AN INTERVIEW WITH…
Uncle Tino The local rapper is a new member of the GRAMMYs Music’s Bold New Generation Class of 2022. By LOURDES ZAVALETA | Photo by BRENDA HERNANDEZ
Tell me about your journey to becoming a musician. It started in high school, but I’ve always really loved music. I picked up guitar and drums individually, but eventually I started to really tap into my creative writing. In high school I did slam poetry, which gave me an avenue to perform in front of people. It was scary as hell at first, and I was super-nervous and very shaky, but it led me into lyrical hip-hop. I started listening to it, studying it, and enjoying it. I was like, alright, this is something I want to do with my life eventually. Now I’m here, and I’ve decided to incorporate a bunch of different [styles and influences] into [my music]. I wanted to take my once-emcee persona and transform it and evolve. For me, it doesn’t just have to stay in one spot. If I want to be a hip-hop artist I can, but that doesn’t mean that I have to abide by hip-hop criteria. Even though I respect the art and the genre, I like to twist it up a bit. What made you realize music was something you wanted to pursue professionally? In high school, when people listened to what I would write. And it felt good to see that people were genuinely interested and enjoying what I had to say. Even then, I felt a fire under my ass when people would look at me and think, ‘Oh, this dorky, vaguely Hispanic kid, he can’t rap.’ Then I’d rap and they’d be like, ‘Oh shit!’ I liked being that element of surprise, and I really liked moving people. I had a blast—and I still have a blast performing. It’s so fun to me, and I love spreading joy. I first started performing in August 2014, and it was just great seeing everybody being happy. I loved it. Once I realized I could do it, I didn’t see why I should stop. When OutSmart interviewed you last June, you had recently released your album Colorfool. Catch us up on what you’ve been up to since then. I have a lot less money! [Laughs] I ended my time at a job that helped me get Colorfool off the ground. [Then I had] another job less than three months, because I decided to make music 34
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full-time. It’s been eye-opening and humbling. Since then, I’ve just been performing the album and making it different every time. I’ve also been using the time to find my center again, because I really want to make new music. Recently, I acquired a really good microphone that allows me to actually want to work at home. I’ve been getting back into writing, practicing a lot of self care, exercising, praying, meditating, resting, and spending time with my friends. Right now, it’s just been a [time to reflect] on how I want to approach my next album. I also [recently got accepted] into the GRAMMYs Recording Academy, and I have a manager. How did you become a member of the Recording Academy and the GRAMMYs Music’s Bold New Generation Class of 2022? I knew a bunch of people who were invited last year. It was super-badass. I was so happy for everyone. [To get in], you need a couple of letters of recommendation from current members, and two of my really good friends in the industry [wrote mine]. I sent my application in, and the Academy reviewed it to [make sure] that what I do for the music industry is worthy of being invited to join. Do you now have any special Recording
Academy privileges? Yes, my membership allows me to vote in the Texas chapter. You’ve performed on stages across Houston, have been featured in Billboard, and now the Academy has recognized you. What’s your proudest accomplishment? Billboard is definitely up there. I thought that was really neat, because I got to talk shit about Greg Abbott. But I would say my proudest moment was definitely the first show I got to play at White Oak. One of my friends, who is also an Academy member, is dating someone whose son is trans as well. He’s 12 or 13, and I had a moment to really make him feel special at my show. I created this little grid on the floor with tape to get people engaged [during different parts of the show]. I told my friend [to stand in a specific spot on the grid] so that I could dedicate a song to [the son]. That’s one of the big reasons I want to do what I do, because I get to make kids like me feel special and let them know that they’re capable. What does it mean for you as a trans artist and activist to have your career
