A few months ago I sat on a panel at Harvard where we discussed the global impact of Hip Hop. There was lots of discussion about what folks are doing in Japan and Australia. We talked a bit about the major inroads made in places like Germany and France. Hip Hop on the continent of Africa was discussed. There was no denying just how widespread this culture born in the ravaged ghettos of the South Bronx had become.

During the discussion I noted that for us in the United States, while it was great to know about Hip Hop icons halfway across the world, in order to really appreciate the global reach of this culture perhaps we should start knowing about our Brown skinned neighbors next door and to the south of us in Mexico and throughout South America. I had always found it troubling that a professed Hip Hop head knew about artists in Canada but couldn't name one from Mexico which has way more people.

I was always surprised that people knew about Snoop, Game and Dr Dre in Cali, but didn't know about the equally large Hip Hop scene amongs Chicanos.

People know about Paul Wall, Chamillionaire and UGK in Texas, but many didn't realize there has long been a Hip Hop exchange amongst Texans and heads in Moneteray.

As Afrika Bambaataa likes to point out, those who hold up the mantlepiece of Hip Hop in corporate America have done us a disservice because they have segregated the music and in their quest to 'do business' they have distorted and omitted major parts that have been important to its build up. People like to say Hip Hop is worldwide in their radio station sales pitches but never reflect that variety and vibrancy on its day to day playlists.

When we talk about Hip Hop one of the key architects are those who see themselves as Latino. From day one our Brown brothers and sisters were on the ground floor plugging away and helping elevate the culture.-From grafitti to deejaying to dancing to emceeing Latinos have made an indeligibale mark in Hip Hop that many have built upon. It may have been folks like Prince Whipper Whip of Fanstastic Romantic 5 busting serious flows during Hip Hop's pioneering days. It might have been DJ Charlie Chase or DIsco Wiz holding it down on the turntables or pioneering figures like JoJo, Crazy Legs or Popmaster Fable wrecking shop on the dance floor.

On this special 2 part 25 Joints to Get U through the Day we decided to go digging in the crates and turn you on to some Hip Hop's dopest emcees who just happen to come from the Brownside of town..

01-Jeremey Track

02-Woman Track

03-BocaFloca 'Mi Gente'

04-Rebel Diaz 'Dem Dayz'

05-Immortal Technique 'Internally Bleeding'

06-Cihualt Ce 'Dreamah'

07-Nina Dioz 'Cuando Cuando'

08-Brwn Bflo 'My People, Mi Gente'

09-Rico Pabon 'It Ain't Real'

10-Fat Joe 'I'm Trying to Tell 'Em'

11-Rosa Clemente "Tired of Protesting' (Justice System Flava'

12-Aztlan Nation 'Serpent & Eagle'

13-Mexicano 777 'Arrepentido'

14-LSOB 'Check It Out'

15-Tha Mexakanz 'Confessions'

16-Apakalips 'Mind Right'

17-Educated Chicana 'LA Immigrant Rally' -Low Rider madness mix

18-Nina Dioz 'Prefiero El Asfalto'

19-2Mex "Graffiti Kings'

20-Maria Isa w/ Lolita 'Die Not Kill'

21-Jenro 'Hate or Love It'

22-Deuce Eclipse 'Last Hope'

23-Deuce Eclipse 'Can't Break Me Down'

24-Azeem 'Latin Revenge'
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