The Don't Stop the Party star helped to open the first free SLAM charter school in 2013 in a bid to provide an education for students from impoverished families.

He has since unveiled plans to expand and on Friday (02Oct15), he was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony in Henderson, Nevada

"We can have endless number one records around the world - it means nothing," Pitbull declared. "To be able to perform in front of the world means nothing. It just gives us the avenue to be able to do these kind of things. This is priceless. To change their (kids') lives is priceless...

"There's a lot of presidential candidates, politicians that sit up here and tell you they can make change. Change is when you grab these young minds, you mould them and you teach them how to focus, you teach them how to believe in themselves, you motivate them, you inspire them and let them know from a prime example, 'Been there. Done that.' And that's why SLAM is so important.

"To everybody that gave us the opportunity and pushed this through, we want to say we really appreciate it, because we're really changing lives. This is real. This is tangible. This is... you can touch it, and you're going to see it 20-25 years from now when these kids are graduating from amazing schools and you see what they're going to do to change the world. That, to me, is what this is all about."

The Las Vegas branch of SLAM, which is dedicated to students eager to pursue careers in the athletics field, is expected to open in time for the next school year (16), reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal.