Animal

Angel Duran AKA the Animal is a product of two different worlds. While he was born in San Francisco de Marcoris, Dominican Republic, New York was also home. His father, a prominent politician on the island exposed a young Angel to life in the states and unknowingly to the birth of a culture. New York City in the 80's was a city in the midst of a cultural revolution, and Hip-Hop led the charge uptown. The stark contrast of life on the island to life in New York's Washington Heights was never lost on Angel. Sunny skies and palm trees gave way to high rise apartments, graffiti on the walls, and boom box stereos. Although he didn't understand the language at the time the energy and excitement of the b-boys and the urban beats they danced to captivate him.

In 1996 after a tragic series of events Angel was forced to permanently relocate stateside. After a brief stay in Washington Heights he eventually settled on the opposite side of the George Washington Bridge in Englewood, New Jersey. He arrived at an interesting time in Hip-Hop's history. After years of dominance by west coast artists, the east coast was finally back. Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas and a host of others were putting New York back in its rightful place as the epicenter of Hip-Hop culture. This was the music that provided the soundtrack to Angel's teenage years and, unbeknownst to him, the primary influences that he would later draw upon as Animal the artist emerged.

Across town another Hip-Hop aficionado was listening to the same music while honing his craft. Danny Velasquez, a producer\DJ who is of Colombian descent, along with his partner Marcelo Pagani were laying the groundwork for what would become Two Tone Records. Conceived as an Urban Latino record label that would operate outside the traditional avenues of the Latin record industry and more closely resemble an urban outfit in terms promotions and general organization, Two Tone is ready to set the standard for an emerging genre- Latin Hip-Hop.

Before joining Two Tone, Animal had never considered a career in music. That being said it is no surprise to him that life has taken him down this road. His father was an avid reader, poet and speechwriter, who also penned a couple of merengue tunes in his youth. For years the literary gifts his father had imparted him laid dormant inside. All it took to unleash them was a notebook, a pen, and an ill beat. Animal's command of poetry and flow is amazing. From stunning visual narratives to complex phrasing and metaphors, Animal is an artist's artist. Refusing to be pigeon-holed his album will reflect the fact that he is a multifaceted artist comfortable in the club, on the corner, and occasionally taking the time to look inside. Currently in the studio, expect to hear more from the Animal soon.

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