Rafael Reyes (artist)

Rafael Reyes (born August 2, 1975) is a Mexican-born author, artist and musician raised in San Diego. Born in Cotija, Michoacán, he came to San Diego as a young child and spent time as a member of the Sherman Grant Hill Park 27 gang. Reyes is credited with creating the Cholo goth^[1] genre of music which lyrically explores the harsh realities of gang and street life over throbbing beats and swirling synthesizers.^[2] Reyes' book, Living Dangerously, was released in 2011. Living Dangerously, a roman a clef, follows the main character through a series of gang and graffiti-based adventures.

Reyes joined the Sherman Grant Hill Park 27 gang when he was a teenager in order to save his father's life after a skirmish at a local market. Upon graduating high school, Reyes opened San Diego's first vegan/vegetarian Mexican restaurant, Pokéz, with his father.^[3] After running the restaurant for eighteen years, and after his father's death, he sold Pokéz to his younger brother.^[4] In 2010, Reyes served time in jail for assault, receiving two strikes under California law. He credits his jail time and the two strikes for changing his life. While in jail he began writing Living Dangerously.^[5] Upon his release, he toured California to promote the book. He also began to focus on his artwork, showing in San Diego.^[6] He has since shown in Los Angeles ^[7] at Coagula Curatorial with John Fleck (actor) and John Roecker as part of successful "Two Johns and a Whore" group show.^[8] Looking for a more direct way to interact with an audience, in 2011 Reyes formed his first band, Baptism of Thieves, followed by Vampire.^[4] With the break-up of those bands he created Prayers with Tijuana-born Dave Parley.^[9] He also performs solo as Nite Ritual.

Prayers released the album SD KILLWAVE in 2013, with two videos, "From Dog to God" and "Ready to Bleed".^[10] Prayers' second album, GOTHIC SUMMER was released in mid-2014.^[11] Prayers opened for the Cult during that band's 2014 tour.^[2]

Reyes developed Diamond Dogs, a group of retired gang members with an interest in art and music, as an outlet for young men looking for an alternative to gang life. Diamond Dogs provides outreach, emotional and artistic support in a positive environment while stressing the importance of community and family.^[3]

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