While Reggaeton and US "urban" music is the sound of Lation America, Spain tends to remain firmly entrenched in its European roots - meaning lots of fabulous trashy Europop mimed to by busty blonde babes. Though anyone who has visited the cities of Spain will no doubt have noticed a thriving hip-hop subculture, mostly consisting of groups of teenagers hanging round street corners crumpin' to classic US hip-hop. And while generally hip-hop is not big in Spain, it has the support of a growing underground scene from los barrios (or "hoods") of urban espagna - and a few thriving local artists.
One of the most prolific and most successful is Serio Lopez aka El Haze (or Haze). A bit of rough straight from the set of a Triga film, Haze has managed to grow a loyal following in Spain (and to an extent parts of Latin America) with his songs that touch a chord with the lower paid masses of sunny Spain with social injustice, domestic violence and poverty being raised - a far cry from the blinged up crystal drinking uberpussies of the US hip-hop scene.
Three albums in to his career that should have lasted a novelty single, Haze shows no signs of slowing down. Though he is yet to pose naked for Zero, his rough and ready attitude and street looks have made him a pin-up for certain Barcelona gay men and the odd UK visitor...
First album Cronicas Del Barrio was such a massive success that Universal had to reissue it to meet demand, though naturally the reissue included a few new tracks including 7 Virgenes. From what my terrible Spanish translation can gather, there was also a film / documentary filmed highlighting the dire poverty of the Spanish "ghettos" of his native Seville that Haze brought to the publics attention.
Turn On: El Bola, the hilarious Satisfucktion, and if you like a bit of rough the booklet pictures are a gift from the Gods of Gay Porn
Turn Off: If you don't speak Spanish, you won't get the full message behind some of the more hard hitting tracks.
Bap Rating: Toy's Treasures
Second album, El Precio De La Fama (subtitled Hip Hop En La Sangre) dealt more with the troubles brought on by Sergio's new found celebrity status. So plenty of tradidtional hip-hop anthems revolving around ho's, haterz and being hot feature packaged with a Christ-like semi naked cover shot make this essential listening and wank fantasy fodder - something most rappers will never achieve. Inner booklet has further hot pictures shot on a derelict mine, including my favourite shot of the hunky hispanic hottie (the rear booklet cover).
Turn On: Rompe Tu Silencio
Turn Off: the ten 4 second tracks before Mientras Los Barrios Duermen (which in the standard edition starts 30 seconds late and cuts off half way through, though this is fixed for the reissued CD + DVD Deluxe Edition).
Bap Rating: Dannii's WMDD's
Followed up in 2008 with 3rd Round, Lopez put on some clothes and returned to his roots while also sending up his own fame. Though a bit more hit-and-miss than previous efforts, the boxer themed photoshoot will have Triga fans spontaniously combusting due to excessive masturbation.
Turn On: Suenos
Turn Off: Haze 4 Life
Bap Rating: Mutya's Mammaries
It is hard to get hold of Haze albums from the usual outlets such as ebay and amazon, though both El Corte Ingles and FNAC are good places to try as well as your local branch of Discos Nodas.
