Pitbull fans set world record as 22,000 wear bald caps

Pitbull and his legion of fans have set the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing bald caps at his headline BST Hyde Park show.

The rapper and singer, known as Mr Worldwide, lived up to his name by inspiring a global trend in recent years which sees crowds rock up to his concerts dressed in his signature style of suits and sunglasses and, of course, wearing bald caps.

Ahead of his performance at the London festival, tens of thousands of concertgoers gathered by the main stage to be officially counted.

It was later confirmed to Pitbull the record had been set at 22,141 bald cap wearers, which he hailed as a “blessing” and an “honour”.

“Who would have ever thought a first-generation Cuban would be able to be in London record-breaking and record-making one for the Guinness Book of World Records,” the Grammy-award winner, whose real name is Armando Christian Perez, told reporters.

He thanked his fans, “the baldies”, for their support, praising them as his “number one” focus.

BBC Radio 1 Breakfast presenter Greg James and content creator Jack Remmington kickstarted the idea last year after Remmington shared a video suggesting the record should be attempted at BST, while James helped get Pitbull on board.

Fans who had come decked out in full Pitbull attire told BBC Newsbeat they were feeling “sweaty and bald” but “amazing” as they basked in highs of 32C in London.

Reflecting on why they wanted to be a part of the world record attempt, they described the music artist, also dubbed Mr 305, as “an inspiration” and someone who is “so fun” and brings “such good vibes”.

“He just brings out the best in everyone,” another fan added.

“Look at everyone, it’s amazing, its great to be a part of this.”

Pitbull kept the good times rolling when he took to the stage to perform a host of his hits, with fan favourites like Fireball and Give Me Everything receiving a huge roar from the sea of bald caps.

He also peppered in some Latin classics like Daddy Yankee’s Gasolina and hyped up the crowd even when he did his numerous costume changes by playing a mashup of club classics.

To thank the largest crowd BST Hyde Park has ever had, which extended to a capacity of nearly 70,000 for the occasion, Pitbull performed the Oasis hit Wonderwall, which has become an unofficial anthem for England during the World Cup.

“To be able to celebrate and congratulate each other – its an honour, its a privilege and its priceless,” he told the crowd before the classic chords struck up.

His support acts, pop star Kesha and rapper Lil Jon, also joined him on stage for their collaboration tracks.

Kesha, who also donned a bald cap, and Pitbull both lauded their hit Timber as a track which “completely changed my life”.

The 45-year-old star, who was born in Miami to Cuban parents, began his career in the Latin hip hop scene, releasing his debut album M.I.A.M.I. back in 2004.

By the late 2000s he had transitioned into the world of pop with tracks like I Know You Want Me and Hotel Room Service, which shot him up the charts in the UK and US.

He has gone on to collaborate with global stars, such as Christina Aguilera, Usher and Shakira, sold more than 25 million albums worldwide and secured a best Latin Rock or Alternative Album Grammy for his record Dale.

The festival also saw a lively performance by Pass Out star Tinie Tempah, who told Newsbeat he thinks people are connecting with artists who bring them nostalagia as they are “harking back to a more simple time in the world”.

“I think it’s amazing to be an artist that’s been in people’s lives year-on-year, memories upon memories.

“Whether it’s graduating from school, going to your first Fresher’s rave, meeting your partner, I think that’s always what resonates with me about music.”

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