Independent MC Fat Tony is hoping culture is more powerful then the borders that separate them. Using his influence, Tony is bringing American rappers to Mexico City, Mexico every month with his “Function” series.
This week will be the second installment of the series in Mexico’s capital at the club Das Racist. Mexico’s Yoga Fire and California vocalist Cult Days will support the headlining artist Kool A.D.
Tony told Remezcla, a Latin news site: “Both cultures influence each other. It’s only right that these artists have a space to meet and share ideas instead of admiring each other from afar.” Tony used his opportunity to work a country that closely borders his hometown of Houston as a way to build a cultural bridge between the two countries.
He discovered Mexico City’s enthusiasm for Hip Hop in 2015 at Festival NRMAL, when he was booked to perform. He was later invited back a second time for the Hip Hop League DF after-party for Material Art Fair.
“Function is all about bridging the gap between two neighboring countries who should mingle more often,” says Tony. “Especially in each other’s cultural inventions and appreciations.”
Function’s future guests will range from all types of Hip Hop, promises Tony, including the infamous Chicano hustler Chingo Bling, who is currently touring a comedy act. Other genres and artists from various countries have had success blending Hip Hop and building a connection, most notably reggaeton, which some would say is due to the accessibility artists from both countries (USA and Puerto Rico) experience, allowing for more collaboration between the two. Tony has been making it a point to work on music while in “El Jefe” and collaborating with artists like Jamez Manuel, Beta and A.J. Davila.
Kool A.D. is this month’s headliner and here is an example of his music below.
