Capo Chola

Capo refers to a boss or chief and is a slang term of sorts used when referring to the head of an organization or group. It rose to a more common usage due to its use in Italian organized crime where the boss was called the Capo. Movies and tv shows like The Godfather II and The Sopranos helped popularize the term even more. Rap music also uses the term which brought it even more into common usage and understanding.

Chola is another slang term, but from the Spanish language. In modern times it is commonly used in Mexico and Mexican American areas of the US. While the style and its adherents are often criminalized its meaning runs much deeper than simple gang affiliation. Indeed the word’s origins can be traced back to Spanish Colonialism and today it refers to a specific style of dress and lifestyle associated with Latin American and Chicano culture. (For something really cool check out the Japanese adoption of Cholo culture!). While the character here doesn’t quite adhere to the common sartorial choices of a Chola, she does represent a Latina figure that is ancient and powerful and I wanted to use the term Chola to tie her to Mexican culture

Loosely the use of the phrase “Capo Chola” in this piece means “Gangster Boss”. She wears earrings that signify both her power and her history. The small creature in the right earring is the Minotaur from Greek mythology. The left earring holds the eye of a cyclops, also from Greek mythology. These earrings are trophies of sorts and represent her conquering of these ancient and great beasts. Power such as this is gangster! Someone so powerful must also be a boss, thus the term Capo Chola. The phrase is presented in a font that mimics the cursive Coca-Cola logo and is meant to tie this character to modern times and popular culture.