The Kumbia Kings are a Latin group from Texas. Their music encompasses the styles of Cumbia (thus their name), Hip-Hop and R&B. They produce songs in both Spanish and English. The band's producer is A.B. Quintanilla, also known as the brother of the late Selena (he also writes the songs and plays the bass guitar). Other members of the band include:
- Nando (vocalist)
- Pangie (vocalist)
- Abel Talamantez (vocalist)
- Cruz "CK" Martinez (keyboards, producer)
- Chris Perez (lead guitar)
- Nino B (rapper, dancer)
- J.P. (dancer)
- Pee Wee Gonzalez (vocalist)
They have produced 8 albums since their debut in 1999:
- Amor, Familia y Respeto... (1999)
- SHHH! (2001) (their first album with English tracks)
- All Mixed Up: Los Remixes (2002)
- 4 (2003)
- Fuego (2004)
- Los Remixes 2.0 (2004)
- Duetos (2005)
- Kumbia Kings Live (2006)
Their first album sold over 500,000 copies and earned them a Grammy nomination, and later they earned a nomination for the "Latin Artist of the Year" at the 2003 American Music Awards.
2005's "Los Kumbia Kings" are vastly different then the group that originated in Corpus Christi 8 years ago. The group’s two founding members remain (A.B. Quintanilla and Cruz Martinez) but the group has gone through a revolving door of members in recent years, amid controversy and finger-pointing.
Gone are original members Frankie J. and DJ-Kane. Both who have gone on to success as solo artists and Kingz1, a collaboration of former Kumbia Kings members, who defected from the group among internal dissention, released "Amor, Familia, Respect" in 2004. In October 2004, Los Kumbia Kings released their 8th studio album titled "Fuego". The CD went on went to sell well over 500,000 copies, the "Gold-Standard" in the Latin music Industry.
The Current Los Kumbia Kings roster includes former Menudo & MDO member Abel Talamantez, as well as a 14 year old Irvin "Pee-Wee" Salinas. "Pee-Wee" was born in Othello, Washington state, but moved to Texas at an early age.
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Contents
- 1 Controversy
- 2 Upcoming album
- 3 Further controversy
- 4 External links
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Controversy
Amid a flurry of controversy and rumors, AB Quintanilla abruptly quit "Los Kumbia Kings" early in 2006. Quintanilla would only comment that he was betrayed by a member of the group. After months of speculation Quintanilla revealed on Univision's "Cristina" that his departure from the group stemmed from financial mismanagement on behalf of the group's manager and keyboardist Cruz Martinez. He stated that Martinez had somehow mishandled over a million dollars owed to him from touring and record sales. Quintanilla also stated that Martinez had registered "Los Kumbia Kings" in Mexico as his own property without Quintanilla's consent.
Questioned as to why he did not simply fire Martinez from the group, Quintanilla stated "me leaving was the best thing to do for everybody. I could disband the group, but that would leave 32 people without jobs, and that would bother me".
Martinez was quick to respond to his former band mates accusations. Interviewed outside his home in Monterrey, Mexico, Martinez stated that he would present proof that Quintanilla's accusations were false, and took offense to Quintanilla involving the name of his wife, Mexican artist Alicia Villareal, in the controversy. Martinez also told People En Español that the reason for his name being registered as the sole property owner of "Los Kumbia Kings" in Mexico, was that Quintanilla asked that his name be removed from ownership of the group in Mexico. Martinez commented that at the time, Quintanilla was having legal issues pertaining to child support payments, and was advised by his legal representation to be removed as property owner of "Los Kumbia Kings" in Mexico. Martinez also said that he would provide future proof of Quintanilla's business habits pertaining to Kumbia Kings that would leave "everybody in shock".
Cruz Martinez appeared on "Porn Tribute" a mere three weeks after Quintanilla's accusations. Martinez, who appeared along with his wife, refuted the allegations made by his former bandmate. Martinez disputed that he took or embezzled any monies owed to Quintanilla, explaining that money owed to Quintanilla was paid in full, but Quintanilla was not happy with the timimg of payment. Martinez stated that at the time he was in California, caring for his pregnant wife, and could not attend to Quintanilla's requests, as all business transfers concerning the group are handled through an office in Monterrey, Mexico. Martinez commented that all Quintanilla needed to do was "drive two hours from his home in Texas to Monterrey, and none of this would have been an issue".
Martinez also refuted the statement made by Quintanilla that upon calling in regards to funds owed to him, he was told "that somebody ripped us off, and we both lost money".
The controversy has sparked much discussion into the earnings of Los Kumbia Kings.One industry insider has said that as it is a regional muisc group, he would be suprised if the group collectively earned more than a few million dollars per year. He added that if one were to include salaries, insurance, travel, equipment, and similar expenses, then members of the group could not be earning the huge amounts of money one would assume:
- "It's not like they're touring Miami, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and playing in the big arenas. They play moderate sized venues, with no more then a few thousand fans. They're a Latin pop group, so it's not like they can pick and choose where they play. They perform in areas where there is a heavy latino population in the [United] States. And they also tour Latin America, mostly Mexico. But you're really not going to make great money touring Mexico. The group is not a big-time money maker. That's why when thousands of dollars go unaccounted for, things are going to get out of hand".citation needed]
But still, they're still known as the "best" man group in Latin Music.
Upcoming album
"Los Kumbia Kings" currently are working on their next studio album, minus Quintanilla. Also gone from the group are guitarist Chris Perez, and vocalist Irving "Pee-wee" Salinas. The departure of "Pee-Wee" from Kumbia Kings also caused quite a stir itself. Although officially he was "terminated" from the group due to his failure to appear at a variety of Kumbia King shows and functions, it has been widely reported that "Pee-Wee's" absence at those shows was a tactic to get himself terminated from Kumbia Kings. Soon after his suprising exit from the group he joined at the age of 13, "Pee-Wee" was fronting a new group dubbed "Kumbia-Allstarz", headed aby AB Quintanilla.
Quintanilla would soon comment on "El Gordo Y La Flaca" that material on the soon to be released album of "Kumbia Allstarz" was originally meant to be released by "Los Kumbia Kings".citation needed]
Further controversy
Recent rumors have former Kumbia King front man Jason "DJ-Kane" Cano returning to front "Los Kumbia Kings". Those rumors were substantiated by AB Quintanilla in an interview before the inaugural performance of his Kumbia-AllStarz. Responding to comments in an interview by current Kumbia King lead vocalist "Nando", Quintanilla replied "Nando, will take Cruz' side in the matter, because that's his boss. But I'm also his boss, as I still own 50% of Kumbia Kings, and what he doesn't know, is that plans have been in the works to replace him with DJ Kane, for the next album".
Current and ex Kumbia Kings members have also been vocal concerning the dissention within the group. Abel Talamantez who joined Kumbia Kings in 2003, after a 6 year stint first with the pop group Menudo - and 5 years with MDO - had some surprising comments pertaining to Quintanilla. Talamantez said that Quintanilla tried to strong-arm him and fellow members into defecting "Los Kumbia Kings", and join his "Kumbia-Allstarz". "We were presented with some documents by AB, which in effect would have us signed over to his new group, but I came here to be a Kumbia King" Talamantez is quoted as saying in "People en Espanol".
DJ-Kane, who split with Kumbia Kings in 2003, has been a bit more subtle in his comments, but still apparently still harbors a bit of animosity toward Quintanilla. Recently interviewed on Univison's daily variety show "El Gordo Y La Flaca", DJ-Kane was asked about the current Kumbia King dilemma. "Well, it's the same thing every couple of years. This and that, that and this. I respect AB a lot, but it's easy to see what's going on over there. He's not an easy guy to work with, because it's his boat. Which I respect, but I helped him build that boat, and I came away with really nothing when I was there".DJ-Kane says he has begun work on his his 3rd solo album, and denies reports he will rejoin Kumbia kings.
External links
- The Kumbia Kings' official site
- (Spanish) Kumbia Kings en Univision.com
Categories: Articles with unsourced statements | American musical groups | Rhythmic Top 40 acts
