vi3:2812Amigo (new version)3:0513Hey chula3:1314Suéltate (Baby Funk WaxSquad mix)6:4115Down (pop version)3:17Disc 21Me estoy muriendo2Behind the Scenes Part 13MasterPiece World Tour EPK4Behind MasterPiece World Tour5Pasado6Fuera De Serie (Rep. Dom.) (live)7Lucha Libre8Dame lo que quiero (video live)9Justas 2006 (P.R.) Part 110Down (original version)11Justas 2006 (P.R.) Part 212Me matas13Justas 2006 (P.R.) Part 314Dime (video remix)15Justas 2006 (P.R.) Last Part16Down (Remix) Premios juventud 200617Llorarás (Making of)18Behind the Scenes: Down Video19Down (Remix)20Making of Síguelo Bailando21Behind the Scenes: Orlando Magics22Igual que ayer.
Their second studio album, The Royalty: La Realeza, was released on September 9, 2008.
The first single released from the album was "Mis Días Sin Ti". Raphy Pina announced the return of R.K.M & Ken-Y on February 15, 2008. The date was a concert they held in the Choliseo in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The concert's headline was "Romantic en el Choliseo". Reggaeton artists like Wisin & Yandel, Tito "El Bambino", Nicky Jam, Rene Moz and Arcángel were present. Other artists like N'Klabe and Karis were also present.
Three years later they released their final studio album, Forever×Forever15 February 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Forever4:392Quédate junto a mí4:473De rodillas3:014Mi corazón está muerto3:595Más3:336A ella le gusta el dembow3:457Te amo3:258No vuelvas3:509Prefiero morir4:3610El party sigue (24/7)4:1211Goodbye3:4412Yo sé3:3613Te doy una rosa3:2414Regalo de quinceañera4:1615Prefiero morir (remix)3:53, on February 14, 2011, two singles were released from the album, and have featured in this album Zion & Lennox, Alexis & Fido and Arthur Hanlon.
In 2012 they released "Cuando Te Enamores×Cuando te enamores12 June 2012 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Cuando te enamores4:00", which became part of the most popular album of 2013, La Fórmula, featuring Plan B, Zion & Lennox, Arcángel, Lobo and more, which was the last work of R.K.M & Ken-Y before returning as a duo in mid-2017.
Since their first album, R.K.M & Ken-Y have appeared and guest starred on many songs. They have worked with artists such as Cruzito, Don Omar, Daddy Yankee, José Feliciano, Pitbull, Héctor el Father, David Bisbal, Ivy Queen, Chino & Nacho, Hector Acosta "El Torito", Plan B, Tony Dize and Zion & Lennox.

Separation

On April 10, 2013, producer Raphy Pina announced that the duo would separate but they continued with their scheduled performances and appearances. Both artists took this decision with each focusing on future solo projects.
After Ken-Y left Pina Records he signed with a label called Fresh Production. On January 22, 2016, Ken-Y released his first solo album The King Of Romance which features Nicky Jam, Natti Natasha, and Manny Montes. The singles that were released on this album were "Te Invito A Volar", "Sentirte Mía", "Fórmula De Amor", and "Como Lo Hacia Yo". The album hit No. 1 in the Latín Rhythm Albums category.
R.K.M was also making an album called Diferente, which means "different", which is an album that will change how R.K.M is viewed as not only a rapper but a singer too. It was originally supposed to be released in 2017 but was never released due to him and Ken-Y getting back together. But in a recent post on August 15, 2020, by R.K.M on his official Instagram that "Diferente" is Coming.

Reunion

On June 23, 2017, after four years of separation, R.K.M & Ken-Y returned to their duo status. They grew up together and felt they needed to work together to be successful. Under the command of its creator Raphy Pina the duo announces their return ready to fall back on the world with their unique style. The duo starts their union with the remix of success played by Arcángel & De La Ghetto's "Más Que Ayer".
The duo in October 2019 had their most recent hit "Cuando Lo Olvides×Cuando lo olvides28 June 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Cuando lo olvides3:36" which peaked in the Latin charts this song goes back to their romantic roots. In mid-2020 rumors speculated that the duo are not together anymore after R.K.M started working on his solo album "Diferente", R.K.M and Ken-Y both confirmed the separations and are currently working on their solo projects.
From their return to separation (2017–2020) the duo has collaborated with huge stars like Arcángel, De La Ghetto, Daddy Yankee, Plan B, Natti Natasha, Ozuna, Noriel, Darkiel, Divino, Chris Wandell and Lyanno, and more. Their list of hits include "Tonta", "Zum Zum", and "Cuando Lo Olvides".

Studio albums

Masterpiece (2006)
The Royalty: La Realeza (2008)
Forever (2011)

Live albums

Masterpiece: World Tour (Sold Out) (2006)
Romantico 360°: Live From Puerto Rico (2009)

Compilation albums

Masterpiece "Commemorative Edition" (2007)
The Last Chapter (2010)

Solo albums

Ken-Y: The King Of Romance (2016)
R.K.M: Diferente (coming soon)

Singles

"Down"
"Me Matas"
"Dame Lo Que Quiero"
"Igual Que Ayer"
"Down (Remix)" (featuring Héctor el Father)
"Oh Oh, ¿Porqué Te Están Velando?"
"Llorarás×Llorarás5 June 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Llorarás4:012Llorarás (bachata version)4:32"
"Mis Días Sin Ti"
"Te Regalo Amores×Te regalo amores26 August 2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Te regalo amores3:59"
"Tuve Un Sueño" (featuring Plan B)
"Vicio Del Pecado"
"Quiero Un Pueblo Que Cante" (featuring Plan B, Cruzito & Tony Dize)
"Te Ame En Mis Suenos"
"Por Amor A Ti"
"Más"
"Mi Corazón Esta Muerto"
"Cuando Te Enamores×Cuando te enamores12 June 2012 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Cuando te enamores4:00"
"Princesa" (Ken-Y only)
"Donde Estas" (R.K.M only)
"Navegar En Mis Recuerdos" (Ken-Y only)
"Quedate Junto A Mi"
"Tonta" (featuring Natti Natasha)
"Zum Zum" (featuring Daddy Yankee & Arcángel)
''No Reciclo Amores×No reciclo amores18 January 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1No reciclo amores2:58"
"Una Noche Mas"
”Cuando Lo Olvides×Cuando lo olvides28 June 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Cuando lo olvides3:36”
“Mascara”
”Pa'l Espejo×Pa'l espejo30 April 2020 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Pa'l espejo3:06”
"Jugaste a Perderme" (featuring Peter Nieto) (2021)
"Paso a Paso×Paso a paso25 October 2019 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Paso a paso3:33" (featuring 4K Musica) (2022)
"Orgullo×Orgullo12 May 2023 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Orgullo3:43" (2023)