For nearly three decades, Ozomatli has blended Latin, hip-hop, rock, and world music. The band, co-founded by Raul Pacheco 29 years ago, has managed to not only continue on in a changing music industry, but to also stay true to its ideals of cultural fusion and social activism.
What began as a collective of Los Angeles musicians with diverse backgrounds and eclectic tastes has evolved into a melting pot of merengue, salsa, hip-hop, reggae, funk, and other world sounds. In 1995, the members of Ozomatli first met while attempting to form a workers’ union in Los Angeles. Although they were not able to win recognition for the union, they were given an abandoned building for one month, which they transformed into a cultural arts center. It was within this center that Ozomatli was born.
Pacheco reflects on the early days with a mix of nostalgia and shock. He notes that while he didn’t foresee the band staying together for almost three decades, it is their steadfast commitment to their original values that has kept them united to this day.
“I don’t think anyone saw this coming, for us to still be doing this,” Pacheco shares. “We worked so hard the first 15 years of our career, and I think that’s part of the reason why we still have gigs. Our live shows are fun, and we still have fun. It’s interesting because fans will still come up and say, ‘You guys have so much energy,’ but in my head, I’m like, ‘You should have seen us as kids. If you think this is crazy, we were rocking out like nobody’s business.’ But that’s part of what we bring as a band; we always have that fire in us.”
And just as it was in the beginning, Pacheco shares that the band’s journey is also a testament to their firm commitment to addressing social issues through art. From their self-titled debut album in 1998 to their latest record, “Marching On,” in 2022, the band has used their platform to speak out on matters such as immigration, workers’ rights, and environmental justice. The members are mostly Latino, so it was “a natural thing to do and speak on.”
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The group participated in the “Puro Party” tour, which aimed to encourage Latino voter registration in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. They also performed at numerous rallies supporting immigrant rights, including a major concert in 2006 during the National Day of Action for Immigrant Rights.
Over the years, Ozomatli has experienced numerous lineup changes, but its core mission remains unchanged. Currently, the band consists of Wil-Dog Abers on bass and marimbula, Justin El Niño on percussion and rap vocals, Asdrubal Sierra on trumpet, Ulises Bella on saxophone, Jiro Yamaguchi on drums and Pacheco on lead guitar. But no matter the rotation, Pacheco shares that the group has always, whether recording or playing, shown up as themselves authentically.
“Some of us grew up simply being who we are,” Pacheco reflects. “We weren’t asked to be a certain way or not to be that way. I was just a Chicano from Boyle Heights, and it wasn’t an issue. So, when I talk about cultural references, it’s just us being ourselves. We bring in so many concepts from our backgrounds, and none of us ever thought that was bad. This was just us being ourselves; it was never about wanting to be a certain kind of band or have a specific sound.”
Even the group’s first gig happened on a whim. Local promoters asked a group of friends, who would soon become Ozomatli, if they wanted to play a local show with less than two hours to decide and prepare. Instantly, they devised a game plan, incorporating sounds from a reggae group they were into at the time, funky chorus lines, rap breakdowns, and anything else they could fit into their eclectic style. From that impromptu performance, the distinctive sound of Ozomatli was born.
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Ozomatli’s unique sound and vibrant performances quickly caught the attention of Hollywood, including A-lister Drew Barrymore. In the band’s early days, when they played nightclub gigs around Los Angeles, the band was steadily building a local following. The lively and diverse L.A. club scene was a hotbed for talent scouting, with people from all walks of the entertainment industry frequenting these venues in search of fresh, new acts.
Barrymore happened to catch one of their performances and was immediately captivated. Recognizing their potential, she took a chance on the band and invited them to be a part of her 1999 romantic comedy film, “Never Been Kissed.” In the movie, Ozomatli plays a pivotal scene at a local club, where Barrymore’s character, under the influence of a marijuana-laced brownie, hops on stage with a pink feather boa. Inhibitions out the door, “Josie” smacks her butt and then the band’s congas, all while Ozomatli’s eclectic music pulses through the club. This memorable scene introduced their unique sound to a broader audience and, for Pacheco, marked a key moment that put them on the map.
“Drew was so adamant about getting us on; she loved the sound and the messages we had in the music, so it was a no-brainer for everyone involved to get on, and we really enjoyed that experience; who wouldn’t?”
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As they celebrate their 29th anniversary while hitting the road with a show during this year’s OC Parks Summer Concert Series on Thursday, Aug. 1, Ozomatli continues to evolve and inspire. Their story is not just about longevity in the music industry, but also about the power of music to transcend boundaries and bring about positive change. For Pacheco and his bandmates, the journey of Ozomatli is far from over; it’s a living testament to the enduring power of art to shape the world.
Ozomatli
When: 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1
Where: Mile Square Regional Park, 16801 Euclid St, Fountain Valley
Tickets and more information: Event is free, more information at ocparks.com.