Serio is a Mexican American Rap Artist, Author, and Actor from Los Angeles California, United States. When Serio was a child, his grandmother said that he always had a serious look on his face. It was for that reason she gave him the nickname, “Serio” which is Spanish for “Serious”.When he first started rapping, he would rap for his friends and at house parties. People always told him that he was really good, but he was his own worst critic. He was surprised that nobody gave him any negative feedback.
In fact, he doubted himself so much that one day he took all of his notebooks, full of song lyrics, and tossed them in a dumpster outside of a gas station, when he was a teenager, so he could never find them again. He didn’t see the point in keeping them since, according to him, he wasn't that good anyway. He soon forgot about the notebooks. Years later after many of his friends encouraged him to pursue music again, he changed his mind. One day Serio didn’t know how, but he was determined to succeed. Somebody recommended a studio, so he met with the owner and made it happen. Serio put together his first album in a couple of months, much to the shock of those at the studio. They had been in the music business for a while, had spent several years on other projects still unfinished, and were amazed that someone so new to the industry could get things done so easily.
At that time, he didn’t know anything about marketing, advertising, radio play, or the internet. He basically started promoting his music by doing shows, parties, and selling merchandise out of the trunk of his car. As he continued to meet more people in the business, he learned very quickly how the music business really worked. The advantages of using the internet and social networks to market and advertise his music were endless. He made his professional debut as a rap artist in 2005 by doing shows and leaking out his first single, “They Call Me Serio” before the release of his first album.
In 2006, Serio released his first album, “Nightmares Turned Into Reality”, which is one of the most popular Serio albums of all time, moving over 490,000 units. Later, one of his singles, “I Got To Have You” gained rotation on select radio stations throughout the country. This was a great accomplishment for an underground Chicano Rap Artist from L.A. In 2008, to preview his upcoming album, Serio released the single, “Serio Controla”. This track was to be featured on his sophomore album, “N.T.I.R. Part 2 The Revenge Of Serio”, released in 2009. This time, his CD included a guest appearance by, none other than the Godfather of Chicano Rap, Kid Frost on the track, “In L.A.”.
Serio made his acting debut as an actor in 2009 in the short film "Blazed" where he played a DJ and Bully in 2 separate roles in the movie. He would later star in several documentary films about his music career. In 2010, Serio released his first full length DVD documentary film entitled “The Rise Of Serio”. Serio also went on his first international tour. In addition to his U.S. dates, he visited Mexico, Canada, Japan, Spain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Australia.
In 2011, Pérez trademarked his pseudonym, “Serio”. With his newfound notoriety came fans from all over the world. With the good comes the bad. Unfortunately, other people started to use the name; “Serio” to mislead fans and misdirect internet searches. To eliminate confusion and fraudulent claims by imposters, it is now officially recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office that Serio is Jonathán Pérez, the one and only Serio. In addition to trademarking his name in 2011, Serio released his third album, “Gansterism Part 3”, which is a CD and DVD 2-disc set. That has a Serio film on one disc and a music album on the other disc that features MC Magic on 2 tracks, “Serio Come Back” and “I’ll Never Forget”.Also featured on the album are Lighter Shade Of Brown, Conejo, and Mr. Midget Loco. However, the biggest hit on the album is “Baby I Love You” which was played on radio stations all around the world.
“Soy Chicano Rap” is Serio's 4th album, it was released on February 12, 2013. Which featured Frank V. of the rap group Proper Dos and Conejo. One of the most popular songs from that album is “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Mexican”. Serio has accomplished a lot in his career (even coining the term, “Washifas” meaning “Washington” on a recognized list of Caló words). His career has also been covered by every major news agency in the United States.
In 2023 Serio became an author releasing his first book ever entitled “The Cure To Recidivism” a self-help book released on August 25th, 2023. Serio has been a breakthrough artist in his career as he is the first Chicano Rapper ever to release a book, bringing an entirely new market of opportunity to the subgenre of Rap & Hip-Hop. In 2024 Serio released another DVD film entitled ‘King Serio”. In 2025 Serio released his 5th album “Cipher King Serio”.
In 2026 Serio released a special 6th album “Dream Master” on a 2-disc vinyl and also on cassette celebrating music and 2 decades of his hits.Serio has had a great deal of success with his independent label, Serio Controla Records. To date, his label has released 6 solo albums, 4 DVDs, and 2 books, selling millions of CDs & DVDs worldwide.
His second book released in the summer of 2026 is “StarBender”, the first book in a miniseries of the untold legend.
