Chingo Bling

Texans-Bengals: The 10 Best Rapper PLAYOFF Tweets

Houston has a professional football team. They are called the Houston Texans. A lot of people like them. Some of the people that like them are rappers. The Internet has several forms of social media; one is called Twitter. A lot of people use it. Some of them who use it are rappers. Same as we've ... More >>

Texans-Colts: The 10 Best Playoff-Choking Rapper Tweets

Houston has a professional football team. They are called the Houston Texans. A lot of people like them. Some of those people are rappers. The Internet has several forms of social media. One of them is called Twitter. A lot of people use it. Some of those people are rappers. Rocks Off perused Twit ... More >>

Doughbeezy, Chingo Bling, Niceguys Hope to Make Voting "Hip and Fun"

The election is coming, and even in such a polarizing political climate exemplified by Mitt Romney's "47 percent" remarks that dominated news about the presidential campaign last week, far too many people can't be bothered to vote. Disenfranchisement -- a $10 word that not only means you can't or ... More >>

Last Night: Kool A.D., Fat Tony & Chingo Bling at Fitzgerald's

Kool A.D., Fat Tony, Chingo Bling, Franchise n Yung, Amber London Fitzgerald's August 14, 2012 Call it Underground Rap, or Alt-Rap, or Underground Alt-Rap, but whatever the fuck you call it, these guys won't really care. They are making music, spitting rhymes, touring the country, and having the ti ... More >>

Rap Round Table: Dissecting The Best 2 Chainz Lines

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: Delo, Chingo Bling, Brad Gilmore, Yung Truth, Mac, D-Risha, Kiotti, Chane, Mic Skills, TroubleSum, Killa Kyleon Not Invited: Fu ... More >>

Kirko Bangz, OG Ron C, Delo, Marium Echo & More Launch New Music

The other day, Boy B woke up screaming like a madman. He said he'd had a "terrible" dream, that "We were in a volcano with lava. The volcano had a door. And Daddy was in the volcano being burned." This happened while I was at work (I'm usually gone before anyone else wakes up). Wife tried to conso ... More >>

Rap Round Table: Are Rappers Musicians Or Performers?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: Bun B, Cory Mo, Slim Thug, E.S.G., Chingo Bling, Doughbeezy, hasHBrown, B L A C K I E, Renzo, #Thurogod, CB Kings, Brad Gilmore, ... More >>

From Rapper To Actor, Chingo Bling Goes to The Sundance Film Festival

When you think of the big, international film festivals, Sundance is definitely one of the first that comes to mind. Held annually in Park City, Utah, the festival showcases new work from American and international independent filmmakers. Movie lovers flock to the city to catch the next Academy Awar ... More >>

Rap Round Table: Which People DO NOT Need To Be Involved In Hip-Hop In 2012?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: Chingo Bling, Chuckway, Mac, Carolyn Rodriguez, D-Risha Not Invited: 2011. God, we are so over her. This Week's Prompt: Which p ... More >>

Rap Round Table: Who is the Best Shit-Talker in Rap Currently?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Bun B, Slim Thug, medicine Girl, O.N.E., Preemo, Chane, Delo, Chingo Bling, Doughb ... More >>

Friday Night: DJ Erick Rincón and 3BallMty at El Chaparral

photos by Marco Torres​As we walked up to the entrance of El Chaparral Houston on Friday night, we immediately felt out of place. The doorman gave us the "what the hell are you doing here?" look. We certainly could have blended in better had we not left our pointy boots, oversized belt buckle, and ... More >>

How Much Has Hip-Hop Affected Race Relations?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Kyle Hubbard, Mic Skills, Snoopy, Kiotti, Chingo ... More >>

The Great Grinding Debate: Which Song Is Freakiest?

Bun B: "I wouldn't know. At all."

Rappers Onstage: Who's Dramatic Enough For Broadway?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Have something you've always wanted to ask a rapper? Email sheaserrano@gmail.com. Photo illustration by John Seabor ... More >>

Who Is The Best Comedian Out Right Now?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday (or thereabouts), Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Bun B, Renzo, Kyle Hubbard, Mr ... More >>

If Not Rapper, What Job Would You Want To Have?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday Rocks Off will have some of them hear discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Bun B, Fat Tony, Preemo, Chingo Bling, Kane, Thu ... More >>

More Local Music News Than Memorial Day Furniture Sales

What would your Friday be without Magnolia City Mixtape? Pretty bleak, if you're trying to keep up on all the local music here in Houston. Thankfully, we're here to make that last day of the work week just a bit better. Propain launched his music video for the Departure track, "Say I Won't." Dire ... More >>

Chingo Bling Gets New York Times Love - Food Love

Marco TorresChingo Bling, sans tamales in L.A.​Hey, guess what? A Houston musician finally got some love from The New York Times - not the semi-weekly Texas Tribune spread printed special for the paper's Lone Star press run, but the actual Gray Lady herself. Guess what else? It's in the food ... More >>

Chingo Bling Unlocks Hollywood's Key Club

When last we left Chingo Bling in Los Angeles, he was at his agent's Beverly Hills office, holding out for a better offer for a proposed September tour... Photos by Marco TorresChingo Bling and John T. Edge (right) wait in Latino 96.3's lobby.​FRIDAY, MAY 6 Latino 96.3 studios, Los Angeles, ... More >>

Chingo Bling: The Tamale King's Whirlwind L.A. Media Blitz

Photos by Marco TorresChingo Bling outside Hollywood's Key Club​Fresh off the heels of his sold out show at Houston's House of Blues, Chingo Bling was booked to perform at Hollywood's world-famous Key Club. The Tamale Kingpin invited Rocks Off to tag along and document the concert and his sur ... More >>

Friday Night: Chingo Bling & Friends At House Of Blues

Photos by Marco Torres​Chingo Bling, Fat Tony, Roxxi Jane House of Blues April 8, 2011 Check out the pics of Chingo Bling's party in our slideshow. House of Blues was transformed into one big house party Friday night as Chingo Bling and Fat Tony took the stage in front of a sellout crowd of ... More >>

More Local Music News Than Tickets Sold to the Astros Home Opener...a LOT More

​In the land of MCM, it's always Friday and there's always a treasure trove of local music news. That's because we happen to structure it as such, but make no mistake, we've got a full truckload for everyone this week. However, in what might be a MCM first, we don't have an actual mixtape fro ... More >>

Artopia, Honky Tonk Blood & A Gang Of Music News

​Another Friday, another Magnolia City Mixtape, assembled just for you. Seriously, we put in a lot of time crawling through the internet just to bring everyone up to date on the scraps of local music news floating out there in the cyber-abyss. For this week's soundtrack, how's about this inst ... More >>

JayyJust: More Than Your Ordinary Mandarin-Rapping Femcee

Each Wednesday, Rocks Off arbitrarily appoints one lucky local performer or group "Artist of the Week," bestowing upon them all the fame and grandeur such a lofty title implies. Know a band or artist that isn't awful? Email their particulars to sheaserrano@gmail.com. ​Judgmental as it might s ... More >>

Reporting from the Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium: Chingo Bling Talks "Taco Circuit"

​A lot of rappers establish street cred by talking about hittin' licks and sellin' rocks. Chingo Bling raps about slangin' tamales and hot sauce -- which is what brought him to the Southern Foodways Alliance annual symposium last weekend. Known as the Masa Messiah, or the Taquero Vaquero, or ... More >>

Bun B, Slim Thug, Devin, Chingo: Your HPMA Trophies Are Ready

Craig Hlavaty​The Houston Press Music Awards are now just a recent memory. It was only three weeks ago that Grandfather Child got showered with panties onstage, A dream Asleep reminded us how to spell "Tits," and Chris Wise and Cody Swann got their kiss on in front of the Warehouse Live crowd. ... More >>

The HPMA Results' Implications For Local Hip-Hop

Marco TorresFat Tony accepts his third consecutive Best Underground Hip-Hop award at Wednesday's HPMAs.​"Dubious." That was the text that we received when they announced the winner for the Best Latin Hip-Hop category Wednesday night at the Houston Press Music Awards, or as President Obama ha ... More >>

Adios Houstonist, Hello H-Town Rock

Keep Houston Rich posts this video from Chingo Bling and Fade Dogg's new collaboration, "Let Me Know". The song is featured on Chingo's new mixtape, Stuntin 4 The Summer. As you well know, the HMPAs are coming up in the next few weeks, but you can find out what Texas bands from north of the Sam H ... More >>

A HPMA Latin Hip-Hop Video Sampler

​Since this is the first time the "Best Latin Hip-Hop" category is in the Houston Press Music Awards mix, Rocks Off thought we should provide those voting for this year's awards - but not familiar with Latinos in Houston hip-hop - a visual of who is up for this inaugural honor. Voting starts July ... More >>

Mayalino And Chingo Bling Square Off On Twitter

"Fuck it. If they want to use this shit against me in trial, I don't give a fuck, nigga. As long as the nigga got his head blown off, I'm happy." - Mayalino, "187" ​"Deporting All WetWacks" (Houston Press, May 27, 2010) turned out to be a controversial piece of work, to say the least. The fal ... More >>

Breaking Down HPMA's Best Latin Hip-Hop Ballot

​Nearly eight months ago Rocks Off began covering the hip-hop movement in Houston's Latino community. Latino hip-hop artists in Houston have been putting out music since the early '90s and have largely Latino followings. Some have a bit of crossover appeal, but for the most part, it lives with ... More >>

2010 Music Awards Nominees, Part 1

​Rocks Off is sorry this took so long, but between sifting through dozens of categories with dozens of nominations apiece, and shuffling back and forth to the doctor's office thanks to an unfortunate spill last night, we've been working as fast as we possibly can. Even so, we decided to split ... More >>

Drink With Mike Stinson, Help Terrible Eagle, Learn How Weed Won The West, Buy Summerfest Tix At Urban Outfitters

MCM's boss came across the above video of Mike Stinson's "I've Got No One to Drink With Anymore," from the local honky-tonk transplant's brand-new (and excellent) album The Jukebox In Your Heart, while he was waiting for her to turn in this article. As a staunch proponent of Coors Light, he strongl ... More >>

Mayalino's "We Alive Now" Video and Big Dan's "Lentes" Video... Trailer

​ Mayalino, your favorite JBlock Street Gang member of Southeast's Magnolia, just released a high-quality video, "We Alive Now," from his Fuck These Wet Wacks album, dropping the third week of April. "The song is really real to the Mayalino contrast, rebelling against hip-hop rules, rebelling agai ... More >>

Recovery Has Exorcised Lucky Luciano's Demons. This Rapper Is Clean.

In the January 5th edition of the Houston Press, you read about a small piece of Lucky Luciano's life - his addiction to drugs and alcohol and life of pimping strippers. What you didn't hear about is how he escaped death on Houston's freeways several times. You didn't hear about the time he flipped ... More >>

Behind the Lyrics: Although Rap Doesn't Pay His Bills, the Northside's Stunta "Keeps It 100"

STUNTA "I'm 100" Music Video from G Films on Vimeo. The last time Rocks Off hooked up with Stunta, there was lots of talk about "keeping it 100." "When I say I'm bein' 100 I'm basically sayin' I'm being 100 percent authentic, 100 percent true to myself and to anybody else," he says. "So to say 'Kee ... More >>

For Hip-Hop, Brown Could Be the New Black... or the New Wetback

​ For anyone following the Houston Latino rap theme as of late and are wondering why Rocks Off might be telling more of a cultural story than a hip-hop one with our artist profiles, it's because amongst the traditional hip-hop following in America, Houston's Latino rappers may very well be looked ... More >>

Turning the Screw: Bun B, Slim Thug & Killa Kyleon, Bun B & Wale, Chingo Bling, Z-Ro vs. Lil Flip, Jay-Z, 50, The Kanye, Run-DMC, DMX, More Chingo, etc.

Welcome back to Turning the Screw, Rocks Off's weekly rap post. It probably won't rhyme, at least most of the time. E-mail tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Thanks, homies. Single of the Week: "She Love It" remix, feat. Bun B, Slim Thug and Killa Kyleon After watching the actual video for this s ... More >>

Before We Go: House of Blues' "Rock & Roll" Night, Tontons, Gallant Knight, a Willie D Tribute, Britney Returns and More

Tonight, see how - or where, anyway - the beautiful people kick back at House of Blues' new weekly "Rock & Roll" night in the venue's ultra-plush and oddly brothel-like Foundation Room (entrance on Dallas Street), with no cover, $3 beer and whiskey, tunes curated by Metropol/Stuka/Mink veteran T ... More >>

Los Magnificos: Like a Live H-Town Mixtape

Los Magnificos 2008 bounces into Reliant Center Sunday. Bun B Whip, ride, slab, some bit of street slang Rocks Off won't even hear for another eight months - cars are as essential to hip-hop as crossfaders and lyrics that rhyme. But no city's rappers place their wheels on a higher pedestal tha ... More >>

This Just In: Houston Bringing It to SXSW

Chingo Bling vs. La Migra

SXSW Preview

Best Flea Market

¡Viva H-town!

Latinos come to the fore in this year's music awards

Music Awards Survey

A rundown of every act on this year's bill

Hip-hop, Tejas

Latinos take on rap music and make it their own

Best Comedian

Chingo Bling

Money and Masa

A few words with underground rapper/tamale kingpin Chingo Bling