Inspired by the films Beatstreet and Breakdance, Chileans first became involved with the hip-hop culture through breakdancing in the streets of Santiago. Rap music was not originally the center of their hip-hop scene. When more and more music from the U.S. reached Chile in the late eighties, hip-hop groups began to emerge. By the mid 90s, U.S. hip-hop was on Chilean TV and radio, sparking a huge growth in the hip-hop scene.

Similar to the evolution of hip-hop in the U.S., Chilean hip-hop began as an expression of life in the streets and governmental oppression (heavily influenced by Public Enemy), and developed into a commercial machine with less message-driven lyrics. With their debut album Ser Humano, Tiro de Gracia set off Chile’s commercial hip-hop movement. The album’s massive commercial success spread hip-hip popularity into Chile’s mainstream culture. So I guess, depending on your opinions of hip-hop, the success of Tiro De Gracia can be viewed as a good thing (making Chile a player in the global hip-hop scene) or a bad thing (the catalyst of commercialization). And, before I forget to mention, a “tiro de gracia” is a mercy gunshot to the head at a close range.

While researching Tiro De Gracia, I came across a gem “Juego Verdadero”, Imagine my surprise when I heard a sample of Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us” layered with Chilean rap! Looks like they took a page out of Will Smith’s sampling book- I wonder which came first?

mp3: “Juego Verdadero”

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“América,” from their album Retorno De Misericordia, has a very polished sound with a more Mexican-style trumpet line and proves that Tiro de Gracia is more than commercialized rap. The message of “América” shifts from American dictators, corruption, racism and exploitation to American beauty, diversity and culture. They connect the good and the bad in America with a reference to the Garden of Eden, which we all know was a paradise for man and woman that also housed evil and temptation. The chorus translates to “América, América, this is América. When God made Eden, he thought of América.” Take a listen:

mp3:“America”

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Here’s the music video for “Chupacabras”. I don’t know about you, but that man-creature-thing just may give me nightmares tonight.

We have one more song for you “Sueños.” I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what song that funky bass line is sampled from. If anyone can figure it out, let me know with a comment!

mp3: “Sueños”

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