While some are questioning the motives behind his latest business-slash-philanthropic venture, Pitbull's foray into the charter school industry should come as no surprise.
El tipo is a father of six who loves education. He even taught listeners how to count in Spanish with the opening of one of his biggest tracks to date, "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)."
One, two, three four/Uno, dos, tres, cuatro!
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According to the Miami Herald, Armando Christian Pérez has teamed up with Academica to bring SLAM (Sports Leadership and Management) to Little Havana. The privately run public school, which opens next month, will emphasize sports management and boast a strong relationship with the expertly managed Miami Marlins.
"I constantly gave a wrong address to go to a better school," Pit told D.C.'s WUSA 9 last month at the National Charter Schools Conference in Washington. "I don't want anyone in America to have to lie about where they live."
Of course, not everyone thinks that Pitbull is a good spokesperson for education.
Policy reform blog "Mother Crusader" thinks "it is simply mind boggling that Pitbull has been given a charter school in Miami," while the National Education Policy Center questioned the rapper's "misogynistic lyrics and dubious personal behavior."
Enter State Rep. Eric Fresen.
The Miami republican with personal ties to Academica says thinks Pit's heart is in the right place, according to the Herald.
"Armando is a family friend and, more importantly, has three children in high-performing charter schools and believes in them," he said in a statement. "There is no financial motivation. He's very rich on his own right already."
Though he's not as rich as he claims.
Pit was recently called out by Forbes magazine for only making about $9.5 million last year, far less than the billions he raps about in "Feel this moment."
Do you think money motivated Pitbull's charter school, or was it a genuine love for his hometown? Take our poll.
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