That Mexican OT

Back in 2020, That Mexican OT emerged as one of Texas' most promising young voices following the jagged trap and drill combos of mixtape South Texas Project. But personal growth and diligent hustle cemented him as a generational leader of Chicano rap, culminating in the breakthrough of his effusive 2023 single “Johnny Dang”, which saluted the famed Houston jeweller alongside Texas rap icon Paul Wall. That Mexican OT was born Virgil René Gazca in 1999. The Bay City, Michigan native faced a steep climb in life, losing his mother in a car accident as a child and later seeing his father incarcerated. However, his Uncle Ramón rapped and taught him to pour his emotions into music, later finding stylistic inspiration in East Coast hip-hop and even country singer George Strait. That Mexican OT’s 2023 album, Lonestar Luchador, proudly centred his heritage with ad-libs and uproarious mariachi samples, while the following year's Texas Technician flexed a stellar guest list, including DaBaby and Slim Thug, that helped seal his impending superstardom.