That Mexican OT

As pioneers of the lowrider scene that’s always been such a crucial cornerstone of Southern rap, the influence of Mexican-American and Tejano culture on Houston’s hip-hop scene in particular has always been undersung. Drawing influence from the eye-catching aesthetic of lucha libre—Mexico’s distinct style of pro wrestling, known for iconic masked heroes and villains like Blue Demon, Mil Máscaras, El Santo, and Rey Mysterio—Lonestar Luchador is an affectionate tribute to the iconic creativity of Mexican culture. Tracks like “Barrio,” featuring Lefty Sm, showcase the style that OT dubs “grito ranchero,” bringing out the Tex-Mex in Texas rap by mixing tough trap beats with the passion of a nostalgic corrido. Jonny Shipes — the creative mind behind GoodTalk, formerly Cinematic Music Group — produced 5 songs on Lonestar Luchador, and says “It was a no brainer signing OT, Fee Banks who has one of the best ears in the game brought him to me & as soon as I heard him spit I knew. Combine that with the buzz OT & Greg Gates had going before I stepped in knew it would work.” That Mexican OT is next in line of the lineage of authentic and gritty voices that GoodTalk/CMG has platformed over the years, including Nipsey Hussle, Big K.R.I.T., and Joey Bada$$.

True to his name, That Mexican OT embraces and showcases his heritage on both sides of the Rio Grande, singing and spitting as effortlessly in Spanish as he does in English, each language expressing a different side of himself. OT is just as comfortable switching up his rap flow as he is the language he writes in, flipping from smooth Southern funk to boom bap on the gritty and menacing “Cowboy in New York.” There’s plenty of syrupy swagger to his voice that makes it suited to slowing down and chopping up, but he could go bar-for-bar with the most cut-throat battle rappers if he wanted, unleashing relentless chopper bars when the time is right. His flow owes as much to Eminem and Big L as it does to UGK and Lil’ Keke. OT’s sense of humor also contributes to his music’s classic feeling; the comedic skits on Lonestar Luchador, featuring the raunchy color commentary track for a fictional lucha libre show, feel like something you’d hear on a Redman or De La Soul cassette tape in the ‘90s. OT isn’t just a rapper writing verses, but a full-fledged artist thinking about the total package.

Like the masked luchadores he’s inspired by, That Mexican OT is a larger-than-life character with a stylish flair, but his music is down-to-earth and real as it gets, an effortless fusion of the many diverse sounds you hear blasting out of Cadillac speakers down South. With Lonestar Luchador, That Mexican OT stakes his claim at the forefront of a new generation of Texas rap. His music is a true product of the place he’s from, and it’s a place he’s proud to represent in both his music and his life, but his vision goes far beyond his home state, with a hybrid genre sound that has universal appeal. That Mexican OT is charting new territory, like a rough and rambling cowboy in an old Western story, always looking for the next unexplored frontier.