MolinaSoleil“Sin Papeles” by Molina Soleil & Aju w/ DJ Icewater, Shine Flow EP (2009)
People love “Sin Papeles”. Bangin’ beat, pure fire, bilingual, timely. This is the story of la vida sin papeles.
My words reflect the reality of a young urban Mexicano/Chicano struggling to survive in a racist environment that has labeled him “illegal”.
I’m a shadow of light in the dark of the day, this angel on my neck gon’ guide my way.
Nothing to hope for, nothing to believe in, no end in sight to the madness of being tagged an alien in a land you were brought to without choice. But you reach for the light within and keep moving forward.
No vas a romper a mi alma.
Aju’s words tell the broader story of the immigrant experience:
Quitando nuestras tierras, Llegando tan lejos de familias, Corrale, hermanas y hermanos, Trabajando en las sombras, Sin papeles, sin papas, Sin compas, sin paz
Sin papeles, sin papas, Sin conpas, sin paz.
It is because of Aju that this song is Sin Papeles. I had other plans for this beat. She heard the immigrant’s theme.
As a wordsmith, it’s a challenge to say everything you need to say in 8 bar verses as opposed to 16s. The theme and structure of this track forced me to be concise and relentless, to do more with less words. I plan to work with this formula more often on future projects.
As for the substance of this track, if you know my music and poetry and follow my blog, you know this is just one chapter in my collection of stories about immigration, Chicano/Mexicano identity, and geopolitical struggles for survival. Later this year, I’ll write about “Without Papers” – a sister song to “Sin Papeles”.
For song lyrics and a translation of Aju’s lyrics, click here.
For all my people, all colors and all nationalities, struggling for meaningful immigration reform, boycotting Arizona over SB 1070 and the ethnic studies ban, fighting for the basic recognition that people are not aliens, we face a long road ahead. Adelante, con paz y dignidad.
A.M. Soleil, Retrospectively is a 52-week blog series in 2010, focusing on 5 years of politically conscious and culturally relevant music by Molina.
Tags: A.M. Soleil, DREAM Act, Immigration Reform, Molina Music, Molina Speaks, racism, Retrospectively, SB 1070, Shine Flow EP, Sin Papeles
[...] Papers” is a follow-up to “Sin Papeles” , which was released on Shine Flow EP with DJ Icewater, June 2009. “Without Papers” is a [...]