Pee Wee

Background

Pee Wee, born Irvin Salinas, on December 8, 1988, in Othello, Washington, is a World Music singer and actor who is credited with songs like ‘Cumbaya’ and the album “Yo Soy.” He lived with his parents and two older siblings — Elizabeth and Simon, in Othello until his parents separated, and he relocated with his mother — Maria Martínez, to La Joya, Texas. There, he engaged in jobs like washing cars and dishes to support his family with extra income.

Reports say it was either while washing cars or at a function held in his school — La Joya High School, that he met his would-be helper, A.B. Quintanilla. Salinas met Quintanilla at 15, and the latter invited him to audition for a role in his band’s upcoming music video. He joined Quintanilla’s band, Kumbia Kings, in 2003 and recorded his first song with the band, ‘Sabes a Chocolate.’ This song was cheered by the public. Because of the song’s success, Quintanilla nicknamed Salinas ‘Pee Wee,’ for being the youngest member of the Kumbia Kings. In 2004, Salinas increased his fan base with ‘Na Na Na (Dulce Niña).’

Salinas later joined Quintanilla’s Kumbia All-Starz band as the lead singer and recorded several singles and an album with them before deciding to set out solo in 2008, following a feud with Quintanilla. In the same year, he debuted as a solo artist with ‘Life Is A Dance Floor.’ He began his T.V. career as a host on the M.T.V. Tr3s’ series “Bust a Ritmo” in 2008. He also competed in the reality show “El Show de Los Sueños” and “Los Reyes del Show,” both of which he won alongside his team members — Ruben and Santiago Galindo. They shared the one million dollar prize equally themselves. Salinas starred as Ulises Morán in the Mexican telenovela “Cameleones” which premiered in July 2009. He released his debut studio album “Yo Soy” in August 2009. Two years after, he changed his name to ‘P.W.,’ saying it was an evolution of Pee Wee. His debut single as P.W., ‘Wanna Be Yours’ released in 2011, showed fans how truly evolved the singer had become with his astonishing dance steps in the music video.