Breaking into the music industry is not an easy task, but a local family is working to help guide artists through the industry.

Brighton Park residents Jorge Ledezma and Lupe Martinez created the record label No Sé Discos in 2021. From the vocals to the instrumental, each artist has a niche.

“No sé means ‘I don’t know’ and that came from working in retail,” Ledezma said. “Most of us have a background in retail.”

After working in retail during the pandemic, Ledezma wanted to dive into his first passion: music.

“The idea just kinda lived in us,” Ledezma said, “and I remember telling Lupe it’s OK to say, ‘I don’t know and don’t have the answers.’ We carry that as a philosophy now. ... What kind of music this is this? Well, we don’t know. Or where do we fit in? We are not quite sure, but it’s a reminder.”

While the label is relatively new, their band, Allá, has been making music for the past 20 years. They describe their music as sounds from the working class. 

“I think art is the most important thing … art and music and we don’t stress about the money anymore like back in the day,” Martinez said. “… Maybe we will make it big! It’s not even important because it’s in our bloodline. We just have to keep creating to keep the balance of our life and story.”

“And that’s what we sort of want to embody with the artists we work with,” Ledezma said.

With their 6-year-old daughter, Oona, the family has opened their two-flat in Brighton Park to artists looking to be heard.

“When we bought this place and had plans to continue making music, the whole point of getting it was to have a place to make it because Chicago is so difficult to find a place,” Ledezma said.

Each performer brings something different to the table.

There’s hip-hop artist Chebaka.

“My music has always been a release for me,” Chebaka said. “Everything I do is about representation and unapologetic self-expression.” 

Then there’s Santrio bringing the barrio pop Latin flare.

“A lot of what our artists are is that they are working in complete obscurity,” Ledezma said. “He is not sharing his on social media. He is just working, going home, he has a wife, three kids from Little Village.”

Artist 2Butch creates her lyrics into a micro genre: a fusion of minimalist tracks she makes on the spot.

“It’s a really easy way to get art out there, get an idea out there without having to get bogged down by perfectionism,” 2Butch said. “Honestly, it’s more effective if you want to get it mastered and work with other people.”

Lastly, there’s Sorcerer.

“One thing about Sorcerer is he produces hip-hop in the straightest form, but what makes his music different is that he switches from English to Spanish,” Ledezma said.

When Ledezma is not working at a nearby school and Martinez in retail, you can find them in their basement-turned-studio producing music, making art or booking shows with their artists.

“I hope we provide an understanding — that’s the biggest part,” Ledezma said. “They know our story. They know we pay everything ourselves. We are very hands on, very protective on the art and very focused on the art.”

The goal is to create an outlet for artists to explore without the pressures of the music industry.

“The music we make is a direct reflection of what’s happening in our city, in our neighborhood, in our schools,” Ledezma said.

To learn more about the artists and label, click here.