“See I’m so fly if I die I’d have to be, buried in the sky Catch me on the move, I’m a rightful star So catch me, chillin with the moon”
-Imma Get Mine Freestyle
It’s bars like these that separate Carlos Martinez from the rest. Equipped with the poise of a polished leader yet with the anger of a wronged man, Ghetto Fama flows with calculated revenge on every track. Growing up in Los Angeles and experiencing the West Coast glory days of hip hop, Martinez had a deep connection with the music that told stories him and his peers were living everyday. It was no wonder that he felt the gravitation of the microphone pulling him in at an early age. At age 16, Martinez experienced a change of scenery as he made his way across the country to Northern Virginia, a place where he now calls home. It was out in Alexandria where Carlos Martinez developed into the one known as Ghetto Fama today. He took advantage of every opportunity he could to display his lyrical mastery and made the most out of them. Now a member of the world famous Block Royal, Ghetto Fama is fully focused in his quest for respect and recognition.
-What is the hip hop scene like in Virginia?
The hip hop scene here is crazy, we have a lot of artists on the grind. Also in DC and the MD. The DMV is coming strong. All I’m saying is DON”T SLEEP!! KEEP YA EARS OPEN FOR UPCOMING ARTISTS IN THE DMV!
-What is playing in Ghetto Fama’s Ipod right now?
In my Ipod, I’m playing my man Temperamento, the homie Jose Kash (Don Dinero), Willie Sante, Joell Ortiz, Nas…Immortal Technique. Man I can go on but mostly my own shit lol. My new mixtape “La Fama Del Ghetto” mixed by DJ Cabezon.
-What are the similarities and differences of LA and Alexandria?
Everything is different. From who you talk to, what you wear, where you walk. I mean, Los Angeles is divided in sections (blacks, latinos, whites). Everybody sticks to their own. Here in VA was the first time I ever chilled with a black person, a white person. It was different, it was a good change.
-How did you get hooked up with a reputable label like Block Royal?
In September of 07, we had a big emcee battle that took place in MD, where Temperamento was a judge. I was part of the final 4 left, out of 20 emcees. I lost, and took 3rd place. We were outside in a big cipher, spittin for the cameras. Willie Sante went first, then Temperamento, then it was me. After I drop my 16, Temp took me to the side and asked me to join the movement. I met up with Don Dinero, in Miami and the rest is history! The MOVEMENT KEEPS MOVIN!
-What are your current and future plans for your musical career?
Well right now, I’m pushing my mixtape “La Fama Del Ghetto”. I’m also working with the squad “Lost City Productions” (La Ciudad Perdida). We got another mixtape coming out as a compilation. In January 09, Imma hit the streets with my new SOLO mixtape. Future plans are keep grinding, keep doing what I do till I one day shine like stars at night do. Keep pushing this Block Royal movement…Keep Latin Hip Hop alive.
