2Mex: B-Boys In Occupied Mexico

Lucy Beer

Recent articles (58 total)

Published: November 1, 2001

Lest LA hip-hop heads become too complacent with the successes of local heroes like Dilated Peoples and Jurassic 5, 2Mex challenges the underground to think again. His brand of hip-hop remains consistently complex, thought provoking and political, as the album's title suggests. His lyricism combines militant urgency with the intricate thought patterns of spoken word. 2Mex's artistry demands attention, and with the help of imaginative beat-makers Nobody and Mum's The Word, the listener can't help but be drawn in. "Ghost Writer" channels the discontent of distorted rock and sets the unconventional tone for the album. "I Didn't Mean To Touch Your Hand" takes a brutally candid look at self-doubt, the likes of which most MCs can't fathom on wax. 2Mex lays it all bare and it is this daring to use hip-hop to express all kinds of emotions, both personal and political, that makes B Boys In Occupied Mexico so engaging and important. Jerry Quickly helps out on "The Truth" which delves into the issues surrounding social and political injustices, particularly police brutality. The standard hip-hop lexicon ' both musical and verbal acts as mere guidelines for 2Mex who exposes the genre to new possibilities.

Record Label: Mean Street
Style: Beyond Jazz