That Mexican OT Summons A Texas Boogeyman For “CUCUY”

Bay City, Texas, rapper That Mexican OT set October 23 for “CUCUY,” a new album named for a boogeyman-like figure in Tejano folklore.

His October 22 announcement detailed a 17-track project with a horror theme built around Houston rap but stretching into country and blues. The guest list includes Kodak Black, Rob49 and 1900Rugrat.

OT had already previewed “Apple Bottom” in the Houston Texans’ “713 Sessions” series, launched October 14. He shared the roof of the team’s stadium with Jeremy Garcia, a classical and flamenco guitarist.

The set also included “Johnny Dang” and “Water,” with the pair perched on a steel truss that supports the retractable roof.

“It was only scary when you looked down,” Garcia told Chron.

The team’s Hustle Town Studio filmed the session as part of a new music series intended to reach people beyond its football audience. The Texans had also sought feedback from NPR’s “Tiny Desk” producers.

That pairing fits the range his team described for the album. “Apple Bottom” pairs country guitar with romantic lyrics, while producer Bankroll Got It brings mariachi-style horns to “Yo Mama,” which features Kodak Black.

The blues thread runs through “I Can’t,” featuring OC Chris, and “The Sickness,” with NASAAN. His team described the latter as pairing raspy vocals with harmonica and a 12-bar structure. On “TSA,” he also switches into Spanish over a faster, four-on-the-floor beat.

OT has long tied his sound to the place he grew up. In a 2023 interview with Chron, he pushed back on listeners who questioned his Southern voice.

“I’ll say I sound southern, but people will say I’m trying to sound like something I’m not. It’s a culture thing.”

He said his Spanish carried a Texas twang and named rappers Big Flake and Lil Bean as others who shared that Texas-Mexican style.

His uncles and cousins had introduced him to Houston’s rap collective Screwed Up Click, with family members making music in a closet studio.

OT also has a November tour with comedian René Vaca on the way. Their pairing follows his earlier work with comedian Ralph Barbosa, who hosted “Lonestar Luchador.”