[Si] TV

Not since Cypress Hill had the entire nation going loco in their cabezas has a Cali-native MC garnered as many accolades as Omar Cruz. The mexicano/colombiano signed a joint venture with Geffen and the independently-owned B.Y.I. Entertainment label to release his debut album, Sign of the Cruz, this coming fall. In the meantime the 27-year-old has been on The Cuervoton tour with fellow Latino spitters Pitbull and Joell Ortiz and logging endless hours in the studio working with MCs like The Game. His ties to the cholo lifestyle run deep, two of his mentors are respected Chicano photographer Estevan Oriol and tattoo god Mr. Cartoon. When his gruff voice isn’t murdering a vocal booth the baldheaded vato is releasing acclaimed mixtapes (2007 B.C. [Before Cruz]) or chilling in his hometown of La La Land. For all you on Atlantic time, Big O gives you his Top 5 spots to check out where you lose the Timberlands and wear some sandals (with socks of course).

1) La Placita Olvera
Looking for a chill spot to cruise? This is it. “It’s in Downtown L.A.,” OC explains. “The [neighborhood] has real good food and it kind of takes you to Mexico. It’s history, ya know?”

2) Tito’s Tacos in Culver City
When in L.A., you must try authentic Mexican food and this spot has got it. “That’s on the West side of L.A. where I’m from and that’s the spot I always go to,” according to Cruz.

3) The Hollywood Strip
“I mean Sunset Boulevard, man,” says Cruz. “The nightlife is incredible. On any given night you can see a hip-hop act and all kinds of performances. Every one comes from all over.”

4) An L.A. Lakers or L.A. Dodgers Game
“I would hit up a Lakers game or a Dodgers game. Hit up the Staples Center or Dodger Stadium, depending on which season it is. If the Lakers ain’t playing right, well ... go to the Dodgers,” he says.

5) Swap Meets
What’s a vato loco doing at a swamp meet you say? “They got everything you need,” he professes.