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Confesiones de un Pecador | El Pecador BP Interview Dec. 2004
El Pecador aka Sinful, an original pioneer of Latin Hip-Hop and still recognized as one of the most prolific Spanish emcees to bless the microphone. El Pecador a former member of seminal hip-hop group "The Mexakinz", debuted their first album "Zig Zag" in 1993 on Motown Records onto Billboard's top 40 Heat seeker chart. CMJ Magazine described this album as "a textural fire storm smothered with Latin street culture that relies on straight forward hip hop bravado." Their critically acclaimed sophomore self-titled album "Tha Mexakinz," was released in 1996 on Wild West Records in the U.S.A. and Sony/Edel Records in Europe. Again critics and radio responded unanimously hailing them as "the most credible force in Latin hip hop."
El Pecador is back with a vengeance after an eight year hiatus, spitting piercing rhymes that are unmatched today as the first time “Tha Mexakinz” dropped their debut album in 1993.
The question remains: What's up with El Pecador?
We met up with El Pecador in the city of Long Beach for an exclusive BrownPride.com Interview (12.13.2004)… (Interview and Photography by salrojas.com)
EL PECADOR/ SINFUL:
How did you get your start in the music business?
I started in 1992 with my group, “Tha Mexakinz.” We dropped our first album in 1993 on Motown Records. Then we followed up with our second album on Wild West Records/Sony/Edel in 1996, a classic masterpiece. After 1996 we started working on separate projects, I-Man released his solo album a few years later. Then in 2004, 8 years later, I dropped my solo album, “Confesiones de un Pecador,” on Universal Records.
You guys changed your name to Malafia for a minute?
The reason we changed our name to Malafia from Tha Mexakinz was because of the label we used to be on. They own the name and they will not let us use it anymore due to legal reasons.
How is your solo album different from your previous work from the last two Mexakinz albums?
My solo album “Confesiones de un Pecador,” is different because it is ME, solo. There are no collaborations on this album, so it is all coming from me. Also, this album is all in Spanish and it is something the Latin World has been asking me for several years and now it’s here. This album is heated from the intro to the end. Not to say that Tha Mexakinz albums are not heated cuz we sure gave them a classic in 1996.
A lot of people in the industry are calling your solo album "Confesiones de un Pecador" the Latin Chronic. Tell us about the vibe of your new album and the feedback you've been getting?
The album has its street bangers, club bangers, and hood joints all in one. I got a joint I did for my moms, “Madre Incomparable,” it is a classic, it’s the Mother’s Day anthem for Latin America, it’s a deep song. It has made lots of people cry, and that’s real spit. It is for all the moms that can relate. I got a joint on there called “Atraccion Fatal,” where I’m talking about a gun in the form of a woman, that’s an ill piece. I also got a joint on there titled “Sin Idea Decir Adios / S.I.D.A,” it’s the last song on the album, where I play the AIDS virus, it’s on some lyrical shit. The feedback on this album has been very positive, kids telling me, finally, somebody represents for our people.
"Confesiones de un Pecador" is a major accomplishment musically and
lyrically. Can you describe the creative process on how this album was
put together.
Basically I went to the studio with ideas that were floating in my head for many years. From the ups and downs in my life, you know the struggle that some artists go thru. Like I said, all the concepts have always been there, “I paint pictures for people” from beginning to end. I consider myself a real poet, hip-hop is in my blood, so the music comes naturally. This album was done a year ago. Some of these songs were recorded years back.
Props for the work you did on the album as a whole. You killed it on "Tragos Amargos", "Pieza Diez" and "Sin Idea Decir Adios (SIDA)." Those are definitely some of the best tracks on the album.
“Tragos Amargos,” is a joint I did for all my people. It basically on the same vibe as the original song with a twist to it. This one is also a classic. “Pieza Diez,” is the first single off the album. We flipped the chorus from Elvis Crespo. The song is about a “dime piece.” It’s about a fly Latina that I hook up with in the club. Also, check for the remix, “Dime Piece,” featuring Sly Boogy and Techniec, it’s a banger. “SIDA” is about letting people know the reality of what the AIDS virus can do to a person. It’s like a message to the young cats, always stay strapped.
On track 8 titled "90813", you represent for the city of Long Beach. How was it growing up in Long Beach and how has that influenced your music?
Growing up in Long Beach was a mother fucker. You have your Mexicans, blacks, Cambodians, and Samoans all in the same city, so you know shit always went down on every block on the eastside. So my way to stay on the positive side was to always be in the studio recording. That was my way out, I always stayed focused. If you listen to the first Mexakinz albums you will know what we were talking about. I’ve always repped the LB, you can ask the O.G.’s in Long Beach, they will tell you.
Since you've come out in 1993 with Tha Mexakinz debut, the whole Latin
Hip-Hop industry has evolved. How do you feel about the changes that the industry has gone through since 1993?
The game has definitely changed since ’93. Now you have your Urban Regional, Chicano Rap, Reggaeton, and of course Latin hip-hop. I think it is a way for Latinos to get their different points across, back then the people were not ready for us, now it’s like the Latin world is taking over.
You've been rapping in Spanish for over a decade now, how do you feel now that the market is opening up with the major labels signing a lot of new acts in Spanish Hip-Hop?
Like I said before, I think it is a positive thing but a lot of these new so called artists out now do not belong in the game. Some of these cats are killing the culture of hip-hop.
What are you personal views of the music business as a Latino artist?
The game has its ups and downs. We need to get in these record labels pockets like they do at the real labels, million dollar deals, because a lot of these new artists are settling for a $10,000 check and feeling like they won the lottery, it is really fucking up the game, straight up. We need to get paid like a real artist should. That is why some of these record companies are signing a lot of bullshit. If this shit continues, who knows where Latin hip-hop will be by 2006. Also, when signing you should get all their promises on paper because a lot of these A&R’s are lying mother fuckers, believe me.
BrownPride.com always felt you were ahead of your time, is 2004/2005 the year you finally get the recognition you truly deserve?
I believe so, I get it from the streets all the time and I have fans email me from all over the world saying you are the illest Spanish hip-hop lyricist period. In different parts of Latin America they tell me that “La Plaga,” a song off Tha Mexakinz album, is a hip-hop anthem. It is now considered a classic, that joint was recorded in ’95 and here I am 9 years later still ahead of my time. Maybe one day when I am gone people will recognize me for being the “first Mexican to rap en Espanol.” A real hip-hop pioneer, do your homework people.
You always represented the hip-hop culture 100 percent, how do you feel when they try to market you as an "Urban Regional" artist?
I get pissed the fuck off when they label me as an “Urban Regional artist.” I am a hip-hop artist that rhymes in Spanish, get it right people.
Now that your album is finally out nationwide to hold us over till 2005. What do you have brewing in the studio for 2005?
I am working on the next Mexakinz project. Record companies get at me if you want to talk business, real business, no bullshit ass deals, no gimmicks. (elpecador@elpecador.com)
Any last palabras de El Pecador?
Go get the album, “Confesiones de un Pecador,” you won’t be disappointed if you are a real hip-hop fan, trust me, it is the hottest Latin hip-hop album on the streets right now. Check out the website: www.elpecador.com
- Voz de la Calle (Interludio)
- Imperdonable
- Por el Peor Camino
- Manos Al Aire
- Orgullo Pecaminoso
- Bombom
- 90813
- Solo Existe Uno
- Pieza Diez
- Madre Imcomparable
- Mi Confesion
- Tragos Amargos
- Sin Idea Decir Adios (Sida)
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