Kinto Sol

The three Garcia brothers (Javier "DJ Payback" Garcia, Manuel "Skribe" Garcia, and Eduardo "El Chivo" Garcia) and their music are the product of their cross-cultural life experience, a common story among young urban Latinos. Originally from Iramuca, Mexico, the brothers relocated to the United States, living in Milwaukee and Chicago, where they soaked up the hip-hop music and identity that surrounded them. Simultaneously tied to American youth culture and their Mexican heritage and community, the Garcia brothers chose rap lyrics and DJ turntables to express their national pride. Under the name Kinto Sol, the young artists released their debut record, Del Norte al Sur, joining the swelling ranks of Latino artists using their voices for political protest. The release that followed, Hecho en Mexico, encouraged peers to take pride in their heritage, while La Sangre Nunca Muere took a strong stance on fidelity to the family. With each release, Kinto Sol won a larger listening audience and more credibility in an industry often suspicious of the new and different. While it was difficult to get strong label backing as an overtly political act, Kinto Sol had built up undeniable momentum. The Garcia brothers accepted an invitation from Univision Records for the 2007 release of Los Hijos del Maiz. The record confronted contemporary challenges faced by young Latino audiences, including ignorance, political corruption, and racism. Two years later Kinto Sol issued Carcel de Suenos, their label debut for Machete Music, and landed at number nine on the rap charts, providing a higher profile for their message and more exposure when touring. El Último Suspiro followed in 2010 and peaked at 25 on the rap charts, though 2012′s Familia, Fe y Patria climbed well inside the Top Ten. Following a relentless touring schedule, the trio would not issue another recording until 2015, when Protegiendo el Penacho was released and also climbed under the rap chart umbrella to peak at nine. The following year’s Lo Ke No Se Olvida was issued by the independent Virus Enterprises and followed by a hits package in 2017 while the group was on tour. Kinto Sol’s hard-earned reputation as the Public Enemy of hip-hop en español continues to precede them in underground hip-hop circles all over the United States and Mexico. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez