Choosey | |
|---|---|
| Born | San Diego, California |
| Genres | hip hop, Chicano rap |
| Years active | 2015-present |
| Labels | Dirty Science |
Choosey is an American hip hop artist based in Los Angeles who grew up in National City and Chula Vista, California. His debut studio album Black Beans (2019), produced by Exile, represented his Afro-Chicano heritage and conveyed themes of ethnic identity, gentrification, and Black-brown unity.[1][2][3] The album received positive reviews and was referred to as a "masterpiece" by NBC News and a "breath of fresh air" by HipHopDX.[4][5][6]
Personal life
Choosey's grandfather Tata Vasquez was involved in the Latin Jazz scene of Los Angeles, playing in Eddie Cano’s band and appearing in the film Rock Around The Clock (1956). Vasquez was described as influential to how Choosey creates music, who reminded him to create music from the soul.[2]
In an interview with Remezcla, Choosey stated that he grew up in a household that was both Black and Mexican. He stated that he always felt that he belonged to both ethnic groups, which allowed him to see divisions between both groups as well as witnessing the beauty of collaboration: "Black and Brown love was making absolutely no headlines at the time while propaganda like ‘Black on Black Crime’ was one of the hottest topics of the 90s. I knew of a truth untold – a truth that I was a direct product of."[2]
Career
Choosey released his debut mixtape Left Field in 2015, a 16-track record for hip-hop label Dirty Science.[4] His debut studio album Black Beans (2019) received positive reviews and was described as "nothing if not a fine work of art that’s timely and salient in this day and age."[5] Lead single "Low Low" featured soul musician Aloe Blacc over a mariachi-infused instrumental.[3] In 2020, he played at the Barrio Logan 3rd Annual La Vuelta Summer Festival.[7]
Discography
Studio albums
- Black Beans (2019)
Mixtapes
- Left Field (2015)
References
- ^ "Choosey & Exile provide a look into Afro-Chicano culture with new album Black Beans". PR Newswire (press release). 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Mejorado, Arlene (June 2019). "Choosey's 'Black Beans' is the Hip-Hop & Chicano Oldies Album We Always Needed". Remezcla. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ a b Rosario, Richy (14 February 2019). "Premiere: Choosey And Exile ft. Aloe Blacc Yearn For A California Style Ride On "Low Low"". VIBE. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ a b Lothspeich, Dustin (18 April 2019). "Choosey's Brilliant 'Black Beans'". NBC San Diego. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ a b Giacomazzo, Bernadette (22 April 2019). "Review: Choosey & Exile Fondly Remember The Good Times On "Black Beans"". HipHopDX. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ Williams, Aaron (28 March 2019). "All The Best New Hip-Hop Albums Coming Out This Week". Uproxx. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ Levya, Hector (25 February 2020). "San Diego's Barrio Logan Presents the 3rd Annual La Vuelta Summer Festival". Lowrider. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
This page was last edited on 29 January 2024, at 16:35