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about this album
The popularity in 1992 of Mexican rapper Kid Frost was initially viewed as ushering in the acceptance of Latino hardcore while ushering out poseurs like Gerardo. It never happened. The rhymes that worked in East Los Angeles translated poorly to East Harlem. The failure confirms that Hispanic hip-hop has a long way to go before it can rival its African American counterpart. Latino rap's biggest hurdle? Until it appeals to its Latino audience, it won't appeal to anyone else. Stone Cold World, the second album by Mexican rapper A.L.T. (Al Trivette), does nothing to refute that argument. The artistic ambiguity that taints all Latino rap is evident with A.L.T. Undecided as to whether he should adopt Ice Cubism with gangsta tracks like "Just Go Blank" and "17 Shots" or attempt more CHR-friendly cuts like "All Nite Long" (with heavy sampling from the Mary Jane Girls and Run-D.M.C.), A.L.T. seems unsure of his own style. Too bad. The verve that made his song "What Is an American," on the 1991 compilation album Latin Alliance, doesn't carry over onto Stone Cold World. Just when you think A.L.T. has it right, he disappoints. "Ridin' High" is fun but empty. The title track, which addresses the struggle of single mothers, goes limp after its initial thrust. "I think when the Latino rappers are accepted, people will be more accepting of us as a whole," says A.L.T. Yeah, but deal with the Latinos first, chief. You've lost them. Stone Cold World is available from Inner City Records/Par
