Ozomatli, Grammy award-winning hip-hop, Latin, rock group will be joined by special opening guests Manicato and the Aztec dancers Quetzalcoatl Citlalli in the University Union Ballroom Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Ozomatli has been performing culture-mashing music with one lineup or another over the last 14 years, changing band members several times over that span. The group has drawn influences in their music from all over the world incorporating salsa, dancehall, cumbia, samba, funk, merengue, comparsa and Jamaican ragga. According to its website, it follows a key mantra: it will take you around the world by taking you around L.A.

Ozomatli’s reach has gone as far as being named U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors. Ozomatli joined in the tradition started by other musicians such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong as invitees of the U.S. State Department on government-sponsored international tours to Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.

Though Ozomatli is a staunchly liberal band, band-member Ulises Bella told the Los Angeles Times, “Our world standing has deteriorated. I’m totally willing and wanting to give a different image of America than America has given over the last five years.”

Tickets are $15 for Sacramento State students and $20 for general admission.

Matt Rascher can be reached at [email protected]