Ozomatli are a Latin
hip hop band who infuse the multicultural environment of their native
Los Angeles into their music. The band currently contains six members, none of whom act as leader or "frontman." Instead, Ozomatli bring the same communal ethic to making music that they do to their concerts, which often feature audience participation, as well as dancing, both onstage and off. The band's
1998 self-titled debut set the musical agenda: a dance party mix of hip-hop,
jazz, Latin rhythm, classic '70s
funk,
rock and
reggae, with a
political conscience. Ozomatli's
2007 album,
Don't Mess with the Dragon, was produced by K.C. Porter, who has worked with such popular acts as
Ricky Martin and
Santana.