Birth name Jonathan Perez Role Musical Artist Labels Serio Controla Records Name Jonathan Perez | Years active 2005–present Also known as Serio | |
Origin Highland Park, Los Angeles, CaliforniaU.S. Occupation(s) Rapper
Producer
Songwriter Albums Soy Chicano Rap, Oscillator Ep Genres Chicano rap, West Coast hip hop, Hardcore hip hop Similar People Proper Dos, Frost, Malika Ayane | ||
Record label Serio Controla Records | ||
Jonathán Pérez, better known as Serio, is a Mexican American rap artist from Los Angeles, California, United States. He has worked with other chicano rap artists such as Kid Frost, Lighter Shade of Brown, Proper Dos, and MC Magic.
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Early life
When Pérez was a child, his grandmother said that he always had a serious look on his face. It was for that reason she gave him the nickname, Serio, which in Spanish means serious. Serio claims he loved rap since childhood and started writing and rapping when he was a teenager.
Music career
He made his professional debut as a rap artist in 2005. In 2006, Serio released his first album, Nightmares Turned Into Reality. His single, "I Got To Have You" gained rotation on radio stations throughout the United States. In 2008, Serio released the single, “Serio Controla” from his then upcoming second album, N.T.I.R. Part 2 The Revenge of Serio, subsequently released in 2009. This time, his track, "In L.A." included a guest appearance by Kid Frost. In 2011, his third album, Gansterism Part 3, was released featuring MC Magic on two tracks, "Serio Come Back" and "I’ll Never Forget". Also featured on the album are Lighter Shade of Brown, Conejo, and Mr. Midget Loco. Also in 2011, Pérez trademarked his pseudonym.
Activism
In 2012, Serio released another single "Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Mexican" featuring Proper Dos and Conejo. The song challenged the new SB 1070 law that was passed in the state of Arizona, as well as anyone that might be bias towards Mexicans, since many politicians seem to be tough on immigration. Serio's message in this song is that it is time for La Raza to stand up and tell all people that we should be treated fairly and equal as anyone in the United States.
On February 13, 2013, Serio released his fourth album, Soy Chicano Rap. The album includes the controversial song "Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Mexican" which highlighted the hopes that many had that the President and or Congress might come to an agreement on a fair immigration reform bill.
2013–present: Soy Chicano Rap
Also included on the album, the hit club song "Sexy Ladies". The song has been getting played in numerous clubs across the country already, and was leaked to DJs prior to the album’s release.
Serio has had a great deal of success with his independent label, Serio Controla Records. To date, his label has released four solo albums and three DVDs, selling over a quarter-of-a-million units worldwide. In addition he continues to work with his peers in Chicano Rap and plans to release a book in the near future.