Hispanic Causing Panic
Encyclopedia
Hispanic Causing Panic is the debut album by rapper, Kid Frost. The album was released in 1990 for Virgin Records
and is considered to be one of the first Latin rap albums, setting the stage for later releases by groups like Cypress Hill
. The album featured the hit single, "La Raza
" which peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100
, #59 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart, and #14 on the Rap Tracks chart. It even managed to chart on the Hot Latin Tracks chart at #33. It also would later appear in the popular video game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
on Radio Los Santos.
) for performing at car shows sponsered by Lowrider Magazine
. It wasn't until the release of his hit single La Raza
that Kid Frost became a Chicano popular icon.
Upon its release, “La Raza” was ubiquitous. It could be heard blaring from automobile stereo speakers and was adopted as the unofficial theme song for numerous Chicano and Latino community events and celebrations. Like any good “oldie” tune, the power of Kid Frost's song continues to be felt years after its initial impact. As Gabriel Alvarez remarks in the liner notes to the CD Latin Lingo: Hip-Hop from the Raza, “‘La Raza’ is simply the Mexican hip-hop theme song. Whether it be a Cinco de Mayo celebration or a quinceañera, Kid Frost's 1990 nationalistic declaration plays loudly.” “La Raza” also received considerable airplay by radio stations, especially in Los Angeles. The video for the song, directed by Andrew Doucette, was frequently showcased on music video programs.
“La Raza” represented a major shift in how rap and hip-hop were connected to language and politics in the way it fused Spanish and English (identified as “caló” in the song) and advocated Chicano and Chicana pride. As a “nationalist declaration” (as Alvarez said), Kid Frost's “La Raza” is clearly influenced by the rhetoric and poetic language of the Chicano/a movement. In declaring himself “brown and proud,” insisting that it is in his “blood to be an Aztec warrior,” Kid Frost begs a comparison with Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzáles's 1967 poem, “I am Joaquín,” advocating cultural nationalist rhetoric. A song like “La Raza” makes it possible to see Chicano and Chicana rap poetics as analogous to the Chicano and Chicana social poetry of the late 1960s and 1970s.
“La Raza” also signals the cultural exchange between African Americans and Chicanos and Latinos that is seen in the “sampled” music by groups like War, Bill Withers, and Sly and the Family Stone. Kid Frost's music introduced younger Mexican Americans to the music of previous generations—via the samples and new renditions of classic soul songs—along with the empowering discourses of Chicanismo.
Kid Frost's music functions as a motivating force and a means for ethnic empowerment, especially for young, working-class Chicanos and Chicanas in California, particularly in Los Angeles. However, it has also raised questions about its treatment of gender. Kid Frost's lyrics often uphold the family as an organizing principle for a nationalist sentiment that depends upon heterosexism and masculinity. His use of the concepts la familia and la raza promotes an alliance that more often than not results in all-male social networks. Kid Frost's raps, however, have encouraged scholars and members of the Chicano community in general to discuss how race, class, gender, sexuality, and ethnicity are expressed in the realm of popular culture.
“La Raza” also signals the cultural exchange between African Americans and Chicanos and Latinos that is seen in the “sampled” music by groups like War, Bill Withers, and Sly and the Family Stone. Kid Frost's music introduced younger Mexican Americans to the music of previous generations—via the samples and new renditions of classic soul songs—along with the empowering discourses of Chicanismo.
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
and is considered to be one of the first Latin rap albums, setting the stage for later releases by groups like Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...
. The album featured the hit single, "La Raza
La Raza
In the Spanish language the term Raza translates to "race". Its meaning varies amongst various Spanish-speaking peoples. For instance, in Spain, "Raza" may denote specifically Spanish and often of a something or someone of a European Christian heritage. The Francoist film Raza, from 1944, which...
" which peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, #59 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart, and #14 on the Rap Tracks chart. It even managed to chart on the Hot Latin Tracks chart at #33. It also would later appear in the popular video game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
on Radio Los Santos.
La Raza
Up until the release of Hispanic Causing Panic, Kid Frost was only known around the Southwestern United States and California (in particular Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
) for performing at car shows sponsered by Lowrider Magazine
Lowrider Magazine
Lowrider Magazine is a monthly magazine about cars, focusing almost exclusively on the style known as a lowrider. The magazine has also released a series of videos available on DVD. It was founded in 1977 with the first issue coming out of San Jose, California.- External links :*...
. It wasn't until the release of his hit single La Raza
La Raza (song)
"La Raza" is a popular song recorded by the Mexican-American rapper Kid Frost and featured on the album Hispanic Causing Panic. "La Raza", which is Spanish for "the race" or more symbolically "the people", is featured on the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on West Coast hip...
that Kid Frost became a Chicano popular icon.
Upon its release, “La Raza” was ubiquitous. It could be heard blaring from automobile stereo speakers and was adopted as the unofficial theme song for numerous Chicano and Latino community events and celebrations. Like any good “oldie” tune, the power of Kid Frost's song continues to be felt years after its initial impact. As Gabriel Alvarez remarks in the liner notes to the CD Latin Lingo: Hip-Hop from the Raza, “‘La Raza’ is simply the Mexican hip-hop theme song. Whether it be a Cinco de Mayo celebration or a quinceañera, Kid Frost's 1990 nationalistic declaration plays loudly.” “La Raza” also received considerable airplay by radio stations, especially in Los Angeles. The video for the song, directed by Andrew Doucette, was frequently showcased on music video programs.
“La Raza” represented a major shift in how rap and hip-hop were connected to language and politics in the way it fused Spanish and English (identified as “caló” in the song) and advocated Chicano and Chicana pride. As a “nationalist declaration” (as Alvarez said), Kid Frost's “La Raza” is clearly influenced by the rhetoric and poetic language of the Chicano/a movement. In declaring himself “brown and proud,” insisting that it is in his “blood to be an Aztec warrior,” Kid Frost begs a comparison with Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzáles's 1967 poem, “I am Joaquín,” advocating cultural nationalist rhetoric. A song like “La Raza” makes it possible to see Chicano and Chicana rap poetics as analogous to the Chicano and Chicana social poetry of the late 1960s and 1970s.
“La Raza” also signals the cultural exchange between African Americans and Chicanos and Latinos that is seen in the “sampled” music by groups like War, Bill Withers, and Sly and the Family Stone. Kid Frost's music introduced younger Mexican Americans to the music of previous generations—via the samples and new renditions of classic soul songs—along with the empowering discourses of Chicanismo.
Kid Frost's music functions as a motivating force and a means for ethnic empowerment, especially for young, working-class Chicanos and Chicanas in California, particularly in Los Angeles. However, it has also raised questions about its treatment of gender. Kid Frost's lyrics often uphold the family as an organizing principle for a nationalist sentiment that depends upon heterosexism and masculinity. His use of the concepts la familia and la raza promotes an alliance that more often than not results in all-male social networks. Kid Frost's raps, however, have encouraged scholars and members of the Chicano community in general to discuss how race, class, gender, sexuality, and ethnicity are expressed in the realm of popular culture.
“La Raza” also signals the cultural exchange between African Americans and Chicanos and Latinos that is seen in the “sampled” music by groups like War, Bill Withers, and Sly and the Family Stone. Kid Frost's music introduced younger Mexican Americans to the music of previous generations—via the samples and new renditions of classic soul songs—along with the empowering discourses of Chicanismo.
Track listing
| # | Title | Sample(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "La Raza La Raza (song) "La Raza" is a popular song recorded by the Mexican-American rapper Kid Frost and featured on the album Hispanic Causing Panic. "La Raza", which is Spanish for "the race" or more symbolically "the people", is featured on the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on West Coast hip... " |
Tony G. | 3:29 | |
| 2 | "Hold Your Own" | The Baker Boyz, Tony G. | 3:40 | |
| 3 | "Straight to the Bank" | Problems by James Brown James Brown James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr... |
The Baker Boyz | 3:51 |
| 4 | "Come Together" | Will Roc | 5:07 | |
| 5 | "Smoke" | Tony G., Kid Frost | 4:02 | |
| 6 | "Ya Estuvo (That's It)" | Will Roc, Kid Frost | 4:05 | |
| 7 | "Homicide" | Tony G., Julio G Julio G Julio G is an influential West Coast hip hop DJ who was born and then raised in Lynwood, CA, and is credited for being responsible for the rise of gangsta rap as part of the KDAY radio station on-air talent in Los Angeles, CA. Following KDAY, he was a DJ at 92.3 The Beat... |
3:52 | |
| 8 | "Hispanic Causing Panic" | The Baker Boyz | 3:29 | |
| 9 | "In the City" | Will Roc | 4:47 | |
| 10 | "La Raza" (Cantina Mix) | Tony G. | 4:41 |