LISTEN UP, READERS!

Definitely tried to change things up for my most recent compilation. Features new school (Lil' Rob), old school (Kid Frost), and some really old school--a throwback to the founder of Chicano music, Lalo Guerrero. Track list is below, enjoy!

• AKWID- "Sentir La Vida"
• 2MEX & LIFE REXALL ARE $MARTER- "Jerry Reuss"
• XOLOLANXINXO & 2MEX- "Mosh To Da Sun"
• DELINQUENT HABITS/MELLOWMAN ACE/ RUDE- "Get Up, Get On It"
• KID FROST- "La Raza"
• LUNCH FEAT. DIAMONIQUE- "Do It 4 You"
• CHINGO BLING- "Still Going Down"
• DELINQUENT HABITS- "Return Of The Tres"
• LIL MENACE- "Crazy Cholo"
• PROPER DOS- "What's Next On Tha Menu"
• LIL ROB- "Summer Nights"
• LALO GUERRERO- "Muy Sabroso Blues"

VIVA CHAVEZ!

Check out this brief clip about Cesar Chavez' founding of the United Farm Workers of America in the 1960s from A History of Hispanic Achievement in America.

CIVIL RIGHTS: NOT JUST BLACK & WHITE

I believe that it's also relevant to discuss what was happening in the social realm prior to the emergence of Chicano rap. When most think of America in the 1960s, they think of the struggles between black and white: MLK, Jim Crow, Rosa Parks, Birmingham, "I have a dream," etc. However, many other social movements were occurring during this era of radican change, including the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement.

Armed with a renewed sense of nationalism, Mexican Americans across the nation reclaimed the once pejorative "Chicano," deeming it a term of "cultural pride and confidence." Chicanos sought to renew land grants, implement rights for farm workers, protest the crumbling education system, and assert a political presence. Unlikely leaders like Reies Lopez Tijerina and Cesar Chavez emerged, putting a face to the struggle of millions of Chicanos. While many social disparities still exist for Mexican-Americans, the movement served to "galvanize and train a new generation of activists and leaders," bringing Chicano issues to a national level.

Had it not been for the courage of participants and leaders of this movement, I doubt that there would be a platform for artists like Kid Frost to capitalize on and spread their message to the masses.

IT'S ALL ABOUT LA RAZA, BABY

What sets Chicano rap apart from mainstream hip-hop is the strong cultural message that artists try to promote through their lyrics, beats, and imagery. The Chicano pride displayed by artists like Kid Frost and 2Mex is undoubtedly geniune, a far departure from the material fluff touted by 50 Cents and Lil' Jons of hip-hop.

The cultural message is rooted in the concept of "Aztlan," a territory in the Southwest that was once inhabited by indigenous Aztecs. Though much of the territory was ceded to the United States following the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), Chicanos contend that the land rightfully belongs to them, and have subsequently maintained strong ties to the area.

According to the Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan (MEChA) based at Cal State, Chicanos are a people "not only proud of its historical heritage, but also of the brutal 'gringo' invasion of the our territories." As a result , they do not "recognize capricious frontiers on the bronze contient," asserting that Aztlan should belong to those who literally and metephorically "plant the seeds, water the fields, and gather the crops."

FROM RANCHERAS TO RAP: THE PROGRESSION

Following Lalo Guerrero's breakthrough, Chicano music continued to evolve alongside mainstream genres. The 1960s and 1970s brought forth a movement of Chicano rock, loosely defined as music performed by Chicano artists or featuring themes of Chicano culture. Well-known artists included Carlos Santana, Joan Baez, Johnny Rodriguez & Linda Ronstadt.

Chicano punk was a derivative of the rock movement, though not as widely known. The most notable Chicano punk rock group in the ' 60s was ? Mark and the Mysterians--primarily comprised of Mexican-Americans musicians. Though their star has waned considerably since that era, ? Mark and the Mysterians continue to perform today. In fact, they even have a MySpace featuring videos, upcoming shows, and band info. The video for their most famous song, "96 Tears," is featured below:

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

While the genre of Chicano rap is a fairly new phenomenon, Chicano music itself has a long, rich history in the United States. Chicano music first made an impact on the mainstream in the 1930s, with the emergence of Lalo Guerrero. Lalo put his own unique Latin spin on nearly every style of music he performed: swing, cha cha cha, salsa, mambo, blues, norteña, rock & roll, banda, rancheras, etc.

Though Chicanos of our generation may know him best for his silly parodies--like "Pancho Clause" & "Elvis Perez"--Guerrero was dedicated to shedding light on social issues revelant to Chicanos across America. On his nearly 700 songs, topics included Cesar Chavez's struggle for farm worker rights, the tragic death of Chicano activist Ruben Salazar, and the recent hardships of illegal aliens in the U.S. Guerrero actively performed until his passing in 2005--a successful career spanning nearly 70 years. Guerrero's Chicano legacy is carried on by his son, Mark, a singer/songwriter. Below is a tribute video to the great Chicano artist: