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2Mex - B Boys In Occupied Mexico
Cuidad de Los Angeles, Ca. (BP) - A well-known artist from the Mid-City
area, known as 2Mex, has just released an album that has the whole hip-hop
community in an uproar. Gaining recognition as a member of the respected
Visionaries crew and establishing himself as half of O.M.D. (Of Mexican
Descent), 2Mex has succeeded in creating a poetic epic- as well as a musical
masterpiece. With forward-thinking, he has rewound the whole scene: taking us
back to the raw energy that originally motivated ghetto residents to artistic
expression. In the first place, hip-hop was a key for escaping an environment of
frustration, and provided relief from drowning surroundings. Serving as a Ghost
Writer for a burgeoning Hip-Hop following, he becomes an author of everybody’s
autobiography. By representing common urban problems (broken homes, addiction,
and depression), he reaches out to the multitudes who could relate. For us it’s
a pleasure to let you all know, welcome to B-Boys in Occupied Mexico.
The track “L.A. (like...)” pays homage to the city’s underground scene,
with rhymes that echo of hip-hop’s past. 2Mex walks us down memory lane
(via graffiti-filled alleyways, of course) to another time & space this
music phenomena exploded. He brings to light the elements of hip-hop by
mentioning pioneers of the movement: including, d.j.s Rob One and AWOL One,
the CBS and LTS graff crews, and the famous L.A. Breakers. In a rhyming
shout-out style, he gives props to torchbearers that carried on the urban
tradition throughout the years (among them are: The Shapeshifters, Freestyle
Fellowship, Jurrassic-5, Dilated Peoples and the Black Eyed Peas). The role
the KDAY radio show played in filling the airwaves with freshness, and the
way Hex's groundbreaking Hip-Hop Shop on Melrose provided an outlet for
the public, are also called to mind. The popular rivalries between Garfield
and Roosevelt high school football teams and the notorious party lines make
all die-hard Angelinos reminisce.
Like a true b-boy, 2mex's Fear of the drums is apparent in his song titled
"Percussion Precaution". While urging listeners to be aware of the music,
he goes into an amazing play on words describing the names of sounds;
showing a profound respect for the drumbeat, and an ingenious lyrical
ability. Another poetic gem on this album is called "M is for Memo" (an
entire song comprised of words that begin with the letter M). Both, testify
of 2Mex's writing prowess.
When joined with Xololanxinxo, O.M.D. takes us on a spiritual journey to
another dimension... a dimension not only of Light with sound, but in the
mind. Breaking all physical boundaries, their concepts penetrate deep into
the soul of any listener. By giving thanks to the Most High, they illustrate
how humble is, indeed, "The Style of the Day”. Fermin of Control Machete
(Monterrey, Mexico) combines cosmic forces with 2Mex and Xololanxinxo
displaying solidarity on the track “Control Mexica.” O.M.D. starts off the
song in English, and Control Machete flips their verse in Spanish, both
representing por El Hombre Mexicano, who’s a stranger on his own land. It
doesn’t matter what side of the border we reside on, the struggles are the
same.
"Across & Down" sounds like a social commentary of the times. With exploding word clusters from the imagination, 2Mex seems to capture the very essence of our current world situation, and also the role our great artform plays in exposing it. Narcs with rowdy mace, headlines planting warheads into
space, Anheiser forty orchids in a vase. Damn, it is ill, the way he seems
to move his mind at will!
Behind the Music of the Mask, Sick Jacken and 2-Mex collaborate on “Doctors,
Drums, and Danger”. Like a couple of mystical Indian priests conjuring spirits
with revelations and snatching wack souls from their shells with the fluidity
of their flows. All you remember is the drums... the rest is just a blurr. Focusing on their verbal barrage, imagery of police scenes, surveillance, and rocking underground crowds raw-documentary-style, makes the harassment all worthwhile.
An "Offering" is filled with indigenious symbolism, heavily-ladened with
spiritial connotations. Combining sounds of pain with words of faith reveal
an ultimate truth: acquiring a closeness to God cannot be accomplished without sacrifice.
Proving himself to be the well-balanced artist these mean streets are
yearning for, 2Mex gives us glimpses of himself through personal skits
throughout the album. At times, even sharing painful feelings of rejection,
self-doubt and loneliness (as with the tracks entitled "Wonderful Memories"
and "I Didn't Mean to Touch Your Hand"). Afterward, a soothing interlude
repeats "I'm gonna Love You the Same". That's right. This underground
philosopher expresses another priceless reality: you can conquer negativity
with four words "...love,love,love,and love". How's that for breaking the
mold.
Another highlight (one of the many on this c.d.) is 2Mex's spoken word intro
on a track that has vocalist Angie Gonzalez singing beautiful words of encouragement. Yes, you do have to believe in yourself. If you don't, why would anybody else? The distinction between false pride and confidence is made clear, when she reminds us that we are All in this together.
The last track is appropriately titled "The Truth". Jerry Quickly teams
up con el 2Mex to bash the system, with a no-holds-barred approach to
the matter. Commenting on everything, from the deceptive media to
america's incorporated symbols of conquest, this duo lays all the cards on the
table. Using a "show" and "prove" theorem, they show us how cases like Mumia
Abu-Jamal and Tyisha Miller proove that the balances of justice are tilted
against us. But all hope shall not be lost. Remember, we loose Him, He
never lost us. The Shepherd loves His flock... God bless hip-hop!
This is Gato and Sal reporting from behind enemy
lines.
Lost communication with host
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