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Felix Delgado, born in Cuba, arrived in America
with his family at age 5 in search of a better life. Growing up in the South
Bronx, he quickly learned English and adapted to the hip-hop scene that Boogie
Down was building. He met Christopher Rios (Big Pun), Sammy Garcia (Triple Seis),
and Milton Ceeno (Toom), known to Orlando as Da Sick One. Together, these
brothers formed Full A Clips, a group of four Latinos dropping that ill shit
with versatile styles, led by Pun’s murderous verses. They quickly made a name
for themselves in the Bronx and became best friends. Big Pun caught the
attention of Fat Joe and was invited on tour as a member of the Terror Squad. As
success progressed, Pun brought Cuban Link and Triple Seis into the scene as
well, as Da Sick One moved on to other ventures. Cuban got his first big break
with with Big Pun on the Beatnut’s single, “Off the Books.” Cuban soon found
himself making numerous feature appearances on other artists’ albums - Aaron
Hall, Angie Martinez, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Big Pun, and Fat Joe, among others.
On February 7, 2000, Cuban Link lost his mentor and brother when Big Pun died of
heart failure. Pun’s loss had a great impact on Cuban. He headed right back into
the studio, where he put out his first single, “Flowers for the Dead.” All of
the proceeds from the song, which was dedicated to Big Pun, were donated to
Pun’s wife and children through the Liza Rios Foundation.
Cuban’s second single, “Still Telling Lies,” featuring Tony Sunshine, made heavy
noise on the streets and even landed a spot on the Top 20 Billboards. His album
was scheduled to be released on January 19, 2001, but the album was bootlegged
and Atlantic Records was forced to push his project to the side. Cuban headed
back to the studio once again to record with the hopes of getting his album,
24Karat, out in time for spring 2001. Once again, for unexplainable reasons,
Cuban’s album was put on hold. He decided not to renew his contracts with
Atlantic Records or Terror Squad.
After several months of laying low, Cuban was invited to his friend Angie
Martinez’s album release party at Jimmy’s Bronx Café. A fight broke out between
Cuban Link and Fat Joe, and in the middle of the scuffle someone in the crowd
slashed Cuban’s face with a box cutter, leaving heavy scars on his face. To this
day, it is still a mystery who the culprit was.
After the dishonesty and disloyalty from people he once considered family, the
hip-hop world thought Cuban was ruined for good. It was at this time in his life
that he got the calling of a lifetime. Cuban was chosen to cast in the new Brian
DePalma’s sequel to Scarface: Scarface 2, Son of Tony.
Another project underway is a documentary on the life of Big Pun, directed by
Marcos Miranda. Cuban provides an explosive interview on his relationship with
Big Pun, and the rise and fall of their success.
In addition to filming for Scarface 2 and the Big Pun documentary, Cuban is also
in the midst of negotiating a label deal for himself and his new artists, Don
Dinero and One Solo. Cuban tells me, “They can’t stop me. I’m Scarface in the
flesh!” - Big Earl
