WATCH NOW
Watch on the app
Spanglish Hip-Hop pioneer Mellow Man Ace on ‘The Big Deal’
Mellow Man Ace: The Bilingual Pioneer Who Brought Spanglish to Hip-Hop
Mellow Man Ace, born Ulpiano Sergio Reyes in 1967, is a Cuban-American rapper who has made a profound impact on the world of hip-hop music, particularly with his bilingual delivery and unique style.
He was born in Cuba and moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was just four years old. Growing up in South Gate, California, Mellow Man Ace became fascinated with the emerging hip-hop scene, and by the early 1980s, he was already working on his own music, along with his brother Sen Dog and B-Real, who would later form the legendary group Cypress Hill.
View this post on Instagram
Mellow Man Ace gained widespread recognition for his 1990 hit single “Mentirosa,” which reached Number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track was notable for its innovating sampling of Santana’s “No One to Depend On” and “Evil Ways,” and it introduced listeners to Mellow Man Ace’s signature, groundbreaking mix of English and Spanish rhymes. In fact, he has been credited with pioneering the use of “Spanglish” in hip-hop, a trend that has become common in the genre today.
But even before “Mentirosa” hit the charts, Mellow Man Ace had already made a name for himself with his debut album Escape from Havana in 1989. The album, produced by The Dust Brothers and Def Jef, highlighted his smooth delivery and his ability to blend humor and clever wordplay into his music. His follow-up album The Brother With Two Tongues came out shortly after; however, it didn’t reach the same level of commercial success.
View this post on Instagram
Despite the ups and downs of his solo career, Mellow Man Ace never completely stepped away from the music scene. He continued to release albums over the years, such as From the Darkness into the Light in 2000 and Vengo a Cobrar in 2004. His ability to stay connected to his roots while adapting to the evolving sound of hip-hop is what has kept him relevant in the industry.
In addition to his solo work, Mellow Man Ace has collaborated with his brother Sen Dog on various projects, including the 2006 album Ghetto Therapy. His impact on hip-hop goes beyond his music; he has been a trailblazer for Latino artists in the genre, opening doors for future stars like Big Pun and Fat Joe. He was the first Latino rapper to achieve both Gold and Platinum record sales in the US, a significant milestone in the history of hip-hop.
View this post on Instagram
His influence hasn’t been limited to just the United States. Mellow Man Ace has performed in countries like Argentina, Japan, Mexico, and Chile, helping to spread hip-hop’s global appeal. This international exposure demonstrated the marketability of bilingual rap and showed that hip-hop wasn’t just an American phenomenon—it was becoming a force worldwide.
Although he’s taken some breaks throughout his career, Mellow Man Ace’s legacy in hip-hop remains intact. Watch his special appearance on The Big Deal at LatiNation for the opportunity to hear firsthand from this pioneer who helped push the boundaries of what hip-hop could be.
RELATED: TRUENO: The Argentine rapper breaking records with “Real Gangsta Love”
for the latest updates from LatiNation