Cholos

So you want to be a Cholo? According to wikiHow, to be a ‘cholo’ there are three certain steps you should follow: The first step is to look like a cholo. Wear black, navy, or brown pants that are 8 sizes too big; remember you’re going for the ‘baggy’ look. Buy some plain white tees, striped polos, or button up shirts. If it’s winter time, wear plaid flannel jackets. Again, the shirts should be at least 3 times larger than what you usually wear. Wear some tight shoes that won’t slip off easily when you have to run. Knee high socks, military belts, and black beanies are a must. The second step is to lean like a cholo . Don’t let anyone disrespect you. Don’t back down. Don’t move out of the way for anyone unless it’s a homie or a lady. Be mean and aggressive. Learn how to fight. The third step is to speak Spanglish. Mix your English and Spanish. Use a Spanish accent when speaking in English. Add “vato”, “foo”, “way”, “ese” to your vocabulary. If you see one of your friends yell out “Orale vato!” or “What up, homie!”

You’re almost ready to be a Cholo but not quite there yet. Get some Cholo music like oldies, funk, homeboy rap, old school. Guys, get cholo haircuts like fades or shaved heads. Ladies, draw your eyebrows on your forehead with a black sharpie and put on a dark shade of lip liner on those lips, but remember no lipstick, I mean, you don’t wanna look dumb. Don’t wear the wrong colors unless you are ready for a beat down. And if you don’t know anything, don’t say anything at all.

“Cholo” usually refers to a Mexican-American youth associated with a street gang. Cholos became very popular in 2007 with Down aka Kilo’s popular song “Lean Like a Cholo”; Fergie and Gwen Stefani have also used the chola image in their music videos. If you thought Cholos could only be found in L.A., you were wrong. This Mexican-American movement that originated during the 1940s to the 1970s has now reached Japan.. Lowriding has become very popular in Japan in recent years and you can now find youtube videos of Japanese cholo artists mixing English, Japanese, and Spanish. These konnichiwa homies can now even do their shopping at a store that caters specifically to them, located in Shibuya.