# C-Kan

José Luis Maldonado Ramos (born 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 Julión Álvarez 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 called Días de sol.
C-Kan appeared alongside Tanque, Menuda Coincidencia, Beast Jin, Serko Fu, Tino El Penguin, Aczino, 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
List of concerts, show data, city, country, place, opening acts. :
| Day | City | country | place | Opening act |
| North America |||||||
| 19 de diciembre de 2015 | Valle de Chalco | México | Gimnasio Municipal Luis Donaldo Colosio. | — |
| 24 de enero de 2016 | Córdoba | México | — | — |
| 07 de febrero de 2016 | San Luis Potosí | México | — | — |
| 14 de febrero de 2016 | Guadalajara | México | — | — |
| 20 de febrero de 2016 | Torreón | México | Blvd. Revolución y Vasconcelos | — |
| 21 de febrero de 2016 | Monterrey | México | Escena Monterrey | — |
| 27 de febrero de 2016 | Ciudad de México | México | Calzada, La Viga | — |
| 10 de abril de 2016 | Los Reyes | México | El Paraiso del Abuelo | — |
| 03 de diciembre de 2016 | Hermosillo | México | Auditorio CEUNO | — |
| 04 de diciembre de 2016 | Monterrey | México | Escena Monterrey | — |
| 08 de julio de 2017 | Cuautitlán Izcalli | México | — | — |
| 30 July 2017 | Guadalajara | México | "Salón Bugambilias" | — |
| 09 de septiembre de 2017 | Puebla, Puebla | México | "Salón de Convenciones Serdán" | |
* Urbano Fest
List of concerts, show data, city, country, place, notes. :
| Day | City | Country | place | Note(s) |
| 09 de octubre de 2013 | Guadalajara | México | | First urban fest, first rapper in the Fiestas de Octubre. |
| 21 de octubre de 2014 | Guadalajara | México | — | — |
| 29 de octubre de 2015 | Guadalajara | México | — | third city in Guadalajara. |
| 31 October 2015 | Ciudad de México | México | Pepsi Center | second urban of 2015, 2 times bigger, first in CDMX. |
* Mi Canción Tour USA 2022, with Santa Fe Klan
List of concerts, show data, city, country, venue, notes. :
| Day | City | Country | Venue | Note(s) |
| 11 March 2022 | San Antonio, TX | United States of America | Aztec Theatre |
| 12 March 2022 | McAllen, TX | United States of America | McAllen Performing Arts Center |
| 15 March 2022 | Dallas, TX | United States of America | House of Blues |
| 16 March 2022 | Houston, TX | United States of America | House of Blues | with Santa Fe Klan |
| 17 March 2022 | El Paso, TX | United States of America | Plaza Theatre |
| 19 March 2022 | Tucson, AZ | United States of America | Encore | |
| 22 March 2022 | Santa Ana, CA | United States of America | The Observatory |
| 23 March 2022 | Los Angeles, CA | United States of America | The Belasco |
| 25 March 2022 | San Diego, CA | United States of America | House of Blues |
| 26 March 2022 | Fresno, CA | United States of America | Strummer's | with Arce MX |
| 27 March 2022 | Las Vegas, NV | United States of America | House of Blues |
| 3 April 2022 | Portland, OR | United States of America | Bossanova Ballroom | with Young Micah, Lil Espy, Dopamine, Cuddie Whompus |
* LiveNation USA Tour 2022, with MC Davo and Dharius
List of concerts, show data, city, country, venue, notes. :
| Day | City | Country | Venue | Note(s) |
| 30 August 2022 | San Jose, CA | United States of America | The Ritz |
| 31 August 2022 | Sacramento, CA | United States of America | Ace of Spades |
| 2 September 2022 | Portland, OR | United States of America | Roseland Theater |
| 3 September 2022 | Seattle, WA | United States of America | Neptune |
| 5 September 2022 | Boise, ID | United States of America | Knitting Factory | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 6 September 2022 | Salt Lake City, UT | United States of America | The Depot |
| 8 September 2022 | Denver, CO | United States of America | Summit |
| 9 September 2022 | Omaha, NE | United States of America | The Admiral | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 10 September 2022 | Minneapolis, MN | United States of America | Varsity Theater |
| 11 September 2022 | Chicago, IL | United States of America | House of Blues |
| 12 September 2022 | Milwaukee, WI | United States of America | The Rave | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 13 September 2022 | Grand Rapids, MI | United States of America | Intersection |
| 14 September 2022 | Indianapolis, IN | United States of America | Deluxe at Old National Centre |
| 15 September 2022 | Buffalo, NY | United States of America | Iron Works | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 16 September 2022 | Boston, MA | United States of America | The Paradise Rock Club |
| 17 September 2022 | New York, NY | United States of America | Irving Plaza |
| 18 September 2022 | Philadelphia, PA | United States of America | Theatre of Living Arts |
| 21 September 2022 | Washington, DC | United States of America | Union Stage |
| 22 September 2022 | Raleigh, NC | United States of America | The Ritz |
| 23 September 2022 | Atlanta, GA | United States of America | Buckhead Theatre |
| 24 September 2022 | Lake Buena Vista, FL | United States of America | House of Blues |
| 25 September 2022 | Miami, FL | United States of America | La Scala de Miami | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 26 September 2022 | Jacksonville, FL | United States of America | Underbelly | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 27 September 2022 | Birmingham, AL | United States of America | MegaSol | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 28 September 2022 | Memphis, TN | United States of America | Blue Moon Event Center | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 29 September 2022 | New Orleans, LA | United States of America | Parish at House of Blues |
| 30 September 2022 | Laredo, TX | United States of America | Club C | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 1 October 2022 | Mission, TX | United States of America | La Catedral |
| 2 October 2022 | San Antonio, TX | United States of America | The Aztec Theater |
| 3 October 2022 | Houston, TX | United States of America | Warehouse Live | (not a LiveNation venue) |
| 5 October 2022 | Dallas, TX | United States of America | The Echo Lounge and Music Hall |
| 6 October 2022 | El Paso, TX | United States of America | Lowbrow Palace |
| 9 October 2022 | San Diego, CA | United States of America | House of Blues |
| 11 October 2022 | Phoenix, AZ | United States of America | Crescent Ballroom |
| 12 October 2022 | Santa Ana, CA | United States of America | Observatory OC |
| 13 October 2022 | Las Vegas, NV | United States of America | House of Blues |
| 14 October 2022 | Los Angeles, CA | United States of America | Belasco |

## Discography
### Albums

| Títle | Details | Positions | Positions |
| Títle | Details | USA | MEX |
| Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos' | Launching: 10 December 2012 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | — | iTunes 1 |
| Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Launching: 21 July 2014 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | Billboard Top Latin Albums, 42 Latin Rhythm Albums, 3 | — |
| Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Launching: 16 March 2015 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | Billboard Top Latin Albums, 28 Latin Rhythm Albums, 5 | — |
| Antes de Todo | Launching: 30 June 2016 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download Deluxe Edition release same day | Billboard Latin Rhythm Albums, 6 | — |
| MexiCKanos | Launching: 19 November 2016 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | Billboard Top Latin Albums, 24 Latin Rhythm Albums, 3 | — |
| Días de Sol with Pipo Ti | Launching: 25 May 2017 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | — | — |
| Greatest Hits | Launching: 1 November 2018 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | — | — |
| Baúl | Launching: 5 November 2020 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | — | — |
| Mi Canción | Launching: 19 August 2021 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | — | — |
| Baúl 2 | Launching 7 December 2023 Label: Mastered Trax Latino Formats: CD, Music download | — | — |

### Music videos

70 as lead artist, 49 collaborations, 10 simple. :
| Release date | Song | featuring. | Álbum | Recording(s) |
| 23 de julio de 2010 | La Cosa Esta Dura | Lil Jock, Kala, Soldis | — | División Mayúscula |
| 15 de junio de 2011 | Me Enrede En La Calle | Agva | — | — |
| 19 de mayo de 2012 | No Puedo Vivir Sin Verte | — | Voy por el sueño de muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 21 de octubre de 2012 | Me Pongo Joker | — | — | Lunapsis Films |
| 28 de octubre de 2012 | Rafagas | Kapel Da Most, Zimple | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 04 de noviembre de 2012 | Mexicanos Al Grito de Guerra | Quetzal | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 07 de noviembre de 2012 | Ten La Tuya | — | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 11 de diciembre de 2012 | ¿Dónde Estan? | — | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 21 de diciembre de 2012 | M.E.X.I.C.O. | — | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 30 January 2013 | Mi Música Es Un Arma | Zimple, MC Davo | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 07 de febrero de 2013 | Somos de Barrio | Togwy | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 26 de febrero de 2013 | Esta Vida Me Encanta | Zimple, Don Aero | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 28 de febrero de 2013 | Te Lloré | — | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 13 de marzo de 2013 | No Puedo Vivir Sin Verte | — | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 04 de abril de 2013 | Embotellado | Don Kalavera | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 20 de abril de 2013 | Vuelve | MC Davo | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 29 de mayo de 2013 | Déjame Conocerte | — | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 26 de junio de 2013 | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | — | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 24 de julio de 2013 | La Vida No La Tienes Comprada | Zimple | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 05 de septiembre de 2013 | Guerreros | Iluminatik | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 24 de septiembre de 2013 | Me Gusta La Calle | Prynce El Armamento | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 08 de octubre de 2013 | Sexy | Rigo Luna | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 30 October 2013 | Ya No Tiene Caso | Zimple, Javier La Amenaza | Voy Por El Sueño de Muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 22 de noviembre de 2013 | Vivo La Vida Cantando | — | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 29 de noviembre de 2013 | Disculpa | Don Kalavera | Voy por el sueño de muchos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 24 de enero de 2014 | Se Juntarón Las Mafias | Zimple, Asek | — | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 11 de marzo de 2014 | Latinos Unidos | Lil Rob | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 08 de abril de 2014 | Quiero Que Sepas | MC Magic | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 30 April 2014 | Justicia | Arianna Puello | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 28 de mayo de 2014 | Los Que Nadie Quiere | Zimple | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 04 de agosto de 2014 | Si No Estás | T Lopez | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 12 de agosto de 2014 | Eres Para Mí | Sporty Loco, T Lopez | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 14 de septiembre de 2014 | La Calle Sabe De Mi Nombre | — | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 07 de octubre de 2014 | Cuando El Amor Se Acaba | Prynce El Armamento | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 05 de noviembre de 2014 | Ayer, Hoy & Mañana | — | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 02 de diciembre de 2014 | Viajando En Una Nube | Pipo Ti | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 23 de diciembre de 2014 | Yo Soy Quien Soy | T Lopez | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 30 December 2014 | Un Par De Balas | — | Clasificación C, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 27 de enero de 2015 | Por El Mexicano | Sporty Loco | Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 17 de febrero de 2015 | Todo Lo Que Brilla No Es Oro | Don Dinero, Charlie Cruz | Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 16 de marzo de 2015 | Intolerable | — | Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 21 de abril de 2015 | Aparece | Pipo Ti | Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 19 de mayo de 2015 | My Everything | Damon Reel | Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 07 de julio de 2015 | Mamá Me Dijo Un Día | — | Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 14 de agosto de 2015 | Mujer Bonita | MC Magic | Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 16 de septiembre de 2015 | ¿Quién Contra Mí? | — | Clasificación C, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 26 de octubre de 2015 | Mi Todo | Damon Reel | — | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 26 de noviembre de 2015 | Ya Hago Rap | — | — | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 29 de noviembre de 2015 | Te Vas | Crooked Stilo | The Take Over, Vol. 1 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 18 de diciembre de 2015 | Round 1 | MC Davo | — | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 01 de febrero de 2016 | Carta de Amor | Javier La Amenaza | The Take Over, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 26 de febrero de 2016 | Round 2 | MC Davo | — | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 22 de marzo de 2016 | Maria | — | The Take Over, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 29 de marzo de 2016 | Compadres | — | The Take Over, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 11 de abril de 2016 | Ted | — | — | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 27 de mayo de 2016 | ¿Cómo Le Digo? | Derian | The Take Over, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 01 de julio de 2016 | Jodanse Colegas | — | Antes de todo | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 19 de agosto de 2016 | La Música Es Música, La Calle Es Calle | Snoopy, Refye El Demonio | MexiCKanos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 02 de septiembre de 2016 | Pesadilla de Amor | Prynce El Armamento | — | Make Money Records |
| 16 de septiembre de 2016 | Esta Noche | Derian | The Take Over, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 21 de octubre de 2016 | No Te Me Vayas | Melodico | Antes de todo | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 20 de noviembre de 2016 | Ando | Refye El Demonio, Ruff | MexiCKanos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 25 de diciembre de 2016 | Fuego Cruzado | Eslok Diaz | MexiCKanos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 17 de febrero de 2016 | C-Kan Pachino & Concrete De Niro | Concrete, Bz Bwai | The Take Over, Vol. 2 | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 31 March 2017 | Cae La Ley | HomeBoys | MexiCKanos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 31 March 2017 | Me Pones A Volar | Prynce El Armamento | — | Make Money Records |
| 28 de abril de 2017 | Narcos | Ill Mascaras | MexiCKanos | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 26 de mayo de 2017 | De Que Me Sirve | Pipo Ti | Días de sol | Mastered Trax Latino |
| 05 de julio de 2017 | Tú Y Yo | Pipo Ti | Días de sol | Mastered Trax Latino |