El-A

“Being real is what keeps me humble”

In a perfect world people wouldn’t need to step outside of their comfort zone to achieve growth. In this utopian ideal people can become strong, powerful, rich, intelligent all without gargantuan efforts or adversity. We would all achieve goals by simply wanting them bad enough. This is not the reality we live in. In order for people to achieve greatness sacrifices are made and struggles are won. Without that adversity would achievement even truly feel like something worthwhile?

The ability to step outside one’s comfort zone as a person, a business-person or creator is not only a desirable trait but a necessity. The social contract between consumers of music, art, culture and the creators that bring it to us demands that the art move us, strike a chord within us or at the very least help remind us of who we are.

This art from MXNA LXSA GANG’s own joeSpeaks is this type of art. He presents the culture of music, hip hop, Los Angeles and Albuquerque all in one fell swoop. The narrative of his path and what he is aiming to achieve is perfectly visualized in this video. Already a business and art figurehead but also an iconoclast. He is seeking to destroy institutions of music industry mechanics and bring his vision to a greater purpose and page in Southwest Music/Hip-Hop culture. His latest video El-A showcases his unique filmography style and highlights the beauty of both cities. The video is akin to indie film mastery and the lyrical content explores the reality of stepping outside the comfort zone of leaving Albuquerque and setting up shop in LA the city of dreams on the West Coast. With both cities heavily represented it is easy for critics to enter into the conversation and comment on his music, art, film, yet he is pushing himself to expand his business, art and music past the existing boundaries of city and state. The track features the work of AO FNL and some co-engineering from Tut The God.

El-A is a piece of work that presents the artist in a brutal honesty and allows for the conversation to be held of what art is, what music is, where loyalty lies and how fans, cultures, cities and regions can either exalt you as their idol or denigrate you as their villain. Whether joeSpeaks is seen as either it would be a safe bet to say that he would embrace either to achieve his goal of being true to himself and being the artist he is without apology.

Catch El-A out now here and keep an eye on the gang for more of their work and don’t forget to like, follow, subscribe for real ones representing the city, state and region!