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Radical & Raw. by Ramiro Burr Control Machete hasn’t lost their edge. Beyond delivering their primal beats at industrial volume, Mexican rock rappers Control Machete also have a lot to say in their songs.Their latest CD “Uno, Dos Bandera,” includes the hard rocking “El Genio del Dub,” a desperate plea for peace and harmony, first recorded by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. The stark lyrics are also a challenge to the "hawks" who are quick to argue for a war. “It’s about something that we always felt,” said singer Toy Hernandez in his native Spanish. “It said something about the story of the genius of love. When you talk about violence, when you start talking about war, go away (from me) because it can’t be anything positive.” On another track, the brooding “El Apostador,” the dark side of gambling is examined. Hernandez says the group feels obligated to speak out on important issues through their music. “We always have that intention in mind. We always keep in mind our freedom of speech and the power of lyrics to expose things to the masses. We are always aware and do it with respect of what we’re saying.” “It’s completely different to make a record when you’re 18 or 20 years old." According to Troy, when the group first started more than 10 years ago, the emphasis was more on having a good time, like living in a big party. "Now, we are people who believe that we have to make sure the youth gets the right message. We always try to talk about positivity, being cautious that we are living some kind of life that we have this opportunity of speech to speak to a lot of people.” Control Machete also collaborated with several people on the CD including rappers Los G Locos, ex-Sublime bassist Eric Wilson, Inspector keyboardist Homero Ontiveros, ex-King Chango rapper Blanquito Man, pop singer Natalia Lafourcade and Molotov's Randy Ebright. According to Hernandez, the rock-metal-rap fusion roots Control Machete started with have evolved into more of a Latino hip-hop groove with more danceable rhythms. But the group hasn't lost their raw edge, especially live, when they perform with a heavier, more intense sound reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. Hernandez believes Control Machete is part of the new urban regional wave and he sees even more growth because of the group's bilingual-bicultural dynamic. “It’s the present (street sound). It’s the way everyone’s living right now. Here in Mexico, or also in the U.S. Maybe the second or third generation of Latinos know traditional songs from their whole life and right now those traditional sounds of music are mixing with the sounds that they hear on the clubs and radio, hip-hop music. So I’m really relieved that why not? The next thirty years of music will be Latin music. As we lived the last thirty years with the influence of African Americans. Now us, you know?” Being disciplined in their musical fusions and their sometimes radical views are the essence of the Control Machete name, says Hernandez. “Control Machete means the fusion of two words. The possibility of all of humanity to get a hold of things. With discipline. And the machete, like the sickle on the Soviet flag, is the means to cut a way through old thinking. It’s equality to work and fight for something. So the battle between control and machete is kind of getting that balance.” |
» Listen to CONTROL MACHETE on Batanga's HIP HOP station » Subscribe to Club Batanga to watch videos and more! “It’s completely different to make a record when you’re 18 or 20 years old." -- Troy, from Control Machete. |
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