Since emerging as a solo artist with the 2002 EP Lengua Insurrecta, Mexican hip-hop pioneer Bocafloja (born Aldo Villegas) has sampled from an array of genres to back his politically charged lyrics. A vocal critic of capitalism, imperialism, and Mexico’s political and religious powers, Bocafloja (which roughly translates as “loose-lipped”) uses elements of jazz (2004’s Jazzyturno), soul (2005’s A Titulo Personal), and mainstream urban music (2007’s El Manual de la Otredad) while raising awareness about colonialism, social and political oppression, and institutionalized racism.
Based in Mexico City, New York, and San Francisco, the emcee, poet, and outspoken “social communicator” won Hip-Hop/Rap Album del Año at the 2010 Indie-O Awards with Existo: Matriz Preludio al Pienso. Influenced by early hip-hop and jazz, the album contains collaborations with such global artists as Afu-Ra, Velco, Hache ST, and Cambio.
As an extension of his music, Bocafloja founded QuilomboArte, a collective that uses hip-hop as an educational tool for transformation via concerts, conferences, spoken word sessions, open community dialogs, and the magazine Palabreando.
To learn more about Bocafloja and QuilomboArte, visit emancipassion.com. Also on the bill: Chisme and Third Root. $5; 10pm; Hi-Tones, 621 E Dewey.
Courtesy of The San Antonio Current
When: June 23, 10 p.m.
Venue: Hi-Tones
Address: 621 E. Dewey Pl.
Price: $5