C-Kan

José Luis Maldonado Ramos (b. Guadalajara, Jalisco, 26 July 1987), better known by his stage name C-Kan, is a Mexican singer, songwriter and rapper signed to Mastred Trax since 2012. He became popular in 2012 through his success on social networks, with his demo "Voy Por El Sueño De Muchos" (2012) "Classification C, Vol. 1" (2014). "Vivo La Vida Cantando" is the title of the first single from his second album, entitled Clasificación C. In 2015, C-Kan released his third album entitled "Clasificacion C, Vol. 2". HMexiCKanos was released on 20 November 2016 in physical format in Mexico and digital format (on iTunes). C-Kan has over 5 million subscribers on its YouTube channel and over 100 million views. He worked with artists such as MC Davo, Dharius, Santa Fe Klan, Gera Mx, B-Real, Don Dinero, Don Cheto, Lil Rob, T Lopez, Chingo Bling, Baby Bash, SPM, King Lil G, 50 Cent, MC Magic, Pipo Ti, Al2 El Aldeano, Kinto Sol, Fermín IV and Sick Jacken.

Career
C-Kan began rapping when he was a teenager, rhyming about life in the streets, gangs, drugs and violence. His first group mixtape, 'Get Money', released in 2006. That same year his first individual mixtape arrived: ‘Déjenme Afinar los Gallos’.

In 2007, he released his second mixtape, called "Siluetas del Rap", and a few months after, he released "Déjame Afilar Los Gallos". Following this h was signed by Mastered Trax Latino. Along with fellow rappers, Bodka37 and Masibo, C-Kan formed a group called Radikales, releasing their first single "La Rebelión de un Sueño" by the end of 2007.

For the following years, he focused on new singles and improving his onstage performance. He attracted attention through his music videos posted on YouTube, as well as appearances on Mexican news programs where he spoke about the social issues in his lyrics.

2012–2015
C-Kan signed to Mastered Trax Latino in 2012, and released his first album: Voy por el sueño de muchos. Two years later he released his second album as part of Mastered Trax, titled Clasificación C, followed by Clasificación C, Vol. 2 (2015).

In 2015, C-Kan and Julion Alvarez were the only two Mexican artists promoted through Tidal after the music-service launched its platform in Mexico. Popular songs from Clasificación C, Vol. 2 were performed via livestream on 29 October 2015 at Auditorio Benito Juárez.

2016–present
C-Kan made his debut as a soundtrack composer in 2016 for Pantelion Films newest movie, Compadres. On 1 July 2016, he released the album, Antes de Todo.

He was among the more than 60 performers at Budweiser's two-day "Made in America" festival in 2016.

On 26 May 2017 he released a collaboration album with Pipo Ti [es] called Días de sol [es].

C-Kan appeared alongside Tanque, Menuda Coincidencia, Beast Jin, Serko Fu, Tino El Penguin, Aczino [es], and Mike Díaz in Kyzza Terrazas' documentary Somos lengua, covering the growth of rap and hip-hop in Mexico. The documentary premiered at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York 22 September 2017.

In 2020, C-Kan signed with 33 & West for exclusive representation in the U.S. and Canada.

He released the album Mi Cancion in 2021.

C-Kan performed in Houston with Santa Fe Klan on 16 March 2022. He also toured with MC Davo and Dharius from 30 August 2022 to 14 October 2022.

On 30 September 2023, the song Por Mi México (Remix), a collaboration between Lefty Sm and Santa Fe Klan, and featuring Dharius, C-Kan, MCDavo, and Neto Peña, peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. It had debuted at number 7 in Latin Digital song sales. The music video reached number 14 on YouTube Music's Top Videos in Mexico for the week of 8—14 March 2024.

For the week of 15 March — 21 March 2024, C-Kan was at number 64 on the YouTube Music Mexico Most popular Streaming Artists Chart.

Musical style
Maldonado states his musical influences are reggaeton & rap. Maldonado stated that his biggest influences are rappers like Control Machete, Cypress Hill, Dyablo, Magisterio, Caballeros del Plan G, Gamberroz, Big Boy and Vico C.

Maldonado's music has been known as "reggaetonero" and "romantic rapper". Most of his songs are often used autotune.

Personal life
C-Kan was born and raised in the city of Guadalajara. At the age of 12 his father died, and he began making a life on the streets of Guadalajara. Alongside crime and violence, rap was also part of his life, and at 16, Ramos Maldonado discovered his talent for it. He is also father of a child.

Politics
He has stated that the violence he talks about in his music is a reflection of real life that is a direct result of "poverty and the lack of education".

C-Kan is also known for supporting the free use of marijuana in México. In an interview for the Costa Rican newspaper La Nación, he admitted using it, and claimed that public opinion will change as he believes misinformation is responsible for the current attitude toward the use of marijuana.

C-Kan has stated that he believes the government of Mexico is manipulating the public through the news media, praising social media as a vehicle for allowing people to obtain information the government would prefer they not have. He specifically cites the incidents of the Iguala mass kidnapping, and the incident in which the Federal Police killed protestors in Apatzingán. He has also expressed concern with the distribution of wealth in Mexico.

In 2016, C-Kan publicly stated that he would not enter the United States as long as Donald Trump remained President in direct response to the disparaging comments Trump made regarding Mexicans.

Tours

 * MC Davo vs C-Kan
 * Dos Tipos de Cuidado
 * Días de Sol


 * Urbano Fest
 * Mi Canción Tour USA 2022, with Santa Fe Klan
 * LiveNation USA Tour 2022, with MC Davo and Dharius