By Don Ward
If you were anywhere near Zilker Park last fall, you already know what I’m about to say. That Mexican OT didn’t just perform at ACL Fest 2024 – he erupted. Straight from Bay City, Texas, OT brought the kind of unfiltered, unshakable energy that blew the doors off the place. It wasn’t just a set; it was a statement.
OT took that ACL stage like he owned it, slamming verses over a backdrop of booming 808s. It was gritty, it was real, and you could hear echoes of Pimp C, Bun B, and even a bit of George Strait in his storytelling. But make no mistake – OT is building something new.
I had the chance to sit down with That Mexican OT shortly before his ACL set, and let me tell you – what you see on stage? That’s just a piece of the story. Behind the grit is a man who’s had to climb, claw, and pray his way through some real-life trials to get here. We talked about his sound, his roots, his mistakes, and the kind of loyalty it takes to build a team when you’re still learning the game.
Don Ward: So if you’re talking to people who are really just starting to learn about you, how do you describe your sound to the masses? Gangster, country rapper?
That Mexican OT: Gangster, country rapper. You know who Pimp C is, right? Yeah.
Don Ward: Hell, yeah. I know who Pimp C is, man.
That Mexican OT: What he said.
Don Ward: Yeah. So as far as the base, in what form did you start listening to these guys when you were much younger? Your blend is like a rap tune with a bit of hip hop, a bit of country, and with a thrash to it. I love the energy. For those who have never heard of you, country rap tunes might seem quite abstract.
That Mexican OT: Gangster country rap tunes.
Don Ward: Well, if we are talking about gangster country rappers, one of the things that I’ve learned about you from listening to your songs is you talk about a lot of resilience. You had to overcome a lot. Elaborate on just where you came from and what gave you the drive to get to where you are today.
That Mexican OT: There’s no drive. I just don’t know what else to do. A gang member wakes up and he’s a gang member because he doesn’t know what else to do. A cook wakes up and cooks. He doesn’t know what else to do. I take it back. Some cooks get up and do other stuff, I guess. I just don’t know what else to do! It’s not even that I love this stuff. Sometimes it gets on my nerves. I don’t want to be sitting here talking to nobody right now. I want to be asleep. You know what I’m saying? I want to be home right now.
I thank God and I’m grateful that I’m good at what I do and people love it. Quite frankly though, I don’t care if you like my music or not. I was doing this because me and Sophie wanted me to do it. I used to be on dope, laid out in the middle of the street doing this stuff for free. I don’t know what else to do, homeboy. You know what I’m saying? I don’t want to do anything else. I’m just grateful that it’s taking care of me. So I respect it.
Don Ward: I love that. And why – because I can relate to that. How did you learn to build your team? How did you learn to do all those things? Because when your back is against the wall and you don’t have other options, you’ve got to go out here and find people who ride with you, who have your best interest at heart. So from a business perspective, how are you making sure you have the right people?
That Mexican OT: Well, I actually just got done. I was getting stolen from, you know what I’m saying? But I just pray about it and I do good stuff. And it happens for me. I don’t know what else to do, homie. I’m not smart.
Don Ward: You are smart. You’re here.
That Mexican OT: I rap good and I’ve got smart people around me. You know what I’m saying? I don’t know what else to do. So the world and the energy see that. It blessed me with everybody who’s around me. Everything almost fell in my lap. You know what I’m saying? I don’t even know. I wouldn’t be able to tell you how I got here. It just happened. That’s why I don’t want to disrespect it. Some people ask me for pictures and I don’t want to take a picture, but I put a smile on my face and I do it because I don’t want to disrespect it. I know I must be here because of my talent. I’m good.
And then, I’ve got righteous people around me. They’re good at what they do. And all I ask for in any relationship is effort. And everybody around me gives me effort. Then once I figure out that their effort is there and they really love me and want to be here, I decide what job is good for them. Sometimes they mess up and that job’s not good for them. But you know what? We’re going to figure out another job for you. You know what I’m saying? And that’s how we figure out trials and tribulations. That’s how we’re here.
Don Ward: So one of the things you said that really resonated with me is that you did pray about things. I’m very big on meditation and mental health. Sometimes I feel like I have PTSD. And, if I am honest with you, OT, I don’t really like dealing with people most of the time myself. Everything is a learning experience. You made a great remark just a minute ago talking about the fact that you learned you were getting screwed over. How are you looking at yourself and figuring it all out? A lot of people may not ever get to this level of running the business side. But, obviously, you’ve gained some insight into that.
That Mexican OT: Yeah, it’s dirty. It’s cutthroat, bro. I want to say there’s no friends, but I’ve met an amazing person on this journey and I love him and I’m forever grateful for him. So, man, I don’t really know. I just got lucky. I got blessed. You know what I’m saying? But the best thing that I could tell you is always have people in your corner and don’t ever trust nobody. I say that because it’s what I needed to hear when I signed. I asked my boy, “Do I need a lawyer? “ He was like, “No. I got a lawyer for you. It’s my lawyer.” And I did not know that’s a conflict of interest. You know what I’m saying?
I’m still new to having a load of money. I’m from the country and I’m from the ghetto. So, I know nothing. Always make sure that you have your own team and make sure that you just double check everything. Make sure that everybody around you deserves to be around you. Make them work for it, especially because you know what you’re doing and what you’re bringing. You know what I’m saying? Everybody around me deserves to be around me. They earn it. They work hard, they love me, and I love them. My boy, Nate, quit his job in 2020, and I was like, “Hey, bro, I want to bring you on security. You might not get paid for this, but just believe in my process. He didn’t get paid at first. Now we’re here. I’ve got him on payroll and I’m writing him off for taxes.
Don Ward: So, there’s one thing that I’ll leave you as far as the game, because entrepreneurs and artists are very similar in some respects. At the end of the day, like you said, whether you are smart or not, this is the business. Correct? And so don’t ever forget that this is the business. I think you just spoke wise words to people. You basically said, “Hey, I’m still young in this. I’m learning every day.” Another tidbit that you said is that you met somebody who really hunkered down, and you believed in that person. Any last remarks you want to make, because this is going to be very inspirational for others.
That Mexican OT: Have people in your corner. Always have a team, bro. My boy, Fee, was waking me up like,”Come on. We’ve got to get to the bank!” Just make sure you have people who want to see you win. You know what I’m saying? It all starts with team effort.
Don Ward: That’s very inspiring, man. I appreciate you and I wish you nothing but the best.
