Frost is the recording name of Arturo Molina Jr., also known as Kid Frost, a chicano rap and hip hop artist from Los Angeles, United States, born in 1964. He begins recording in 1982 and becomes one of the first widely recognised Mexican American rappers.

Early career

He takes the name Kid Frost as a tribute to Ice-T, whom he often battles. He joins Uncle Jamm’s Army and issues his earliest 12-inch electro rap records on Electrobeat Records and Baja Records. His early work sits in electro funk, before his style moves toward gangsta rap, G-funk and hip hop with Latin influences.

Albums and label changes

His first major hit is “La Raza”, described as the first mainstream single by a Chicano rapper to focus on Mexican-American pride. His debut album, Hispanic Causing Panic, appears in 1990 and features A.L.T. as a guest rapper. East Side Story follows in 1992, with guest appearances from MC Eiht, A.L.T. and Ganxta Ridd of Boo-Yaa TRIBE.

In 1995 he drops “Kid” from his name and signs to Ruthless Records. That period includes Smile Now Die Later, with guest appearances by Above The Law, A.L.T., O.Genius and Kokane, and a version of “Mary Jane” featuring Rick James. His next Ruthless album, When Hell.A.Freezes Over, appears in 1997 and features Ice-T, Scoop, O.Genius and Domino.

He then moves to Celeb-entertainment, releasing This Was Then This Is Now Vol. I in 1999 and That Was Then This Is Now Vol. II in 2000. Guests across these releases include Kurupt, King T, Baby Bash, Jay Tee, Jayo Felony, Xzibit, B-Legit, Cameosis, Frank V. and Clika One.

Still Up In This Shit! follows in 2002 on Hit-A-Lick/Koch Records, with more Latin-tinged rap and G-funk, plus a hidden bonus rock track called “Cannabis”. Guests include Mellow Man Ace, Daz Dillinger, Baby Bash, A.L.T., Nino Brown, Cisco and Tierra. Somethin’ 4 The Ridaz appears in 2003 on 40 Ounce Records and features many Texas artists.

In 2005 he releases Welcome To Frost Angeles on Thump Records, produced almost entirely by Frost and his son Scoop De’Ville, with additional production from Binky Womack and Philly Blunt. Guest rappers include Cameosis, Genovese and Jay Tee. He signs to Low Profile Records and releases Till The Wheels Fall Off in 2006, with appearances by Baby Bash, Scoop De’Ville and Mr. Sancho. Buntz N Ballerz follows in 2007 on Thump Records and includes A.L.T.

Latin rap and collaboration

He establishes the Latin rap supergroup Latin Alliance, which releases its only self-titled album in 1991. His career is closely associated with Mexican-American identity in hip hop, and with collaborations across West Coast rap and Latin-influenced styles.