Ever since Ana Tijoux’s song “1977” was featured in a season four episode of “Breaking Bad,” the Chilean rapper has continued to be discovered by viewers of the series in syndication; the title track from her 2010 album went to the Top Five on iTunes Italy in February. While that synch has provided an ongoing revenue stream, according to her record label, Nacional Records, Tijoux has gone on to earn Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations for “1977” and her follow-up “La Bala,” and a reputation as an artist to keep on watching.
Tijoux’s third release on Nacional, “Vengo,” is set for March 18. On the track “Somos Todos Erroristas” (“We are All Errorists”), premiering below, she defines trial and error as the path to freedom, her characteristic no holds barred lyrics accompanied by some jazzy keys and the voice of her “1977” producer and frequent collaborator Hordatoj.
“It’s a song about mistakes, how making mistakes is a way to break with things and learn about life itself,” Tijoux told Billboard.
After having a baby and taking a break from touring in the U.S., Tijoux will make several appearances at South By Southwest, where her rhyming skills, fusion of rap, roots, jazz and pop, and her social message combined with a unique sort of guerilla glamor attracted crowds when she first appeared in Austin in 2010. After SXSW, she comes west for several shows in California.
Ana Tijoux U.S. Tour
March 13
Q&A with NPR Music at the Austin Convention Center
SXSJ showcase at the Hotel San Jose
Nacional Records Showcase
March 14
Ache Filter showcase at Buffalo Billiards
March 15
San Antonio — Echale at Pearl Brewery Amphitheatre
March 19
San Francisco — The Independent
March 21
Los Angeles — The Echoplex
March 23
San Diego — The Casbah