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BiO: MENTES DiFERENTES

"MENTES DiFERENTES: A DiFFERENT STATE OF MiND"

Most Latinos in hip hop are almost always classified as "Gangster Rappers", making it difficult to break into any scene. Because of this label, Latinos have a harder time collaborating with each other due to the fact that the Gangster label means automatically being affiliated with either the Norte or Sur gangs, depending on your look or location. Often times this judgement is made based only on appearance and is not based on any real fact. It is this stereotype that the collective known as Mentes Diferentes has had to and is still trying to overcome.

Mentes Diferentes affiliates The Desperados [includes RECKLESS REACTION and VICIOUS V, featuring AMERICANO], The Brown Hustlas [which includes J-LOCO, CHUCO & JOKER], the duo known as KEST & HORIZON, the politically active CHAOTiC iTiLii, DJ ROOTS and IVAN FRANCO, all of which work on both group and individual projects. The group, who are from all parts of Sacramento to Yolo County, strive to show those within hip hop that there is more to Latinos than gang affiliation and that they are just as capable of recording, producing and performing as anybody else in the scene.

Their sound varies from oldies and old school samples, to rock and metal drums and guitars, to the classic sounds of west coast rap. Most of their projects are produced and recorded in house, but collaborations [which include Mahtie Bush, Sam Miranda of Sol Peligro, Nicole of the Realists, and many more] have helped them move beyond exclusively Latino fans and venues, bringing them into a more broad fan base. It is hard to classify their style outside of they rap about whats real to them. The situations they speak on vary as much as their sounds do, although pride in their culture is usually the underlying theme. Still, the goal of Mentes Diferentes is to just do music, regardless of who you are.

As a collective, Mentes Diferentes boasts a catalogue of several mixtapes, albums and one compilation, all of which are available on iTunes. The Desperados have released two albums [The United Front and Cali Calo], as well as two mixtapes and are currently working on their third album together. The Brown Hustlas have just released their debut album Nueve Diez y Seis and also have a a couple mixtapes as well as a new album in the works. Ivan Franco has his album, Ear Candy, along with several mixtapes. Together, Mentes Diferentes is in the process of releasing their first collaborative project which includes all members and is entitled The CAMPOlation. 'Campo' meaning 'camp' in Spanish, is meant to present the album as a group project, showcasing each individual's talent and personality as an artist.

By Mz. E

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