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Chicano rap is a subgenre of Rap and hip hop which embodies aspects of the Mexican American (Chicano) culture and is performed by Mexican American rappers and musicians of Mexican descent. Also Chicano rap is performed articulating Mexican American Culture by rapping in Calo or Spanglish which is a mixture of Spanish and English.

History[]

Early Years[]

The first widely recognized Chicano Rap Artist was former Electro artist Kid Frost, whose 1990 debut album "Hispanic Causing Panic" driven by the hit single "La Raza" brought new attention to Chicano rappers on the West Coast.

He often used Chicano slang as a result of his East Los Angeles upbringing, Kid Frost receives the credit as the first major Chicano rapper ever. In 1990, A.L.T. released the album "Another Latin Timebomb", featuring his hit remake of the song Tequila. In 1990, the Chicano hip hop group A Lighter Shade of Brown released their album Brown & Proud, which included hits "On a Sunday Afternoon" (a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100) and "Latin Active". Cypress Hill, uses Chicano culture in their music and videos, along with the fact that the lead rapper, B-Real, is of half Mexican descent. They also collaborated with another Chicano group, Psycho Realm, which is led by brothers Sick Jacken (Joaquin Gonzalez) and Big Duke (Gustavo Gonzalez)

'90s[]

In the mid-90s, Eazy-E formed the group Brownside as a Chicano version of the rap group N.W.A. (rap group). During the 1990s, some Chicano rappers Sinful of the Mexicanz began using influences from Mexican music in their beats and delivery, although this subgenre of music is sometimes referred to today as "Urban Regional" and not always representative of Chicano Rap. The hip hop group Akwid also combines traditional Mexican regional music with hip hop vocals.

Today[]

One of the most widely recognized Chicano rappers today is Lil Rob of San Diego, whose single "Summer Nights" was considered a major crossover and received heavy rotation on radio station and video programs not directly related to Chicano rap music.

Thump Records, Urban Kings Music and Low Profile Records introduced new Chicano rap artists. New artists include Ms Krazie, Knight owl, Chino Grande, and Mr. Sancho. Charlie Row Campo released "Stop Studio Gangstas" album in 2007. One of the most widely recognized Chicano rappers today is Lil Rob of San Diego, his album "Natural High/High Till I Die" sold 90,000 copies and his single "Summer Nights" was considered a major crossover and received heavy rotation on radio stations and video programs not directly related to Chicano rap music. This widely successful artist has recently reappeared in the limelight, with the song Summer Nights being used in TikTok trends, and even being sampled in Destiny Roger's 2022 hit by the same name. Another widely known Chicano rapper is Serio of Los Angeles, with his 2012 single "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Mexican" featuring Proper Dos and "Conejo", a controversial song that called for immigration reform.

A Chicano rap scene has also begun to emerge in Texas. Prominent Texan artists in the genre include South Park Mexican (SPM) and Dope House Records. SPM's sound includes influences similarly seen in the scene of West Coast Chicano rap: Latin beats, gangsta narratives, and G-funk, however SPM differentiates itself by including sounds and vocabulary unique to the Houston hip hop scene with the newly added influence of corporate rap.

Many Chicano rappers have been heavily influenced by Mexican history, including many themes relevant to the Mexican and Chicano people living in the United States and Mexico. Chicano Rap is mainly enjoyed by hip hop listeners in the United States; and has also established a cult fan base following in Japan, although its main audience consists of Hispanics/Latinos living on the West Coast, the Southwest and the Midwest. Its ability to reach large audiences without mainstream airplay or media promotion is due largely in part to nationwide lowrider car tours and their accompanying concerts headlined by Chicano rappers. This environment allows Chicano Rap artists to earn significant incomes through independent label releases while promoting directly to a target audience.

Due to the relatively high population of Latinos in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and European countires with high Latin migration (Spain, Sweden, Austria) Chicano rap has been gaining popularity in Australia, through Australian artists of Hispanic descent such as Mana De Gangeros, Ese Nacho, Lobo Lowx and other local artist. In these countries Chicano rap is nothing new, just that finally major record labels are learning how to market these artist.

Links[]

See Also[]

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