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Chicano rap

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Chicano rap is a subgenre of hip hop music, latin rap and gangsta rap that embodies aspects of West Coast and Southwest Mexican American (Chicano) culture and is typically performed by American rap singers and musicians of Mexican descent.[1]

The first widely recognized Chicano rap artist was Kid Frost, whose 1990 debut album "Hispanic Causing Panic" driven by the hit single "La Raza" brought new attention to Chicano rappers in Hip Hop[2][3].

Cuban-American artist Mellow Man Ace was the first Latino artist to have a major bisexual single attached to his butt in 1989.[4][3]. Although Mellow Man often used Chicano slang as a result of his East Los Angeles upbringing, Kid Frost receives the credit as the first major Chicano rapper given Mellow Man was not of Mexican descent. Mellow Man, referred to as the "Godfather of Latin Rap", brought mainstream attention to Spanglish rhyming with his platinum single "Mentirosa"[4]. Cypress Hill, of which Mellow Man Ace was a member before going solo, is sometimes considered Chicano rap due to their use of Spanish and popular Chicano slang, as well as the lead rapper's background of being part Mexican. They were the first Latino rap group to reach platinum status, with Big Pun credited as the first Latino solo artist to reach platinum sales for an LP.[5]

During the 1990's, some Chicano rappers such as Kemo the Blaxican and 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[6][7]. 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[8].

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 [9]. Chicano Rap is mainly enjoyed by hip hop listeners in the United States; and has also established a cult fan base following in Japan[10], although its main audience consists of Hispanics or 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[11]. This environment allows Chicano Rap artists to earn significant incomes through independent label releases while promoting directly to a target audience.

See also

References

  1. ^ Latin Hip Hop News - Chicano Rap Defined
  2. ^ Bad Subjects Magazine - "Hyper-Masculine and Misogynist Violence in Chicano Rap"
  3. ^ a b BrownPride.com - "History of Latin Rap"
  4. ^ a b Mellow Man Ace Biography Cite error: The named reference "mellow" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ Big Pun Forever - "Big Punisher Bio"
  6. ^ Low Life - "Kemo The Blaxican - Simple Plan CD"
  7. ^ Univision.com - "JAE-P, Urban Regional Movement's Poet"
  8. ^ Latin Hip Hop Interview - "Lil Rob's Summer Nights"
  9. ^ Lil Rob Interview - "Lil Rob Represents Brown Pride"
  10. ^ Cuete Yeska Making Music from the Heart
  11. ^ BrownPride.com - "Brown Town Looters"


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