US Rapper Pitbull is to receive the prestigious president’s prize at this year’s BMI Latin Awards, organisers have announced. The top award is presented to artists who have “distinctly and profoundly influenced the entertainment industry”. Last year the 31-year-old had a string of hits including Give Me Everything, Shake Senora and Rain Over Me. Previous recipients of the award include Taylor Swift, Gloria Estefan and Willie Nelson. Born in Florida to Cuban parents, Pitbull’s real name is Armando Christian Perez. His music incorporates a wide range of genres, from reggae and hip-hop to dancehall and Miami bass. Although his lyrics are often bilingual - in Spanish and English - he refuses to be pigeonholed by his background.                   –bbc