Conejo (rapper)

Last updated
Conejo
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Chicano rap
Years active1999–present
LabelsSinister Kingdom Music

Jose Martin (born October 9, 1974), known as Conejo, [1] is a rapper based in Los Angeles, California who has worked in various hip-hop genres since the late 1980s. Much of his work exhibits native fluency in English and Spanish. He is a well-known contributor to the Chicano rap genre, Gangster Rap genre and frequent collaborator with Proper Dos.

Contents

Conejo was the main antagonist of the film The Tax Collector where he plays, Conejo, [2] an enforcer for an unspecified Mexican drug cartel.

Early life

Martin is Mexican with US citizenship through birth. His parents are originally from the state of Jalisco, Mexico. He grew up in West Los Angeles, California in the 'West Adams' neighborhood. One of his childhood friends is David Ayer, the director of Training Day, who enlisted for a major movie role in late 2020 [3]

Fugitive

Conejo was a fugitive for 14 years due to a murder warrant that was later litigated in favor of the rapper. [4] While on the run, the rapper released various mixtapes to his hardcore rap fanbase, In 2012, Chicano rapper Serio released “Don’t Hate Me Cause I’m Mexican.” which featured Conejo and Proper Dos, one of the only collaborations Conejo made while on the run. Accruing hundreds of thousands of monthly streams through various social media channels. In 2016, the rapper was extradited from Mexico to the United States. [5]

Current work

Since 2018, Conejo has returned to the public through multiple media projects. He has collaborated with various high-profile rappers, like Proper Dos and Cypress Hill, publishing at minimum one full album per year since his days as a fugitive. [6] A somewhat comprehensive list of his discography has been described and lists the total number of albums as higher than 30, [7] but because of the rapper's unconventional distribution, the number of tracks and albums linked to him may be much higher. [8]

For distribution, the rapper now works with Sony, [9] with one of his more well-known albums being Agenda 32. [10] As mentioned above, his work in 'The Tax Collector' led to his role as 'Oscar' in FX's 'Deputy' series. [11]

While Conejo's status a fugitive led to a great deal of his work having popularity, this was often not promoted in conventional digital platforms. Instead, much of the work can be found in social media outlets. Only recently, in the 5 years after his acquittal, Conejo has enjoyed more conventional means of communication with his fanbase, appearing in publications based in the US west coast, such as Daily Chela, Phoenix New Times [12] and Nuestra Intel. [13]

Tours and shows


In Southern California, the rapper has held a near Christmas time themed show called 'Nightmare before Xmas'. Other recognized acts, like Young Drummer Boy, performed as well in the 2019 show.

Due to the measures taking during Covid's early phase, 2020's show was essentially skipped, but 2021 and 2022 went on as scheduled. For 2023, said show is set to take place on Dec. 23, 2023.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicano</span> Ethnic identity of some Mexican Americans

Chicano or Chicana is an ethnic identity for Mexican Americans who have a non-Anglo self-image, embracing their Mexican Native ancestry. Chicano was originally a classist and racist slur used toward low-income Mexicans that was reclaimed in the 1940s among youth who belonged to the Pachuco and Pachuca subculture. In the 1960s, Chicano was widely reclaimed in the building of a movement toward political empowerment, ethnic solidarity, and pride in being of indigenous descent. Chicano developed its own meaning separate from Mexican American identity. Youth in barrios rejected cultural assimilation into the mainstream American culture and embraced their own identity and worldview as a form of empowerment and resistance. The community forged an independent political and cultural movement, sometimes working alongside the Black power movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frost (rapper)</span> American rapper

Arturo R. Molina Jr., better known as Frost, is an American rapper, songwriter and record producer from Los Angeles. He charted in the 1990s with his first four albums: Hispanic Causing Panic, East Side Story, Smile Now, Die Later and When Hell.A. Freezes Over. His most successful single is "La Raza" which hit number 6 on the rap songs chart in August 1990. His 1990 debut album is credited as the first Chicano rap album.

Latin hip hop is hip hop music that is recorded by artists in the United States of Hispanic and Latino descent, along with Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean, North America, Central America, South America, and Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronco (Mexican band)</span> Mexican grupero band

Bronco is a Mexican grupero band originating from Apodaca, Nuevo León. Their modern take on regional Mexican music in the 1980s and 1990s helped earn them international recognition with original band members José Guadalupe "Lupe" Esparza, Ramiro Delgado, Javier Villareal, and José Luis "Choche" Villareal creating music that would go on to top record charts. The band is well known for their use of modern instruments, particularly the synthesizer and musical keyboards, as part of the incorporation of pop-style music. As with many grupera bands, members wore matching jumpsuits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lowrider</span> Customized car with a lowered body

A lowrider or low rider is a customized car with a lowered body that emerged among Mexican American youth in the 1940s. Lowrider also refers to the driver of the car and their participation in lowrider car clubs, which remain a part of Chicano culture and have since expanded internationally. These customized vehicles are also artworks, generally being painted with intricate, colorful designs, unique aesthetic features, and rolling on wire-spoke wheels with whitewall tires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoot suit</span> Mens suit style of the 1940s

A zoot suit is a men's suit with high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed, pegged trousers, and a long coat with wide lapels and wide padded shoulders. It is most notable for its use as a cultural symbol among the Hepcat and Pachuco subcultures. Originating among African Americans it would later become popular with Mexican, Filipino, Italian, and Japanese Americans in the 1940s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alejandro Fernández</span> Mexican singer

Alejandro Fernández Abarca is a Mexican singer. Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, he is the son of the Mexican singer Vicente Fernández. Nicknamed as "El Potrillo" by the media and his fans, he has sold over 20 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists. He originally specialized in traditional, earthy forms of Mexican folk, such as mariachi and charro, until he successfully branched out into pop music. Over the course of his career, he has been awarded two Latin Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicano rap</span> Music genre

Chicano rap is a subgenre of hip hop that embodies aspects of the Mexican American or Chicano culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akwid</span> Mexican-American hip hop group

Akwid is a Chicano rap group. Brothers Francisco "AK" Gómez and Sergio "Wikid" Gómez, who make up Akwid, are originally from Jiquilpan, Michoacán, but grew up in Los Angeles, California. Before becoming Akwid both "AK" and "Wikid" were part of a former rap group named the "Head Knockerz" with other group members Sabu and John Doe

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Rob</span> American rapper, producer, and actor

Roberto L. Flores, also known as Ese 1218, and better known by his stage name Lil Rob, is an American rapper, producer, and actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lowrider bicycle</span> Customized bicycle

A lowrider bicycle is a highly customized bicycle with styling inspired by lowrider cars. These bikes often feature a long, curved banana seat with a sissy bar and very tall upward-swept ape hanger handlebars. A lot of chrome, velvet, and overspoked wheels are common accessories to these custom bicycles.

NB Ridaz was a hip hop group from Arizona, formerly known as NBK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicano Movement</span> Social and political movement combating racism in the United States

The Chicano Movement, also referred to as El Movimiento, was a social and political movement in the United States that worked to embrace a Chicano/a identity and worldview that combated structural racism, encouraged cultural revitalization, and achieved community empowerment by rejecting assimilation. Chicanos also expressed solidarity and defined their culture through the development of Chicano art during El Movimiento, and stood firm in preserving their religion.

José Antonio "Tony" Burciaga was an American Chicano artist, poet, and writer who explored issues of Chicano identity and American society.

The Phoenix Theatre has presented productions since 1983. An Equity house, the Phoenix presents the Midwest and Indiana premieres of many Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, and has presented 94 World Premieres. In May 2018, the Phoenix moved to a newly constructed, 20,000 square foot building, the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, at 705 N. Illinois St. in the heart of downtown Indianapolis with two stages: the 144 seat Steve and Livia Russell Theatre and a flexible blackbox space, the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre. As of 2024, Phoenix has rebranded as Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre where it houses 7 resident theatre companies. They are Actors Ink Theatre Company, American Lives Theatre, Eclipse, Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, Naptown African American Theatre Collective, Phoenix Theatre, and Summit Performance Indianapolis. Its previous location was at 749 N. Park Ave. in downtown Indianapolis near Massachusetts Avenue, the Phoenix operated a 130-seat proscenium style Mainstage and 75-seat downstairs cabaret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proper Dos</span> American hip hop group

Proper Dos is an American hip hop group formed in early 90s in California, composed of rapper Frank Villareal and producer Ernie Gonzalez. The duo released their debut album, Mexican Power, in 1992 through Skanless Records, which peaked at #32 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. Their second album, We're at It Again, was released in 1995, followed by Heat in 1998 and Overdose in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chapingo Autonomous University</span> Agricultural college in Texcoco, Mexico

Universidad Autónoma Chapingo is an agricultural college located in Texcoco, Mexico State in Mexico. The university is a federally funded public institution of higher education. It offers technical and full bachelor's degrees as well as having scientific and technological research programs. Many of these programs are related to agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Guillermo Rodríguez Chucuan is a Mexican luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG) portraying a tecnico wrestling character. He is best known under his current ring name El Hijo de Dos Caras, Spanish for "The son of Two Face", a reference to the fact that Rodríguez is the son of luchador José Luis Rodríguez, better known as Dos Caras. He has previously worked for WWE, on their NXT brand as Memo Montenegro. He is a two-time, former IWRG Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, former IWRG Rey del Ring Champion and current IWRG Junior de Juniors Champion.

Hispanic and Latino Coloradans are residents of the state of Colorado who are of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. As of 2020, Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 21% of the state's population, or 1,269,520 of the state's 5,770,545 residents.

<i>The Tax Collector</i> 2020 American action thriller film

The Tax Collector is a 2020 American action thriller film written, directed, and produced by David Ayer. The film stars Bobby Soto, Cinthya Carmona, George Lopez, and Shia LaBeouf, and follows two enforcers working for a Los Angeles crime lord whose business becomes upended, resulting in one of them desperately protecting his family from an old rival.

References

  1. ↑ "Conejo (Rapper)". United Gangs. 2014-08-06. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  2. ↑ White, Nicholas (2020-07-31). "'The Tax Collector' Director David Ayer on Hiring People of Color: 'Where Is the Hollywood Chicano Superstar?'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  3. ↑ Tapia, Nancy (2020-08-07). "The Tax Collector Villain Jose 'Conejo' Martin On Getting The Role Made For Him [Exclusive Interview]". LRM. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  4. ↑ Lezama, Ricardo. "How Did Conejo Beat His Case? – La Cartita Noticias" . Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  5. ↑ "Rapper Conejo extradited from Mexico on murder charges after 14 years on the lam". Fox News. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  6. ↑ Schofield, Alma (2019-08-14). "Chicano Rapper Conejo on Releasing Music as a Wanted Man". Phoenix New Times . Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  7. ↑ Lezama, Ricardo (2023-06-13). "How Many Albums Does Conejo Have?". La Cartita News. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  8. ↑ "Rapper Conejo a.k.a G-Rabs Back With A Vengeance & New Albums: Dope Fiend (6/23/2018)". La Cartita News. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  9. ↑ "Conejo Joins Bad Bunny & Nas On Distribution Deal". The Daily Chela. 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  10. ↑ Maxwell, Brandon Loran (2021-04-25). "Conejo's "Agenda 32" Adds To Solid Legacy". The Daily Chela. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  11. ↑ "Jose Conejo Martin | Actor, Soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  12. ↑ Schofield, Alma. "Chicano Rapper Conejo on Releasing Music as a Wanted Man". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  13. ↑ ""Fue fácil adaptarme al personaje": José Conejo Martín sobre su rol en el thriller "The Tax Collector"". “Fue fácil adaptarme al personaje”: José Conejo Martín sobre su rol en el thriller “The Tax Collector” (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  14. ↑ undergroundhiphopblog (2021-12-03). "Conejo's "Nightmare Before X-Mas III" Is Back in L.A. Conejo + Crimeapple w/ DJ Muggs in L.A., Dec. 11th". UndergroundHipHopBlog.com. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  15. ↑ CONEJO performing live."The Nightmare Before X-Mas" 2022 @SinisterKingdomMusic @ughhblog , retrieved 2023-11-14
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.