Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Aguilar.
Hi Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born into a family with strong opinions and beliefs regarding the marginalization of Mexican-Americans or/and Chicanos within our community. Growing up, I was picked on cause I was born with different hair, so I turned to music as a sanctuary. This helped fuel my interest and passion for this cause. I started writing poetry in the seventh grade as a way to express myself and escape from the struggles that poverty can inflict. I sang in the local church and school choir throughout my adolescent years, which helped garner a passion for music writing and performance. During this time, I was introduced to hip-hop which immediately captivated my interest and transformed me into a dedicated listener. Through this medium, I could recognize and use my creativity as a defense mechanism by turning my words into weapons. In 2020 I received a degree in Mexican-American studies, which always serves as a base for the music I create and the projects in which I involve myself.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hell no. Far from it. I never possessed the look, or sound other hip-hop artists had, so opposition and hate were never strangers. Opportunities that were given to other artists were hard-earned by me through dedication and persistence. I was raised by a hard-working single mother who tried her best to provide for me as a kid but could not provide any financial safety net for a young man starting adulthood. While I was in high school, my mother was kicked off of housing (a program in the city to assist lower-income families with rent ), and we became homeless. During this time, I learned who my real friends were and were forced to sleep on friends’ couches. Although this may have been one of the most challenging times in my life, I learned such a valuable lesson that the most horrible feeling in the world is not having a safe place to run to when things go wrong. Now, no matter how bad things get in my life, I know that people are always going through the worst.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a poet/recording artist. I say this instead of just saying I’m a rapper because what I want to do and be is much more. I want to be the voice and storyteller of my time, similar to the scribers and shamans of ancient times. The importance of being the voice of the voiceless and the words of the mute is a responsibility I bravely accept and intend to master. I grew up a fan of all genres of music, so all these different influences helped me make music that sets me apart from my counterparts. As a kid, I read the dictionary for fun to learn different words and sound smarter than I was. Learning an extended vocabulary helped me utilize different metaphors and synonyms in my works. Growing up in a bilingual household helped me learn English and Spanish, which I also implemented in my music. The fact that I possess a degree in Mexican-American studies is evident in my writing and furthers my uniqueness which drives me to be the voice of my city.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
You got to take risks. I was always taught to take risks. If it works out, the risk is worth it, but if it doesn’t, you learned a lesson—either way, you’re a better person.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanic1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.aguilar.96?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tanic210
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ui1thou
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kbQbuVa6QMEJgmF7eUUEJ?si=BTzf7Q3iQR-3CHl2ZLr2hQ
