The Devil and El Demonio

A former member of a 1%er outlaw motorcycle club based in Durango, Colorado, with roots in Southern California, it was only a couple of years ago that El Demonio made the decision to leave that life behind.

The reason? He wanted to return to his original love, making music, after a 15-year hiatus from the game. So in early 2024, he released the single “Diamond On My Heart,” which reached No. 1 on the iTunes blues chart. 

He followed it with the release of a full-length LP, Born A Suspect, which solidified his distinctive sound that brings together West Coast hip-hop bounce, bluesy grit and country soul into a style El Demonio calls “urban outlaw country.”

Shortly after the release of Born A Suspect, however, El Demonio suffered a “Widowmaker” heart attack in November of 2024, surviving a cardiac event that kills 86% of those who’ve suffered one. 

Undeterred by the Grim Reaper knocking at his doorstep, El Demonio pressed on throughout 2025, collaborating with Snoop Dogg on a remix of “Diamond,” while also linking up with Kentucky Music Mafia feat. Jack Harlow and Kyle Dalton for “Something I Can Drown In” and Lil Wayne for the southern rock-flavored “Highway Man.”

What’s more is that since his recovery, El Demonio also went on to make two films — Born A Suspect and The Greenhorn Controversy — plus oversaw the creation of his own comic book series, El Demonio Penance, which was recently endorsed by fellow Widowmaker survivor Kevin Smith and his iconic comic book shop Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. He was also recently honored with a 2025 nomination for “Artist of The Year” via the prestigious Josie Music Awards, held annually at the world famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Tennessee. 

El Demonio’s remarkable journey from the gritty gang-infested streets of Southern California through the 1%er outlaw motorcycle club world, then to the heights of the music industry is a testament to his resilience and dedication to his craft. Plus, he’s got a killer hot sauce on the market. 

Rock & Roll Globe caught up with the man himself to discuss his career, his recovery and the future. 

 

How do you feel the name El Demonio has evolved since you were a kid?

I got my name from my grandfather. A nickname that stuck. Word has it I was a ornery kid. Always into some type of mischief. El Demonio means little devil. I think my name and I have evolved into a bigger devil (laughing). My name now comes with lived life experience and with that lived life experience I have earned the respect of my peers. I believe my authenticity comes from my Southern California gang affiliation to my life as a member of one of the original notorious 1%er outlaw motorcycle clubs.

 

What was it about being in a motorcycle club that appealed to you and what was behind the decision to leave it all behind?

The attraction was brotherhood. The comradery and love of Harley-Davidsons. The thrill of the ride was everything to me. The decision to walk away was hard one but in the end, I knew I had to give my return to music a real shot. Both require so much time and I couldn’t serve 2 masters. When my tribute to the outlaw motorcycle world, “DIAMOND ON MY HEART” was released and charted  No. 1 nationally on both Itunes and Amazon Music, I knew it was time to go all in on music.

 

VIDEO: El Demonio feat. Snoop Dogg “Diamond On My Heart (Remix)”

How are you doing heart-wise following your cardiac arrest? How much of your lifestyle needed to change in order to keep healthy going forward?

My heart attack changed my life. November 14, 2024, I faced a life-threatening challenge when I suffered a massive heart attack, one so severe that 86% of those who experience it, do not survive. It forced me to take care of myself. It also showed me what is important to me, my wife, my family and friends and my love of music.

 

You recently secured a distribution deal to have your new comic book sold at Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. How did that come about and did you get to meet Kevin Smith (who also survived a Widowmaker)? How did the comic book concept come about? 

The deal was negotiated through my team and him. My comic book is called El Demonio Penance and it’s currently the top-selling comic book in America via Amazon Kindle. It’s based on my name and likeness. In fact every character in the book is a real person. Kinda like actors in a movie. The series is written by me and illustrated by Thomas Muzzell. It’s an apocalyptic, spiritual warfare, good vs. evil series that takes place in southern California’s gang infested streets.

 

Have you always been a comic book reader? What did you read growing up?

Yes, I love comics. My all time favorites are DareDevil and The Punisher. I’m also a huge fan of Kevin Smith and his take on DareDevil. I love his Black Cat, too.

 

What informed your shift from hip-hop to country music?

I’m a musician at heart. I love all styles of music, all genres. I started out in rock bands. When NWA hit the scene, that changed everything for me. I was young and rebellious and their music moved me. It was real and raw. I was all in. I had great success as a rapper. I grew up and things changed. My interest envolved. 

What do you attribute to this shift, on a larger level with the evolutions of Jelly Roll and Post Malone. I’d love to hear more about the urban outlaw country style. 

I have been able to merge my pass life with my current one. This merger has been called my many in the industry “Urban Outlaw Country.” It’s a fusion of rap beats under country tones.

 

Is there any modern rap music that resonates with you these days? Any young cats on the come-up you are checking out?

I would respectfully say no. I’m a ’90s rap guy.

 

You worked with Jack Harlow, Krayzie Bone of BoneThugs-N-Harmony, Twista, Snoop Dogg and Lil’ Wayne in the past year. How do you feel Gen X-era hip-hop is evolving? What do you think of the term adult contemporary hip-hop?

Classics are classic. 

 

I’d love to learn more about The Greenhorn Controversy. How did the idea come about?

I wrote it and it was directed by two-time Emmy Award Winner director Joshua Combs. It’s a real life docudrama about a missing suburban couple that vanished in the woods near Durango, Colorado. Small town rumors suspects Cryptid involvement.

 

Are you recording new music for 2026? Is there a new album in the works?

Yes, definitely. I’m in the process of finishing up my new album RESURRECTION HIGHWAY. My last five singles with have all reached the top of the charts nationally on both Itunes and Amazon Music with be featured on this album along with seven new tracks.

 

What’s it like creating all this content at this stage in your life? What drives you to keep busy?

I chalk it up to my undiagnosed OCD (laughing). When you love what you do, you just do it. I want to be relevant. I need it to matter. I want to be remembered. I may not be the best, but what I am is authentic and real. My music is the widow to my soul. Every song I have lived. It’s a part of me. I hope the best part.