That Mexican OT is becoming a trailblazing voice of Texas rap – Chron

Destiny and opportunity seemed to align perfectly for That Mexican OT (Outta Texas), as if the universe had already written his story. Years prior to her untimely departure, OT’s late mother, Sophia Ann Gazca, foreshadowed his future. A testament to her foresight can be found on the Bay City rapper’s Instagram page, where his second-ever post is a photo of a young OT clutching a toy microphone. The caption reads, “I was in the first grade failing every class, and my moms friends was tellin her, ‘Sophie he is failing all classes in the first grade what is wrong?’ And she told em, ‘F*CK THAT SCHOOL MY SON GON’ BE A RAPPER!!!!”

Having fulfilled that very prophecy, he now sits in the office of iHeart Studios, relaxed before the release of his debut album, Lonestar Luchador. OT, in his genuine fish-leather cowboy boots and matching cowboy hat, is unfazed by his new mainstream fame. 

“It’s not that I want to be nonchalant about it all,” said the 24-year-old emcee. “It’s just that I expected it. I’ve been rapping my whole life. When I was 4 years old, my mom would be ironing money, and I’d be sitting on the bed rapping to whatever music video was being played on [BET’s] 106 & Park. When I was in middle school and high school, I was known for rapping and I was a likeable person. I’ve always felt like I’ve had my fanbase.”

However, it was his recent song “Johnny Dang” featuring Paul Wall and Drodi, an anthem paying homage to the preeminent Houston jeweler, that truly propelled him into the spotlight. The track has amassed more than 11 million views on YouTube since it was posted in May, debuted impressively at No. 44 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and secured the No. 14 spot on the Hot 100’s Bubbling Under ranking. Now, with the highly anticipated release of his debut album, Lonestar Luchador, under Interscope, OT’s musical journey reaches a promising milestone. This album is the culmination of a series of projects he’s released, South Texas Project (2020), Southside Steppin (2021), 1 Double 0 (2021), Nonsense and Mexican Shit (2022) and The Show Must Go On

When OT, born Virgil Rene Gazca, offers a smile, it reveals a diamond grill that adds a touch of glamour to his appearance. Yet, his million-dollar grin is but a glimpse into the world of the rapper. In truth, OT’s life could have taken an entirely different path. Growing up in the barrio of Bay City 82 miles south of Houston, OT faced the hardships of life in the ghetto—his mother was killed in a drunk driving accident when OT was only 7 years old, his father went to prison, he faced betrayal from his own kin, and he’s even had his own battle with drug abuse. 

“I’m getting an opportunity to do what I love. I’d be doing this, even if I was broke and still a junkie,” OT said of rapping. He has found solace in confronting and reconciling with his personal demons. He speaks with an insurmountable amount of candor about his life. “It’s not like music saved my life. I was in the hood, I was f*cking up, didn’t have anything better to do. As I got older, it was more, ‘I ain’t got time for that now.’” 

The new Interscope signee fully embraces the fact that he is a product of his environment, where his surroundings have shaped him. “You see, ain’t nothing like a Texas Mexican,” OT said proudly. “I feel like Texas Mexicans, we just got the swagger, the steelo, you know? We just come so correct with it. Our Spanish is a little twanged out, it’s slang. But we’re still Mexican.” 

And he wears the Mexican flag proudly. His discography serves as a reflection of his Tejano heritage and hip-hop influence, with standout tracks like “Barrio” and “Hardest Ese Ever” showcasing his duality. On a map, you’d likely find OT straddling the border between Mexico and Texas, equally embracing his heritage on both sides. 

At first glance, OT exudes Texas. Beyond his rodeo-ready gitup, it’s evident that he remains unapologetically true to himself. This authenticity extends to his unmistakable voice, which often precedes him, catching those unfamiliar with the Lone Star State off guard. “I’ll say I sound southern, but people will say I’m trying to sound like something I’m not. It’s a culture thing. People think I’m rare, but there are more rappers like Big Flake and Lil Bean; we are all Texas Mexicans,” OT said. 

He has his uncles and older cousins who recorded under the moniker “Kick Doe Click,” to thank for introducing him to Screwed Up Click, as they would often emulate the style, making raps in a makeshift studio in their apartment closet. “My uncles listened to a lot of S.U.C. and UGK,” OT explained. As the style and cadence of the era seeped into his surroundings, it was only natural for OT to be shaped by the music of the time. A permanent tribute to DJ Screw is a prominent symbol in his sea of tattoos—etched below his chin is a screw, serving as a homage to the Originator that paved the way for Houston’s sound for decades to follow. OT’s album even features a slowed-down track titled “OMG,” an intentional decision to honor DJ Screw. But what seems to anchor the Texas native’s sound is his wordplay. OT uniquely weaves together his words in a slurred manner in which words effortlessly roll off his tongue.  

The album also blends elements of OT’s Tejano upbringing with influences from East Coast rap icons such as Eminem, Big Pun and Slick Rick. His melodic cadence and staccato flow reveals traces of their style in his music. The 18-track album remains cohesive whether he’s rapping over the trap drums on “Opp Or 2” with Maxo Kream, or the bluesy and introspective bass of “Skelz” and “Missed Calls,” and New York boom-bap on “Groovin.” The throughline in Lonestar Luchador is the love for Mexican wrestlers—he has a luchador mask tattooed on his hand, honoring a lifelong obsession. To incorporate some of those nostalgic elements, OT enlisted Dallas-born comedian Robert Barbosa, who co-narrates funny lucha libre-influenced wrestling skits throughout the project. “I don’t even think I’m nervous about it. I’m just ready to release the album. That’s what I’ve been preparing for my whole life,” OT said. 

Ahead of Lonestar Luchador’s release, OT reflects on what it took to get here. It was rap battles against his dad’s intoxicated friends in middle school, horse-breaking and chicken wrangling on his great-great-grandfather’s farm, and running from the cops drenched in urine and toes coated in fresh cow poop that gave him the epiphany to pursue rap seriously. It’s where he found salvation in his own rhymes. Though his past is muddy—literally—everything has set the stage for this very moment. That, and his grandmother’s prayers. “After my mom passed, my nanny, she was my mother. She worked hard and dealt with a lot,” OT said. “I’m grateful that God made her strong enough to stick in there for me man. She knew I had nobody.”

OT’s creativity and style is introducing something truly unprecedented to the rap industry and the relatively smaller landscape of Latin rap. More importantly, OT is sitting in the gap bridging Texas’ national presence in music in the early aughts, to today’s bustling scene of rap artists vying to be the next big thing out of Texas. His goal is to set the stage for Texas rap to rest on his shoulders, so the Lone Star State can soon reclaim its place on the proverbial map once again.

“My goal is to be so big that I kick down this door for the rest of Texas. I want people to look at me and think, ‘Damn, he comes from Texas, I want to see what else Texas got,’” OT said. “I believe there’s so much talent in Texas, I want it to be where all they gotta do is walk through that door that I just kicked down.”

Lonestar Luchador is set to release on streaming platforms July 28.