OHNO is a Latino rapper who has paved his own way, from the barrios of Los Angeles Crenshaw District, to being the first Mexican artist to sign with mega-label Def Jam Recordings.

Not only is he deserving of one of our UNDRGRND Magazine Issue 7 Exclusive Covers, but his work ethic has granted him access to rooms many can't get into.

Con fuerza y a decade of releasing music, OHNO established a reputation within his Latin American community as someone trustworthy to represent the culture. Today, the pathway for Latin rap continues to open up, and artists like OHNO find themselves pioneering the way for future Latino musicians. His December 2022 EP, Birthday Present, only further proved his ability to master his bilingual sound at the mainstream level.

UNDRGRND got to sit down with the 26-year-old to talk to the man behind the bangers.

UNDRGRND: Tell me about your life growing up.

OHNO: “I was born in Orange County, raised in LA's Crenshaw District. My dad left when I was young, and my mom got deported when I was about 12 or 13. I left my family who was still here, and went to live with my homies [in LA]."

UNDRGRND: How does being bilingual affect your music and audience?

OHNO: "People consume music so fast that I can drop a song in English one day, and a song in Spanish the next. I try to cater to everybody, because I do have those thoughts sometimes, that I could be boxed in as a 'bilingual artist.' [Laughs]. To be honest, I think people like my English music better. A lot of my Spanish supporters, they really like my English - even if they don't know what I'm saying, they like it."

UNDRGRND: So, you like tattoos...

OHNO: "I want to get tatted everywhere except my face and my stomach. My most painful tattoo was on my wrist and my leg that was the only tattoo I ever tapped out of."

UNDRGRND: How was it signing with Def Jam and leaving behind life as an independent artist?

OHNO: "I've been with Def Jam for about a year now. They took a chance on me so shout out to Def Jam. I'm learning a lot and having a lot of fun with it, I'm just adjusting to everything. I grew up playing Def Jam: Fight for NY - that was always my favorite videogame, so it's dope to me. I'm the first Mexican signed to Def Jam, and it's an East Coast label, so that's different too."

UNDRGRND: What does your typical day look like?

OHNO: "My day consists of a lot of work. Hitting up producers and linking with people, just listening to beats and melodies. Right now

I'm fixing a few things on my album and sending it back to be released!"

UNDRGRND: Have you toured outside of the U.S. yet?

OHNO: "I've done a few tours with my homie in Mexico. Alemán - he's a big artist out there and his shows are fucking nuts! Pretty much every time I've done a show in Mexico, I've been with him. One time, I had my own show out there, it was awesome. I haven't performed in any other countries yet but I've toured around the U.S. At one point, I had a song doing really well in Europe and there, but I didn't have the right booking agent at that moment, so I left it for another time."

UNDRGRND: What's your process in creating a song?

OHNO: "First things first, everything around me has to be right. I gotta find the right beat first, bro, and then after that it just comes to me - it just happens. I have equipment, so 98% of the time I'm recording myself. I feel most comfortable that way."

UNDRGRND: What upcoming collaborations do you have in the works?

OHNO: "I got one feature locked in for sure right now, it's with Baby Bash. He's a legend for sure! That's one of the artists I grew up listening to, so this is definitely a goal of mine. I text him, we hang out, and I'm gaining a friendship out of it."

UNDRGRND: Leave me with some goals for 2023.

OHNO: "Performance-wise, I want to do huge shows with backdrops, like some Tyler, the Creator shit. My main goal is to start businesses and bring in new money. Currently, I'm learning more about real estate. My friends are the ones who inspire me to create new ways to pay for things."