Juan Martinez (born 1985), better known by his stage name Down AKA Kilo, is an American rapper from

Oxnard, California Oxnard () is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. On California's South Coast, it is the most populous city in Ventura County and the 22nd-most-populous city in California. Incorporated in 1903, Oxnard lies approximately west ...

. Martinez was born in Oxnard; his parents were undocumented immigrants from Mexico. Growing up, he listened to

Cypress Hill Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide and have multi-platinum and platinum albums. They are considered to be among the main progenitors of West Coast and 1990 ...

and

N.W.A N.W.A (an abbreviation for Niggaz Wit Attitudes) was an American hip hop group whose members were among the earliest and most significant popularizers and controversial figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, and the group is widely considered ...

and began rapping at age 13. He made his first recordings at the garage of childhood friend Edward "E-Dub" Rios, who would later become producer of the

Power 106 KPWR (105.9 FM) – branded as ''Power 106'' – is a commercial radio station in Los Angeles, California, broadcasting to the Greater Los Angeles area. KPWR is owned and operated by Meruelo Group and airs a Rhythmic Hot AC format. KPWR's studio ...

radio show ''Pocos Pero Locos''. He released his debut album '' California Cowboyz'' in 2003, and his second album '' Definition of an Ese'' in 2007, with two singles from the album, "

Lean like a Cholo "Lean Like a Cholo" is the first single released by American rapper Down AKA Kilo from his album '' Definition of an Ese''. It debuted on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at #93 in May 2007 and has peaked at #34. "Cholo" is a term used in Mexico a ...

" and "Definition of an Ese." On March 28, 2009, Down was injured in a car accident at

Farmington, New Mexico Farmington is a city in San Juan County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census the city had a total population of 46,624 people. Farmington (and surrounding San Juan County) makes up one of the four Metropolitan Statistical Area ...

and put in a coma while hospitalized.

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Down Aka Kilo 1985 births Living people American rappers of Mexican descent Musicians from Oxnard, California Rappers from California Universal Records artists Gangsta rappers 21st-century American rappers American male rappers 21st-century American male musicians