1. Naci Orishas
2. Distinto
3. Elegante
4. El Kilo
5. Que Se Bote
6. Reina de La Calle
7. Bombo
8. Al Que le Guste
9. Amor al Arte
10. Tumbando y Dando
11. La Calle
12. Stress
13. La Vacuna
14. Quien Te Dijo
Amazon.com
Since its 1999 breakthrough, the Cuban rap trio Orishas has been hailed as one of Latin hip-hop's true saviors. But the group's intoxicating third album, El Kilo, is about more than DJ scratches and looped samples. In fact, that's not at all what it's about. The group eschews studio tricks for live instrumentation on El Kilo, and it makes for a heady, well-rounded effort. El Kilo crackles with passion and urgency from beginning to end, and the album transforms Orishas into a wholly unclassifiable, strikingly original music machine. Blaring horns highlight album opener "Naci Orishas," and the pensive title track rides a simmering, soulful groove. Rappers Yotuel and Ruzzo play wonderfully off each other, and vocalist Roldan anchors every song with his playful vibe. A kitchen sink mix of soul, reggae, bossa nova and salsa inform Orishas' sound. There's even an appearance by Cuban rapper Pitbull on the raucous closing track, "Quien Te Dijo." The album's lyrical and musical poetry, however, belongs wholly to Cuba's three hip-hop heroes. --Joey Guerra
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El Kilo
- Audio CD: 0 pages (2005-03-29)
- Publisher: Universal Latino
- Label: Universal Latino
- Studio: Universal Latino
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 18 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #112615
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: The fusion 2008-10-29
Comment: I've heard people claiming that Orishas never recouped after Flaco Pro left. Quite frankly his leaving was inconsequential to the group's future. The two power houses of this group are Roldan (as a reviewer Anonimo mentioned) and Ruzzo (who has to be the most talented rapper in the world right now.) Roldan definitely has Orishas vision in focus and Ruzzo has the ability to carry it out with Yotuel (both Yotuel and Ruzzo originated the group back in Cuba when it was known as Amenaza).
What is the vision of Orishas? To create a genuine Cuban rap/hip-hop style.
Their first album "A lo Cubano" gave a very heavy US rap feel with Cuban rhythms in the back ground, and let's face it, the first album was heavily influenced by the Puerto Rican rapper Vico C. Their next album, "Emigrantes," moved drastically away from "A lo Cubano" focusing more on Cuban melodies and harmonies and the US Rap was put in the background (this is why many find "Emigrantes" to be the most shocking of all the albums.) "El Kilo" is the perfect synthesis and culmination of the two previous albums. Cuban rhythms, melodies, and harmonies, are fused with US rap and hip-hop rhythms and the "Flow"--as it is called--is flawless. The first song in "El Kilo"--Naci Orishas--is the clearest example of this synthesis with Ruzzo and Yotuel rapping seamlessly between each other as Roldan sings in a traditional Son format. Naci Orishas set's the stage for the rest of the songs in "El Kilo," an album that gives an authentically Cuban style of hip-hop.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Perfect Blend 2007-10-21
Comment: My musical training is classical, and as I've grown over the years, it has expanded to include various types of music, from ancient to modern, obscure to mainstream.
One thing that I've found harder to grasp in enjoying hip-hop was getting over the absence of conventional melody and instrumentation. Orishas has been my answer- blending hip-hop to what I love about traditional Cuban sounds and their infectious beat. It's an irresistible combo that proves to be a dynamic gem to the ears. The lead singer has a voice that it expressive, seductive and smooth at once. They're able to combine the singing /rapping in a seamless transition where it transitions from one to the other and back seamlessly without it feeling jarring or forced.
My Spanish is minimal, and my knowledge of Cuban slang is nonexistent. Even without the ability to understand the language, it's highly enjoyable on its musical and rhythmic values alone, although I have enjoyed translating the lyrics to gain more appreciation of the music. Everything on this album is stands on its own- I especially love El Kilo and Naci Orishas.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Really Cool Stuff 2007-04-01
Comment: I think I like these guys mostly because they can sing. I'm not a big fan of hip-hop, since a lot of it sounds the same. I generally like Carlos Vives and Ojos de Brujo, but these guys are pretty impressive.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Softer hip-hop edge 2007-02-06
Comment: On this their third release, Orishas seems to have found a nice common ground groove that is still street-smart but even more melodic and harmonious than their previous two releases. The title track "El Kilo" exemplifies this unity between hip-hop and sweet harmony vocals perfectly. The softer edge might not appeal to some who prefer the more angry-macho lyrics and vocal stylings of some Latin hip-hop artists but I think there is a nice balance to this disc that is more mass appealing. The toned downed rap offerings are not complete vanila ice cream by any means as is evident on tracks like " La Vacuna"(comes out as "Oblata" on the I-Pod reading of the track) and "Quien te Dijo" which features Pitbull. Most of the songs are more on the mellow side like the downtempo song "Reina de la Calle" or the sweet harmonies on "La Calle" that will have you jumping around getting into the rhythms. The Cuban beats give the music a good equalizing balance. The incorporation and integration of melodious vocals with modern dance grooves and Cuban beats results in the signature Orishas sound; part hip-hop and part Cuban rhythms that equals complete soulful harmony. This is one of those discs that sounds best turned up so your bass shakes and vibrates your booty through the sub-woofer. Orishas is on solid ground on this effort so if you liked their previous releases you probably will like this toned down disc. If you are new to them start here or on their first disc for a nice compare and contrast; both are good, Orishas has just matured like fine wine.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Magnifico 2006-08-17
Comment: He sido fiel seguidora del trabajo de Orishas. Este es definitivamente mi album favorito ... distinto!
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El Kilo
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