Vengo

Vengo

Defying easy categorization, veteran French-Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux interweaves a veritable United Nations’ worth of multicultural influences on Vengo. Reconnecting with the trenchant fire she displayed on 2009’s La Bala, Tijoux branches off into a broad range of topics that touch on themes of love, dignity, and brotherhood. Borders between genres melt away as the tracks find common ground among rap, Latin, jazz, R&B, and indigenous South American sounds. Tijoux slings rhymes with a masterful sense of flow, augmented by her soulful singing on tracks like “No Mas” and “Oro Negro.” The crisp ‘n’ funky “Los Peces Gordos No Pueden Volar” celebrates motherhood with a light yet knowing heart. Elsewhere, the tone is more intense, with “Somos Todos Erroristas” (featuring producer Hordatoj) and “Delta” (spotlighting DJ Niel) standing out for their insistent thrust. Vengo’s substantial lyrical content is matched by adventuresome musical moves, ranging from the use of Andean flutes on the title track to the Jamaican dub touches on “Mi Verdad.” Tijoux negotiates these twists and turns with admirable confidence.

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