Pitbull Embraces Alaska, Gets Key to Kodiak
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Armando Cristian Pérez, better known by the stage name Pitbull, holds baby Christopher Brian Pruitt-Panamarioff Monday, July 30, 2012 on stage in Kodiak, Alaska during a performance by the Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers. The dancers were among the groups welcoming the internationally-known musician to the Island after Kodiak won a Walmart-sponsored contest. (AP Photo/James Brooks, Kodiak Daily Mirror) (AP)
Pitbull is certainly living to his nickname, Mr. Worldwide.
The Miami rapper, who is in Sarah Palin’s home state, can now say he's safe from bears in Alaska after receiving a care package Monday from Walmart during his visit to Kodiak, complete with bear repellent spray and bear bells used by hikers to make noise, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported.
The bear spray had special meaning to about 250 people who attended the Pitbull appearance at the Coast Guard base in Kodiak. The rapper had tweeted he heard the local Walmart sold the spray.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In a marketing deal, Pitbull — whose real name is Armando Christian Pérez — agreed to visit the Walmart that got the most likes on its Facebook page.
Kodiak was the easy winner, thanks to David Thorpe, a Boston writer who thought it would be funny to send Pitbull to the most remote Walmart possible. Thorpe, who asked his readers who like Kodiak, and thousands did, was also in Alaska Monday and took a photo with the rapper.
Pitbull was a sport, receiving a key to the city from Kodiak Mayor Pat Branson, who donned shades to mimic the dapper rapper's look.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pitbull tweeted a picture of him holding a child onstage alongside Alutiiq (UH'-loo-tic) dancers and said, "Thank U Kodiak ... I am honored, truly."
The rapper, known as "Mr. Worldwide," told the audience he would put Kodiak into a future song.
Following the appearance at the Coast Guard base, he met employees of the Walmart.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The news comes just as Pitbull became a partner and board member of the Miami Subs Grill fast-food chain.
The agreement authorizes the rapper, who began his artistic career as a teenager on the Miami rap scene, a "significant" position in the chain, which has more than 40 stores, mainly in South Florida.
The alliance will help to re-launch a brand that has languished in recent years.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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