Cholo Lyrics in English by Victor Mendivil

Cholo is a complex and historically charged term. While it can refer to someone of indigenous descent in Latin America, in the context of this song and its themes of street life and gangs, it's used to describe a member of a Chicano street gang, often associated with a specific subculture and style.

In the lyrics, "Fumando con los cholos en LA, tirando placa" (Smoking with the cholos in LA, throwing up gang signs), the word clearly refers to gang members. It's an interesting word because of its dual meaning and its strong cultural connotations within the Chicano community, making it unique to this type of song.

Victor Mendivil's "Cholo" throws us right into the high-stakes life of someone deeply involved in the drug trade. He's always with his crew, "patrolling the whole block" [patrullando todo el cuadro], surrounded by sicarios for protection. He's got serious firepower, mentioning "M4 weapons, I also carry the mini Draco" [Armas M4, también porto el mini Draco], and he's not afraid to use it, though he clarifies, "I'm not Bin Laden" [yo no soy el Bin Laden].

This isn't just about street-level operations; Mendivil paints a picture of a lavish lifestyle funded by his illicit activities. He talks about luxury brands like Giuseppe Zanotti and Lamborghini, and traveling to exotic places like Hawaii and Africa. He's making big money, with a "fat bag" [bolsita gorda] and expensive glasses. He even mentions dealing with international contacts, making deals with "the Chinese" [Con los chinos los dato' los hago con traductor] and supplying "the doctor" [para surtir al doctor]. It's a blunt look at a dangerous world, where power, money, and violence go hand-in-hand.