Today we’d like to introduce you to Hector Alcala.
Hi Hector, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started rapping just for fun in Tijuana, Baja California, around 2011, when I was 13 years old. Back then, Wi-Fi wasn’t as accessible as it is now, so my friends and I would download beats on a computer and write our first songs inside an abandoned car near my parents’ house. Two years later, I recorded my first track with a local producer who also introduced me to the art of writing.
What really stands out in my journey is helping build a Spanish Hip-Hop scene in San Diego, not just through music but also by creating organized opportunities for freestyle. My wife and I were able to give Spanish-speaking rappers a platform in a city where that didn’t really exist before. Another key part of my path has been transitioning from Spanish to Spanglish — not only as a way of learning English, but also as a way of expressing a unique identity.
If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my story, it’s that I’ve always stayed connected to my Hispanic and Latino community. Whether it’s someone born here in the U.S. or an immigrant, I want my music to remind them that there’s always a piece of home here, and that we’re not alone.
Right now, I’m preparing to release one of my last Spanish songs, No Me Busques Más, this September. After that, I’ll be putting out a lot of Summer Lo-Fi tracks that reflect the Latino-American experience in the U.S. — things that only happen here but are deeply tied to our culture, like an elotero selling elotes in an alley, the accents we carry, and the Spanglish we’ve shaped to feel unique. Most of my upcoming music will be in English, with some Spanglish, as I keep pushing to connect both worlds.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first started rapping in Tijuana, money was a big struggle. The studio I recorded at only charged 50 pesos, but for me as a kid in Mexico, even that was hard to come by. I still remember seeing my producer’s booth built out of cardboard from egg crates — it showed me how much we had to work with very little.
Later, when I moved into building a Spanish Hip-Hop and freestyle scene in San Diego, the challenges were different. We invested in prizes and tournaments, but we never made money back. On top of that, being the only one really pushing to make bigger and more professional events made it hard to grow. Sometimes people would disappear because there wasn’t enough consistency or presence to hold the scene together.
Today, the struggles are about balance and patience. Everyone around me wants me to succeed in music, but it’s not as simple as just dropping songs. It takes time to build a community and a real fan base. As an independent artist, you have to handle everything — making the music, designing covers, planning official videos, creating authentic content, studying algorithms, distribution, and strategy. It’s a lot of work just to get one song heard outside of your circle.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I primarily rap and sometimes sing, but above all, I consider myself a poet and lyricist. I also study music production at Southwestern College, and I’m a Navy veteran. Beyond performing, I freestyle, judge battles, and I’m an upcoming producer, so I wear a lot of hats in the music world.
What makes me unique is my ability to blend Spanish and English seamlessly, creating authentic Spanglish flows. I represent the Latino community, and my goal is to create music that resonates with all of us. My style encompasses Lo-Fi, Trap, and Boom Bap, blending diverse sounds to craft stories that resonate with our culture and experiences.
I’m known as the founder of Drip Squad, a respected freestyle judge in California and Baja California, and for building the Spanish Hip-Hop and freestyle scene in San Diego. One of my proudest moments was recording a song with Danger AK, a Tijuana rapper I deeply respect — he’s a legend in battle rap and in the Mexican rap scene.
What sets me apart is that my work isn’t just about me — it’s about giving a voice to my community. I aim to represent Latinos in the U.S., showcasing our talent and culture, and proving that we can compete with the best. If people want to support an upcoming Mexican artist/rapper who is ready to represent and elevate Hispanic talent, I’m here for that mission.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is my family — my wife Becca and my two kids, Freyja and Vidar. They are my engine in life and my purpose for trying to make the world a little better. I make music because I love it, but I also see it as a way to live from something I’m passionate about.
Beyond personal success, I prioritize representing Latinos and giving back to the community. Sometimes it’s not about me, but about the future — our kids, the next generation, and making sure they have opportunities and hope. I want my music to help people recover after a hard day, remind them that we can get through struggles, and honor the hard work and sacrifices that brought us to this amazing country. For me, it’s about uplifting others while building a better future for our families.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://xn--rain-yf1n.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rain.kanji
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/R41NOFFICIAL41/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RAIN%E9%9B%A8
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3N2Ce1E0KWPkDbf1regmRa?si=9BlC43JpTrC00wiOBs01vw
