PHOTO/ANDY WILLIS
CHICAGO — This is an interview with the hip hop group Rebel Diaz, consisting of Rodrigo Venegas (known as RodStarz), and his brother Gonzalo Venegas (known as G1. We met up at Martyrs’ nightclub in Chicago prior to their Sept 11 show. It was the 40th anniversary of the coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende in Chile—sponsored by—you guessed it —a coup sponsored by the CIA. Both Rebel Diaz’s parents and other survivors of torture under the government of General Pinochet were happily with us this evening, as well as a host of members and performers of the Bronx and Chicago Hip Hop communities. Victor Toro, veteran Chilean revolutionary who is fighting extradition back to Chile, was present and on the bill. It would be a historic and informative night.
Sitting down with RodStarz, G1, and Subverso of Detroit and Chile, we got into a brief but wide-ranging discussion. I asked what about their experience of traveling throughout the world performing and speaking was revealing. Rod Starz stressed how privileged he felt to do the work they are doing, discovering that all over the world, pockets of resistance are developing. Love of Hip Hop worldwide expresses the feelings of oppressed peoples— especially the young. Rodstarz pointed out that, rather than thinking of themselves as “Conscious” Hip Hop artists, they see themselves as 21st century artists true to Hip Hop’s cultural history and functions as a major art form connected to the poor especially in the cities of the world.
Rod Starz pointed out that this year is also the anniversary year of what many regard as the birth of Hip Hop in the streets of the Bronx. Today Rebel Diaz lives in the South Bronx and works with many of the pioneers of Hip Hop, such as Kool Herc to teach and instill a sense of the importance of this culture to the young people who love it.
G1 pointed out the distinction of Hip Hop from the Rap music industry, which as he said, is “corporate pimping our beautiful culture.” Subverso grew up both in Detroit and Chile and cited the shock he felt of seeing the Motor City decline under governance of for and by the rich to the level of a poor “third world” country.
We pretty much agreed the system was failing people miserably and endangering the future of life itself. Life itself though is what Rebel Diaz is about. Whereas with such heavy thoughts as global poverty, pollution and destitution on their mind, you might expect their music to be gloomy —but it’s quite the opposite. Rebel Diaz brings the party full blast. Every body up and bodies moving and smiling joyously. The lyrics rock the mind with impressions of life from the point of view of the oppressed. Gee, they act like they are already winning, perhaps, because they are. Gee, it feels good to be a Rebel!
Click on the Audio on the Peoples Tribune Web page at peoplestribune.org, under Arts and Culture, to enjoy the entire interview.
