Hip-Hop Latino

With their bilingual lyrics, the initial wave of early 90's LA-based rappers like Cypress Hill and Mellow Man Ace opened the door for Latin hip-hop with such classics as "Insane In the Brain" and "Mentirosa," respectively. Going into the new millennium, Mala Rodriguez represented for her native Spain on "La Niña," while Mexico's Control Machete had a worldwide smash with their bass-heavy "Si Señor."

Delinquent Habits' "Feel Good" solidifies the notion that Latino DJ's can more than hold their own when it comes to cutting and scratching. Orishas' "A Lo Cubano" deftly merges hip-hop beats with Cuban salsa, showing just how much rap music has become the voice of many Cuban youth. The Salvadoran crew Crooked Stilo spit out streetwise rhymes on the hard-hitting "El Regreso."

"Fiesta," the solo effort from Cypress Hill/Beastie Boys percussionist Eric Bobo, is an overlooked gem of a Latin hip-hop anthem. Chile's DJ Bitman is a potential future hip-hop star, as evidenced by "El Diablo" (which makes clever use of a vocal sample of Venezuelan prime minister Hugo Chavez). Pitbull may be known for the dancefloor hit "Culo," but the cruising-friendly "Go Girl" shows that the Miami-bred MC has other tricks up his sleeve.

Booming basslines and tight hip-hop beats are now a global phenomenon, but Latin hip-hop has become force to be reckoned with on its own merit. The barrios of Havana, Mexico City, Monterrey, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, New York, and San Juan have spawned many of the genre’s leading MC’s. The initial wave of early 90’s LA-based Latin rappers like Cypress Hill and Kid Frost paved the way for Spanish-rapping global phenomenons like Cuba’s Orishas and Mexico’s Control Machete.