Pescozada
Encyclopedia
Pescozada is a hip-hop group formed in Chalatenango
, El Salvador
. They usually rap in Spanish, sometimes throwing in bits of English like "Yeah" "Uh-huh" or "Hip hop", and use an extreme amount of Caliche. Their name, which used to refer to an honor given to a knight by royalty, literally means "slap" or "punch" (usually in the face) in modern Spanish. They are also well-known throughout El Salvador
for rapping about topics like the country's political situation
, its problems, and its civil war.
, has elevated music production to unprecedented levels in the Latin hip-hop scene. Their music (both lyrics and melodies) is much heavier and darker than common Latin hip-hop, and the lyrics are usually more fast-paced.
, Apollo 11 and Frost from Sindicato Argentino Del Hip Hop, Mi'ky y El As (Spain
), and most of their fellow Salvadoran rappers, like Robwest and Reyes del Bajo Mundo
.
Both "Diaz Oskuros en el Barrio" and "Dialectos Nativos" were released with the three original members of Pescozada: Fat Lui, Debil Estar, and another rapper by the name of Poeta Demente (Mario Arteaga). Arteaga has since left the group for unexplained reasons. "El Teatro Plebeyo" was released with Pescozada being a duo (Debíl Estar & Fat Lui) but under the musical, technical, and marketing supervision of US-based producer Omnionn. In 2007 Pescozada became officially a trio once again with the incorporation of Omnionn as a member, according to their official website.
, Spice 1, San Quinn, Guce, Planet Asia, and others), Santos, Apolo 11, Reyes del Bajo Mundo, Salaya, Mic'ky y El As (Spain), and Robwest.
The album served not only as an international showcase for group, but as a point of reference for Central American hip-hop to this day. Pescozada gained radio airplay in many markets outside of El Salvador where Salvadoran communities can be found, especially in the US and Canada.
The Salvadoran press qualified the album as presenting a more secure, more seasoned Pescozada, product of a ten-year musical career. Debil Estar focuses on lyrical content rather than his trademark rapid phrase delivery. Fat Lui cemented his no-nonsense lyrical style with elegant lines that keep his verses varied. Omnionn returned to many of his electronica
roots which can be observed throughout his productions, braking away from the conventional styles found in Salvadoran hip hop
.
Six months after the release of Anarquia Club Social, the music label Istmo Music chose the album and the group to launch its new division, Istmo Urban, and signed Pescozada into a co-marketing deal for promoting the album worldwide, mostly through internet digital distribution sites such as iTunes, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Virgin, Rhapsody, MySpace Music, Napster, Zune (Microsoft) and AOL.
The album features two successful singles: "In tha place (feat. Salaya)" and "Anarquia". The last mentioned song has raised controversy amongst media outlets in El Salvador, mainly for the use of Salvadoran President Antonio Saca
's voice as part of the lyrical content. The song has raised questions regarding freedom of expression in El Salvador, which traditionally has been easily silenced in the small Central American nation. "Anarquia" found a handful of left-wing radio stations willing to air it since most mainstream radio stations have allegedly censored the song.
group called Heavy Clan
from San Miguel
and released a diss (disrespect recording) called "Relaciones Diplomaticas" featuring Santos. A sample of the song can be found here.
Debil Estar has made a solo EP called "Debildades", released on August 6, 2006, featuring 11 tracks that can be downloaded for free from the group's website. He also has a radio hip-hop show in Salvadoran radio station YXY 105.7 FM every Tuesday 7-9 PM (Central American Standard Time|-6 GTM), which can also be heard through the internet on the radio station's website http://www.yxy.com.sv
Chalatenango
Chalatenango can refer to:* the Chalatenango Department in El Salvador* the city Chalatenango in El Salvador...
, El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. They usually rap in Spanish, sometimes throwing in bits of English like "Yeah" "Uh-huh" or "Hip hop", and use an extreme amount of Caliche. Their name, which used to refer to an honor given to a knight by royalty, literally means "slap" or "punch" (usually in the face) in modern Spanish. They are also well-known throughout El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
for rapping about topics like the country's political situation
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, its problems, and its civil war.
History
Pescozada was formed in 1998 by two rappers, Luis Escobar (Fat Lui) and Cesar Diaz Alvarenga (Debil Estar), who were longtime friends and both hip hop enthusiasts. They grew up in the darkest times of El Salvador, when the civil war was happening and their department, Chalatenango, was facing the most violence. Unlike many other rappers they do not rap about the usual drugs and sex but rap about social topics such as gangs (however they do not express any allegiance to any specific ones), politics, and the future of El Salvador. The addition of Salvadoran hip hop and electronica producer, OmnionnOmnionn
Omnionn is a music producer of Salvadoran music. A "guanako" himself, he is particularly active in the Salvadoran hip hop scene, where he is the official producer of Pescozada. He is also widely known as an artist of Electronic music...
, has elevated music production to unprecedented levels in the Latin hip-hop scene. Their music (both lyrics and melodies) is much heavier and darker than common Latin hip-hop, and the lyrics are usually more fast-paced.
Diaz Ozkuros en el Barrio
In 2002, they released their first album, "Diaz Oskuros en el Barrio". In 2003, they released a compilation called "El Klan de la Diskordia-La Primera Reunion". This compilation featured themselves and other great rappers of Central America, particularly from El Salvador. They have worked with many artists such as MecateMecate
Mecate is the name of one a controversial rap music group in El Salvador. Despite its ephemeral presence, it managed to leave a mark in the country's media and music scene. With a style permeated by various rap and hip-hop groups, the band kept a bizarre balance between Humor and Social...
, Apollo 11 and Frost from Sindicato Argentino Del Hip Hop, Mi'ky y El As (Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
), and most of their fellow Salvadoran rappers, like Robwest and Reyes del Bajo Mundo
Reyes del Bajo Mundo
Reyes del Bajo Mundo is a Salvadoran hip hop group. The group was formed in 1992 and is conformed by Cruz Control and Douglas Dinamico. A third member named Rey de Reyes left the group due to immigration problems...
.
Dialectos Nativos
In 2004, Pescozada released "Dialectos Nativos" with Salvadoran-American rapper Joaquin Santos. It had a tremendous influence in first and second generation Salvadorans throughout North America. They also claim those immigrants once again started speaking "el dialecto" (Salvadoran Spanish) and this helped them retain their proud traditions as the Salvadoran people, despite the oppression and poverty they faced in the countries they immigrated from.http://www.dialectosnativos.com/about.html This album also speaks heavily about the Salvadoran civil war, which can be heard on songs like "Cielo Gris".Both "Diaz Oskuros en el Barrio" and "Dialectos Nativos" were released with the three original members of Pescozada: Fat Lui, Debil Estar, and another rapper by the name of Poeta Demente (Mario Arteaga). Arteaga has since left the group for unexplained reasons. "El Teatro Plebeyo" was released with Pescozada being a duo (Debíl Estar & Fat Lui) but under the musical, technical, and marketing supervision of US-based producer Omnionn. In 2007 Pescozada became officially a trio once again with the incorporation of Omnionn as a member, according to their official website.
El Teatro Plebeyo
In August 2005, Pescozada released their first label-backed release titled "El Teatro Plebeyo". The CD contains 17 tracks true to the group's ideology and political points of view. The record also contains collaborations with well-respected acts in the international hip-hop scene such as Frost from Sindicato Argentino del Hip Hop (2001 Grammy Winners), San Francisco Bay Area's Sean T (Producer for Mac Dre, E-40E-40
Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
, Spice 1, San Quinn, Guce, Planet Asia, and others), Santos, Apolo 11, Reyes del Bajo Mundo, Salaya, Mic'ky y El As (Spain), and Robwest.
The album served not only as an international showcase for group, but as a point of reference for Central American hip-hop to this day. Pescozada gained radio airplay in many markets outside of El Salvador where Salvadoran communities can be found, especially in the US and Canada.
Anarquia Club Social
On June 2, 2009, after four years of studio work, Anarquia Club Social was officially released. The album consists of thirteen songs and two hidden tracks 100% produced and co-produced by the members of Pescozada. Unlike El Teatro Plebeyo, collaborations with other producers and rappers were nonexistent, with the exception of long-time group friend Joaquin Santos who appears in three songs.The Salvadoran press qualified the album as presenting a more secure, more seasoned Pescozada, product of a ten-year musical career. Debil Estar focuses on lyrical content rather than his trademark rapid phrase delivery. Fat Lui cemented his no-nonsense lyrical style with elegant lines that keep his verses varied. Omnionn returned to many of his electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
roots which can be observed throughout his productions, braking away from the conventional styles found in Salvadoran hip hop
Salvadoran hip hop
Salvadoran hip hop is hip hop and rap music that comes from El Salvador. It is a relatively new style of music, when groups like Pescozada and Mecate formed in the late 1990s, which have grown to be acclaimed and famous throughout the world...
.
Six months after the release of Anarquia Club Social, the music label Istmo Music chose the album and the group to launch its new division, Istmo Urban, and signed Pescozada into a co-marketing deal for promoting the album worldwide, mostly through internet digital distribution sites such as iTunes, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Virgin, Rhapsody, MySpace Music, Napster, Zune (Microsoft) and AOL.
The album features two successful singles: "In tha place (feat. Salaya)" and "Anarquia". The last mentioned song has raised controversy amongst media outlets in El Salvador, mainly for the use of Salvadoran President Antonio Saca
Antonio Saca
Elías Antonio Saca González is a Salvadoran politician and was the President of El Salvador. He was elected President in 2004 to serve a five-year term that ended in 2009....
's voice as part of the lyrical content. The song has raised questions regarding freedom of expression in El Salvador, which traditionally has been easily silenced in the small Central American nation. "Anarquia" found a handful of left-wing radio stations willing to air it since most mainstream radio stations have allegedly censored the song.
Other claims to fame
Pescozada is also famous for its worldwide collaborations with producers including Smoothcut, March the 5th, Sean T, and DJ Moon. They are currently feuding with a reggaetonReggaeton
Reggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
group called Heavy Clan
Heavy Clan
Heavy Clan is a musical group that are the best known representatives of Salvadoran reggaeton . They are famous for feuding with legendary Salvadoran rap group Pescozada, and because of that, have no acknowledgements on , the official site of Salvadoran hip hop...
from San Miguel
San Miguel, El Salvador
San Miguel is the fourth most populous city in El Salvador after Santa Ana and Soyapango and the second most important after San Salvador. It is located 138 km east of the capital, San Salvador. It is also the capital of the department of San Miguel and a municipality...
and released a diss (disrespect recording) called "Relaciones Diplomaticas" featuring Santos. A sample of the song can be found here.
Debil Estar has made a solo EP called "Debildades", released on August 6, 2006, featuring 11 tracks that can be downloaded for free from the group's website. He also has a radio hip-hop show in Salvadoran radio station YXY 105.7 FM every Tuesday 7-9 PM (Central American Standard Time|-6 GTM), which can also be heard through the internet on the radio station's website http://www.yxy.com.sv
Discography
- "Anarquia Club Social" (2009)
- Organico (2006)
- El Teatro Plebeyo (2005)
- Dialectos Nativos (2004)
- Diaz Oskuros en el Barrio (2002)