Omega (singer)

Antonio Peter de la Rosa[lower-alpha 1] (born January 19, 1978) better known by his stage name Omega "El Fuerte" or simply Omega, is a Dominican singer and songwriter.[2] He is a modern Merengue artist based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.[3] Since 2007, Omega has enjoyed increased popularity in the Dominican Republic and with Dominican-Americans across the United States.[4] He has also penetrated music markets in Spain, Italy and Latin America.

This article is about the Dominican merengue singer. For the Trinidadian reggae singer, see Queen Omega (singer).

Omega
Background information
Birth name	Antonio Peter de la Rosa
Born	(1978-01-19) January 19, 1978 Dominican Republic
Genres	Merengue and Merengue Urbano
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Allegro Music[1] and Planet Records Europe
Website	omegaelfuerte.com

Omega has helped create and popularize[5] a new form of Merengue, called Merengue Urbano or Merengue de Calle.[6] It is a blend of merengue with Hip hop, Rap and R&B.[7][8] This new genre has been adopted by many artists from diverse backgrounds such as Cuban-American Pitbull and Colombian-born Shakira.[8]

Musical career

Peter de la Rosa began developing his musical talent at a young age, by 13 years of age he formed his first rap group.[9] Afterward he began appearing on variety TV shows in the Dominican Republic and won several singing competitions as part of the group Alpha y Omega, from which he derives his stage name.[9] Later on Omega formed the band Omega y Su Mambo Violento, which in 2005 released its first album titled Omega y Su Mambo Violento on the label Allegro Music. The album spawned his break-out hit, "Alante Alante."[1] This was followed by a Casandra Award, given in the Dominican Republic in 2009.[10] Omega then attended his first Latin Grammy Awards in 2010 and also performed at Presidente Beer's Festival of Latin Music in 2010, both events were pivotal to his international recognition.[2][11] Also in 2010, Omega was able to tour the United States and performed in New York City's Manhattan Armory and at Elizabeth, New Jersey's Ritz theater, to name a few venues.[12] Omega's continued popularity led to his being signed by Akon, through his record label Konvict Musik in 2011.[13] Akon has confessed that Omega has helped him to conquer the Dominican market.[14] Akon has also influenced Omega's music leading to Merengue with an Electronic blend as can be heard in Omega's 2012 hit, "Merengue Electronico."[15]

Personal life

Omega was born Antonio Peter de la Rosa[16] in the town of Bonao, Dominican Republic son of Ercilia de La Rosa and Sergio Peter.[9] He grew up in Pantoja, a neighborhood of Santo Domingo.[1] Omega is currently married to Miguelina Sanchez they have two daughters Alejandra and Mariela Sanchez.[9]

Controversies

Peter de la Rosa's musical career has been marred by multiple encounters with authorities in Dominican Republic. He has been arrested on several occasions for failing to pay child support[17], domestic violence[18][19], and breach of contract.

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
			US Latin [20]	US Tropical [21]	Certifications
2006	Omega y Su Mambo Violento		—	—
2007	El Fuerte		—	—
2007	En La Gran Mansion De Moca		—	—
2009	El Dueño del Flow	Released: October 1, 2009 Label: Allegro Formats: CD, digital download	27	4
2011	El Dueño del Flow 2	Released: October 21, 2011 Label: Planet Records Formats: CD, digital download	36	3	RIAA: Gold (Latin)[22]
2016	Mi Libertad	Released: October 28, 2016 Label: El Fuerte II, Konvict Kartel Formats: CD, digital download	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Solo

Year	Single	Peak chart positions				Album(s)
		US LATIN [23]	US LATIN DIGITAL [24]	US LATIN POP [25]	SPAIN [26]		Certifications
2009	"Merengue Electronico"	40	48	31	—	El Dueño del Flow	RIAA: Gold (Latin)[27]
2009	"Si Te Vas/Que Tengo Que Hacer"	—	42	35	45	El Dueño del Flow	RIAA: Platinum (Latin)[28]
2011	"Mr. Saxobeat"	—	25	—	—	Non-Album Single
"—" denotes the single failed to chart or not released

As featured performer

Year	Single	Peak chart positions			Album
		US Latin [23]	US Latin Digital [24]	US Latin Pop [25]
2008	"Mi Alma Se Muere" (Fuego featuring Omega "El Fuerte" and Pitbull)	—	—	1	Chosen Few III
2011	"Dándole" (Gocho featuring Jowell y Omega "El Fuerte")	22	14	21	Mi Musica
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Notes

1. This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Peter and the second or maternal family name is De la Rosa.

References

1. "Omega Biography". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
2. "Omega packs a lot into merengue shows". Daily News. New York. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
3. "Omega El Fuerte – Merenguero". thatsdominican.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
4. "Merengue de calle de Omega suena por lo alto en emisoras hispanas en Miami". El Nuevo Diario (in Spanish). Miami, Florida. January 1, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
5. "Arrestan al cantante Omega por agredir física y sexualmente a su ex esposa". Soitu (in Spanish). EFE. May 21, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
6. "El merengue de calle se desplomó y solo queda Omega". Elportal.com.do (in Spanish). Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. August 26, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
7. "Omega no quiere merengue de calle". Hoy (in Spanish). June 5, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
8. "Merengue Urbano: Not Your Father's Merengue". bmi.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
9. "Biografía, carrera, discos y canciones de Omega" (in Spanish). republica-dominicana-live.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
10. Almánzar, Ramón (March 25, 2009). "Omega es 'el fuerte'". Listin Diario (in Spanish). Retrieved October 24, 2013.
11. "Extravagant After-After Party at the Latin Grammy Awards Show". nochelatina.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
12. "Latino happenings in Nueva York, Sept. 29-Oct. 5FRIDAY OCT. 1". Daily News. New York. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
13. "Akon Signs Mambo Superstar Omega". cbslocal.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
14. Peralta, Laura (September 20, 2011). "Akon: Omega "ha sido de gran ayuda"". Listin Diario (in Spanish). Retrieved October 25, 2013.
15. Almánzar, Ramón (August 6, 2013). "Merengue electrónico". Listin Diario (in Spanish). Retrieved October 25, 2013.
16. "Omega Biography". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
17. Shelly Mendoza (September 10, 2013). "Omega Is Back in Jail". latintrends.com. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
18. Shelly Mendoza (July 26, 2012). "Escandalos de Farandula: Juanes, Omega, and Christian Bale!". latintrends.com. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
19. "Being an artist doesn't get you privileged justice: prosecutor". dominicantoday.com. July 17, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
20. "Billboard Top Latin Albums for Omega". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
21. "Billboard Top Tropical Albums for Omega". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
22. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
23. "Billboard Latin Airplay Songs". Retrieved October 26, 2013.
24. "Billboard Latin Digital Songs". Retrieved October 26, 2013.
25. "Billboard Latin Pop Songs". Retrieved October 26, 2013.
26. "Spanish Music Charts for Omega 'El Fuerte'". SpanishCharts.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
27. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
28. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved April 4, 2019.