These are your Neighborhood Kids

UBO MAG is excited to introduce San Diego, CA’s own The Neighborhood Kids, a conscious and revolutionary hip-hop collective of Black and Brown young emcees from Los Angeles, Calif., who might just live next door.

Established in 2020, The Neighborhood Kids immediately brought to mind a powerful blend of Rage Against The Machine’s energy, The Pharcyde’s flow and Digable Planets’ consciousness, as if these iconic groups had raised a generation within the spirit of the Brown Berets. Their music fuses hip-hop with nu-metal, jazz, punk-rock and soul, creating a compelling version of rap-rock that echoes the late ’90s with a modern edge. The crew includes Verde, Amo the MC, DJ JG, Niko Rosy, Jon the Funky Monk, Emmerson and Gatoz Locoz – a vibrant collective of young artists. Their music delves into the experiences of Latinos and others facing hardships due to governmental inaction regarding hate crimes, racism and ignorance.

Their sound melds heavy rock and Southern California hip hop with inspiring lyrics advocating for positive change both nationally and globally, aiming to “create a more inclusive and conscious world,” according to their biography.

The Kids’ rhymes tackle profound issues, such as social activism, while striving to inspire and unite listeners. Their lyrics speak powerfully about taking action, reclaiming ancestral lands (#DefendLA2025), and addressing complex global conflicts like the decades-long war between Gaza and Israel, as well as the domestic issue of ICE’s treatment of Latinos and other immigrants.

One standout track, “Kids In The Cage” (which evokes a similar intensity to “Rat In A Cage” by Smashing Pumpkins), features the dynamic female emcee Verde along with Amon The MC. The raw energy and gritty guitar riffs, complete with amplifier feedback, immediately bring to mind the influence of Rage Against The Machine, underscoring the urgency of their message. “Kids In The Cage” could serve as an anthem for every border state that values humanity.

Their music fosters unity, resonating with anyone, regardless of their background, who champions people and collective action for a more positive and equitable world. Check out the live version where they were introduced by Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) last month in June, and also their Youtube Short, filmed and edited by Fern_doe, which appeared on their Instagram.

These young artists have a significant following with nearly 24,000 followers and 46,500 monthly listeners on Spotify alone, demonstrating the impact of their music. Their reach extends from the West Coast to Chicago, Ill., and Denver, Colo. and continues to grow. Explore their music below to see when they might be coming to your city.