Xiuhtezcatl Martinez has spent nearly his whole life fighting for the environment—well, 67% of it to be exact. That’s an easy calculation to make because Martinez is only 18 years old.
Known professionally as an indigenous climate change activist, hip hop artist, writer, and public speaker, Martinez began making a name for himself at age six, when he started speaking out at environmental rallies in his hometown of Boulder, CO. In the intervening years, he seems to have been working as fast as he can checking off what, for many, would be bucket-list items. He’s written a book (“We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement That Restores the Planet,”) played to crowds of 50,000 people, given a TED talk, and spoken at the United Nations.
In 2013, he was awarded the United States Community Service Award by President Obama and later chosen as the youngest member of the President’s Youth Council, despite later suing the federal government over what he and twenty other youth advocates argued was its failure to take action against climate change.
Now, he’s released a new album—“Break Free”—and has been touring the country with the reggae band SOJA to promote it. The album, an inspiring and polished collection of songs, showcases Martinez’s talent as a lyricist and rapper, always on message with clever rhymes that express his dedication to making a difference in the world, appreciating nature, and rejecting capitalistic values.
Martinez stopped by USC on October 25, on what was technically his day off from the tour, to give a demonstration of his various talents. He performed a small sampling of new songs before speaking about youth movements and the fight against climate change for a Visions & Voices event, co-hosted by the USC Fisher Museum of Art, at Bovard Auditorium.
Martinez speaking with USC Professor of Sociology and American Studies Manuel Pastor. Photo Credit: Harmony Esqueda, @harmrosephotos
The album, he says, is finally his story in his own words, a story which he feels has not always been portrayed accurately by the media.
“I think what we see in many native communities [is that] oftentimes, other people want to come and tell the story on your behalf,” he said in an interview before the show. “So doing my music has been one of the most important platforms to reclaim my story.”
Martinez’s story dates back at least several hundred years, with roots to the indigenous people who inhabited the area around what is now Mexico City. His father is part Aztec and passed on to him many of their traditional beliefs and values, chief among them a deep respect for the natural world. That lineage has been a big part of his motivation to not only fight for the environment, but his heritage as well.
“I think all the work that I do in the space of environment and climate justice comes from teachings from my ancestors,” he said. “This idea of legacy, preservation of our language, of our culture, of our land.”
For Martinez, environmental protection is a multi-generational issue, but he believes the solutions will come from the youth. He wants to inspire them to lead the way, using art, and music in particular, which he says are the keys to reaching young people. They’re more likely to connect through hip hop, he believes, than, say, a keynote speech at the UN.
Both methods seemed equally effective at USC, however, as a crowd of mostly college-aged students rose to its feet eagerly as he performed, and listened intently during the discussion that followed. His message was largely about changing the ways people view social and environmental issues and how they can get involved. The word ‘activist,’ he feels, is loaded and can often turn people off, but for him it’s less about being an Activist with a capital “A” and more about each person recognizing his or her own unique ability to make change.
“You don’t have to sue the government to make a difference,“ he said with a laugh. “Everyone has their own way of engaging and you can find yours, too.”
Even with a busy tour schedule, Martinez appears ready to spread his message wherever and whenever he can, even on his day off.
“There’s no better way I’d rather spend it,” he said with a laugh.
Martinez will be returning to L.A. on November 9th, where he’ll be performing at The Novo in downtown LA with SOJA, Twiddle, and Iya Terra.