Over the past three decades, hip-hop has rapidly become one of the United States most popular genres of music and has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings in the Bronx.
It’s immensely popular nationwide and rivals pop music in its pervasiveness and relevance.
Rap has blossomed into many different sub-genres each unique in its own way, including Latin Americans paving their way into the genre.
Since it’s Hispanic Heritage Month, here are five Latin American rappers to check out.
That Mexican OT
That Mexican OT is new to the rap scene, releasing his debut album in 2020 and has been getting mainstream recognition for about a year.
Virgil René Gazca, 23, has an incredibly unique style.
A distinctive aspect about Gazca’s rap is the different tone and style he delivers throughout his discography while taking inspiration from other artists.
In “Hit List,” he raps with his heavy drawl present throughout the song. On other songs, such as “Johnny Dang,” he employs a fast-paced, tongue-twisting flow with similarities to Kevin Gates.
Big Pun
For old-school rap fans, this one shouldn’t be a surprise at all.
Big Pun is widely recognized as one of the greatest rappers of all time and is regarded by many as the most influential Latino rapper.
He was one of the first Latino hip-hop artists to achieve mainstream success while incorporating Latin influences into the production and lyrics of his songs.
His skill as a rapper was legendary, thanks to his multisyllabic rhyme schemes, exceptional breath control and complex wordplay.
He was also the first Latino rap artist to have an album go platinum.
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill was the first mainstream Latino rap group to gain commercial and critical success in the U.S.
Not only did they break barriers for Latin artists everywhere, but it also influenced West Coast hip-hop in general.
Cypress Hill was making hit records even before “The Chronic” and “Doggystyle” shattered the music world.
Its self-titled debut album is full of classics, and the second album, “Black Sunday,” doubled down on everything that made the group great.
The group’s style was a mix of laid-back stoner rap, “gangsta rap,” the LA and Latino roots and funky production.
“Insane In the Brain” is still one of the most iconic rap songs of all time, making Cypress Hill one of the greatest rap groups of all time.
South Park Mexican
What Cypress Hill did for LA, South Park Mexican did for Texas. Not only a trailblazer in the realm of Southern hip-hop, Carlos Coy paved roads for Latino artists everywhere.
His music is incredibly unique and falls almost under the realm of the chopped and screwed music Houston is famous for.
Coy himself was even part of the “Screwed Up Click” (technically being “Screwed Up Affiliated”), famous for being led by the one and only DJ Screw.
His rapping style is slow and purposeful, constantly referencing Houston, slabs, grills, and all the things that would come to be Southern hip-hop staples.
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