Underground hip-hop has been alive and well in Mexico since the early 1990s. Commercially though, it hasn’t been thrust into the mainstream in the same way that US-Latin acts such as Kid Frost and Cypress Hill have. The exception, of course, is rock-rap trio (well technically now duo) Control Machete. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, you will most likely remember them from the Spike Jonze directed Levi’s “Crazy Legs” ad that ran during the 2002 Superbowl.

Hailing from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, group members Fermín IV, Pato (later Patricio Ch. Elizalde), and Toy Kenobi (Toy Hernández) released their debut album, Mucho Barato, in July of 1997. The album was a worldwide success and boasted the tracks “Asi Son Mis Dias” and “Control Machete.”

mp3: “Control Machete”

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After the success of their first album, the group released the follow-up, Artilleria Pesada, Presenta, in March of 1999. Artilleria Pesada boasts four singles, among them “Si Senor” (Yup, the song from the Crazy Legs commercial). Although criticized at times for their use of Spanish profanity and their confrontation of sensitive political and social issues, Control Machete’s lyrics are meant to encourage listeners to rise up against poverty, ignorance, and oppression. Specifically, tracks from Mucho Barato such as “Humanos Mexicanos” and “Mexican Curios” attack the United States’ anti-immigration policies. Here’s the rest of “Si Senor” for your listening pleasure:

mp3: “Si Señor”

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Following the success of several side projects, including 2002′s solo effort Boomerang, frontman Fermín IV left the group. No worries though, the rest of the guys bucked up and returned in 2003 with Uno, Dos: Bandera. The loss of Fermín IV can be heard as the album has a new, darker, more polished feeling than previous releases. With the help of longtime producer Jason Roberts, Patricio and Troy make listeners hardly regret Fermin’s departure with their ability to make digital music sound organic and dirty.

Of great interest is the newest project to come out of Control Machete is Patricio and Producer Jason Robert’s newest endeavor, Contrabanda, which combines music, art and photography into one cohesive project at the vanguard of modern Latin art. You can check it out at www.myspace.com/contrabandamx.

Crank up the low end and crack open some booze, we’re hitting you with the most familiar Mexican-American hip-hop (AKA Chicano Rap) this side of the border. Sure, they’re technically from East LA, but we’re not real technical here so it’s cool. Formed in 1991 (classic in hip-hop years), they released their self-titled debut a decade ago. Featuring the lead single “Tres Delinquentes,” the world was given an introduction to horn-infused mariachi beats with Spanglish lyrics – as gimmicky as that sounds, these guys turned serious heads, including Cypress Hill member/Delinquent Habits executive producer Sen Dog. The video has a gritty, desert look, and make sure you’re listening with the bass turned up – DJ O.G. Style always manages to fit some killer bass lines to his tracks that fill out the mix.

Originally featuring Kemo the Blaxican and Ives El Guero Loco on the rhymes, their follow-up record Here Come The Horns featured vocals from Michelle (what is with women in hip-hop with short names anyways?). Sticking for the most part with the formula that found them success, the track of the same name features the addition of some Latin piano, and a creepy-ass video with puppets, Mexican wrestling masks, and cinematography the likes of which is rarely seen in North America, never mind music videos. Peep this; if I were the sensationalist type I’d say it’s hipper than Necro and scarier than Doom.

Their third release, Merry Go Round, dropped in 2001 (almost ancient history), and in my opinion was their most solid effort. “Return of the Tres” pushed the horns-and-beats formula to perfection, and “House of the Rising Drum” rocks a tight party hook over a bass line too funky for most gringos. If you have watched a football video (calling it “soccer” just wouldn’t do) on YouTube in the past 5 years the first track may sound familiar.

mp3: “Return Of The Tres”

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mp3: “House Of The Rising Drum”

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After 2003′s Freedom Band, Kemo dropped out of the group to do his solo thing. Michelle of-just-one-name stepped in to fill out the roster – maybe because “Los Dos Delinquentes” sounds too corny, but who knows. Late last year, the reformed trio self-released New And Improved, but by self-releasing they unfortunately dampened the buzz they had built. However, they’re on tour in Europe next month, so those of you in Deutschland, Switzerland (CH), and Austria (Republik Österreich) should look up a date near you on their official site.

Two last treats to hold you over: the first is a Nike football ad – what could be more international than football? The second is a track (thanks to WFMU’s Beware of the Blog) that uses a sample from Grieg’s symphonic masterpiece “The Hall of the Mountain King” – and what could be more hip-hop than symphonic masterpieces? Well actually, uh, nevermind… Peace.

mp3: “The King”

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