Pitbull has set the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing bald caps. The Latin hip hop artist, 45, was recognised with the achievement after 22,141 fans were counted wearing the caps ahead of his British Summer Time (BST) headline set in Hyde Park on Friday evening.
Record-Breaking Concert Attendance
The sell-out concert also became the highest attended BST Hyde Park gig with a crowd of 69,999, after the day festival series increased its capacity this year.
Speaking before his certificate was presented, Pitbull said: “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.”
Idea Originated from BBC Radio 1 Presenter
Mr Worldwide, real name Armando Christian Perez, was presented with the framed Guinness World Record certificate by Greg James after the BBC Radio 1 presenter came up with the idea earlier this year and texted the singer on air. After an official from the Guinness World Records announced the number, Pitbull shouted, “We did it Bald-es, we did it Bald-es.”
Asked how he felt, the musician said: “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.”
First Attempt Under Official Adjudication
Pitbull set the record as the first person to attempt the feat under official adjudication, meaning there was no previous record to beat. He continued: “It’s a blessing. It’s an honour. 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 Embraced the Bald Cap Trend
Pitbull fans, known as Bald-es, rushed to the main stage in their bald caps at the festival in order to be counted as temperatures were forecast to hit 31C in the capital. Many sported the singer’s signature black aviators and stick on black goatees, juggling pints of drink as they carried inflatable globes.
As the count began, James told 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.”
Concert Highlights
Towards the end of the show, Pitbull led the crowd on a singalong of Oasis’s Wonderwall, which he said was his way of thanking fans for helping him set the record, while fans flung their bald caps in the air as fireworks exploded over the stage during Give Me Everything, the final song.
It comes after fans began a trend of attending Pitbull’s concerts dressing up as him, sporting suits, aviator glasses and bald caps. The trend has gone viral in recent years, with videos of audience-packed arenas full of bald cap wearing fans singing his songs back at him.
Support from Aldi and Festival Organisers
Prior to Friday’s gig, the singer and festival organisers had appealed for volunteers to count bald caps in the crowd. Supermarket chain Aldi also supplied 300 caps to Mr Worldwide fans outside the London park and temporarily rebranded itself as “Baldi”.
The rapper is among the roster of all-male main stage headliners performing at the festival this year, following on from shows by US band Maroon 5, folk pop group Mumford And Sons and an upcoming set from Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi. Miami-born Pitbull is best known for the songs Fireball, Timber, Time Of Our Lives, On The Floor, Give Me Everything, Feel This Moment and Don’t Stop The Party.
