Kingz One (stylized as K1) is an American Latin music group founded in 2004 by brothers Alex Ramirez and Roy Ramirez. The duo, originally from Chicago, Illinois, later based the group in Corpus Christi, Texas. Prior to forming Kingz One, the Ramirez brothers performed with their uncle’s Tejano band La Sombra and were founding members of the Grammy‑nominated group Kumbia Kings.
Origins and Musical Style
Kingz One’s music blends a variety of genres, including cumbia, reggaeton, Latin pop, hip‑hop, rap, Tejano, and reggae. Most of their songs are performed in Spanish, though the group has also released English‑language tracks, such as “My World” from their debut album Nuestro Turno.
Members
- Alex Ramirez – vocals, songwriter
- Roy Ramirez – vocals, songwriter
- Alfonso Herrera – instrumentation
- Nino B – instrumentation
- Tony Gonzalez – instrumentation
- Angel Castillo – instrumentation
- Jennifer Watts – instrumentation
Former members have included Andrew “Baby Drew” Maes, Issai Piñón, JB Barrientes, Marko MC, Chex Lozano, and Frank Lozano.
Career Highlights
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Debut Album – Nuestro Turno (2004): Released on 10 February 2004, the album featured the single “A Que Te Pongo (I Bet I’ll Make You)”, which received extensive radio play and was later covered by multiple artists. The release prompted a promotional tour in Mexico.
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Billboard Latin Music Award Nomination (2005): The group was nominated for “Latin Rap/Hip‑Hop Album of the Year” for Nuestro Turno.
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Tejano Music Awards Nomination (2005): The single “A Que Te Pongo” was nominated for Song of the Year.
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Hiatus and Collaborations: After a period of reduced activity, the Ramirez brothers worked with cousin Cruz Martínez on the Los Super Reyes project and collaborated with artists such as Fat Joe, DJ Kane, Frankie J, and Alicia Villareal.
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Second Album – Resurrección (2011): Released on 13 December 2011, the album continued the group’s eclectic style and featured collaborations with former Kumbia Kings members and other Latin music figures. Singles from the album—including “Mañana”, “Dame”, “Si Me Quieres Tu”, and “Baby Yea”—achieved heavy radio rotation and appeared on Tejano Magazine’s Top 20 and Latin Groove International Hits charts.
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Television Appearances: Kingz One promoted their releases on U.S. Spanish‑language television programs such as Despierta América, Don Francisco Presenta, Sabado Gigante, and Al Rojo Vivo.
Discography (selected)
- Nuestro Turno (2004) – debut studio album, includes “A Que Te Pongo”.
- Resurrección (2011) – second studio album, includes singles “Mañana” and “Dame”.
Online Presence
The group maintains an official website (www.k1musik.com) and active social‑media profiles, including an Instagram account (@officialk1) where they share updates on new music and performances.
Legacy
Kingz One is recognized for extending the legacy of the Kumbia Kings by integrating contemporary urban influences into traditional Latin genres. Their work has contributed to the evolution of modern Tejano and cumbia music, particularly within the U.S. Hispanic community.