Biography of Preston LopeZ

Preston Lopez is a Dominican rapper, actor, singer, songwriter, producer, film editor, painter, and entrepreneur. He is known for his provocative and boundary-pushing work in various artistic fields.

Early Life and Education

Lopez was born in the Dominican Republic and later joined his family in New York City, at the age of two. He grew up in the upper section of Manhattan neighborhood called Washington Heights. He faced many economic challenges during his teenage years and early twenties. Sometimes living with different siblings and shared the apartment with borders. Preston had countless jobs from when he was about twelve years old. Lopez attended and graduated from The High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, where he developed his artistic skills and later Kingsborough College.

Career

Music

Lopez began his music career as a singer rapper, releasing several albums, including "Urban Ecstasy" in 2002. His music often incorporates elements of Dominican culture and explores themes of sensuality, desire and political. Lopez's musical style blends hip-hop with Latin rhythms, Rock & Roll and ballads often sung in a falsetto style.

Acting

Preston Lopez has appeared in various films and television shows, including "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," "FBI," "El Capo," "Law & Order: SVU," and "Saturday Night Live." He has also produced and starred in his own TV show, "The Preston Lopez Show," which initially started as a music video program but later evolved to include more mature content.

Art

Preston is also a painter, showcasing his artwork pieces like "Scars of a Native", "Negroes Scraps" and "Anatomy of a Brainiac." His art style blends Neo-Expressionism, Pop Art, and Primitivism. Lopez's artwork often explores themes of identity, culture, and social justice.

Entrepreneurship

Lopez is the founder of Crackl Cookies, a gourmet snack brand that has gained popularity for its unique flavors and bold branding. As an entrepreneur, Lopez has leveraged his artistic vision to create a distinctive brand identity for Crackl Cookies. 

Activism

Lopez has been involved in various activism efforts, including raising awareness about police brutality injustice, voting rights, homelessness and the stop and frisk movement. Lopez has also used his platform on his tv show to advocate for social justice and community empowerment.

Editor & Producer

Preston Lopez is also works behind the scenes (sometimes uncredited) in projects ranging from scoring short films to editing music videos. Apart from editing & Producing " The Preston Lopez Show" for over 29 years He also produced and or edited films like the Dominican comedy "Las Aventuras de Pancho Manguera", the LQBTQ drama " I Still Remember", the jewish period piece documentary "The Spirit of Ruchel Leah" and the "Erotico" home dvd series. 

Discography

Studio Albums

• Urban Ecstasy (2002) - distributed in local record stores in NYC such as TOWER RECORDS. features songs like "My Specialty" "We Shine"  
• Preston Lopez (2014) - features songs like "Vanessa" "Hold On" "Dirty Thoughts" and "Con El Cable"
• Erotico (2017) - features songs like "Erotico" "Love Yourself" and "Wow We Kazawee"
• Paradox (2018) - includes tracks like "Starlett Went 2 Paris" and "Up in my Head"
• Reckonin' (2020) - features singles like "Stop Killin' Us", "They Didn't Knock"  and "The Revolution Will Be Televised"
• Freshman (2025) - includes the single "My Story" “Like a Teen” and “Eric Brite”
• El Plano del Mecanico  (upcoming) - features the singles “To Frío”  and “Coje Pausa”
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Collaborations with Maloko

• W.A.D (song) - produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Preston Lopez and Maloko
• Crackl Cookie (song) - the official cookie company theme, Spanish version, produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Preston Lopez and Maloko
• Maloko (album) - released on September 21, 2021, featuring a mix of bachata, rock, rap, and reggaeton
• Por Mi Korona (song) - performed by Maloko
• Dale bin bin (song) - performed by Maloko

Singles

• "We Are People Too" (single)
• "Stop Killin' Us" (single)
• "President Kills Children" (single)
• "The Revolution Will Be Televised" (single)
• "Rapapari" (single) ¹ ²

Filmography

• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (film)
• FBI (TV series)
• El Capo (TV series)
• Law & Order: SVU (TV series)
• Saturday Night Live (TV series)
• The Preston Lopez Show (TV series)

Artwork

• Comida de Puerco
• Anatomy of a Brainiac
• Makará
• Colored People

Awards and Recognition

Lopez has received recognition for his work in various fields, including music, art, and entrepreneurship. His provocative style and commitment to social justice have made him a notable figure in contemporary art and culture.

Personal Life and Controversies

Lopez has been involved in several controversies throughout his career, including criticism for the mature content in his TV show and other projects. Despite this, Lopez continues to push boundaries and explore new artistic expressions, solidifying his reputation as a multifaceted and provocative artist.