Featured artist; DON IVAN “El Phenomeno"

Having served two tours of duty in Iraq and the Middle East, this highly decorated combat veteran’s second tour was cut short when on December 23, 2004 his unit was ambushed while doing a door-to-door sweep in Fallujah, which the U.S. military described as “some of the heaviest urban combat U.S. Marines have been involved in since the Battle of Huế City in Vietnam.” A born leader, Don Iván took up the point position during an anything but routine search of a neighborhood known to harbor Iraqi insurgents. He had just successfully completed the search and destruction of one building, when he moved on to the next. Just as he was about to lob a grenade inside, the front door burst open and the enemy opened fire with an AK-47 assault rifle. More enemy combatants instantly appeared in the windows and on the rooftop and rained down a barrage of gunfire on him and his unit. Don Iván was hit with five rounds of enemy fire and the grenade he was about to launch fell to the ground and exploded mere inches away from where he lay.


Thanks to the quick action of Navy Corpsman HM2 Matthew Early and his brothers in arms, Don Iván’s life was spared that day. He did, however, suffer a collapsed lung, a shattered humerus, ruptured femoral artery and a multitude of other injuries. He spent over one month in various hospitals where he underwent multiple surgeries. While hospitalized in Bethesda, Maryland he was visited by the Commandant and was personally awarded his Purple Heart by the highest-ranking officer in the Marine Corps. Unable to return to action, Don Iván reluctantly chooses to be honorably discharged from the Marine Corps rather than take a desk job. With his military career behind him he is free to pursue his other love—music!
 

Born Carlos Ilarraza Allende in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Don Iván was exposed to Latin music and culture at an early age. He moved to the U.S. at the age of 11 where his father introduced him to a wide variety of music ranging from salsa to rock to freestyle to R&B. Don Iván has successfully blended this wide range of influences to create his own distinctive brand of Latin Urban Music. With songs ranging from love to life on the streets to high-energy dance beats, his unique sound results in a crossover format that is sure to impress even the most discriminating music critic. The prolific lyrics and infectious grooves will pound away in your head long after the music has stopped.


His life experiences exceed most and is evident in the depth of his lyrics. Don Iván “el phenomeno” is a singer, songwriter, producer and performer and is arguably one of the most lethal and agile contenders in the Latin Urban Movement. His real, raw and fierce lyrics, combined with his electrifying live performances have garnered much praise and adulation from many industry professionals. At such an early stage in his career, he has already collaborated with well-known producer Jeeve (Carlos Santana, Paulina Rubio, Luis Fonsi, Chelo, Rigo Luna, Tupac Shakur, The Game, Lina and Darius Rucker) and has worked with producers from both North and South America as well as Europe. Don Iván has toured extensively throughout California and performed as a house act at The Rumba Room on the Universal City Walk throughout 2005. He has supported such artists as Tego Calderon, Cristian Castro, Rocky Padilla, Brenton Wood, Zapp, Tevin Campbell, Jon B, Evelyn Champagne King, Debarge, En Vogue, Debbie Deb, and Chamillionaire.

At first look you will see something refreshingly different about Don Iván. From his tailor-made suits to his spit-shined shoes, he exudes an air of success and confidence. Although the fierceness of his lyrics and the swagger of his gait may seem intimidating, Don Iván is the consummate class act.

Don Iván is without a doubt the complete package. With the discipline and precision of a military machine, he continues to hone his writing and producing skills. When not on the road performing you will find him working in the studio for days on end. His passion for perfection and desire to constantly evolve as an artist will keep this rising star burning bright for some time to come.

Keep up with Don Ivan;
www.twitter.com/donthephenom
www.facebook.com/donthephenom

For more info;
David Castagno
949 363 8144
david@castagnogroup.com