The Latino Underground

BREAKNECK RESPECT

2006-08-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

The Hollywood Reporter notes that studios are starting to spend their Latino marketing dollar$ more wisely. Although the article cites MTV3 (Latino) as up and running, I found no presence on the web. We'll be watching closely to see increased production value might mean for UL (urban latino) entertainment.

Business Week suggests that SiTV is biting away at Mun2 early lead, at as measured by ad revenue. Which network do you feel?

More Latin Hip Hop schtick, but are they shmucks? You decide.

Jabari Asim asks if African-Americans and Latinos can get along? The obvious questions is, how big is the blunt?

What's beef?

that is this

2006-04-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

this target="_blank"

testing a blessing

2006-04-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

Is this really raw?

More Of The Same

2006-01-23T16:49:00.000-08:00

...and i told you we wont stop

As ray-gay-tone continues to develop as a genre, look for this cat to do it big--uh, REAL BIG!

Is it too much for me to suggest that American Culture is fixated on that Fat, Brown Rapper?

Kid Frost, Big Pun, Fat JOE---really, doe.

Check this: a Hip Hop High School?

Contest for urban Latino Musicians...unhusk your corn now.

Next To Flex

2006-01-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

If you were to ask me who was next to flex on the latino urban tip, my odds are on the homies over at www.machetemusic.com

The label was founded by Toi of Control Machete and his crew has seemed to secured a deal through Universal. This means they will have the resources necessary to take their music to the masses---whether you like it (it being the music) or not. Wan't proof?

What's interesting about their label is that they are bigging up both raygay and hip hop, albeit only in Espanol. But if their website has an English option, does this mean that they will expand to English language projects as well? If so, the odds of them getting more feverish talent increases.

And of course, you must never sleep on this cat.

Otra! Otra! Otra! Otra!

2006-01-03T20:53:00.000-08:00

One world vision on the rise. If you're not watching at least some of your television in Spanish, then you're in the minority, mija. Television (and Music and Film, for that matter) will continue to bake till brown in 06.

The next generation of Hispanic TV Is in English, notes newamericamedia.org

In Music, don't sleep on the Tamale King Pin--Chingo Bling (whatchudeedntknow?)!

This Long Beach native is poised to make noise, especially considering his recent collabos with Chino XL and Pitbull. Sinful spits in Spanish, this means his market is large both domestically and internash.

In Los Angeles, radion stations like KSOL that bang raygayton on the regular will supply a steady stream of artists whose songs never to fail big upp the NALGAS! Long live reaggaton.

Tego Calderon hints at interesting point of conflict in an LA TIMES interview:

The song is meant to denounce the status of blacks as ''second-class Latinos," Calderon says, an issue that is rarely discussed openly in Latin America. Even his fellow Afro-Latinos don't want to hear about it, the songwriter says.

In film, we'll keep a close eye on movies like Platinum Illusions that profile and celebrate distinctive Mexican-Am erican experiences.

Iraq visits the varrio, as a Bassett High School alumni is a casualty of war.

From D-5 to A-1

2005-08-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

A little over one month ago Yahoo's front page ran a headline with the varrio-next-to-mine in the title. I knew then that Latinos (and Latino-dominated neighborhoods/hotbeds of cultural activity) would start to get their mainstream newsmedia shine. Today, Yahoo cracks xenophobes in testiculars with two lead stories about Latinos:

Can you sense the trepidation of Spanish language advertising groups in this article? On their view, if corporations are convinced that (many) Latinos can be effectively marketed to in English then Spanish language ads are moot. They have a vested interest in preserving the image of the monolingual, culturally confined Latino. Peep an excerpt:

Until recently, television advertisers aiming at acculturated Hispanics could choose only from networks in the English-language general market or broad-based Spanish-language outlets, principally Univision Communications or its chief rival, NBC's Telemundo.

But reaching Hispanics who prefer English by advertising on a popular show such as Fox's "American Idol" can have its downside, said Lisa Contreras-Torres, director of multicultural services at Carat USA, a media services group. Hispanics want to see something in a commercial that speaks specifically to them, she said.

"What appeals to someone in the general market may not appeal to someone who is English-speaking of Latin descent," Contreras-Torres said. "At the same time, it's not as simple as Univision equals your entire Hispanic campaign."

Though the number of English-language media aimed at Hispanics has grown, Tom McGarrity, head of network sales at Univision, doubts they will make much of an impact on how corporate advertisers spend their money.

Spanish-language television now receives more than 64 percent of all advertising aimed at Hispanics. Univision gets 78 percent of that television spending, while Telemundo accounts for about 19 percent, according to HispanTelligence.

The X Games are popping off in Los Angeles and the homie P-Rod flips kickflips to kicks. Son of Latin Comedy King, Paul Rodriguez, lower case P is grinding: snatching endorsments, titles and honeydips.

Battle Me This

2005-08-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

Myspace Battles:

Aight, I'm going to post links to two artists' websites and you're going to decide whose beats, rhymes and delivery are best. Let's let the ladies lay it out:

MC TIA

vs

J-Roz

As you can hear, neither hesitates to smash that face in.

Can't Live w/o My Radio

2005-07-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

This just in:

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2005--Univision Radio, the largest Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the United States, today announced that it has launched "La Kalle," its youth-targeted format, in the Las Vegas and San Antonio markets. The new stations' format will primarily feature Reggaeton and a variety of Latin Pop, Rock and Hip Hop. In Las Vegas, KQMR 99.3FM becomes La Kalle and in San Antonio, KCOR 95.1 FM switches to the format.

With the addition of these two stations, Univision Radio has launched "La Kalle's" in New York, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Fresno, Las Vegas and San Antonio.

"Our research has demonstrated that young Hispanics in Las Vegas and San Antonio were anxious for a Reggaeton formatted radio station and we have delivered," stated Gary Stone, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Some of us in Los Angeles are wondering how and/or WHY? reggayton is providing the fuel that latin and/or chicano hip hop hasn't. I mean is this really better than this?

Gigs in Los Angeles Area

2005-07-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

If you are in the LA area this weekend, check Mass Appeals and Urban Direct Marketing's show going down Friday, June 29th, at the Larchmont. In addition to witnessing Sly Boogy's murdering of the mic, attendees can send trees back to heaven up on the smoking lounge. What other reasons do you need to be there? Soandor and Profanity, two homies who know how to light it up, will also be rocking.

The Larchmont is located at 5657 Melrose btween Vine and Gower.

Let It Burn

2005-07-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

Sickside spits cyanide. The highly anticipated, chronic induced album, Sick Symphoniez, has dropped. Their stage show is unadulterated hype. We interviewed Jacken for Off the Roof on mun2 and he broke down the history of Psycho Realm and the future of Street Platoon. In short, their music is born of fire.

Word on the street is that Sickside has recorded some cuts with Immortal Technique. When can we hear those bangers?

Also dropping with national distribution is Reazn from North East Los Angeles. He kicks that rough rugged and raw shit in Spanish. He's also working on a group joint, Los Bagabundos, with Strae. Rumors of central and northern cali tours are abreast.

This cat has been promoting shows and aritst in the LA area, and shit has turned out pretty banging. At a recent House of Blues show, Mellow Man Ace stepped to the stage to claim his props as the Godfather of Latin Hip Hop. If Mellow is the Godfather, then what role does this guy play?

Latinrapper.com reports:

United Stations Radio Networks, (USRN), an independent leader in the creation and marketing of network radio programming, announced that it has signed an agreement to sell national network commercial time for two popular Latin format programs, Pocos Pero Locos and Subelo! Reggaeton Radio.

Pocos Pero Locos is hosted by radio personalities Khool Aid and Edward ”E-Dub” Rios. The three-hour weekly program, which airs on nearly 40 stations nationally features artists like Lil Rob, Spanish Fly, NB Ridaz and Chingo Bling. Aside from hosting Pocos Pero Locos, Khool Aid can be heard during middays on Power 106 (KPWR), the top-rated rhythmic radio station in Los Angeles. The program’s other host, E-Dub, is a well-known record producer and DJ who became involved in music production in his early teen years.

Subelo! Reggaeton Radio is a weekly two-hour show hosted by DJ Kazzanova and is the country’s first nationally syndicated Reggaeton radio program. Featuring artists like Tego Calderon, Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Don Omar and Voltio the music on Subelo! is primarily in Spanish and the show is hosted in English. DJ Kazzanova started “El Reggaeton de New York Show,” what has now evolved into New York’s first and only 24-hour Reggaeton radio station, La Kalle 105.9 (WCAA).

The homegirl latinabeatz is getting her grind on, posting articles here, managing artists and helping to produce dvd magazines.

Roc La Famili

2005-07-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

In case the word hasnt hit your curb, Jay-Z is starting to flavor his behavior with Latin Hip Hop.
Roc La Familia's first signee, Azteka, had his credibility called into question by some childhood homebo, er, suburboy. You be the judge. Is his flow up to Roc-caliber? Wait a minute, what is Roc-caliber?

Wu Tang Latino has opened its chambers. Could we see the birth of Ol' Dirty Compa? SSN#? Beto Digitals? Dont rule that shit out.

Not to be outdone, Diddy (sans P) dipped his chips in the salsa.

With all this money and influence behind Latin Hip Hop, when can we get that certifiable banger we've all been waiting on?

Frontline

2005-07-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Krazy Race returned from Spain with hip hop on his brain. If you didnt know, Krazy Race is the man behind beatseekers.com

You can catch Krazy on TV in October when he appears on American Latino TV.

Dont sleep on a new book by Louis Pancho McFarland, Phd., entitled "Chicano Rap: Gender and Violence in the Postndustrial Barrio." University of Texas Press is scheduled to drop that shit in 2006.

From the intro to the book:

"In 1979, my cousin, Pete, introduced me to the Sugar Hill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight.' It was unlike anything I had heard....By the mid-1980s I had become a full-fledged hip-hop head....like all hip-hop enthusiasts, I began to integrate and innovate...The language of my Mexican American peers, the street slang, and graffiti writing, the type of the Chicana/o stroll and the intimate and intricate dance steps I learned at Chicana/o bars, weddings and other celebrations merged with the dance steps I practiced in my living room watching Michael Jackson and Prince videos....My identity was dramatically impacted by all of these aspects of Black and Chicana/o culture in addition to the rural Nuevo Mexicano culture of Raton, New Mexico. I walled the walk and talked the talk of the burgeoning Chicana/o hip-hop culture....part of a unique cultural syncretism that would continue to influence my worldview, consciousness and personal interactions....This book examines hip-hop culture and rap music and Chicana/o participation in this new subculture in order to begin uncovering how the racial, cultural, economic, and political environments of late 20th century have shaped the experiences of a large segment of Chicana/o youth."

Los Tumabados' new album, Tekolotes, is dropping w/ national distribution through EMI in late August. Peep their music. They shot two videos for songs off the album, Pilotos de Humo and Mexican Stress.

Request their videos here and here and here.

Matters Brown

2005-07-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

If you're in Hollywood, have a brown head and are looking for a big break, this might be it...so let your hair grow and work on your march and chant.

On a related front, word is that the Brown Berets are back in action. Or are they?

Check the following comments made in 2003 by Carlos Montes , one of the founders and information ministers of the Brown Berets National Office in East Los from 67-70,

Fight Back!: What happened to the Brown Berets?

Carlos Montes: The Brown Berets grew to have about fourteen chapters throughout the Southwest, with East L.A. being the National Office. After the initial organizing efforts, the Los Angeles Police Department and sheriffs sent undercover officers to infiltrate the Brown Berets. The police infiltrators spied and acted as agent provocateurs, with the purpose of arresting the leadership and disrupting the organization. The police used secret grand jury indictments to try to jail and tie up the leadership in court trials. The top-down military structure of the group did not allow for the development of new leadership, or the leadership and development of the women who did a lot of the internal work. The Brown Berets continued ‘till about 1972, when they were disbanded. By then, the Prime Minister David Sanchez had degenerated into staging publicity stunts and running a one-man egomaniac undemocratic group.

Fight Back!: What are the lessons for today?

Carlos Montes: Building a mass militant movement to the stop the U.S. war drive, for social change and for revolution is key. Also rebuilding grassroots militant organizations in the community that fight for self-determination, social justice and liberation - not just for reforms. We need an organization that includes the participation of the entire family and that values and promotes the leadership of women.

Fight Back!: What about today’s ‘Brown Berets?’

Carlos Montes: The current group that call themselves Brown Berets have not led or been involved in any positive mass campaigns for self-determination or social change. They have not been able to grow or get support from any large segments of the Chicano community. They have not taken up the fight for immigrant rights or other important issues, especially the growing anti-war movement of today. They are primarily male and male dominated. They use militant rhetoric, but do not organize. (fightbaccknews.org)

This raising a couple of interesting questions. First, can the central ideological features of the movement be broad enough so as to allow for coordiantion and collaboration? I've witnessed the dogged dogmatics of theologians that refused ecumenical work on the grounds of theological integrity, but why should mass SOCIAL movemeants against police brutality, the prison and military industries and bunk-ass schools require stict adherence to some ideological orthodoxy?

In othe words, why piss on another cat whose throwing a fist at the same motherfucker whose wiling out in your neighborhood? We are from the same neighborhood and that motherfucker needs to get jumped. Hit many times and in many ways.

Do the math

2005-07-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

First, fuck this punk and this punk and this punk...

I feel much better now.

Whether you compute with one of these or these or these , you know by now that we aint taking no shorts.

Latinos are making major strides in entertainment and this blog is the bigg upp joint.

If you dont know, ask somebody.