Full Name | Irvin Salinas |
Birthday | December 8, 1988 |
Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Age | 34 |
Genre | World, Reggae, R&B, Hip Hop |
Labels | Peace Records, Universal Music |
Social Media | Facebook, Instagram, TikTok |
Pee Wee is a multi-talented music artist known for his diverse embrace of styles from hip hop to R&B to world music. He has gained acclaim worldwide for his unique and innovative sound.
Early Life and Influences
Born in Los Angeles to Mexican immigrant parents, Pee Wee grew up on a blend of Latin pop, American soul, and West Coast hip hop. He started writing his own Spanish and English lyrics as a teen, while learning to play various instruments.
Pee Wee cites Bob Marley, Juan Luis Guerra, Michael Jackson, and Dr. Dre as major influences. He’s combined their styles with his own bilingual flair. The result is a one-of-a-kind fusion of reggae, R&B, and hip hop.
Musical Career
After years honing his sound, Pee Wee began recording music in his parents’ garage in 2006. He self-released his debut album “Ready” in 2007, which drew the attention of Peace Records.
His first Peace Records single “Ready” reached #3 on the US R&B chart in 2009. More hits soon followed like “Gimme Little More” and “When I See You."
Pee Wee’s 2010 album “Life on the Go” earned him a Grammy nod. Subsequent releases cemented him as a Billboard-charting artist with a growing global fanbase.
Other highlights include:
- 12 studio albums recorded
- Over 2 million albums sold worldwide
- Sold-out tours across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Australia
- Collaborations with Jason Mraz, Juanes, and Sean Paul
Performance and Songwriting
Pee Wee is renowned for his energetic live shows. He engages the crowd with smooth dance moves and sings passionately. His concerts feel more like nonstop dance parties.
As a songwriter, Pee Wee is known for his feel-good lyrical themes about living life to the fullest. He often meticulously reworks lyrics before recording. “I rewrite and rewrite until each line captures the exact sentiment I want to share,” he told Rolling Stone.
Legacy and Impact
With his genre-fluid sound and positive message, Pee Wee has impacted music worldwide. He’s inspired artists like J Balvin who praise his blend of styles.
To fans, Pee Wee represents fearlessly crossing boundaries. “Pee Wee taught me to embrace all parts of myself,” shared one emotional supporter on Twitter.
Now 14 albums deep, Pee Wee continues redefining pop music. We can expect even more eclectic hits from this versatile artist.