The world could certainly use a heavy dose of righteous rage right about now and Victor Mariachi delivers that and more on his new single “Preyer.” The Mexican-American rapper has positioned himself as a staunch advocate for immigrants and Latino culture, offering no bullshit pushback against Trump’s racist demagoguery and incessant gaslighting. Still, even as works to dismantle stereotypes and disentangle lies, Mariachi finds room to address his own fears and throw lyrical jabs at haters. On “Preyer” he does so with a mix of earned wisdom and venomous wit, gliding nimbly over a hypnotic beat that sounds like it could be built off a sample of Portishead’s “Undenied.” The end result is fierce yet meditative, highlighting the rapper’s strong cadence and dextrous flow.
Shot and directed by Jose Ibarra, the accompanying video is filmed in crisp black and white, and for the most part spends its running time focusing on Mariachi alone in his bedroom or rapping into his bathroom mirror. That sense of intimacy gives the clip a kind of claustrophobic power, forcing the viewer to engage with the artist on his own terms and within his own environment. Watch/listen above.
Eleven Eleven, Mariachi’s follow-up to 2017’s Weapons of Our Ancestors, will be out later this year.
More Info
Bandcamp: victormariachi.bandcamp.com
Instagram: @victormariachi
SoundCloud: @victor-mariachi
Twitter: @VictorMariachiX