Salvador Sanchez
If you are Norwegian and love hip hop, and in particular rap music, there are a few names that you should be familiar with, that have been part of laying down the groundwork of what has become a vibrant and ever more popular culture and music genre in the land of the Vikings. With that said, if you are not yet familiar with Salvador Sanchez, you might have missed out on a very important part of Norwegian hip hop history, and, most importantly, music that transcends boundaries, whether they be cultural, ethnic, political, language barriers, or a product of genre-driven conformism. In short, Salvador Sanchez embodies the spirit of hip hop, in that he takes the road less traveled, paving the way for many behind him, while still leaving a footprint that cannot be erased by those who follow.
In 1996, along with his brother Oscar, Salvador started Darkside Of The Force (DOTF), and spent about two years working towards their self-titled debut release, “Darkside Of The Force”. It was released in 1998, and is today regarded as one of very few really important, and groundbreaking albums in Norwegian hip hop history. Though the fame and fortune eluded the two brothers, in terms of mainstream success, their weight and influence on the scene in Norway was undeniable, and today the “Darkside Of The Force” album is a must have collectors item for any Norwegian rap aficionado.
In 2000, Salvador released his first solo-project, called “Solar Consciousness”, which garnered him a nomination for the most prestigious award Norwegian musicians can receive, the “Spellemannspris”, which is the equivalent of a Norwegian “Grammy”. Although he did not win, and commercial success still eluded him, this was yet again a seal of approval from both the industry, and another testament to Salvador’s prowess and evolution as both a rapper and producer.
It would take six more years, before Salvador and his brother Oscar released another album, but the DOTF release “El Dia De Los Puercos” (2006) seemed to be well worth the wait, as it drew praise from the critics and was awarded with the Spellemannspris for the best hip hop album that year. The album was widely recognized as a masterpiece, and solidified DOTF and Salvador’s place as part of the elite in Norwegian hip hop music.
In spite of little commercial success, Salvador Sanchez is recognized as one of the very best rappers, as well as one of the very best producers, that Norway has to offer. He has been involved in a plethora of projects, across many genres and styles, and continues to be one of the most sought after producers for the Norwegian hip hop scene. His resume includes collaborations with Oslo Fluid, Klovner i Kamp, Nessecary, Punani SS, Lewis Parker, Task Force, Thelma & Clyde, Renzo Ramirez, Puertorican Legend Maestro, Pumba, and Vaagsbygd Handy, to name a few. He has also done remixes for artists like G-Side, King Midas and Nils Bech, and continues to explore new directions through many side projects.
Fast forward to 2010, and Salvador Sanchez is back yet again, but this time with another solo project. His second solo album “Happy Daze” was released December 6th, 2010, and is yet another groundbreaking hip hop record, in terms of raising the bar for both production and lyricism. “Happy Daze” draws inspiration from West coast hip hop, Funk and Andino-Disco, the lyrics are heartfelt, raw and personal, and it is yet again a testament to an ever evolving hip hop powerhouse. Some would argue that by comparing Salvador Sanchez to his Norwegian hip hop cohorts and counterparts, we are not doing him justice, because he truly is on a level worthy of international attention. Very few producers work with his level of detail and perfectionist approach, and very few emcees harbor his lyricism or technical skills, and this is what sets Salvador Sanchez apart from most other artists in his genre, as he works on an extreme level in both realms. His willingness to put together an intricate puzzle of sounds, and deliver strong messages is a rarity in the plug and play, instant gratification-driven world we live in today, and it might take 50 years before he gets credit for his work, but rest assured, it will happen.