R.K.M & Ken-Y is a 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 Rakim) 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.[1]
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",[2] 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.[3]
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.[4] This newfound exposure built up anticipation for their debut album, "Masterpiece: Nuestra Obra Maestra" distributed by Universal Latino in partnership with Pina Records.[5][6]
International success
In 2006, R.K.M & Ken-Y's debut album "Masterpiece" 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.[7] 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.[8] 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.[7][9] 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.[10][11] 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.
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.
And three years later they released their final studio album "Forever" 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" 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.
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.[12][13][14]
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 return with the perfect formula to conquer their seat. 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".[15][16]
The duo in October 2019 had their most recent hit "Cuando Lo Olvides" 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. They had pretty great comeback songs like "Tonta", "Zum Zum", and "Cuando Lo Olvides".
