Hip Hop Hoodíos Partners with Amnesty International for
I've been a fan of the Hip Hop Hoodíos since their first EP. If the travesty at Guantanemo Bay gets them together with members of Ozomatli and the Klezmatics, more power to all of us (we should, in the future, be celebrating simkhas, instead, bringing us together).
On new single "Viva la Guantanamera", the critically acclaimed Latino-Jewish Urban Collective is joined by members of Grammy-winning acts Ozomatli & The Klezmatics as well as Kemo the Blaxican of Delinquent Habits
Album also features remixes by The Pinker Tones & Leo Sidran (Jorge Drexler, Ana Laan); iTunes and eMusic editions of the 'Viva la Guantanamera EP' each feature exclusive bonus tracks
Latino-Jewish urban collective Hip Hop Hoodíos is back with a new 5-song digital-only release, the 'Viva la Guantanamera EP' (Nacional Records - Aug. 7th, 2007). The post-ethnic merrymakers will be donating 18% of net profits from digital sales of the "Viva la Guantanamera" single to Amnesty International's efforts to close Guantanamo Bay Prison and encourage the full restoration of due process. The song was produced by Wildog of Ozomatli, and is a veritable Latino-Jewish "We are the World"; joining Hip Hop Hoodíos as guests on the track are Wildog, Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg of The Klezmatics, Kemo the Blaxican of Latin hip hop pioneers Delinquent Habits, and instrumentalists Walter Miranda (Beastie Boys, Plastilina Mosh) and Chris Washburne (The Syotos Band, Tito Puente).
"The socially conscious anti-corporate playa-hating of Hip Hop Hoodíos is funnier than any Beastie Boys punchlines recently." —VILLAGE VOICE
"This Latino-Jewish rap duo's stew of klezmer, pop-hop and rock en español is meatier than its gimmicky aroma would suggest…. Hip Hop Hoodíos combines lithe Latin dance and the sharp hooks of radio rock with elastic Spanish rhymes and Dr. Dre-baiting jokes. Finally, a rap group whose only beef is with pork." —BLENDER
"Hip Hop Hoodios are the hottest white rappers since the Beastie Boys." —BUFFALO NEWS
"The lyrics are provocative, clever and funny. Musically, Hip Hop Hoodíos are an intriguing mix of modern and classical instruments, cutting-edge sensibility and ancient echoes. The Hoodios are indeed onto something funky, fresh and fun." —ASSOCIATED PRESS
Amnesty International has initially committed to inclusion of the new Hip Hop Hoodíos track "Viva La Guantanamera" on multiple Amnesty and Amnesty-related websites including AmnestyUSA.org, MusicForHumanRights.org, and TearItDown.org.
Also featured on the 'Viva la Guantanamera EP' are remixes of tracks from Hip Hop Hoodios' previous album 'Agua pa' La Gente.' DJ Niño of Barcelona-based electronic sensations The Pinker Tones puts a dancefloor-friendly spin on the track "Agua pa' la Gente", while Hector Coulon a.k.a Leo Sidran (producer of Jorge Drexler's Oscar-winning "Al Otro Lado del Rio") recasts "1492" with spacey jazz bass. Also included on the mini-album is a shiny new mix of fan favorite "Havana Nagila" from the forthcoming V2 France release 'Nu Jewish Musique'.
The iTunes edition of the EP includes an exclusive bonus track, a live Hip Hop Hoodíos performance of "Ocho Kandelikas" on LATV. The eMusic edition also includes an exclusive track, "Tu Margarita," an anthem that sees Hip Hop Hoodíos write and record the greatest reggaeton song of ALL TIME (and in only one hour).
About Amnesty International
Winner of the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize, Amnesty International includes people from all walks of life taking action and is composed of more than 2.2 million human rights activists worldwide. Its members protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public and helps transform societies to create a safer, more just world. Amnesty International has a long history of activism involving musicians including 1988's worldwide Human Rights Now! Tour and 1998's Paris concert, which honored the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, respectively.
For more information about Hip Hop Hoodíos or the 'Viva la Guantanamera EP', please contact Jennifer Sarkissian at 818.763.1397 (or follow the link).
For more information about Amnesty International, please contact Sharon Singh at 202.544.0200 ex. 289 (or follow the link).