2000s music legend opens up about how a teacher turned his life around

Pitbull, “Mr.305,” or “Mr.Worldwide,” …. whatever you want to call him, the Miami music legend put on a show Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.

And while entertainment was on the menu, the rapper and singer who rose to fame through the 2000s, took the time to tell a heartwarming story about how this all came to be.

Pitbull shared that he never had the chance to finish high school due to moving around and attending “25 different schools.” During his speech, the singer mentioned the “hope” a specific teacher gave him to want to do better and change his life.

“I didn’t finish high school due to certain circumstances, lived in a lot of different neighborhoods, 25 different schools, nothing bad, all good,” he told the crowd. “It helped build character. Good neighborhoods, bad neighborhoods, worse neighborhoods, but a teacher changed my life.

“When I was hopeless, she gave me hope; ironically, her name is Hope Martinez,” he continued. “She looked me straight in my face when I was being a knucklehead and said, ‘I believe in you,’ and that changed my life.”

Through this life-changing moment, the singer spoke about how he could now meet with the right people to help build schools for kids who need it called “SLAM!” or “Sports, Leadership and Management.” SLAM is a K-12 school whose focus is to “provide an innovative and in-depth secondary educational program that produces college-bound students through emphasis on sports-related majors and post-secondary preparation.” according to its website.

The singer continued, explaining that he enjoys investing in the future of children and that his fans help support them, making them a part of the “SLAM!” family.

“We’re able to invest in their future,” Pitbull said. “So now I don’t buy fancy a** cars, I don’t wear big a** chains, that ain’t my thing, but whether you know it or you don’t, this a celebration, welcome to the SLAM family cause y’all help make this happen.

“Whenever you are in Miami or anywhere else, we have a SLAM school; you are more than welcome to go to it because, by design and default again, y’all help make it happen,” he added.