Written and Posted By Israel Lerma
Texas-based rapper That Mexican OT, known for his high-energy Southern hip-hop sound that nods to Chicano rap, performed this month in Houston’s House of Blues venue during his “Herd the Cattle” tour. That Mexican OT has been an emerging figure within the Houston Hip-Hop scene, employing a unique rap style and personality. Releasing his recent album Recess (fun fact: this album cover pays homage to the Bay City mascot, the wildcats, which I have faced during my high school band competitions), where he started his new 2026 tour, Herd the Cattle, on February 10th, right here in the House of Blues of downtown Houston.
Opening on this tour was DRODi, a Freeport, Texas native, who brought me joy by representing my city. DRODi hit the stage with a kind of confidence that instantly grabs a crowd's attention: no long build-up, just straight into the energy. His delivery was sharp and consistent, rapping over the beat cleanly with enough stage presence to make the performance feel physical and interacting with the crowd when he could, smoking whatever fans threw at him. What stood out most was how he controlled his cadence; he can switch from faster verses into a slower, more methodical rapping style. Throughout the set, he would perform ad-libs about the grinding he did and the life lessons he’s learned. The whole night, he leaned into his sharper, punchier songs like “HOLY GHOST” and “EVERYTHING,” having the crowd turnt. Energy spiked whenever he performed his more accessible, repetitive tracks like " I NEED A FREAK FREESTYLE” and “PMW.” These two tracks had everyone singing and swinging their lights in unison. DRODi delivered an excellent performance, warming up the crowd and making the small town of Freeport, TX, proud.
Now it was time for that Mexican OT, and he came out with a bang. All the excitement and buzz surrounding That Mexican OT allowed him to lean hard into Texas identity—swagger, slang, and larger-than-life storytelling. He started with his song "Hate Being Famous," the first track on his new album, which explores the pros and cons of being a rapper. It was quite an interesting choice; OT was introspective on the mic, both proud and regretful about the career he had chosen. After this song, OT addressed the crowd, noting he had never visited Houston until now. He admitted to the audience he was scared that the people would not appreciate him, but after the first song, the fans proved him wrong.
OT soon performed “La Cobra,” one of those tracks that slithers in quietly for half a second and then strikes with a nasty, confident delivery from OT, lending a sample from the famous collective, Cumbia De La Cobra. “Fito Olivares Y Su Grupo” (2007) is an iconic Mexican song that, paired with his gritty, Texas delivery, feels natural and at home. The hook is quite addictive and fun to listen to, turning this classic Mexican dance song into one of OT's most iconic tracks. A standout moment in the setlist was when he played “Texas Technician 02.02.99.” This song is named after his birthdate and is quite personal, reflecting on his past. When the hook lands, the crowd goes wild because it's so catchy and relatable to everyone in attendance. The drums feel sharper live, and OT's rapping skills do a great job of showing his emotion and getting the crowd engaged with his work.
To close out the night, OT brought out his whole crew and DRODi to perform his hit song "Johnny Dang," featuring both men and Houston legend Paul Wall. Johnny Dang is literally pure swagger on ice as the most famous jeweler in the rap game. In the song, That Mexican OT has his best verse and hook to date, as he bounces on the beat while paying homage to his hometown of Bay City and Houston's influence on his sound. The way he name-drops Johnny Dang isn't just a shoutout; it's the whole mood, providing that cold, icy energy that shows how he made it in the Houston Scene. The hook is sticky as it is one of the quotable lyrics that everyone loves to say. Additionally, this hook was the loudest pop of the night, as everyone loves this hook and its homage to Johnny Dang. In my high school years, I felt like I heard this hook every day, and now seeing it live, it did not disappoint. Every bar and feature feels like a victory dance, as both DRODi and Paul Wall do an excellent job of having a sharp, charismatic sound that gets even crazier when the crowd yells it back.
For the first official time in Houston, Mexican OT and DRODi did not disappoint. I love both of these artists, as they put the cities of Bay City and my hometown, Freeport, on the map, which is something people need to keep an eye out for. Their performances confidently land all the time, as their delivery is loud, playful, and polished enough to feel major, but still gritty and authentic enough to feel real. It is nice to know that both these men are not chasing an already made sound; instead, they are stamping their name on this new wave of Chicano rap, and you walk away feeling like you just watched somebody level up the genre! If that Mexican OT ever announces a show near you, I recommend going, as there truly is no one else like him in the rap game right now.