The inspiration for “Johnny Dang” got here to That Mexican OT (Outta Texas) in an unexpectedly informal method — whereas listening to Slick Rick’s circulation in “Kids’s Story,” the hip-hop legend’s 1989 high 5 hit on the Sizzling R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. For the cowboy hat-donning Texas rapper, inventive outbursts arrive with no discover. “Louis Vuitton umbrella after I stroll by the rain,” he raps with a well-recognized lilt whereas on the cellphone with Billboard.
“Johnny Dang” can be an ode to the extremely wanted Texas jeweler of the identical identify who seems within the music video. Johnny Dang is arguably hip-hop’s go-to jeweler, designing extravagant chains and grills for artists like Beyoncé, Migos, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Ye and lots of extra.
One other surreal expertise for the Bay Metropolis, Texas rapper got here by enlisting Houston hip-hop legend Paul Wall and rap newcomer DRODi, who’s OT’s shut good friend. “It was cool, it actually was. However it’s largely loopy,” OT says about pulling Wall to the monitor. “It’s cool to deliver it again [home] as a result of my uncles grew up jamming [to his music], ?… And DRODi is one in every of my finest mates. It’s lovely watching him develop.”
The outcomes have paid off. The country single with a slow-burning lure beat is rapidly climbing the Billboard charts, making it That Mexican OT (actual identify Virgil René Gazca) and DRODI’s first time on the Sizzling 100. The tune — which was launched Could 26 by way of Manifest/GoodTalk/Good Cash International — debuted at No. 97 and reached a brand new excessive at No. 65 on the Sizzling 100 dated Sep. 1. It at the moment boasts 20 million YouTube views, and over 36 million Spotify streams.
He’s effortlessly placing Tejano (a Mexican particular person from Texas) rap on the map by creating a method that’s fascinating and really genuine. Billboard caught up with the artist to speak about making the Sizzling 100, how lucha libre tradition impressed his newest album Lonestar Luchador and why he’s a proud “nation boy earlier than something.”
What went by your head once you discovered that you simply made the Sizzling 100.
Nothing. I don’t actually give attention to that. I really feel that after I give attention to my accomplishments, I get big-headed, and I don’t ever wish to must humble myself, nor do I wish to ever get comfy. I keep in whole imaginative and prescient to my music. After they hit Billboard, it’s like, all proper, cool. However No. [65] isn’t adequate. I wish to be at No. 1.
How did “Johnny Dang” come collectively? Discuss to me in regards to the inspiration.
We had been at my house, and I used to be knocking a beat. I didn’t know that they was recording me. [Producer TobiAli] performed the “Johnny Dang” beat [and] I used to be like, “Guess, I would like that one. I don’t even want you to point out me no extra. I solely need that one.” He despatched it [and] I considered a phrase. You recognize Slick Rick? You recognize that tun nun nun nun nu nu nu nu nu nu... It’s additionally from Inspector Gadget, and the “Kids’s Story” [song]: “As soon as upon a time not way back…” That circulation proper there, that’s all Slick Rick’s circulation. That was the entire inspiration for that [lyric], “Louis Vuitton umbrella after I stroll by the rain…” I received the inspiration from Slick Rick.
You may have Paul Wall and DRODi on the tracks. How was it working with a Houston rap legend like Paul Wall?
It’s cool to point out off in entrance of my individuals about it. It actually was an accomplishment for me. I’m very grateful for it, and I’m enthusiastic about it. I see greater issues for me; I wish to do higher. That’s all it’s. DRODi is one in every of my finest mates, so it’s at all times lovely having him in my music.
You bought Johnny Dang within the video. What was it like having him there? Did he design your grills?
No, he really didn’t design my grill. I already had my grill. I had diamonds after I was simply plain previous Virgil. It was cool watching him be within the video. You might inform he’ll do a very good job of constructing you are feeling liked and wished, however you could possibly inform it was strictly about enterprise.
You fuse your Mexican heritage with Texas rap tradition. The tattoos, the grill, but in addition the cowboy hat and boots. Inform me about your model.
I’m a rustic boy earlier than something. English was my first [language]. I’m a Texan earlier than something. I undoubtedly have my Mexican tradition — I really like my Mexican tradition — however I’m a rustic boy. I’m a Texas Mexican. There’s no Mexican like a Tejano.
What would you want an outsider that’s not from Texas to learn about Texas? What is likely one of the issues that you’ve probably the most pleasure in showcasing about Texas?
Simply our complete tradition, our steelo, our swagger, the vehicles we drive, how we speak, the issues that we select to do. You recognize what I’m saying? Every thing about Texas is gorgeous.
You draw a number of inspiration from the luchador tradition in your album, Lonestar Luchador. How did the luchador develop into the star in your album?
It simply made sense. I don’t put a lot pondering into it. God put it in my head with out me even understanding, and it simply got here out naturally.
Did you develop up watching a number of lucha libre?
Yeah, after all. I watched a number of WWE. I watched lucha libre for certain. [When I went with] my nanny and my tío within the [Mexican] border cities of Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, the place individuals cross and all that, each time, I needed to go get new masks [from the store stands of the border crossing point] and convey them again over right here [to the U.S.]. I used to be surrounded by it, fasho.
Inform me what else you have got underway.
I’m persevering with to work on this mission. Now that I dropped [Lonestar Luchador], each single tune on it has a video to it, so I’m going to be persevering with to drop movies for the mission. And whereas I’m doing that, I received a tour arising. My first present on tour goes to be on September fifth and I’m opening up in Denver — Denver at all times goes loopy for me. I’m touring my music, actually, that’s all I can say. I can’t let you know an excessive amount of. I wouldn’t wish to break the surprises.
OT, thanks for taking the time to have this chat.
Individuals like you make my desires come true. I really like this. I don’t know what else I’d be doing. I received zero endurance. I received a horrible mood. I already don’t like coping with individuals, so this music needed to anticipate me. I had no alternative [and] I thank God. That’s why I’m going so exhausting.
A model of this story initially appeared within the Aug. 26, 2023, challenge of Billboard.
