Ozomatli is a large band (around eight members usually) whoose music is a blend of latin, hip-hop,
rock,
jazz, funk, and political activism.
The band described itself best by saying, "You drive down Sunset Boulevard and turn off your stereo and roll down your
windows and all the music that comes out of each and every different car, whether it's salsa, cumbia, merengue, or hip hop, funk or whatever, it's that
crazy blend that's going on between that cacophony of sound is Ozomatli, y'know?"
Based out of
Los Angeles, Ozomatli was formed in 1995 after its founding members met through the Peace and Justice Center of Los Angeles, and it derived its name from the Aztec monkey god of dance,
fire, the new harvest, and music.
Ozomatli got its first major break opening for Carlos Santana in 1998, and it later played for the demonstrators protesting the DNC in
LA in 2000 along with Rage Against the Machine. Since then Ozomatli has gone on to gain global fame and success. The band won a Grammy in 2002 for 'Best Latin
Rock/Alternative Album', and their music appears frequently in television and movies.
Ozomatli's current albums include: Ozomatli, Embrace the Chaos, Street Signs, Live at the Fillmore, and
Don't Mess With the Dragon.
"Ozomatli is the
band of the
future!"
"What? Who's that?"
"It's this band that basically takes everything good about every music genre and then seemlessly blends them while speaking out against injustice, hatred, and oppression."
"Hey, I wanna go to a concert tonight, but my friend only likes hip-hop while I'm more of a
rock kind of
guy."
"Come with me- Ozomatli's playing tonight! They mash all kinds music styles together to create something amazing. If there's one band everyone can come together around, it's Ozomatli."
