Down AKA Kilo | |
|---|---|
| Down AKA Kilo in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Juan Jose Martinez [1] |
| Born | 1985 (age 39–40) [2] Oxnard, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 1998-present |
| Labels | Familia Records, Silent Giant, Machete, Universal |
| Website | www |
Juan Jose Martinez (born 1985), better known by his stage name Down AKA Kilo, is an American rapper from Oxnard, California.
Martinez was born in Oxnard; his parents were undocumented immigrants from Mexico. [2] Growing up, he listened to Cypress Hill and N.W.A and began rapping at age 13. He made his first recordings at the garage of childhood friend Edward "E-Dub" Rios, who would later become producer of the Power 106 radio show Pocos Pero Locos. He released his debut album California Cowboyz in 2003, [3] and his second album Definition of an Ese in 2007, with two singles from the album, "Lean like a Cholo" and "Definition of an Ese."
On March 28, 2009, Down was injured in a car crash at Farmington, New Mexico and put in a coma while hospitalized. [4]
| Year | Title | Peak chart position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B | US Heatseekers | ||
| 2003 | California Cowboyz
| — | — |
| 2007 | Definition of an Ese [5]
| 70 | 11 |
| Year | Title | Peak chart position | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Rap | |||
| 2007 | "Lean like a Cholo" [6] | 34 | 15 | Definition of an Ese |