Dale, WNBA fans. This year's WNBA All-Star Game halftime show will have some Miami flair thanks to Grammy Award-winning artist, Pitbull.
The performer will serenade the Footprint Center with his hits—think "Timber," "Give Me Everything" and maybe even throw "Fireball" in there for some variation. Though he hasn't had a smash song the likes of those three bops in a while, there's no doubt Pitbull will have the arena bumping in no time.
Pitbull is the highest profile artist the WNBA has ever had at its halftime show, following in 2023 performer Kehlani's footsteps. If you want a refresher on the star ahead of his primetime performance, you're in the right place.
MORE: WNBA All-Star voting results
Why is Pitbull performing at the WNBA All-Star halftime show?
Phoenix Mercury and Suns owner Mat Ishbia is responsible for coaxing Pitbull to perform at this year's halftime show. He explained why adding the star to the All-Star Game lineup aligns with the values encompassed by the WNBA.
“We have an opportunity to use AT&T WNBA All-Star to showcase an incredible league and some of the greatest athletes in the world. It’s important everything we do, on and off the floor, is at the same level as the superstars who will be playing,” Ishbia said. “Pitbull is one of the world’s most dynamic artists, and I wanted a halftime performer who reflects the same excitement, passion, and incredible fandom of the WNBA.”
The artist expressed his excitement to perform at the game on Twitter, offering gratitude to the women in his life and highlighting the women of the league. And of course, he had to finish it out with a signature dale.
I was raised by a woman and a woman made me a man. It's an honor to make history and perform at the @WNBA All-Star Game. Here's to all the powerful women of the WNBA. Daleee pic.twitter.com/MurdDIsDFm
— Pitbull (@pitbull) July 16, 2024
When did Pitbull last release music?
Pitbull came out with a single on June 6 titled "2 The Moon" with Ne-Yo and AFROJACK. It peaked at 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since dropped off the list.
He also released his 12th studio album, "Trackhouse," on Oct. 6, 2023. It was his first album since "Libertad 548" in 2019. "Trackhouse" includes features from T-Pain, Lil' Jon, Nile Rodgers, and Zac Brown.
Pitbull has been a co-owner of Team Trackhouse since 2021, just after Justin Marks established the NASCAR racing team in 2020. Marketing for the album was linked with marketing for the team, including custom paint schemes matching the album cover for each car during a race to promote the release.
The album cover also shows the team’s two cars on the streets of Miami in the background, while in the foreground is a Trackhouse jacket-wearing Pitbull. He expressed that the album was inspired by both his and Trackhouse's stories.
"This is all about our stories coming together...They coincide," he said in a promotion for the album. "It's all about constantly fighting, proving everybody wrong, it's that underdog mentality, that nothing to something. That's where it all aligns."
MORE: Kate Martin injury updates
What is Pitbull's real name?
Unfortunately, Pitbull isn't the artist's actual name, and neither is Mr. 305 or Mr. Worldwide. His real name is Armando Christian Pérez.
According to his biography, "Pitbull: Mr. Worldwide," he chose the name based on the dog breed's tenacious and unrelenting spirit. He says in the book that "[Pitbulls] bit to lock. The dog is too stupid to lose...They're basically everything that I am."
