(OMG Freestyle! Love it! There's a new comp being sold over infomercials that I really want...)
I heart freestyle...
I have definitely noticed this. Do you have any idea why?
With Mexicans in Southern California, it just seems to compliment a style that the've had going back almost to the 30s... the greased hear, the car culture, etc. One of the reasons Morrisey lived in LA all those years was because he has such a huge following with Mexicans (and the goths) out here, and I think the main appeal to them is his style. My high school was about 80% Mexican (probably more so by now), and at the time, in addition to the shaved-head, big white t-shirt, baggy-kakis, and Adidas, gangsta lowrider culture... we had the "rebels", these Mexican prettyboys with greased back hair, trimmed eye-brows, rolled up t-shirts, tight jeans, etc... who listened to Elvis, Morrisey, and rockabilly. There's also a Mexican love for (their own take on) "old school", out here, like Zapp and Roger, Fingazz' "Cutie Pie", TTC's "Genius of Love", etc, which also always includes a lot of 50s oldies on the comps.
There's a 50s kitsche obsession that also extends into LA, OC, and Long Beach punk and goth culture... the girls with the 50s bangs, the irish punk dudes with the leather jackets and greased back hair and sideburns, etc... was never my style but I don't mind it all. Seems to be an ever-present element in Southern California culture.
Is there any 50s worship with the Puerto Ricans out in NY?