Checking In: Latina Rapper Ayo Tamz Adapted Quickly

Tammy Ramirez fulfills the first role of rhymesayers with every sultry, empowered, Spanish-language rap: provocateur. On a growing count of dreamscape declarations, including “Violenta,” “Dinero,” “Ponmelo,” y “Soy Perra,” the Austin MC known as Ayo Tamz converts another 21st century beat pilgrim.

Photo by Jaemurakami

Austin Chronicle: Where are you sheltering and under what circumstances? Who else is there and how’s that going?

Ayo Tamz: I am sheltering in my apartment for the most part. The first month, I was cooped up thinking the world was coming to an end, and around the second month, I went out to West Texas (Odessa) to spend time with my family in case shit went down.

To me, at the time, it felt safer being in a small town than in a larger city. As of now, I am back home in Austin and have been for a while. My boyfriend is with me and it’s been going smooth for the both of us.

I learned to adapt quickly. At first, it was driving me crazy, ’cause I was always on the go, with my “9-5” job and creative side hustles.

AC: At what point did C-19 shut down operations for you, and what went down with the ship, so to speak, both personally & professionally?

AT: The pandemic weirdly gave me some time to breath and catch up on my mental health. I finally felt like the world literally stopped and gave me a chance to catch up in life. As a creative, it was weirdly a relief how everything got shut down and I was forced to stay home and create under new circumstances.

AC: As a global culture, people employ music for every purpose imaginable, obviously spanning religion to entertainment and everything in between. What happens to communities like ours when people can no longer access it in person?

AT: From what I’ve personally seen, creatives have flourished under this quarantine. People are adapting and not letting the pandemic get the best of them. I'm seeing more virtual shows, which is a brilliant idea for introverts like myself.

AC: Everyone’s had to shift or drastically alter their work situation. What does that look like for you?

AT: As far as my work situation, I was released from my job March 16, two days after my birthday. At first, I was a little stressed, ’cause I was thinking the world was ending. I remember being at work for no more than five minutes when the governor popped up on our TVs saying it was mandatory to shut everything down for our safety.

I work at a sports bar.

I remember rushing out and heading to HEB to stock up on some food that would “last.” Looking back at it makes me laugh, ’cause it was solely out of fear and anxiety.

AC: What’s your soundtrack for the apocalypse and what role does music play for you as a fan and scholar of it in times of hardship?

AT: Music definitely helped me get through these crazy times. I would have to say “Bodies” by Drowning Pool is my go-to soundtrack for the apocalypse. I even did a song inspired by them with my own little twist of style.

Check out the entire Checking In series.