To' Panama

<p><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Origin: Republic of Panama</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Decades: 1970's,1980's, 1990's, and 2000's</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> In his native Panama, Pop music superstar Wilfredo Ingram "El Melodico"is considered a poet and musician of the people. He and his band and former band members were much loved throughout the Latino communities and he has become one of the new wave of artists responsible for revitalizing the tropical music that had been stagnant during the late '80s from overplay and lack of innovation.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Ingram is the son of an accomplish singer songwriter&nbsp; and grew up next to the Cuartel de Bomberos in Colon. As a teen, he was influenced by Ismael Rivera and by the music of Puerto Rican&nbsp; Salseros. Initially, he taught himself the basics of music theory, but after winning a contest, at a local radio station,he decided to take things seriously,and became part of Panama Combos Nacionales.As time passed by&nbsp; he missed his native Panama and so returned to experiment with blending local African-influenced music, folk songs and ballads with diferent groups such as; Los Sui Generis,The Strangers and &nbsp;Los Mozambiquez de Oscar De Leon. The band takes its name from an african region known for its diverse taste in music of all genre.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> His debut album, titled "El Melodico", made little impact. For his next efforts, Nicolasa y Haces Falta and Pa'Panama, El Melodico began adding merengue,kumpa,bachata and mellow sounding ballenato with cumbia,followed by a plena , and rapidly&nbsp; found success with a young and older crowd tired from hearing the same old thing. The new music, called "The Remix" soon won considerable acclaim in the&nbsp; Republic of Panama</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> El Melodico Pana had one of his biggest hits, Nicolasa, which became the third best-selling single in Latin America. . In 2010, he released the bachata Para Que Llorar&nbsp; which became a smash hit throughout the Americas and won El Melodico the public in the U.S. The single was particularly popular in Los Angeles and soon El Melodico Pana was the man. His next single, Quiereme, caused controversy in the&nbsp; Republic of Panama for speaking out against love and infidelity that the desperately poor felt Ingram had never personally experienced. Still, he must be given credit for his sincerity and interest in improving things in his oft-troubled homeland. Musically, Wilfredo changed directions again for his&nbsp; effort with Olvide. This single incorporated more of the increasingly popular Pana- African folk music. It became quite popular. His next release Si Te Vas and Amiga,&nbsp; garnered El Melodico&nbsp; for Best&nbsp; Performance, Best Tropical Song for "El Mensaje," and for Best Engineered Album of all times.</span><br /> &nbsp;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </strong></p>