Los Hijos del Maiz - KINTO SOL
The title of this Mexico-born, Milwaukee-bred hip-hop trio’s fourth album translates as “Children of the Corn,” but the horror story goes back to the time of the conquistadores. A relentlessly militant call to reclaim the pride of Aztec roots and fight for immigrants’ rights wouldn’t work as well in the hands of less skillful lyricists and producers, who weave together stories of Latino struggle via intriguing rhymes and arrangements. Highlights are “Me Siguen Buscando,” which evokes a race to get away from ghetto life, and the brass-inflected “El Tiempo Pasa,” a reflection on life and death. The gritty seriousness of the Garcia brothers’ sound has made them a favorite on crime drama “The Shield,” and though this album is a challenging listen, it can only expand Latin hip-hop’s socially conscious possibilities.—Ayala Ben-Yehuda Billboard
