Raza Rap

With its booming bassline and call-and-shoutback chorus, “Insane In the Brain” put LA-based Latin hip-hop innovators Cypress Hill on the map in the early ‘90s. One of the biggest Chicano rap hits of the new millennium, “Lean Like a Cholo” was omnipresent on west coast urban radio and helped make cholo a household word. Delinquent Habits mix mariachi, funk, and hip-hop on the potent “Tres Delinquentes.”

Best known for his breakout hit “Mentirosa,” Mellow Man Ace showcases his Spanish-rhyming skills on “Ten la Fe.” Self-proclaimed ‘Tamale Kingpin’ Chingo Bling delivers his trademark bravado and twisted humor on “They Can’t Deport Us All.” Lil Rob delivers the R&B-soaked goods on the easy-rolling lowrider anthem “Summer Nights.”

Hailing from Milwaukee-by-way-of-Mexico, Kinto Sol do it up for the raza on “Hecho en Mexico.” After the breakup of his crew Delinquent Habits, bilingual MC Kemo the Blaxican made a welcome return with the brass-heavy “No que No.” Gruff vocals and tight production make Control Machete one of the most important Mexican hip-hop acts; “Bien Bien” is sure to please b-boys on both sides of the border.

Beginning in the early ‘90s, Latin hip-hop pioneers Mellow Man Ace and Kid Frost brought a much-needed dose of español to the rap movement. Subsequent LA-based acts like Cypress Hill and Delinquent Habits moved away from the El Chicano and Malo samples, and steered the genre toward a more funk-based sound. The later wave of urban Chicano hitmakers reflect the musical diversity of Latin hip-hop, with some taking an R&B-influenced approach (Baby Bash, Down) and others embracing regional Mexican sounds (Akwid, Kinto Sol). One thing all these artists share is a mutual love of making rap music for la raza.