Héctor Delgado Román, (born in Carolina, Puerto Rico) is a retired (secularly) Puerto Rican reggaeton artist and producer, formerly known by the artistic names Héctor "El Father". He has, however, a series of "Farewell Concerts" that go until May 2010. He rose to fame as a member of the duo Héctor y Tito. As a producer Delgado has worked with several reggaeton producers, as well as Emilio Estefan.
Musical Trajectory:
Los Bambinos
Hector joined Efraín Fines Nevares (later known as Tito "El Bambino") and formed the duo Héctor y Tito ("Los Bambinos"). Héctor y Tito released their first album in 1998. Together they became reggaeton stars releasing several successful albums and making appearances in several compilations, becoming one of the most sought-out duos in the genre. Both became the first reggeaton artists to sell out a massive concert in Puerto Rico, opening the path to other artists such as Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and Wisin & Yandel. As a duet both captured the world's attention and made reggeaton a popular genre, winning awards such as the Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin rap album of the year for their album "A La Reconquista".
In 2005, the duo announced their breakup, and each of them has continued with their separate careers.
Gold Star Music
Delgado followed the success of Trébol Clan with his own compilation album titled Los Anormales which went on to break all record sales in Puerto Rico with 130,000 copies sold in just two days. Los Anormales featured the reggaeton artists such as Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Trebol Clan, Divino, Zion and the duo Alexis y Fido.
In February, Delgado performed in the Canary Islands during their big Carnival festivities. His performance was a sold out success. His song "Baila Morena", which Delgado produced for Hector y Tito, was one of the most air played songs in this Spanish territory.
Roc-A-Fella
In mid 2005 Delgado signed an agreement with Roc-A-Fella Records owner Jay-Z to promote him in the United States through the newly founded Roc-A-Fella sub-label Roc La Familia. The label, created to house international artists, would have Jay-Z and Hector both produce and perform on a compilation album. The album titled "Rompe Discotekas" featured top of the line artists both from United States hip-hop and Spanish reggaeton music industries.
Additionally, Delgado became the Hispanic image for, what was at that time, the Roc-A-Fella owned clothing line Rocawear. The advertising campaign including his image was featured in TV spots, print, and billboards. The agreement included a deal for Rocawear to sponsor Delgado's own clothing designs under the label Bambino. The clothing deal included Héctor designing tennis shoes to be released as part of the Jay-Z's "S. Carter Collection" under Reebok.
Solo career
In September 16, 2005, he presented two sold-out concerts titled The Bad Boy in Puerto Rico with artists like Wisin & Yandel, Alexis y Fido, Trebol Clan, Fat Joe, Polaco and others.
Delgado has become one of the most successful producers, not only in the reggaeton genre, but in the Latin American music business, even working with renowned Cuban producer Emilio Estefan.
On January 2008 Delgado decided to lose weight and contracted José Bonilla, a personal trainer to help him. He also began practicing the Atkins diet. At the beginning of this weight program he weighed 221 pounds and hoped to lose 31 pounds.
RETIREMENT AND CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY
On September 3, 2008, Delgado announced his retirement from the music industry, he said "Hace seis meses murió Héctor 'El Father'". Translated from the Spanish this means "Six months ago Hector 'The Father' died." In a press conference held in Puerto Rico, the rapper announced that he intended to pursue a religious career. He was asked what were his next steps, in accordance with his new faith. He was even asked if he sought the calling of Pastor or Evanangelist. Although he did not know if he was going to be a pastor because he said he could not predict what God wanted. The release of his album 'El Juicio Final' marks the end of his SECULAR career in the reggaeton world. Delgado said he had made the decision six months prior to the announcement but is fulfilling his music contract which obligated him to release one more album for the label that, he says, will be his last. The album "El Juicio Final" was a fully Christian Themed album and found success amoung the latin christian community. Hector now travels and does evangelistic spoken word engagements, which deal with his personal testimony and performs songs from his last album.