Omega (singer)

This article is about the Dominican merengue singer. For the Trinidadian reggae singer, see Queen Omega (singer).
Omega
Background information
Birth nameAntonio Peter De la Rosa
Born (1979-01-17) January 17, 1979 (age 45)
Bonao, Dominican Republic
GenresMerengue, merengue urbano
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2004–present
LabelsAllegro Music[1] and Planet Records Europe
Websiteomegaelfuerte.com

Antonio Peter De la Rosa[a] (born January 17, 1979) better known by his stage name Omega "El Fuerte" or simply Omega, is a Dominican singer and songwriter.[2] He is a modern day merengue artist based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.[3] Since 2007, Omega has enjoyed increased popularity in the Dominican Republic and with Dominican-Americans across the United States.[4] He has also penetrated music markets in Spain, Italy, and Latin America.[citation needed]

Omega has helped create and popularize[5] a new form of merengue, called merengue urbano or merengue de calle.[6] It is a blend of merengue with hip hop and R&B.[7][8] This new genre has been adopted by many artists from diverse backgrounds such as Cuban-American Pitbull and Colombian-born Shakira.[8]

Musical career

[edit]

Peter De la Rosa began developing his musical talent at a young age, by 13 years of age he formed his first rap group.[9] Afterward he began appearing on variety TV shows in the Dominican Republic and won several singing competitions as part of the group Alpha y Omega, from which he derives his stage name.[9] Later on Omega formed the band Omega y Su Mambo Violento, which in 2005 released its first album titled Omega y Su Mambo Violento on the label Allegro Music. The album spawned his break-out hit, "Alante Alante".[1] This was followed by a Casandra Award, given in the Dominican Republic in 2009.[10]

In 2010, Omega attended his first Latin Grammy Awards and also performed at Presidente Beer's Festival of Latin Music; both events were pivotal to his international recognition.[2][11] Also in 2010, Omega toured the United States and performed in New York City's Manhattan Armory and at Elizabeth, New Jersey's Ritz theater, among other venues.[12] Omega's continued popularity led to his being signed by Akon, through his record label Konvict Musik in 2011.[13] Akon has confessed that Omega has helped him to conquer the Dominican market.[14] Akon has also influenced Omega's music leading to Merengue with an Electronic blend as can be heard in Omega's 2012 hit, "Merengue Electronico".[15]

Personal life

[edit]

Omega was born Antonio Peter De la Rosa[16] in the town of Bonao, Dominican Republic, the son of Ercilia De La Rosa and Sergio Peter.[9] He grew up in the Pantoja neighborhood of Santo Domingo.[1] Omega is currently married to Miguelina Sanchez; they have two daughters.[9]

[edit]

Peter De la Rosa's musical career has been marred by multiple encounters with authorities in Dominican Republic. He has been arrested on several occasions for failing to pay child support,[17] domestic violence,[18][19] and breach of contract.[citation needed]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Year Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Latin
[20] 		US
Tropical
[21] 		Certifications
2006 Omega y Su Mambo Violento — —
2007 El Fuerte — —
2007 En La Gran Mansion De Moca — —
2009 El Dueño del Flow
  • Released: October 1, 2009
  • Label: Allegro
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 27 4
2011 El Dueño del Flow 2
  • Released: October 21, 2011
  • Label: Planet Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 36 3
  • RIAA: Gold (Latin)[22]
2016 Mi Libertad
  • Released: October 28, 2016
  • Label: El Fuerte II, Konvict Kartel
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Solo

[edit]
Year Single Peak chart positions Album(s)
US
LATIN
[23] 		US
LATIN
DIGITAL
[24] 		US
LATIN
POP
[25] 		SPAIN
[26] 		Certifications
2009 "Merengue Electronico" 40 48 31 — El Dueño del Flow
  • RIAA: Platinum (Latin)[27]
2009 "Si Te Vas (¿Qué Tengo Que Hacer?)" — 42 35 45 El Dueño del Flow
  • RIAA: Platinum (Latin)[28]
2011 "Mr. Saxobeat" — 25 — — Non-Album Single
"—" denotes the single failed to chart or not released
[edit]
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US
Latin
[23] 		US
Latin Digital
[24] 		US
Latin Pop
[25]
2008 "Mi Alma Se Muere"
(Fuego featuring Omega "El Fuerte" and Pitbull) 		— — 1 Chosen Few III
2011 "Dándole"
(Gocho featuring Jowell y Omega "El Fuerte") 		22 14 21 Mi Musica
2023 "Arranca"
(Becky G featuring Omega") 		— 7 32 Non album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Peter and the second or maternal family name is De la Rosa.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Omega Biography". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Omega packs a lot into merengue shows". Daily News. New York. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  3. ^ "Omega El Fuerte – Merenguero". thatsdominican.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  4. ^ "Merengue de calle de Omega suena por lo alto en emisoras hispanas en Miami". El Nuevo Diario (in Spanish). Miami, Florida. January 1, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  5. ^ "Arrestan al cantante Omega por agredir física y sexualmente a su ex esposa". Soitu (in Spanish). EFE. May 21, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  6. ^ "El merengue de calle se desplomó y solo queda Omega". Elportal.com.do (in Spanish). Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. August 26, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  7. ^ "Omega no quiere merengue de calle". Hoy (in Spanish). June 5, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Merengue Urbano: Not Your Father's Merengue". bmi.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d "Biografía, carrera, discos y canciones de Omega" (in Spanish). republica-dominicana-live.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  10. ^ Almánzar, Ramón (March 25, 2009). "Omega es 'el fuerte'". Listin Diario (in Spanish). Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  11. ^ "Extravagant After-After Party at the Latin Grammy Awards Show". nochelatina.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  12. ^ "Latino happenings in Nueva York, Sept. 29-Oct. 5FRIDAY OCT. 1". Daily News. New York. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  13. ^ "Akon Signs Mambo Superstar Omega". cbslocal.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  14. ^ Peralta, Laura (September 20, 2011). "Akon: Omega "ha sido de gran ayuda"". Listin Diario (in Spanish). Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  15. ^ Almánzar, Ramón (August 6, 2013). "Merengue electrónico". Listin Diario (in Spanish). Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  16. ^ "Omega Biography". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  17. ^ Shelly Mendoza (September 10, 2013). "Omega Is Back in Jail". latintrends.com. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  18. ^ Shelly Mendoza (July 26, 2012). "Escandalos de Farandula: Juanes, Omega, and Christian Bale!". latintrends.com. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  19. ^ "Being an artist doesn't get you privileged justice: prosecutor". dominicantoday.com. July 17, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Billboard Top Latin Albums for Omega". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  21. ^ "Billboard Top Tropical Albums for Omega". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  22. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  23. ^ a b "Billboard Latin Airplay Songs". Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Billboard Latin Digital Songs". Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  25. ^ a b "Billboard Latin Pop Songs". Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  26. ^ "Spanish Music Charts for Omega 'El Fuerte'". SpanishCharts.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  27. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  28. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
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