Mexica artist and activist Xiuhtezcatl has released his latest album 'TONATIUH,' a trilingual work delivered in English, Spanish and Nahuatl.
The album's title comes from the Nahuatl word for "sun," which is also the artist's middle name.
'TONATIUH' marks a shift in Xiuhtezcatl's creative path, blending hip-hop with traditional instrumentation to reflect themes of ancestry, identity, and healing.
Xiuhtezcatl, who belongs to the Mexica people of central Mexico, draws on his cultural roots throughout the project.
The Mexica were part of the larger Nahua group of Indigenous peoples whose civilisation thrived in what is now Mexico prior to Spanish colonisation.
Their language, Nahuatl, is still spoken by over a million people today and remains a core part of cultural identity in many regions.
"We had to return to our land to tell this story," Xiuhtezcatl said in a translated statement.
"Slowly opening the door to our world. To the light and to the darkness. And the path we are walking, navigating that duality."
'TONATIUH' was created in Xochimilco, Mexico, a site known for its historic canals and deep cultural heritage.
The album includes contributions from Trooko, Adrian Quesada, Renata Flores and Nathan Willet, merging contemporary production with Indigenous flutes and rhythms.
"This album reflects the duality of healing and sickness, of the cycles of trauma passed down alongside the beautiful pieces of our culture," Xiuhtezcatl said.
Known globally for his early work as an environmental activist, Xiuhtezcatl now uses music as his primary platform.
His songs explore intergenerational memory, personal reckoning, and the tensions between resistance and cultural pride.
"Thankful to every soul that touched this record. My greatest body of work yet," he said.
"Proud to have made these songs with my community, for my community."
Xiuhtezcatl describes the album as both a personal offering and a collective reflection.
"Detangling, unlearning, unmaking, to return home, return to my land, return to myself," he said.
"I hope these songs can help hold you how they've held me."
With its trilingual structure and thematic focus on duality, 'TONATIUH' invites listeners to connect with both past and present, and to reflect on their own cultural roots.
'TONATIUH' is available on major streaming services now.