by Synbad Ontiveros March 11, 2003 issue of Tu Y Yo Magazine. Reprinted on MiGente.com
It has been a labor of love for four years, but on February 11th, Pass the Mic was released to show the world some of the struggles, stereotypes and obstacles that have kept Latino rappers in the underground.
A joint production between Safada Y Sano Production and Digital Aztlan, Pass the Mic showcases the culture of Latino Hip Hop. Since the beginning of Hip Hop Latinos from the Barrios of Aztlan to the Boroughs of New York have been a part of the Hip Hop scene. Yet the media has all but ignored the voice and history of the Latino rapper.
Richard Montes, writer, editor, producer and director of Pass the Mic, has given a compelling look at the Latino Hip Hop underground. Through interviews with rappers from Molotov, Delinquent Habits and many more, Montes uncovers the problems, stereotypes, lack of radio support and other obstacles that have kept Latino rappers out of mainstream Hip Hop for the past twenty years. Pass the Mic shows how the recording industry has disenfranchised rappers and has made them even more determined to succeed on their own terms. I sat down with Montes and this is what he had to say:
