Conejo (Rapper)

Jose Martin (born September 9, 1974), better known by his stage name Conejo, which means “Rabbit” in Spanish. He is a Mexican-American recording artist from West Los Angeles, California. Conejo has released multiple albums such as “City Of Angels” (1999) and the “Devil Playground” (2006). Conejo is also a member of Tattoo Ink, a Chicano rap group consisting of Venom (rapper) and Bugsy (rapper), who are also brothers of Conejo.

Conejo found success after releasing Fallen Angel (album) accompanied by “Lets Ride” which was also featured on The Sheild, a television show produced by FX (TV Channel) and is loosely based around the Los Angeles Police Department Rampart Scandal. Conejo is the founder and the CEO of Felony Case Records. In 2012, Chicano rapper Serio, released a song “Don’t Hate Me Cause I’m Mexican” featuring Proper Dos and Conejo.

The song focus on racial profiling and the harsh criticism endured by Latinos living in the America. The song mainly targets the Arizona SB 1070 (Arizona Senate Bill 1070), a legislation law that was passed in 2010. Which is concentrated on illegal immigrants, who are required to register as a U.S. citizens and carry documented proof of registration at all times.

West Side Harpys

Conejo is known on the streets as G-Rabbit or G-Rabbs, who grew up on the West Side of Los Angeles, in an area claimed by the Harpys Gang, a ruthless Latino gang, with criminal ties to The Mexican-Mafia. Conejo fascination with the street life led to his affiliation with the Harpys Gang (25th Street). G-Rabbit openly expresses his gang ties on numerous songs such as “It’s All Comes Back” and “My Block” as well as “West Side Harpys”.

Industry Feuds

Conejo is also known for his feuds with other Latino rappers in the Chicano music industry, mainly artists signed to Hi Power Entertainment, a record label started by Capone-E. Which included Torpedos, Miss Lady Pink and Mr. Criminal, who were taunted in “Hi-Coward” (diss song) by Conejo, off his “Anti-Christ Mixtape” (album).

In 2013, Conejo started feuding with Big Lokote, a Chicano rapper with gang ties to the Cuatro Flats, a street gang located in East Los Angeles, California. This feud started after Conejo took subliminal shots, according to Big Lokote. The two Chicano rappers have insulted each other on several diss songs.

For instance, in a song called “Shallow Lames” by Big Lokote who take shots at Conejo street creditability, by accusing him of being a police informant (snitch) and a heroine addicted. In a song (“Cause It’s Real”) Conejo, respond to Big Lokote’s informant claims, by challenging him to provide legal documentation to support his accusations, within 14 days.

Murder Case And Arrest

In 2001, Conejo and Edger Luna (Looney), both were members of the West Side Harpys, became two of Los Angeles Most Wanted after the murder of 25-year-old Mario Gutierrez. On October 31, 2001, Mario Gutierrez was attending a house party in West Los Angeles, when a physical altercation erupted between the party DJ and a group of gang members affiliated with the Harpys.

Mario Gutierrez (good Samaritan), attempted to stop the assault on the DJ, by firing a gun in the air, in an attempt to break up the fight. However, the gang members wrestled the gun away from Gutierrez and carried him out to the sidewalk where he died from multiple gun shots. Jose Martin and Edger Luna, also known as “Looney” have been identified as the shooters, warrants have been issued for their arrest.

On Feb 26, 2002, Conejo and O.T.W. (Out The Wood), a Chicano rap group consisting Steve “Cartoon” Rivera and Lucky, who are well-known members of the Inglewood Trece, a Latino gang based in Inglewood, California. Attended an event (rap concert), held at the Galaxy Concert Theatre, promoting peace in the Latino community. Shortly after the event, Steve Rivera (Cartoon of O.T.W.), was shot to death in the lobby of the theater.

After reviewing footage of the event, Conejo was spotted in the audience by Santa Ana detectives, making him a person of interest. The all ages hip hop concert was an album party for “The Ollion Project,” a compilation album consisting of various Chicano rap artists, which also featured Conejo, and O.T.W. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) labeled Conejo as a Mexican gangster who reputation precedes his street lyrics.

On November 30, 2016, Conejo was arrested by agents of the State Preventive Police ( PEP) in coordination with the National Institute of Migration (INM) in Mexico before being extradited back to California, to face fugitive charges (including suspicion of murder).

Albums /Mixtapes