Ana Tijoux: 1977
87/100
I first heard Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux’s track “1977” on Radio K’s International Show on Sunday morning and I have not been able to stop listening to the artist’s full length album (of the same name) ever since. Here is the track that won me over. In “1977” Tijoux’s rapidfire Spanish makes it difficult to understand what she is rapping about (and it is a bit hard to judge a rap song with little knowledge of its lyrical content) but loosely translated, it is about the singer’s history growing up (1977 was the year of her birth) and the trials and tribulations she has faced. Regardless if I don’t always understand everything Tijoux says – I love the song’s vibrant production with trippy manjira percussion with a mariachi horn section. Also Tijoux’s raspy vocals remind me quite a bit of Spanish rapper Mala Rodriguez – her flow is forceful and strong-willed but it still retains a purring sensuality that softens the edges and brings nuance into the tune.
— Jon Behm
