I am including a music video presented by "Kinto Sol" titled "Mexico Es". I enjoy the music of this group very much, the message, the story their songs send. The video has some great footage flashes of a little bit of everything, from Folkloricos, and violence, to Frieda Kahlo. Though the lyrics can be found at this link in Spanish I am adding them in English below though be aware they are computer translated and far from perfect, but hopefully good enough to get the point.
About Kinto Sol
Kinto Sol is a Latin hip hop group based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The group consists of three brothers: DJ Payback Garcia (Javier Garcia), El Chivo (Eduardo Garcia) and Skribe (Manuel Garcia); originally from Iramuco, Guanajuato, Mexico, they moved to the US at a very young age due to financial struggle. They rap mainly in Spanish, fusing traditional Mexican music with hip hop beats that makes their sound original.
They own their own independent record label, Virus Enterprises LLC, which specializes in Latin hip hop. The group's name is a phonetic spelling of "quinto sol" (fifth sun) and is taken from an Aztec legend in which the Fifth Sun will be the last one to set in this lifetime. The Aztec's calendar was so sophisticated that even NASA is studying it to this day. The calendar stops at the year 2012 as the myth explains.
The members of Kinto Sol stand out in the hard-core field because they are tattoo-free and rarely use four-letter words in their lyrics. And instead of urban tales of violence, guns and drugs, their songs are about struggle, hope and inspiration.
"We sing about what's really happening with our people, from people that live in the United States, to people in our motherland, Mexico," Garcia said.
"Things are really bad for people in Mexico ,who have little resources," he said. "Many of them depend on foodstuff basics, like flour and corn, the tortilla, and prices keep rising.
"We all come to this country to look for a better life, and I don't think anyone would leave their own land, where they're born, just to leave."
Another song, "Los que Luchamos" ("Those of Us Who Struggle"), describes the need for solidarity to establish influential power.
Computer Translated Lyrics:
We came to the swallows, the swallows to dismiss this album,
this CD, thanks to all those people who have always supported us,
all those countries that have heard of Kinto Sol a greeting,
and all my countrymen want to dedicate this to them especially
because I know that many people have migrated from our country, so beautiful,
the economic situation or perhaps, the violence, how they feel because I'm from there,
I also I miss, I miss her dearly, Mexico eternal,
Mexico in my soul ...
CHORUS: Mexico is my birthplace, as foreign to Mexico, Mexico is my land, my Mexico Mexico.
My dark brown skin scene Kinto Sol in Mexico's history filled with culture, Mexico needs to calm the soul,
Mexico's you, do not turn your back on Mexico's Aztec, Maya, Zapotec,
Mexico's song continues the tradition, Mexico adore you, my people golden, Mexico is my birth country there is only one, Mexico is proud country like yours, Mexico has faith, that I know, Mexico today, the blood that cried Mexico yesterday, my boss misses,
Mexico Mexico still standing but something hurts her, the mother of Mexico, Mexican Mexico reminds all his countrymen .
CHORUS: Mexico is my birthplace, Mexico is my land, my Mexico Mexico.
Mexico is the eagle flying upwind watching the snake indicating the foundation, with feeling I remember my country want to visit the grave of my grandfather....
if I die outside to bring me to my roots, as there is no two Mexicos. It is true, the first crib, there is only one country that great nation that was born from the cradle, Mexico my land, my illusion My dream :
The Legend of Cuauhtémoc owns the village, Mexico the child becomes entangled in their flag with pride screaming "I DIE BY MY LAND"
Many of Mexico heads upstream with its simple culture, its people, songs or Chente José Alfredo.
I miss my homeland ... I miss.
CHORUS: Mexico is my birthplace, Mexico is my land, my Mexico Mexico.
Mexico my childhood my grandfather knowing about suffering, teaching not lose hope.
Mexico pyramid sun calendar Mexico and want the necessary change..., Zapata Mexico is their revolution and history will change the script, Mexico my dream, if cello eagle with all his art that is beautiful must, Mexico is colorful folklore where do not respect any traitor.
Mexico is indigenous, always and all his heroes were brave men, faced with the same claw submit my fly and land was different, Mexico's cactus, corn, beans, tamales, Mexico pa ' l world no equal. CHORUS: Mexico is my birthplace, as foreign to Mexico, Mexico is my land, my Mexico Mexico.
That is Mexico, bleeding right now but I know she has endurance, I encourage Mexico.
COURAGE!
sources: San Antonio Express-Chicago Tribune