Tony Escoto On The Rise of "Bayuncos", Salvadoran Pride in LA, and Being A Minority in a Minority.

GRAYSCALE LA EPISODE 3: TONY ESCOTO (@BAYUNCOS) Los Angeles is home to the largest Salvadoran population outside of El Salvador, for host Alex Narvaez, that reality is deeply personal.In this episode of GRAYSCALE LA, Alex sits down with Tony Escoto, the creator behind Bayuncos, one of the most recognizable Salvadoran culture platforms in the United States. What began as a spontaneous joke quickly evolved into a cultural movement, uniting thousands of Salvadorans through humor, language, nostalgia, and unapologetic pride.But this conversation goes far beyond social media success. Together, they explore what it means to be a “minority within a minority”, Salvadoran's in a city and media landscape often dominated by larger Latino identities. Tony reflects on growing up in Los Angeles, navigating inter-Latino tensions, preserving language and slang, and the subtle pressures to assimilate. He shares how he grew "Bayuncos" so quickly, revealing the deep hunger for authentic representation within a community that has long felt overlooked.The episode also examines why Salvadorans have struggled to leave a global cultural footprint compared to other Latin American countries, and how that impacts collective pride and support for Salvadoran creatives. It becomes a larger conversation about identity, visibility, and what it will take for the community to fully step into its power.For Alex, who was born in El Salvador and raised in Toronto, this dialogue represents more than content, it reflects his own journey of reconnecting with his roots after relocating to Los Angeles.This is a conversation about culture, belonging, and reclaiming narrative.ABOUT GRAYSCALE LAGrayscale LA is a cinematic interview series created and hosted by Alex Narváez, an award-winning producer, creative director, and journalist. The series centers on creatives, and cultural leaders who exist in the in-between, navigating identity, culture, and purpose while carving paths outside traditional mainstream spaces.Presented through a signature black-and-white visual language, Grayscale LA blends intimate conversation with portrait-driven storytelling. The series creates space for nuanced dialogue around identity, resilience, and creative expression, amplifying voices and perspectives that are often overlooked.If this conversation resonated, remember to like, comment, and subscribe to support the series and help expand its reach.Follow Grayscale LA and Alex Narváez for episode clips, updates, and upcoming guests:YouTube: ⁠⁠@Grayscale LA⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠@SirAlexNarvaez⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠@GrayscaleLA⁠ / ⁠@SirAlexNarvaez⁠Check out more from Alex NarvaezNew episodes and special conversations coming soon.