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Alt.Latino

Alt.Latino

By NPR

The global Latinx community is evolving and growing fast. Alt.Latino is here to celebrate it and all of its nuances through music. Each episode, NPR Music's Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with a different living legend or rising star to discuss Latinx culture, heritage, and the shared borders of our experiences. Let the chisme begin!

Episodes

Dissecting the Latin Grammy noms, from Regional Mexican snubs to Edgar Barrera love

Anamaria Sayre, Felix Contreras and producer Isabella Gomez Sarmiento sit down to talk some real chisme this week — a special episode dedicated to the Latin Grammy nominations. Was there really a regional snub and what does it say about the way we choose to elevate our own art?Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
20/09/23·28m 16s

It's 'El Tiny' season — and Alt.Latino has the lineup

This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras preview the artists coming to play Tiny Desk performances for their 'El Tiny' takeover, including indie explosion Kali Uchis returning home to Colombian beats, pop star Becky G debuting some Mexican regional soul and "La Caballota" herself Ivy Queen boasting pure boricua pride.Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Cher Vincent. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
13/09/23·22m 50s

Omar Montes: Why the Spanish artist thinks the best school for flamenco is the street

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with Spanish artist Omar Montes to talk about why he'll never lose his flamenco influences, expressing the oppression of his Romani ancestors in his music and why the rhythms of reggaeton and flamenco aren't so different. This interview is in Spanish. Please find an English version of the conversation on our website.Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was mixed by Janice Llamoca, with help from Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and Natalia Fidelholtz. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
30/08/23·31m 41s

Alt.Latino's Best New Music Round-Up: DannyLux, Kali Uchis and Dario Acosta Teich

This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite music from the last few months, including Mexican bedroom pop from Bratty, jazz from Argentinian composer Dario Acosta Teich, a new song from rising regional star DannyLux and more.To hear more of Alt.Latino's favorite music, follow our Spotify and Apple Music playlists.Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited, mixed and produced by Janice Llamoca. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
16/08/23·25m 53s

Eladio Carrión: Why the athlete-turned-rapper thinks everything in life is practice

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with the Puerto Rican hip-hop artist Eladio Carrión to discuss what drives him, learning Spanish through music and how he's changing the game of Latin rap.Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Cher Vincent, with production support from Suraya Mohamed and Robin Hilton. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento also provided production and editorial support for this episode. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
02/08/23·26m 36s

YEИDRY: How she uses music to bridge her Dominican roots and Italian upbringing

Anamaria Sayre speaks with YEИDRY, the Dominican-born, Italian-raised singer about using music as a tool to marry her two worlds.Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
19/07/23·29m 47s

Alt.Latino presents the best music of 2023 (so far)

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite albums of 2023 so far, from the modern corridos tumbados of Peso Pluma, a new, reimagined version of one of Fito Paez's greatest albums, dream pop from Y La Bamba and more. Plus: a run down of regional Mexican's current explosion.Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
05/07/23·31m 2s

Sheila E.: On how faith and family shaped the drummer's eclectic music career

Felix Contreras sits down with percussion icon Sheila Escovedo, aka Sheila E., to talk about the influence of the Bay Area on her music, holding her own in the face of music industry sexism and why drumming is a language of its own. Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
21/06/23·33m 25s

Alt.Latino's Best New Music Round-Up: Eduardo Cabra, Santa Fe Klan and Elsa y Elmar

This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite music from the last few months, including new work from the prolific Eduardo Cabra, surprisingly straight-ahead regional from Santa Fe Klan and a premiere of a new song from Elsa y Elmar.
07/06/23·23m 35s

Mabe Fratti: The cellist on the importance of imperfection and going to extremes

Anamaria Sayre sits down with the experimental, Guatemalan cellist Mabe Fratti to discuss the admiration she's developed for imperfection, finding a musical community in Mexico City and how religion sparked a personal rebellion.Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Robin Hilton. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
24/05/23·36m 25s

Karol G: Why the Colombian superstar will never stop being a 'happy heartbreak girl'

While coming up with the concept for her new album Mañana Será Bonito, Colombian superstar Karol G had an epiphany that would change her life: what if she was just more herself? Anamaria Sayre sits down with global superstar Karol G to chat her latest evolution.Audio for this episode of 'Alt.Latino' was edited and mixed by Robin Hilton. Our show editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistant is Sofia Seidel. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
17/05/23·28m 44s

Alt.Latino's Best New Music Round-Up: Bad Bunny, Grupo Frontera, Becky G and more

This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite music from the last few months, kicking things off with a surprising collab from Bad Bunny and regional Mexican group Grupo Frontera. Plus, new music from Becky G, Gaby Moreno, Esteman and more.This episode of 'Alt.Latino' was produced by Robin Hilton. Our editor is Hazel Cills and our project manager is Grace Chung. Our production assistants are Jerusalem Truth and Sofia Seidel and our intern is Pilar Galván. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
26/04/23·25m 14s

La Brega: Bonus Track — Songs for the Future of Puerto Rico

From our friends at WNYC Studios and Futuro Studios, today we're sharing an episode from the latest season of the podcast La Brega — which traces the history of Puerto Rican music across eight transformative songs.In this special bonus episode of the show, La Brega goes behind the music with the artists featured on La Brega: El Álbum — including RaiNao, Xenia Rubinos, ÌFÉ and Ana Macho.La Brega: El Álbum is sponsored by Marguerite Casey Foundation. This season of La Brega is made possible by the Mellon Foundation.
14/04/23·32m 6s

Girl Ultra: On Mexico City's 'haunted' energy and why she secretly loves sad songs

Across her evolving discography, which includes everything from R&B ballads to danceable electronic beats, Girl Ultra has solidified her approach to deep, dark songs of love and heartbreak. In this episode, Anamaria Sayre sits down with the up-and-coming Mexico City singer to talk lost loves, why the city is "haunted" and how she copes with a nostalgic heart.
12/04/23·33m 4s

Camilo Lara: How Mexico's musical 'double agent' seeks a universal dance floor

Anamaria Sayre sits down with world-building producer and Mexican Institute of Sound frontman Camilo Lara to talk about using his fearless intuition to help artists find their voice in the burgeoning hub of Latin music.
29/03/23·28m 53s

Radio Ambulante: Getting Down

From our friends at Radio Ambulante, today we're sharing a thought provoking episode from their latest season. Puerto Rican Patricia Velasquez has spent her whole life listening to reggaeton. It's part of her identity. But when she was questioned about the content of the songs, she began an investigation that would lead her to create something completely new about the musical genre. This episode is in Spanish.
20/03/23·46m 11s

Julieta Venegas: Why the Mexican pop icon wouldn't call herself a pioneer

Anamaria Sayre sits down with Mexican pop icon Julieta Venegas to discuss her role as a trailblazing female vocalist and mom to a daughter with impeccably cool music taste.
15/03/23·27m 49s

Alt.Latino's Best New Music Round-Up: Karol G, Y La Bamba, The Latin Dead and more

Our digital mailbag continues to overflow with tons of new music from every corner of the Spanish-speaking world. Yet even as we update our weekly playlists on both Spotify and Apple Music, we still have tracks that we think you need to hear. On this week's show, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite new music from the last few months.
01/03/23·22m 19s

Adrian Quesada: How the U.S.-Mexico border shaped the prolific producer's fluid sound

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with prolific producer and creator Adrian Quesada to discuss his experimental approach to border-driven sonic expression.
15/02/23·27m 10s

Cimafunk: How his Afro-Cuban funk tells a bigger story about the African diaspora

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with Cimafunk to talk about how he's created his singular sound, the complex African lineage of his music and why his band is his "tribe."
01/02/23·33m 35s

Reyna Tropical: How Fabi Reyna learned to listen to her revolutionary intuition

Anamaria Sayre sits down with Fabi Reyna of Reyna Tropical to talk about the process of trusting yourself, how music saved her life and moving forward after losing her creative collaborator Sumohair.
18/01/23·26m 50s

Encore: The Cuban roots of rock and roll

Can you hear the cha-cha-cha in The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"? Or the mambo in Ray Charles' "What'd I Say"? This week, Alt.Latino revisits a classic episode from 2019 and takes a closer look at the Cuban roots of rock and roll.
04/01/23·29m 46s

Encore: Selena's spark still shines

Since her death in 1995, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez' legacy has spread far beyond her Tejano music roots. This week, Alt.Latino revisits a classic episode and explores how Selena became a powerful symbol of Latina identity.
28/12/22·28m 57s

Encore: An Alt.Latino Christmas, with Cantigas in concert

¡Felices fiestas y'all! This week, Alt.Latino revisits a classic episode from 2014 to enjoy the music of D.C. Latino choir, Cantigas.
21/12/22·29m 23s

Alt.Latino presents our favorite music of 2022

Anamaria Sayre sits down with Rolling Stone's Julyssa Lopez and NPR Music contributor Stefanie Fernández to talk about (some of) their favorite albums of the year.Show notes: You can help us improve Alt.Latino by taking some time to answer questions about the show. Please tell us what you like and how we could improve by going to npr.org/altlatinosurvey.
14/12/22·33m 6s

Encore: Cumbia, the musical backbone of Latin America

Whether you're from Ushuaia or East Los Angeles, you've likely heard cumbia blaring from a stereo. This week, Alt.Latino revisits a classic episode from 2015 and takes a closer look at the musical backbone of the Americas.
07/12/22·29m 41s

Linda Ronstadt: On getting to fully embrace her Mexican heritage in her music

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with Linda Ronstadt, who recently released her book Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands, to talk about her Mexican heritage, wanting to sing in Spanish earlier in her career and not feeling like the "quintessential American girl."
30/11/22·27m 47s

Hermanos Gutiérrez: How their cinematic guitar music reconnected them as brothers

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with Alejandro and Estevan Gutiérrez to talk about their musical legacy, sad songs and creating strong familial bonds through music. Show notes: You can help us improve Alt.Latino by taking some time to answer questions about the show. Please tell us what you like and how we could improve by going to npr.org/altlatinosurvey.
23/11/22·29m 19s

Silvana Estrada: On cultivating intimacy and generosity in her live performances

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with Silvana Estrada to talk about vulnerability, bringing light into her shows and the lessons her parents have given her.Show notes: You can help us improve Alt.Latino by taking some time to answer questions about the show. Please tell us what you like and how we could improve by going to npr.org/altlatinosurvey.
16/11/22·32m 12s

Natalia Lafourcade: How making original music again helped grow her 'inner garden'

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with Natalia Lafourcade to talk about interpreting old songs, taking things slow and releasing her first album of original material in seven years.
09/11/22·29m 24s

Canción Exploder: Ibeyi

From our friends at Canción Exploder, we're sharing a conversation with Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Díaz from the musical group Ibeyi. The twins discuss "Sangoma," the first song off their album Spell 31. This interview is in Spanish.
04/11/22·15m 41s

Angélica Negrón: The genre-subverting composer on embracing all sides of her identity

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with Angélica Negrón to talk about the importance of representation, making music with plants and what inspired her to begin composing.
02/11/22·25m 58s

Carlos Santana: Why 1972's divisive, spiritual 'Caravanserai' wasn't 'career suicide'

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with Carlos Santana to talk about nurturing his spirit, growing as an artist and 50 years of Caravanserai, an iconic album he co-produced with drummer Michael Shrieve.
26/10/22·28m 7s

Snooze: Rosario Dawson

From our friends at the LAist Studios' podcast Snooze, host Megan Tan sits down with Rosario Dawson to discuss relationships, abuela's sage advice and the things in life that people put off.
21/10/22·28m 11s

iLe: How the rhythms and resilience of Puerto Rico shape her music

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with iLe to talk about salsa music, Puerto Rico's role in her art and being la bebé of the family.
19/10/22·34m 30s

Farruko: On his partying persona and religious transformation (English version)

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with Carlos Efrén Reyes Rosado to talk about creating the character of Farruko, developing a relationship with God and spreading a message of love.
13/10/22·19m 25s

Farruko: On his partying persona and religious transformation (Spanish Version)

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with Carlos Efrén Reyes Rosado to talk about creating the character of Farruko, developing a relationship with God and spreading a message of love. This episode is in Spanish, please find an English translation of the conversation at NPR.org.
12/10/22·30m 13s

Carla Morrison: How a break from music and a move to Paris led to a personal rebirth

Felix Contreras sits down with Carla Morrison to talk about her new sound, the importance of mental health and the art of the Parisian non.
05/10/22·25m 38s

Alisa Amador: Why the Tiny Desk Contest winner almost gave up on music

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with Tiny Desk Contest winner Alisa Amador to talk about intentionality in community building, almost quitting music and finding nourishment in her art.Correction: An earlier version of this episode incorrectly said Linda Diaz won the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest. She won in 2020.
28/09/22·28m 16s

Rosalía: How the genre-bending pop star found her confidence

Anamaria Sayre sits down with Spanish superstar Rosalía, who just earned eight Latin Grammy nominations, to talk about her musical inspirations, divine sensuality and constant pull to transform.
21/09/22·28m 37s

Omar Apollo: Ballet Folklórico OG, Pharrell Whisperer, and Hot Sauce Entrepreneur

Anamaria Sayre sits down with R&B darling Omar Apollo to talk about his experiences growing up in Indiana and becoming a role model for queer Latinx kids.
14/09/22·28m 23s

Alt.Latino: Where we've been and what's next

After an extended hiatus, Alt.Latino returns with longtime host Felix Contreras and new co-host Anamaria Sayre. On this reintroduction to the program, the two talk about how the landscape of Latin music and culture has changed since Alt.Latino started more than a decade ago, and what it means for the show going forward.
12/09/22·13m 40s

Reintroducing: Alt.Latino

Longtime host Felix Contreras introduces the program's new co-host, Anamaria Sayre — and gets a blessing from her abuelita.
12/09/22·2m 52s

From the archives: flamenco, rock and songs of rebellion from Spain

Alt.Latino intern Vita Dadoo revisits podcast episodes to feature three conversations about music from Spain and explores the musical traditions that inspired these artists as well as the impact they made in the Spanish-speaking world.
03/07/22·32m 54s

From the archives: the many faces of 'Regional Mexican'

Alt.Latino intern Vita Dadoo parses through the podcast archive to feature two conversations on the musical styles referred to as "Regional Mexican," its history, and its rising popularity among audiences in the U.S., Mexico and beyond.
26/06/22·28m 30s

From the archives: interviews with Ibeyi, Ivy Queen and Silvina Moreno

Alt.Latino intern Cat Sposato takes over the show to feature more stories for Women's History Month.
03/04/22·31m 10s

From the archives: Latinas in punk

The San Antonio based punk band Fea is featured in a discussion about Latinas and punk.
27/03/22·28m 59s

From the archives: exploring the representation of women in reggaeton

This week we go back to the era of "Despacito" to discuss the impact of reggaeton on women and reggaetonera pioneer Ivy Queen.
20/03/22·28m 59s

From the archives: vibrant conversations with artists Daymé Arocena and iLe

For another edition from our archives, we go back to interviews with vocalists Daymé Arocena and iLe much earlier in their careers.
13/03/22·28m 59s

Celebrating Women's History Month with three powerful Latinas

We celebrate Women's History Month with three complex yet stylistically distinct Latina musicians: Ana Tijoux, Li Saumet and Lila Downs.
06/03/22·30m 29s

From the archives: A deep dive into Afro-Latinx culture

Revisiting a program from 2014 that offers an overview of Afro-Latino culture and history.
27/02/22·28m 29s

Revisiting the work of two Afro-Latinx pioneers

Celebrate Black History Month with two interviews from the Alt.Latino archive with Puerto Rican rapper Tego Calderon and Dominican vocalist Amara La Negra.
13/02/22·28m 58s

Speaking truth to power through music

This week we reach back into the Alt.Latino archives to bring you three recent shows about contemporary protest music in Latin America and the U.S.
30/01/22·26m 10s

Alt.Latino and Code Switch: What is 'Latin Music' anyway?

This week, Felix and Anamaria sit down with Shereen Marisol Meraji of the NPR Code Switch podcast to find out what exactly connects all the artists under the 'Latin music' category.
26/12/21·35m 43s

Looking back on the original 'West Side Story' and its impact on Nuyorican identity

This week, Alt.Latino takes a look at how the original 1961 West Side Story impacted Puerto Ricans growing up in New York.
19/12/21·30m 28s

Alt.Latino presents the best singles of 2021

The Alt.Latino team discusses the best Latin music singles of 2021.
12/12/21·50m 12s

Alt.Latino looks back at the best albums of 2021

The Alt.Latino team brings you a discussion of a few of our favorite album releases from 2021.
05/12/21·42m 13s

Voices from the past in Ecuador and Venezuela

Two new compilations capture moments long lost to time using archival recordings from the 1960s and 70s.
21/11/21·28m 59s

Honor the Departed in Our Annual Sonic Altar

In what's become an annual Día de los Muertos tradition, we play music and personal dedications honoring the departed.
31/10/21·15m 44s

Presenting 'It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders': Pop music's 'Latin Explosion'

This week on Alt.Latino, we're featuring a special episode from our friends at It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders. From the three-part series exploring crossover in pop music, the podcast takes a look at the "Latin Explosion" of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
24/10/21·35m 23s

Alt.Latino And NPR News: Musical Profiles From Mexico, Cuba and Peru

This week we share music stories from NPR News that you should know about, featuring Cimafunk, Susana Baca and 'El Charro de Mexico' Vicente Fernandez.
17/10/21·34m 21s

Alt.Latino Unpacks the Latest Music News, Including Latin Grammy Drama

An eclectic round-up of all the current happenings across the Latin Music world. Listen to conversations with Juanes, José González, Yosmel Montejo, as well as a run-down of the Latin Grammy nominations drama. This kind of chisme you don't want to miss.
10/10/21·36m 11s

Humanity Has No Border on La Frontera

We bring you three stories from the U.S.-Mexico border: an unlikely music festival, musician/activist La Muna, and a bullfighting training center in Texas.
03/10/21·38m 26s

It's Lit! Latina Novelists On Living With (And Writing In) Two Languages

Isabel Allende (The Soul of a Woman) and Sandra Cisneros (Martita, I Remember You/Martita, te recuerdo) tell Alt.Latino about the role of women in Latino cultures, and why you kill off the handsome male character by page 112.
26/09/21·38m 12s

Elvis En Español: 'This Year's Model' Reimagined

A score of Latin artists reimagine Elvis Costello's 1978 classic album, This Year's Model, completely in Spanish.
19/09/21·28m 17s

Alt. Latino's Fall Music Preview

Our digital mail bag overflows with great new music to head into the last part of 2021. Songs heard on this episode:• Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble, "Dreaming in Lions"• Meridian Brothers and Conjunto Media Luna, "La Secta"• Dos Santos, "A Shot in the Dark"• ÌFÉ, "Fake Blood"• Cimafunk (Feat. George Clinton), "Funk Aspirin"• Helado Negro, "Outside the Outside"• Alejandro Escovedo, "La Cruzada"• Orquesta Akokán, "El Inflador"• Liniker, "Clau"All these tracks can be found in Alt.Latino's weekly playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.
12/09/21·33m 34s

End Of Summer Rooftop Listening Party

What better way to end the summer than with friends, a little vino, music and former Alt.Latino co-host Jasmine Garsd?
05/09/21·29m 13s

Gina Chavez Picks Her 5 Favorite Tiny Desk Contest Entries

With Tio Felix on vacation, our guest host illustrates the width and breadth of Latinx musical expression through Tiny Desk Contest submissions.
15/08/21·29m 31s

Encore: The Meteoric Rise Of Latin Urban Explained

The story of Latin America has always been reflected through music. This week, we rerun one of our most popular episodes and talk to experts to help us understand Latin Urban's pop music dominance.
08/08/21·24m 0s

We Excavate Cuba's Rallying Cry, 'Patria Y Vida'

The Cuban experience is synonymous with Cuban music. This week, we take a look at the uprising in Cuba and the island's history with protest music.
24/07/21·35m 54s

Indie Film And Latinx Reality

To celebrate The Latino Experience film series from PBS, we chat with Latinx indie filmmakers to discuss the state of the industry, and why independent films are powerful for accurate representation.
18/07/21·33m 42s

No Boundaries On The Island: The Music Of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an island full of sonic diversity. We take you across time, genre and musical boundaries through interviews with pop star Rauw Alejandro, vocalist Sebastian .Otero and punk rocker AJ Davila.
11/07/21·34m 40s

The Alt.Latino Interview: Rita Moreno

To celebrate a new documentary about her life and career, we revisit our 2018 conversation with none other than Rita Moreno.
04/07/21·31m 0s

Alt.Latino's Best Music of 2021 (So Far)

As we hit the midpoint of 2021, our host Felix Contreras is joined by Alt.Latino producer Anamaria Sayre, NPR Weekend Edition producer Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, L.A. Times culture writer Suzy Exposito and Alt.Latino contributor Stefanie Fernández to discuss their favorites of the past six months.
27/06/21·29m 0s

Resilience and Innovation: An Alt.Latino Podcast Extra En Español

Two stories of determination, innovation and strength from different sides of the Latinx community: a father-son pair separated at the border and a musician from Cuba using blockchain tech to bring attention and support to underrepresented artists.
22/06/21·26m 13s

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Los Lobos And Tania León Post Their W's

We take a look at the headlines from the past week and can't help but notice Latinos and Latinos stacking up wins.
20/06/21·44m 16s

'Music As A Weapon': A Discussion About Garifuna Music

A workshop on the eastern coast of Honduras is keeping Garifuna culture alive and accessible for young musicians.
13/06/21·29m 10s

Loss, Love And Resilience Across Latinidad

We're taking a step back to do a survey of what's happening across the community. We'll introduce you to an artist that maybe you don't know, hang out with some Cuban drummers, meet high school teachers on the hunt for vaccines, and give a sneak peek of next week's show.
06/06/21·39m 58s

Bakosó: Cuban Grooves Meet Afrobeats

The documentary film Bakosó: Afrobeats of Cuba captures the development of a new music style in Santiago de Cuba.
30/05/21·29m 15s

You Just Can't Peg Pedrito Martinez And Rubén Blades

We talk cultura, new tunes and what it means to step out of comfort zones with Pedrito Martinez and Rubén Blades.
23/05/21·38m 14s

Long Hair And Lowriders: Latin Rock In 1971

We take the Alt.Latino Time Machine back 50 years to tell the story of how three albums captured a moment when music, culture and current events collided in song: WAR's All Day Music, El Chicano's Revolución and Santana's Santana III.
16/05/21·15m 57s

Not Your Abuela's Music: A Deep Dive Into Mexican Regional Music

The music of your parents and grandparents is now part of a music industry trend that may soon overtake the popularity of reggaetón.
05/05/21·21m 20s

Alt.Latino's LAMC 2021 Cheat Sheet

Here's a little preview of six artists we're most excited to see at the virtual Latin Alternative Music Conference — most of which we've never heard before.
02/05/21·35m 0s

New York City's Influence On Latin Music

Ben Lapidus, scholar and Grammy-nominated musician, explains New York's central role in developing Latin music across the U.S. and Latin America.
25/04/21·29m 22s

Selena's Spark Still Shines

We sat down with the director of Selena, an author, a college professor and the creator of the wildly popular Anything for Selena podcast to talk Selena's legacy. Touching on topics from maintaining her Tejano roots to what they imagine would have been her Latin Trap collab with Bad Bunny, these experts had us feeling all kinds of Selena energy and love in the room.
19/04/21·37m 50s

Speed Dating Through Spring's New Music

Featuring Mon Laferte, Cuco and Juanes, Alt.Latino shares the latest songs you need to know. Follow the playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.
11/04/21·31m 25s

A 97-Year-Old Mexican Jazz Drummer's Latest Gig

Tino Contreras talks about his upcoming show at the former home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the famous Casa Azul in Mexico City. This interview was conducted en español.
09/04/21·17m 55s

Omar Sosa Takes A Journey To East Africa

Fans from around the world speak of Omar Sosa's gigs as spiritual experiences — the silence is just as important as the notes. The pianist's new album features field recordings of traditional musicians and instruments from East Africa.
04/04/21·29m 15s

From The 'Cosmic Barrio' To 'Despacito,' Two Latin Music Books We Love

Latin music is part of the cultural fabric of America. Two new books from Leila Cobo and Betto Arcos show how far back that history goes.
28/03/21·41m 25s

Women Are Instrumental To Latin Music

We dive back in time to understand the roles women have occupied in Latin music, and look forward at the artists blazing new trails — pushing progress for both female instrumentalism and the entirety of Latin music.
21/03/21·27m 30s

A Year Of Pandemic: Alt.Latino Remembers

This week we present stories of the pandemic from NPR, StoryCorps and the University of Texas to remember a year of loss and hope.
14/03/21·38m 54s

The Voice And Spirit Of Bobi Céspedes

Bobi Céspedes' spiritual presence is as joyful as her voice. On this episode, the singer shares her music and connection to her African roots.
07/03/21·32m 14s

Remembering Johnny Pacheco Of Fania Records

This week's episode examines the story of the force behind a social movement. Johnny Pacheco crafted a legacy of cultural pride and stellar musicianship for Fania Records, imprinting his own genius in the minds and hearts of generations of musicians to come in the process.
28/02/21·29m 51s

The Man Running An Entire Nation's Institute Of Sound

Mexican Institute of Sound's Camilo Lara invites us to Distrito Federal by taking us on a tour of his past, including a party at Prince's Paisley Park.
23/02/21·31m 10s

Now We Sob, Forever He Sings: Chick Corea Remembered

Chick Corea's music has been such a big part of our lives. Arturo O'Farrill, Sofía Rei, Haydée Milanés, Rubén Blades and many others share what his music meant to them.
21/02/21·31m 20s

Warm Up Your Winter With New Songs

It's been a while, so the digital mail bag of new music has been piling up. Hear new music from Bomba Estéreo, Magos Herrera, Diamante Eléctrico and more! Songs featured on this episode: • Gustavo Cortiñas and Desafío Candente (feat. Xavier Quijas Yxayotl), "Abya Yala"• Salt Cathedral (feat. Ximena Sariñana), "Te Quiero Olvidar" • Magos Herrera, "La Creación de las Aves"• Bomba Estéreo, "Agua" • Nancy Sanchez, "Hasta Que Todos Estemos A Salvo" • Ani Cordero, "Es Amor"• Jessica Medina, "Hope/Esperanza"• Natalia Clavier, "Brillar"• Jarana Beat, "Aquel Pasado"• Diamante Eléctrico , "Suéltame, Bogotá"Follow our latest faves: npr.org/altlatinoplaylist
14/02/21·35m 21s

Gustavo Santaolalla: A True Master Of All Trades

Gustavo Santaolalla — musician, producer, film and video game composer — embodies Duke Ellington's highest praise: "beyond category."
05/02/21·30m 29s

Defying Cultural Expectations: Dafnis Prieto And Carlos Rafael Rivera

The Cuban drummer and Guatemalan film composer offer deeper understandings of the creative process and how cultural influences shape their creative output.
29/01/21·35m 54s

After The Storm: We Look Back On The Insurrection At The Capitol

We take a break from the music for a Latinx perspective on the events that took place at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6.
22/01/21·36m 40s

Tiny Desk Artist Profile: Sofia Rei

The Argentine vocalist mixes tradition and various contemporary genres in her Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST performance.
15/01/21·36m 9s

Alt.Latino's Favorite Songs Of 2020

We celebrate a year of discovery with some Alt.Latino favorites as well as a ton of discoveries from throughout the year.Songs featured in this episode:• Ana Tijoux, "ANTIFA DANCE"• Alea, "Échale Sal"• Xenia Rubinos, "Who Shot Ya?"• Gaby Moreno, Shara Nova and Cantus Domus, "Try/Tratar de Transformar"• Gina Chavez, "Ella"• Angelica Garcia, "Agua de Rosa"• La Bruja de Texcoco, "Chéni (Miedo)"• Nancy Sanchez (feat. Olmeca), "La Gran Civilización"• Helado Negro (feat. Xenia Rubinos), "I Fell In Love"
18/12/20·38m 8s

Alt.Latino's Favorite Albums Of 2020 Gave Us Passion, Vision And Solace

We look back on the albums that moved us this year, from Lido Pimienta's personal Miss Colombia to Bad Bunny's monumental YHLQMDLG. Albums featured in this episode:• OKAN, Espiral• Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Agüita• Sexores, Salamanca • X Alfonso, Inside • Lido Pimienta, Miss Colombia• Orquesta Faílde, Faílde con Tumbao • Rita Indiana, Mandinga Times • Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG• Natalia Lafourcade, Un Canto por México, Vol. 1 • Ghetto Kumbe, Ghetto Kumbe
11/12/20·50m 14s

Alt.Latino Introduces You To Louder Than A Riot

We share our space to introduce you to a new podcast, Louder Than A Riot, an in-depth look at issues around incarceration and the development of hip-hop.
04/12/20·53m 57s

Milestones, Immigration And Justice Music

This week we visit with NPR's Radio Ambulante, talk about immigration issues and meet a singer with a message.
27/11/20·29m 50s

Alt.Latino Film Festival: Fandangos And Mockingbirds

Two new music documentaries — featuring Linda Ronstadt and Arturo O'Farrill — tell us stories about history, identity and culture through Mexican folk music.
20/11/20·26m 57s

Encore: A Conversation About The 'American Dirt' Controversy

When does a depiction of culture, history and identity become inauthentic? And according to whom? We dig into the conversation around the novel American Dirt. This episode originally aired Jan. 31, 2020.
06/11/20·29m 5s

Latinidad In The News

We shine a light on recent stories by NPR hosts, reporters and producers who go beyond the obvious in their coverage of Latinx communities in the U.S.
23/10/20·35m 23s

Cumbia: The Musical Backbone Of Latin America

Alt.Latino journeys from the tip of South America to the bodegas of New York City — all the while dancing to the beat of cumbia, the lingua franca of Latin music.
16/10/20·46m 47s

We Look At The 2020 Latin Grammy Nominations

Lido Pimienta, Gina Chavez, Natalia Lafourcade and Juanes are just a few of the Latin Grammy nominations this year. We listen to their music and throwback to our conversations with those artists.
02/10/20·41m 49s

50 Years Later, Santana's 'Abraxas' Still Changes The Game

Santana drummer Michael Shrieve and Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid give us the view behind the drum kit and illustrate the scope of the record's influence.
25/09/20·30m 22s

Latinx Monuments We'd Like To See

Ivy Queen, Jean-Michel Basquiet and Maria from Sesame Street are just a few of the Latinx figures we think should be cast in bronze or carved on the side of a mountain.
18/09/20·28m 44s

Graciela Iturbide, The Artistic Soul Of Mexico

Take a journey into the artistic sensibilities of a genuine photographic icon. This interview was conducted entirely in Spanish.
16/09/20·24m 29s

Roots Grow Outward

Devendra Banhart and John Santos both have cultural roots in Latin America, but their music could not be more different. Hear two separate interviews with these enigmatic musicians
11/09/20·54m 8s

The Texicana Mamas Celebrate Tejana Culture With Wondrous Harmony

The trio of powerful Latina vocalists is at home in mariachi, country, Americana and folk music.
04/09/20·42m 37s

Gloria Estefan: 'It's All About The Drums,' This Time From Brazil

The Cuban-American pop star indulges her love of Brazilian music and rhythms on her new album.
21/08/20·35m 50s

Listen To The Lessons In LADAMA's Music

With members spread over four countries, LADAMA elegantly blends cultures and ideas. Its new album is called Oye Mujer.
14/08/20·29m 31s

Alt.Latino's Summer Music Haul

From Carlos Vives to Ana Tijoux, here's a batch of new music that meditates on identity, culture and the pandemic.
07/08/20·35m 28s

Reclaiming Boogaloo

The very essence of boogaloo music is about "bringing people together, creating conversation and creating community." How was it appropriated by white supremacists?
24/07/20·33m 21s

Residente's Favorite Protest Songs

One half of the Grammy-winning group Calle 13, Residente has written his share of powerful protest songs. This week he shares his favorites by other artists.
17/07/20·45m 38s

The Afro-Latinx Experience Is Essential To Our International Reckoning On Race

"Blackness is heterogeneous." On this week's episode, deep conversations about the Afro Latinidad and Blackness.
03/07/20·44m 53s

Alt.Latino's Favorites Of The Year (So Far) Reflect Our Times

Our annual mid-year survey contains music that speaks to the current health crisis, as well as the fight for racial equality.
26/06/20·52m 43s

Juanes Turns Inward

Juanes reflects on lessons learned from the world-wide pandemic, how Latin music has changed in the last ten years and his love of Metallica and Bruce Springsteen.
19/06/20·27m 44s

Rita Indiana, La Monstra, Returns With 'Black Sabbath Dembow'

"Music is more democratic than literature." Ten years after releasing her debut album, the Dominican musician and novelist returns with Mandinga Times.
17/06/20·28m 17s

Alt.Latino's 10th Anniversary!

Over the past decade, Alt.Latino has covered immigration, LGBTQ concerns, fights for social justice and, of course, music. Looking back this week, we revisit our very first episode and pilot.
15/06/20·37m 49s

Lila Downs And Gina Chavez: Two Mujeres With Messages

These conversations with Lila Downs and Gina Chavez explore identity, the power of language and listening to our ancestors for guidance.
12/06/20·39m 41s

From The Alt.Latino Archives: Protest Music That Inspires And Moves

Music gives voice to frustration and anger. On this episode, we listen to musicians demand social justice in song and action.
05/06/20·29m 51s

Natalia Lafourcade Searches For The Soul Of Son Jarocho

The Mexican folk music of Veracruz is a pathway not just to her own cultural and familial roots, Natalia Lafourcade says, but also offers a balm for these times.
22/05/20·42m 23s

The Pandemic's Impact On The Latino Community

This week, we host a roundtable with reporters covering the coronavirus and how infections have adversely impacted communities of color in the U.S.
15/05/20·41m 7s

How Some Indie Musicians Innovate And Improvise During Coronavirus

From a virtual songwriting camp to studio session work, we check back with Davíd Garza, Rocio Marron and Making Movies' Enrique Chi about what they're doing to generate some income during quarantine.
08/05/20·29m 23s

New Music For Being In And Out And About

Hit play on new songs from Chicano Batman, Lido Pimienta and Helado Negro for your indoor and socially-distanced outdoor activities.
01/05/20·38m 28s

Cándido Camero, Latin Jazz Pioneer, Turns 99

Hear an interview with the great Cuban percussionist as he remembers Havana nightlife in the 1940s and the pulsing streets of New York just after World War II.
24/04/20·29m 25s

Listener Picks: Songs Of Hope And Calm

If there was ever a need for the healing power of music, now is that time. We put out a call for the songs helping you cope and, on this episode, we play your picks.
10/04/20·56m 31s

Indie Musicians On The Economic And Emotional Impact Of Coronavirus

Davíd Garza, Making Movies' Enrique Chi and Rocio Marron share the struggle of being a working musician during this time.
03/04/20·29m 2s

The Bands We Wanted To See At SXSW 2020

In the wake of the cancellation of SXSW this year, Alt.Latino explores the bands we had wanted to see this year in Austin, Texas.
20/03/20·59m 15s

Calma: A Meditative Playlist For A Challenging Time

We use the music of pianist Omar Sosa this week to calm our anxieties and fears during an uncertain time.
13/03/20·35m 29s

Spring Forward With Bad Bunny, Alice Bag And Princess Nokia

Bad Bunny's YHLQMDLG is the buzz of the Latinx internet, but we also speed through 14 other essential releases.
06/03/20·49m 52s

The Meteoric Rise Of Latin Urban Explained

The story of Latin America has always been reflected in music. We asked a music writer, a college professor and reggaeton pioneer to help us understand the history and nuance of Latin Urban's dominance in pop music.
28/02/20·24m 14s

Afro-Latino Revolutionaries From The 19th Century Still Echo Today

"If you liked Hamilton, you'll love this book," assures historian Jesse Hoffnung-Garskoff. It's a gripping read about migrants who conspired to overthrow a colonial monarchy and eliminate slavery.
25/02/20·34m 30s

In Cali, A Festival Celebrates The Flavors And Music Of Afro Colombian Life

We capture the sights, sounds and even the tastes of Afro Colombian culture at the Petronio Alvarez Music Festival.
21/02/20·30m 37s

Black History Month: An Interview With Ivy Queen, Reggaeton Pioneer

The Puerto Rican rapper's musical history is essentially the history of the reggaeton. Her influence helped shape the genre as we know it.
14/02/20·29m 10s

Shakira And Jennifer Lopez's Halftime Show Unpacked

Shakira and Jennifer Lopez did more than shake things up on the Super Bowl stage. A panel of sociologists and music writers unpack the dialog.
07/02/20·20m 10s

'American Dirt': A Conversation About A Controversy

When does a depiction of culture, history and identity become inauthentic? And according to whom? We dig into the conversation around the novel American Dirt.
31/01/20·29m 5s

Tank And The Cubans: A Week In Havana

The 2017 winners of the Tiny Desk Contest travel to Havana with NOLA's The Soul Rebels to connect with Cimafunk, Cuban musicians and history.
24/01/20·27m 44s

New Year, New Decade, New Music For 2020

We kick off the new year with Nicky Jam and Daddy Yankee, garage-rocker Tall Juan and newcomers Salt Cathedral. 2020 already sounds amazing. Alt.Latino World Headquarters offers its first new music show of the decade and I couldn't do it without contributor Stefanie Fernández. Make sure to follow Alt.Latino's weekly playlist via Spotify or Apple Music. -- Felix Contreras
17/01/20·28m 59s

SNL's Melissa Villaseñor On The Pop Punks And Pop Divas That Inspired 'Dreamer'

Not only is the SNL comedian a hilarious celebrity impersonator but also an impressive singer with an old-school vocal instrument. She shares her love for Queen, Celine Dion and No Doubt on this episode.
10/01/20·29m 50s

Happy Holidays From Alt.Latino Y Los Lobos!

Fresh from their holiday Tiny Desk, members of Los Lobos take us on a pan-Latin cruise through Navidad from the Caribbean to Mexico to Texas.
23/12/19·24m 24s

Alt.Latino Looks Back At The Best Music Of 2019

What is "Latin music" when it encompasses Chicana punk, mariachi music, urbano and Cuban funk? We dive into a year that gave us new music from Fea, Flor de Toloache, Sech and Bad Bunny.
20/12/19·45m 0s

Mujeres: Three Distinct Sounds And Messages Of 2019

This week, hear interviews with members of Fea, Jenny and the Mexicats and Y La Bamba on culture, identity and the evolution their songwriting.
13/12/19·29m 30s

Turning The Tables In Latin Music

Alt.Latino draws the lines between Latin music and some of the eight women who invented popular music.
06/12/19·34m 21s

Ozuna Evolves With "Nibiru"

"We make music to collide with the world." The Puerto Rican superstar discusses Nibiru and the state of Latin Urban music.
29/11/19·37m 23s
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