The Chicharones
| The Chicharones | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, Canada |
| Genres | Hip hop, alternative hip hop |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | Camobear Records |
| Associated acts | Oldominion |
| Website | www.chicharones.com |
| Members |
Josh Martinez Sleep |
The Chicharones are an American/Canadian alternative hip hop duo, composed of Sleep of Oldominion and Josh Martinez, and are usually accompanied by DJ Zone. They are known for their socially conscious lyrics, energetic live performances and strong underground following.
The Chicharones formed in 2001 after a chance meeting between Oregon-based Sleep and Vancouver-based Josh Martinez at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. Sleep was at the time a member of the hip hop collective Oldominion, of which he is still an active collaborator. Josh Martinez entered the duo from a career as a solo artist. Their name is a reference to chicharrones, a fried pork rind snack popular in Latin America and Spain.
The duo debuted with the Boss Hogs EP in 2003. The EP garnered critical praise, with URB magazine describing it as "a completely original masterpiece."
They did not immediately release a full album, however, instead dedicating their energy to touring and developing a fan base. At their peak, Martinez and Sleep delivered over two-hundred international performances a year, with shows involving Elvis-inspired high kicks, fake moustaches and costume changes, including a tribute to Mario and Luigi of the Nintendo franchise. Technically, they incorporated bass machines, two-part harmony and live drum sets. The Chicharones' dedication to touring eventually led to an international underground following.Spin magazine described the duo as "the best bar band in America," delivering an "innovative and entirely unique hybrid of clever pop melodies and intelligent, layered songwriting that [borrowed] from everywhere and [sounded] like nothing else."
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