That Mexican OT has been a rapper that has been very interesting to follow since he started to blow up a couple of years ago. That Mexican OT has been putting out music for a while and had put out multiple albums in 2020 and 2021 before this, but he first came onto my radar in late 2022 when he released his album Nonsense and Mexican Shit. Multiple songs from this record went viral, including ‘Kick Doe Click’ and Pretty Rick,’ cementing That Mexican OT as one to watch out of Houston. He followed that record up with Lonestar Luchador, which was released in the summer of 2023. This album took the hype around That Mexican OT to a different level. Songs like ‘Cowboy Killer,’ ‘Johnny Dang’ featuring Paul Wall and DRODi, and ‘Hit List’ with BigXthaPlug and Big Yavo all had a ton of success online, and they asserted That Mexican OT was someone who people need to pay attention to. To be honest, I was aware of Lonestar Luchador when it came out, but unfortunately, I slept on it at the time and did not review it because I did not see its quality until months later. When one listens to That Mexican OT, it is not tough to see why he has had such an appeal to Hip Hop fans over the last couple of years. He raps with decisive and intricate flows that have an old-school Hip Hop feeling to them, and his witty, tongue-in-cheek lyricism sets him apart from some of his peers. That Mexican OT is an artist who is always working on new music, as he has already dropped a new album just 6 months(or so)  after Lonestar Luchador. Unfortunately, his new album Texas Technician, though, does not exactly move the needle for me. It kind of seems like That Mexican OT played it safe on this one. Texas Technician feels bloated, and I wish That Mexican OT would have expanded his sound more on this one. That said, there is a good amount of music to love on this record, and That Mexican OT does show off his immense talent on some of these tracks. Here is a list of a few of my favorite songs from That Mexican OT’s Texas Technician. Please let me know in the comments below what your favorite songs are from this record, and also comment on how you feel about Texas Technician as a whole.

02.02.99

‘02.02.99’ is the first single released in anticipation of this record, and it honestly got me very excited for the project(the second single, ‘Point Em Out’ feat. Dababy, is one of the record’s worst songs in my opinion, and it tempered my expectations a ton). ‘02.02.99’ is cold, concise, and to the point. This song is driven by a sparse and harsh Trap beat that feels so rigid and absolutely bangs. This song has a simple melody which is very foreboding and dark, feeding into the raucous feeling of the track. As cool as the instrumental for ‘02.02.99’ is, the thing about it that stands out the most is That Mexican OT’s awesome rap performance. His flows on this track are so intricate and vigorous, and the quirky wordplay throughout the track makes it so catchy and fun to rap along to. ‘02.02.99’ may be one of the simplest songs on the record, but there is greatness in its simplicity and That Mexican OT’s talent as a rapper shines on this one. 

Chicken Strips & Ass(feat. Paul Wall)

‘Chicken Strips & Ass’ is the second song in as many years where That Mexican OT recruited Houston legend Paul Wall to assist him in making a banger. Like ‘02.02.99,’ ‘Chicken Strips & Ass’ is a pretty simple track where That Mexican OT’s immense talent as a rapper shines through. The instrumental for this one is grating and mean. The song is driven by a melody provided with a vocal sample that sounds like a Satanic Chant which is complemented by an equally creepy piano riff; this melody is put on a fast-paced and aggressive Trap beat that has just as anxious a feeling as the melody has. Like ‘Johnny Dang,’ That Mexican OT and Paul Wall’s chemistry are so palpable on this track. The way their flows and tones mesh with each other is seamless, and their larger-than-life rap performances take the emphasis of the track over the top. I have to say, this song is not as good as ‘Johnny Dang’ for me, but ‘Chicken Strips & Ass’ is still a good track that proves That Mexican OT and Paul Wall have a link that is undeniable.

Bull Riding(feat. DRODi and Slim Thug)

‘Bull Riding,’ which features frequent That Mexican OT collaborator DRODi and an additional legendary Houston rapper in Slim Thug, is a song that seems to lean into the classic Houston Trap sound that Slim Thug is known for. This song has a murky, chopped-up old-school Trap instrumental that feels like it could have come out in the early 2000s when Slim Thug was dominating the charts. This song is smooth and apprehensive at the same time; although the melody is pretty silky and the beat is easy-going, there is an uneasy feeling to the instrumental that makes it a bit menacing. That Mexican OT and DRODi do their thing on this track, but Slim Thug is the artist who sticks out. His verse is short, poignant, and in-your-face. The way his gruff voice and slower flow contrast That Mexican OT and DRODi’s performances make it pop in the best way. ‘Bull Riding’ is a song where That Mexican OT seems to pay credence to classic Houston music, and he brings in a master of the sound to do so. 

‘Coming Down’ feat. OTB Fastlane and Hannah Everhart)

‘Coming Down,’ which features OTB Fastlane and Hannah Everhart, is the first track of the project where That Mexican OT goes with a sound that is unlike what most people would know him for, and it completely pays off. This one has what is easily the most Pop sound on the record. Instead of feeling heavy and jarring like so much of this record, this one is light and fresh. This song has a funky R&B Trap sound that feels similar to some of the music one would expect from artists like 6lack or Don Toliver. The melody for this one is driven by a Jazzy guitar riff which is complemented by various saturated synths. The tone of this melody feels hopeful and melancholy at the same time. The beat for this track is easy-going and breezy, matching the lighter feeling of the melody. All three vocal performances on this track are great. Each artist on the track provides something so distinct that adds so much texture to the track. I especially love Hannah Everhart’s performance, as her sultry voice gives the track emotion. ‘Coming Down’ is a song that proves That Mexican OT can make more mainstream-style Pop-Trap music very well when he wants to. 

Twisting Fingers(feat. Moneybagg Yo)

Like ‘Coming Down,’ ‘Twisting Fingers’ feat. Moneybagg Yo is a song where That Mexican OT takes a bit of a risk with his style of music, and it totally pays off. Instead of going for pretty typical, mean, modern Trap music like That Mexican OT typically likes to rap on, this one has a decidedly old-school song. ‘Twisting Fingers’ is easily one of the smoothest songs on the record(if not the smoothest). The groove that drives the melody has a West Coast G-Funk tone to it that I love; the way this groovy melody sits on the sludgy Trap beat the song has makes it such an earworm.  I wish there were more songs on the record with this kind of sound, as That Mexican OT sounds so natural on this beat. His fast, off-kilter flows sound so cool on this track and give it texture. Moneybagg Yo sounds excellent in ‘Twisting Fingers’ as well, as his deliberate cadence and gruff tone contrast That Mexican OT in a riveting manner. ‘Twisting Fingers’ is a moment where That Mexican OT goes outside his normal sound and shows how diverse he can be. 

Hola(feat. Fredo Bang)

‘Hola’ is easily the most unorthodox song on the record, and it also may be the best one. This is another moment where That Mexican OT goes with an instrumental that is so different from what he is known for, and it completely works out. It says something that my three favorite songs from this record besides maybe the lead single(the aforementioned ‘02.02.99’) in ‘Coming Down,’ Twisting Fingers,’ and ‘Hola’ are songs where That Mexican OT totally goes outside his comfort zone. There is nothing about ‘Hola’ that is similar to anything that precedes it. For one, the guitar-driven melody for this track sounds like it is inspired by Chicano Rock and traditional Mexican Folk music. This melody has a classic feeling that is so interesting and appealing. The beat for ‘Hola’ is all over the place in the best way. It is constantly going back and forth from a tough Trap beat to an upbeat Latin House sound. This beat keeps the listener on their toes and makes this song feel laid-back and hyped up at the same time. The vocal performances on ‘Hola are just as fun as the instrumental. Both Fredo and That Mexican Ot match the energy of the instrumental perfectly, and make this song feel so huge.  ‘Hola’ once again shows off That Mexican OT’s huge talent and how he could be a super dynamic artist if he is willing to try new things.

In the Air(feat. Hogg Booma)

‘In The Air,’ which features Hogg Booma, is probably the most basic-sounding Trap track that I picked for this list. Unlike most of my other picks for this record, there is not much about this instrumental that draws me in very much. This instrumental is not necessarily bad; in fact, it does have a pretty even-keeled Trap sound with a gloomy melody and steady beat. The thing that appeals to me about ‘In The Air,’ however, is the vocal performances. Both Hogg Booma and That Mexican OT sound so fierce and bold on this track. Their looming personalities shine on this track, and their aggressive flows and vocal tones bring the energy and power of the track to new heights. I know that I have stated throughout this review that I wanted That Mexican OT to take more creative liberties, but I can always appreciate when a rapper just lets their talent shine instead of relying on a riveting instrumental. ‘In The Air’ may not have the most exciting sound on this instrumental, but it packs a punch because of how good the vocals on it are.