 Tio - Flamenco Hip-Hop Say the words '"Flamenco Hip-Hop" and
chances are that's the first time you've heard them put together. But for music
pioneer Tio, bringing these two worlds together is a way of life. Fusing the
fundamentals of hip-hop with traditional Latin rhythms, Tio is at the forefront
of a new music revolution that is taking genre-blending to the next level.
After discovering the music of flamenco legend Paco de Lucia.
Tio immediately immersed himself in the craft moving to Spain for two years
where he honed his skills in flamenco guitar and became fluent in Spanish. "The
Latin world has really embraced me." says Ho. "But my goal is to make Flamenco
Hip Hop a household name. I want to be out mere in the mix with everyone from
Santana and Ozomatli to Alicia Keys and Ludacris."
With an ear to the street and his eye on the prize, Tio is a musical chameleon
who can shift from the head-bopping hip-hop beat to a complex flamenco scale
with the ease of a master.
Drawing upon his experience as a successful guitarist for a
heavy metal band in earlier years, Tio brings his vast musical knowledge to the
table, imbuing each riff and every break beat with a flavor that is distinctly
Latin yet goes beyond those borders. uMy spectrum is so broad. I have influences
ranging from rappers like Twista to R&B singers like Mary J Blige to jazz
musician Herbie Hancock to rock en espanol bands like Molotov and Cafe Tacuba."
Adding to the mix of authentic flamenco guitar. Tio also performs with a bass
player, a drummer, a tumtablist, and a vocalist with rhyming skills, creating a
sound diat is utterly original. "Even though flamenco is a profound an form, no
one has ever approached it from a distinctly urban standpoint," says Tio.
"You're not going to find another artist who takes flamenco and puts it to
lyrics about going out and getting crunk or stories about how tough it is trying
to make it on your own in Hollywood."
With a coveted win for "Best Latin Act of 2003-2004" from the acclaimed Dallas
Observer Music Awards and a finalist spot at the Coca-Cola's Latino Live
national competition, as well as countless headlining tours across the country,
Tio is a highly sought-after performer who proves his game at every turn.
Beyond his musical flow, it is Tio's unabashed honesty and perseverance that
sets him apart from the rest. Now based in Los Angeles, Tio is ready to take the
world by storm. As long as he's armed with "a beautiful melody, a great rhythm
and a cool concept," there's no stopping Tio. "Life is a struggle, and that's
pan of its beauty. Come rain or shine, this is my life, and I'm on a mission to
bring my music to the world".
|
