MC DAVO & SABINO

MC Davo — born David Sierra Trevino — is a rapper and social media figure from Monterrey, Mexico. He recorded his lightning-fast raps and head-nodding melodies in his bedroom while also performing in local bars, town squares, and at regional festivals. Davo released his first major work in 2008 on MySpace as free downloads. Amassing a fan base with Haciendo lo Imposible (“Doing the Impossible”), he also participated in underground rap battles to increase his street credibility and exposure. His follow-up, 2010’s La Dejo a Tu Criterio (“I Leave It to Your Judgment”), was released on Howse Records and produced by frequent collaborators Kodigo 36. His big breakthrough arrived in 2011 with the release of Psicosis (“Psychosis”), followed by a 2012 sequel that featured contributions from . In 2014, Davo signed with Warner Music Mexico and released El Dominio (“Domain”). The album — which added a touch of reggaeton to his laid-back hip-hop sound — went gold and was reissued in a deluxe version the following year.

Sabino comenzó a hacer ruido gracias a una serie de canciones que sacó, alejadas todas del sonido urbano de moda y en las que generó lecturas de la vida cotidiana ligeras, divertidas y con identidad mexicana. A finales del 2017 sacó su placa debut, Yo quería hacer rock, con la cual cimienta su reputación como un MC necesario para la sociedad actual: alguien que sabe leer nuestra idiosincrasia mental a través de canciones pop perfectamente bien hechas y que cuentan historias completas o hace una reflexión profunda sobre temas en específico, con un toque de humor y coros pegajosos. La mayor virtud de sus canciones es que todos cabemos en ellas. El rap para ser realmente bueno tiene que ser autobiográfico, y en Sabino se cumple a cabalidad este atributo: trae su rollo, que no es susceptible de imitaciones, y lo muestra sin complejos. Y apela a un público no rapero. Es el tipo de producto que gusta a quienes prefieren la música de guitarras o el pop o las baladas románticas y les cumple su cuota de hip hop. Una gran cantidad de gente dentro de la comunidad hip hop no lo respeta, o no le da el crédito que merece como artista. Y no hay gesto más elocuente para valorar el éxito de un rapero en México que este. Por eso incluso toda su propuesta evolucionó a un término específico que lo diferencia de los otros practicantes del género en el país: no hace Hip Hop, hace SabHop. Y no es un término surgido por capricho, sino de manera natural, por necesidad.

Sabino began making waves with a series of songs, all far removed from the trendy urban sound, offering lighthearted, fun, and distinctly Mexican take on everyday life. At the end of 2017, he released his debut album, “Yo quería hacer rock” (I Wanted to Rock), cementing his reputation as an essential MC for today’s society: someone who understands our mental idiosyncrasies through perfectly crafted pop songs that tell complete stories or offer profound reflections on specific topics, all with a touch of humor and catchy choruses. The greatest strength of his songs is their universal appeal. For rap to be truly great, it has to be autobiographical, and Sabino embodies this attribute perfectly: he brings his own unique style, which is not easily imitated, and presents it without reservation. And he appeals to a non-rapper audience. He’s the kind of artist who will please those who prefer guitar-driven music, pop, or romantic ballads, while still delivering their dose of hip hop. A large number of people within the hip-hop community don’t respect him or give him the credit he deserves as an artist. And there’s no more telling example of a rapper’s success in Mexico than this. That’s why his entire style has evolved into a specific term that distinguishes him from other practitioners of the genre in the country: he doesn’t make Hip Hop, he makes SabHop. And it’s not a term that arose on a whim, but naturally, out of necessity.