Latino Hip-Hop documentary (DVD) produced by Sal Rojas / Digital Aztlan.
Pass The Mic! DVD BUY NOW

The suppressed voices from Latin hip-hop culture are finally heard in this compelling voyage to the underground roots where it all began! Witness hip-hop's best kept secrets pump into the pen, bleed onto the page, race through the microphone, and blast onto the stage to influence the world of music. Two generations of Latino hip-hoppers reveal their struggles, successes, and the secrets of their art, flinging open a controversial window with a no-holds-barred approach that will shock the music industry. Respected by their peers, ignored by the media, these are the key figures who have revolutionized hip-hop culture, filled with gripping stories told through riveting interviews, exclusive backstage footage, and dope music! Step inside the recording studios, put on a headset, and prepare to Pass the Mic!

• Pass The Mic!
• Passthemic.net

Hip-Hop. Latinos in Hip-hop. Latin Hip-Hop. Chicano Rap. Puerto Rican Rap. Mexican Rap.

At one time and another, the Latino influence in hip-hop has been categorized as one of the aforementioned names listed above. But what exactly do we call this music and the artists listed below.

For one, it’s just hip-hop. Hip-hop is so huge and diverse that many “sub-divisions” have been made to try and fit every aspect of hip-hop into it’s own category. Whether the MC’s rap in English, Spanish, or Nahualt, the music and message itself is still hip-hop. It’s like trying to categorize Xzibit’s music as black Hip-hop. It just doesn’t work. And when Artists like Puffy raps in Spanish it’s still considered hip-hop. Mellow Man Ace put it best when he said that it’s good for Latinos in hip-hop to be respected enough to have it’s own category but the music is still hip-hop.

Nobody knows exactly when hip-hop was created. Elements of hip-hop have always been around. But when the media first noticed hip-hop, it came from the streets of New York. It was widely and falsely publicized that hip-hop was a “new” black art form. What wasn’t mentioned was the majority of Puerto Ricans that were MCs’, break dancers(Rock Steady Crew), and Graffiti artists. Fidel Rodriquez of Seditious Beats thinks the reason for the corporate media putting one type of face on hip-hop makes it easier for the Major Labels to market and distribute to the masses. Others also believe that the corporate media does this as a separatist move, dividing the people of the Ghettos or Barrios. But what was falsely publicized to the masses didn’t make the cut in the streets. As the youth in the streets, coming from diverse cultures, shaped hip-hop to represent the voice of the people of the streets, and eventually helped hip-hop spread across Amerikkka.

Many of the old school legends like Prince Whipple Whip (Puerto Rican) didn’t enjoy the success of many Rappers that followed, but they helped form and shape the music. Just a few years later, in Southern California, a couple of Latino Radio DJs' were tearing up the underground hip-hop scene. The station was 1580 AM KDAY, and the show was "The Mix Master Show". Jacken of Psycho Realm thought KDAY was the best station of all time. The reason was Hip-Hop was being spun all day. The DJ's: Ralph M, Tony G, and Julio G. Respect throughout the hip-hop world spread for these three DJ’s, as the shows have become classics.

Ralph M, Julio G, and Tony G learned the art of producing as well. Tony G and Julio G would go on to work with the top Latino Artists. Ralph M would hook up with Son Doobie to create Funkdoobiest. Around the time that “The Mix Master Show” was blowing up, Latinos were getting ready to make their mark permanently on the hip-hop world. Corporate Media would no longer ignore the impact of Latinos in hip-hop.

Mellow Man Ace’s "Mentirosa" and Kid Frost's "La Raza" blew the scene up during the late 1980's and early 1990. Along with those two singles, Lighter Shade of Brown's "On a Sunday Afternoon", Proper Dos’ "Mexican Power", Delinquent Habits "Tres Delinquentes", ALT's "Tequila", Latin Alliance's "Lowrider", and N2DEEP's "Back to the Hotel" proved that this movement was not a fluke. These singles began breaking the Billboard Charts, and Major Labels suddenly started signing Latino Artists.

Then Cypress Hill dropped, and instantly the fact that they were Latino was no longer a matter. Even though Latinos were finally getting Radio AirPlay, the movement had already spread throughout the states. Funky Aztecs, JV, Funkdoobiest, Tony Touch, and the Beatnuts were all starting to gather respect in their regions.

During the 90’s, Latinos across Amerikkka started putting out hip-hop albums, and many did it through independent distribution. In Northern California, Sir Dyno, Duke and the Darkroom Familia started releasing albums in their region. Soon, success and countrywide recognition were to follow. In Texas, South Park Mexican and Capone did the independent route and were able to get success. In Denver, Deuce Mob hit. In San Diego California, Royal T, Lil’ Rob, Nightowl, Lil’ One, and Aztec Tribe all represented for their area. Now Chicago, Arizona, Florida, and New Mexico are some areas where MCs' are putting it down.

And of course, New York. The Terror Squad, Big Pun (rest-in-peace) and Fat Joe took the Puerto Rican side of hip-hop to the top. Big Pun and Fat Joe helped gain renewed interest to the Major Labels into the Latino Rap Scene.

Now the Latin hip-hop scene can be seen growing in Mexico, with groups like Molotov and Control Machete, as well as the rest of Latin America, Parts of Canada, and the rest of the world.

Since there are so many Artists and Groups that helped blow up the Latino Hip-Hop scene, proves Latinos will be around to the very end. And taking it to the next level should be the goal of every MC out there today. Rage against the Machine’s Zack De La Rocha, Tha Mexakinz/Malafia, The Psycho Realm, Chino XL, Brownside, Cuban Link, Brown Town Looters, Rhyme Poetic Mafia, Cisco the Frisco Mack, Mr. Shadow, Aztlan Underground, Conejo and Tattoo Ink, Los Tumbados, Mafiosos, 5th Battalion, OTW, Street Platoon, Lethal Assassins Clique, G-Fellas, Latino Velvet, El Nuevo Xol, Rhyme Asylum, Wicked Minds are among the artists putting it down today as well as many of the Artists listed above.

While Latinos, as a whole begin spreading across the States and the world, Latinos in hip-hop will continue to grow. Today, the underground scene is as big as it has ever been. Major Labels are once again interested in Latino Artists and Groups. As ALT put it “as long as we support each other we will never fall”. - Written by Richard Montes

Listed Below are Bios and/or Links to Latino Hip-Hop Artists.

BrownPride.com will continue to update the list below in hopes of providing a complete and accurate list of Latino Hip-Hop Artists.

• Latinos in Hip Hop to Reggaeton
  Written by Melissa Castillo-Garstow for Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2005
  
• Hip-hop, Tejas - Latinos take on rap music and make it their own
  Written by BY John Nova Lomax for the Houston Press/Dec.2003
  
• Success of the Latin Rap Conference 2005
  Review and photos by Terrence Romero / Urbanlatinohiphopshow.com
  
• Confesiones de un Pecador
  El Pecador/Sinful Interview December 2004
  
• Cisco de Street Fuego | Las Vegas
  Interview with Cisco the host of the top Latino Hip-Hop show in Las Vegas, Neveda.
  
• Krazy Race - New World Games 4-20-2004
  Interview from Marky Boy of Krazy Race getting ready to drop "New World Games" on 4-20-2004.
  
• Intrevista con Mucho Muchacho De Barcelona
  Interview with Mucho Muchacho; the emcee of the Latin-Grammy nominated Spanish group 7 Notas 7 Colores.
  
• Immortal Technique - Revolutionary Vol. 2
  Rising from the streets of Harlem, a dangerous combination of piercing social commentary and uncompromising lyrical genius has arrived.
  
• The Psycho Realm: A War Story (book II) by Gato
  Not since the old N.W.A. days have the boys in 'da hood been so anxious to blast a ghetto anthem.
• 5th Battalion - Modern Soul-diers
  At 5th Battalion Studios, it is the hope of creative minds at work, that the words that set fire to the mic.
  
• Hip Hop Chicano | Zona de Obras Spanish Magazine
  Informe exclusivo desde Los Angeles, entrevistas, opinion, y toda la escena.
  
• Sign of the Times by L.O.Y.A.L.
  The year is 2001, over 500 years after the fall of the Aztecan Empire and the end of the...
• Chicano/Latin(o) Hip-Hop Overview
  The hip-hop phenomenon has reached an ultimate high in our communities.
• Frank V - Still Representing Mexican Power!
  Frank V, rapper of the Famed underground group Proper Dos.
• The Beatnuts Record Release Party
  Psycho Les and JuJu of the Queens based hip-hop group THE BEATNUTS release party.
• Brownsville : The Cali-Texas Connection
  Collaboration between Tattoo Ink of L.A. and Capone of San Antonio, Texas.
• Top BrownPride Rappers 2000
  Digital Aztlan poll to determine who was the top Latin Hip-Hop Artist or Group in the year 2000.
• Interview with Delinquent Habits
  The return of los Tres Delinquentes from the Lower East Side.
• Interview with Hip-Hop Group Mafiosos
  Hip-Hop beats with raw lyrics in Spanish/English.
• Interview with Molotov from Mexico City. Adding fuel to the fire.
• Latino Rapper Big Pun Dies at 28
  One of the top Latino artist of our time passes away.
• Aztlan Underground Interview
  Defenders of the Earth and the Sun.
• The 5^th Battalion Circle
  Interview with The 5^th Comandante.
• Latin Rappers Turning It Up
  Decade-old movement melds genres, cultures.
• The Latino Rap Scene - Chicanos' Time for Rhythm and Rhyme
  By Fred Alvarez. Digital Aztlan is mention in the article by L.A. Times!
• Top Latino Rappers
  Article taken from Lowrider Magazine mentioning BrownPride.com.
• Chicano Music: An Influence on Gang Violence and Culture
  Gabe Morales is a Gang Specialist and the author of Varrio Warfare: Violence in the Latino Community.
• Lethal Assassins Clique Interview
  Straight from the city of East Los Angeles.
• Raperos Mexicans
  Latin Hip-Hop from the Mexside!
• A War Story
  Written by Sick Jacken about the night his brother Duke got shot.
• The Group Molotov
  The Rage of the Young and the Restless!
• Mesa Arizona Lowrider Show
  Stage pictures!
• Interview with a Chicano
  Sir Dyno of Darkroom Familia before his jail term.
• History of Latin Rap
  Written by A.L.T. one of the pioneers of Latin Rap.

CLICK HERE FOR LATIN HIP-HOP/RAP CD REVIEWS!

BrownPride.com Exclusive Interviews for THE ILLTIP MAGAZINE

• ILL-FAME
• INTERVIEW with SAL ROJAS of BROWNPRIDE.COM
• Street Platoon
• Lethal Assassins Clique

CLICK HERE FOR LATIN HIP-HOP/RAP BOARD!

Latino Rap Artists and Groups

• 5th Battalion - Hip-Hip Circle out of Los Angeles County.
• Abstract Nature Group out of SGV, California.
• Afaze Music - Rap group out of Las Vegas.
• Another Latin Timebomb aka A.L.T. - One of the founders of Latin Hip Hop.
• Aztec Tribe - Chicano rap group from San Diego.
• Aztlan Nation - Chicano activist from Northern California.
• Akwid - A two man hip-hop group out of Los Angeles.
• Aztlan Underground - A political Hip Hop/Rock band from Los Angeles.
• The Beatnuts(link)
• Big Punisher(link) - A Puerto Rican rapper from the Bronx, NY.
• Brown Intentions - Rap Group out of 805 Oxnard, California.
• Brown Pride - OG rap group from Califas.
• Brownside - A harcore gangster group from Los Angeles out of G-Spot.
• Brown Town Looters - Down Chicano rappers straight out of East Los/Boyle Heights.
• Cali Life Style - Chicano group from California.
• Cali Players - from the 805 area of California.
• Capone - Rapper from Texas by way of Southern California.
• Central Coast Clique - Chicano rappers from the 805 area of So. California.
• Chingo Bling
• Click Tha Supah-Latin - Los Angeles based rapper from Peru.
• Conejo - Chicano rapper from West Los Angeles.
• Cuban Link - Bronx rapper and member of the Terror Squad.
• Cypress Hill - Los Angeles based rappers from the city of South Gate.
• Crooked Stilo - Salvadorian group out of South Gate, Ca.
• Darkroom Family - Hardcore rappers from Northern California.
• Darkroom Family Presents - Sir Dyno and friends representing Chicanos from California.
• Deliquent Habits - Part of the Cypress Family from Norwalk.
• Dynamic Lo - Group from New Mexico.
• Earthquake Institute - Latino hip-hop group from Southern California.
• El Demonio - Rapper from Inland Empire, Southern California.
• Eddie Montelongo - Chicano rapper from Oxnard, California.
• El Nuevo Xol - Latin hip-hop regga from Los Angeles.
• El Vuh - Decolonizing Hip-Hop.
• Fat Joe - New York rapper from the Bronx.
• Frontline Officials - Rap group out of L.A.
• Funkdoobiest - L.A. group with producer Ralph M. & rapper Son Doobiest.
• Funky Aztecs
• Ground Keepers
• Junebug Slim - Junebugs comes from the streets of Sacramento, Ca.
• Juvenile Style - Latin Rappers from South Central Los Angeles.
• J V - Latina rapper from Los Angeles.
• Kid Capri - One of the greatest DJ's, from the Bronx, New York.
• Kid Frost - The God Father of Latin Hip Hop (G-Spot).
• Kinto Sol - Latino rap group from the Mid-West.
• Knight Owl - Coming out of San Diego, California.
• Krazy Race - Latin rap group out of South East Los Angeles.
• Kurious - Cuban/Puerto Rican from New York City.
• Latin Alliance - O'G. Group consisted of A.L.T., Frost, and Mellow.
• Latin Bomb Squad(link) - Los Angeles rap group with straight up Hip Hop.
• Latin Frozz - Central American Latin hip-hop group based out of L.A.
• Latino Velvet Clique - Is Jay Tee & Baby Beesh from Vallejo,California.
• Lethal Assassins Clique - Bomb ass rap group from East Los Angeles.
• Lighter Shade of Brown - One of the first groups from California.
• Lil Rob - Chicano rapper from San Diego, California.
• Lyrical Assassinz Klique - Rap group from Highland Park.
• Los Tumbados - Live instrument hip-hop band with new style.
• Los Marijuanos - Mexican rap group from Chicago.
• Madogg - Mexican rapper from Oxnard, California.
• M.C. Blvd - Positive L.A. rapper from the Valley.
• Mellow Man Ace - One of the founders of Latin Hip Hop.
• Tha Mexakinz - Two Chicano rappers from Long Beach, California.
• MIC MC - Young talented Latino outta the 805, part of the Krazy Race Camp
• Molotov - Mexico City rap group that's blowing up on both sides of the border.
• Mr. Sam and The Affiliates - Rap/Rock group from Sacramento, California.
• Mr. Shadow - Chicano rapper from the 619(San Diego).
• N2DEEP - Latino rap group from Northern California.
• Nastyboy Klick - Rappers from the 602.
• Norwalks Most Wanted - Harcore rappers from Norwalk, California.
• No Sleep - A Chicano Rapper from Albuquerque,New Mexico.
• Project Affiliated - Northern California Chicano label and group.
• Proper Dos - Hardcore rappers from Los Angeles.
• Official Proper Dos Website - Hardcore rappers from Los Angeles.
• Psycho Realm - Revolutionary rappers from Pico-Union, Los Angeles.
• Official Psycho Realm site - Revolutionary rappers from Pico-Union, Los Angeles.
• Royal T - Chicano rapper and owner of Low Profile Records
• Rhyme Poetic Mafia - Chicano rap group from Los Angeles.
• Second State - Underground hip-hop group from Los Angeles.
• Slow Pain - Part of the G-Spot Family from Pico Rivera.
• Mr. Slow Pain - Official website of lil Don Juan.
• South Park Mexican - Mexican rapper from Houston (South Park), Texas.
• Spanish Fly - Mexican Rappers from the Harbor Area of Los Angeles.
• Street Mentality - Slow Pain's original group from Pico Rivera.
• Street Platoon - Raw underground hip-hop group out of Pico-Union L.A.
• Street Sweepaz - South East L.A. gangster rappers.
• Styles From The Under - Latinos from the Washington, D.C. Metro area.
• Terror Squad - Bronx rap crew featuring Fat Joe and Big Pun.
• Tony Touch (Toca) - Top Puerto Rican DJ from New York.
• Tony Gonzales - Pioneer Producer founder of G-Spot Studios.
• Voodoo Click - Chicano rappers from Los Angeles.
• Wicked Minds - Gangster rappers from Cudahy in Los Angeles.
• Official Wicked Minds site - Gangster rappers from Cudahy in Los Angeles.
  
  

  Official Latino Artists Hip-Hop Websites

• 2 Mex - Los Angeles, CA
• Aztlan Nation Oakland, CA
• Baby Bash
• Big Raw - Texas
• The Browness Camp
• Chingo Bling - Texas
• Global City Crew - Los Angeles, CA
• Lil Rob - San Diego, CA
• Psycho Realm Online - Los Angeles, CA
• Street Platoon - Los Angeles, CA
• Triple Seis - Bronx, CA
• Wicked Minds - Cudahy, CA
  
  

  Spanish Latino Hip-Hop / Regional Urbano Websites

• Akwid - South Central Los Angeles, CA
• Azteka - West Los Angeles, CA
• Bandahood - Watts, CA
• Cartel de Santa - Monterrey, Mexico
• Control Machete - Hip-Hop group from Monterrey, Mexico.
• Crooked Stilo - Los Angeles, CA
• Cultura Londres - Latin Hip-Hop from London
• Don Abusivo - Los Angeles, CA
• El Chivo - Milwaukee, WI
• El Pecador / Sinful - Long Beach, CA
• Kemo The Blaxican - Norwalk, CA
• Kinto Sol - Milwaukee, WI
• La Sinfonia - East Los Angeles, CA
• Los Tumbados - Highland Park, CA
• Malverde - Coachella, California
• Mexiclan - San Pedro, CA
• Molotov - Mexico City, Mexico
• Pit Bull - Miami, Florida
• Pueblo Cafe - East Los Angeles, CA
• David Rolas - Los Angeles, CA
• Sucio - Miami, Florida
• Locura Terminal (Spanish) - Oxnard, CA
• Terminal Madness (English) - Oxnard, CA
• Tres Coronas - Queens, New York
• Twisted Region - downtown Los Angeles, CA
• Violadores del Verso - Zaragoza, Espana
  
  

  Indigenous Hip-Hop Websites

• Aztlan Underground
• El Nuevo Xol Los Angeles, CA
• El Vuh
• Krazy Race - Whittier, CA
• Los Nativos - Minneapolis, MN
• M.I.S.O.L. Tribe - EastLos CalifasAztlan
• Quinto Sol - East Los Angeles, CA
  
  

  Urban Dancing Sites

• BBOYMASTERS - Zulu Gremlin's B-Boy Website
• Rock Steady Crew - Bboys from NYC est. 1977
• Radio Tron World Wide - Lil Cesar's Annual B-Boy Event
  
  

  Soundtracks and Compilations

• Definition of Brown
• Definition of Brown 2
• Mi Vida Loca Soundtrack
• The Ollin Project! - Official Website to Digital Aztlan's Classic Compilation!
• Penitentiary Chances Soundtrack
• RAP Declares WAR
  
  
  
  

  Links to Latin Hip-Hop Labels, Studios, and/or Productions

• 310 West Entertainment - West LA Record Label
• 5th Battalion - Promotion and Production and much more.
• Aggravated Records - Latin Hip Hop Label from Texas.
• AK Records - The home to the Frontline Officials.
• Delinquent Habits - Started new independent label Station Thirteen Records.
• Digital Aztlan - Mulitmedia Company specializing in Urban Latin Community.
• Dope House Records SPM's independent label based out of Texas.
• Def Boy Entertainment - Record label owned by Wreck of Wicked Minds.
• La Movida Records - Regional Urbano record label from Chico, California.
• Low Profile Records - San Diego based labe
• The Midwestriders - Representing Latin Rap from the Midwest.
• The Psycho Realm - Psycho Realm is starting their own Label.
• Riverbottom Entertainment - San Diego-based record label / music production company.
• Unforgotten Records - Homies from Denver that are coming up.
• Xicano Records and Film - Political label based out of L.A.