Pitbull has officially entered the Guinness World Records, orchestrating the largest ever gathering of people wearing bald caps during his headline performance at British Summer Time (BST) in Hyde Park. The Latin hip hop artist, 45, achieved the unique feat on Friday evening as 22,141 fans donned the distinctive headwear.
Before receiving his certificate, the musician, whose real name is Armando Christian Perez, expressed his excitement, stating: "Record breaking, record making, history in the making. Thank you London, thank you to the fans, thank you Hyde Park, thank you to the Bald-es."
The record-breaking idea originated with BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James, who texted Pitbull on air earlier this year. James later presented Mr Worldwide with his framed Guinness World Record certificate. Upon the official announcement of the count, Pitbull enthusiastically declared, "We did it Bald-es, we did it Bald-es."
Reflecting on the achievement, the artist shared: "Tell you what I’m speechless at this point but I can tell you this much, I say it to the Bald-es all the time in the shows, when y’all put on them bald caps you know you’re about to have the time of your life and now you’re officially in the Guinness book of World Records."
This particular record was a first, as Pitbull was the inaugural individual to attempt the feat under official adjudication, meaning there was no prior benchmark to surpass.
He continued, calling it "a blessing" and "an honour”. Pitbull added: "First of all, to all the Bald-es and all the fans out there, what an honour, a blessing, and it’s still amazing to go around any city. See, there’s nowhere I can hide at this point anywhere in the world, because you know when I’m in your city at this point.
“So to all the Bald-es, without y’all, like I said before, there’s no Pitbull, no movement, no revolution. But man, way to represent and who would ever thought a first-generation Cuban would be able to be in London, record breaking and record making."
Fans, affectionately known as Bald-es, converged on the main stage in their bald caps to be counted, braving capital temperatures forecast to reach 31C. Many completed the look with the singer’s signature black aviators and stick-on goatees, often juggling pints and inflatable globes.
During the count, James light-heartedly reminded the crowd: "Quickly though, are there any actual bald people here? You do need, sir, you do need a bald cap on your bald head for this to count. You will not be counted. I know you’re bald and I know you’ve gone through a lot, but this won’t count."
The trend of fans dressing up as Pitbull – complete with suits, aviators, and bald caps – has become a viral phenomenon at his concerts in recent years, with videos showcasing arenas packed with bald-capped attendees singing along.
Ahead of Friday’s gig, the singer and festival organisers had sought volunteers to assist with the cap count. Supermarket chain Aldi even joined in, supplying 300 caps to fans outside the park and temporarily rebranding itself as "Baldi."
Pitbull, known for hits such as ‘Fireball’, ‘Timber’, and ‘Give Me Everything’, is one of several all-male main stage headliners at this year’s festival, following performances by Maroon 5 and Mumford And Sons, with Lewis Capaldi also set to appear.
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