Alt.Latino

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with prolific producer and creator Adrian Quesada to discuss his experimental approach to border-driven sonic expression.

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."

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.

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.

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.

¡Felices fiestas y'all! This week, Alt.Latino revisits a classic episode from 2014 to enjoy the music of D.C. Latino choir, Cantigas.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Longtime host Felix Contreras introduces the program's new co-host, Anamaria Sayre — and gets a blessing from her abuelita.

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.

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.

Alt.Latino intern Cat Sposato takes over the show to feature more stories for Women's History Month.

The San Antonio based punk band Fea is featured in a discussion about Latinas and punk.

This week we go back to the era of "Despacito" to discuss the impact of reggaeton on women and reggaetonera pioneer Ivy Queen.

For another edition from our archives, we go back to interviews with vocalists Daymé Arocena and iLe much earlier in their careers.

We celebrate Women's History Month with three complex yet stylistically distinct Latina musicians: Ana Tijoux, Li Saumet and Lila Downs.

Revisiting a program from 2014 that offers an overview of Afro-Latino culture and history.

Celebrate Black History Month with two interviews from the Alt.Latino archive with Puerto Rican rapper Tego Calderon and Dominican vocalist Amara La Negra.

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.

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.

This week, Alt.Latino takes a look at how the original 1961 West Side Story impacted Puerto Ricans growing up in New York.

The Alt.Latino team discusses the best Latin music singles of 2021.

The Alt.Latino team brings you a discussion of a few of our favorite album releases from 2021.

Two new compilations capture moments long lost to time using archival recordings from the 1960s and 70s.

In what's become an annual Día de los Muertos tradition, we play music and personal dedications honoring the departed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A score of Latin artists reimagine Elvis Costello's 1978 classic album, This Year's Model, completely in Spanish.

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.

What better way to end the summer than with friends, a little vino, music and former Alt.Latino co-host Jasmine Garsd?

With Tio Felix on vacation, our guest host illustrates the width and breadth of Latinx musical expression through Tiny Desk Contest submissions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

To celebrate a new documentary about her life and career, we revisit our 2018 conversation with none other than Rita Moreno.

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.

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.

We take a look at the headlines from the past week and can't help but notice Latinos and Latinos stacking up wins.

A workshop on the eastern coast of Honduras is keeping Garifuna culture alive and accessible for young musicians.

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.

The documentary film Bakosó: Afrobeats of Cuba captures the development of a new music style in Santiago de Cuba.

We talk cultura, new tunes and what it means to step out of comfort zones with Pedrito Martinez and Rubén Blades.

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.

The music of your parents and grandparents is now part of a music industry trend that may soon overtake the popularity of reggaetón.

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.

Ben Lapidus, scholar and Grammy-nominated musician, explains New York's central role in developing Latin music across the U.S. and Latin America.

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.

Featuring Mon Laferte, Cuco and Juanes, Alt.Latino shares the latest songs you need to know. Follow the playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This week we present stories of the pandemic from NPR, StoryCorps and the University of Texas to remember a year of loss and hope.

Bobi Céspedes' spiritual presence is as joyful as her voice. On this episode, the singer shares her music and connection to her African roots.

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.

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.

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.

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

Gustavo Santaolalla — musician, producer, film and video game composer — embodies Duke Ellington's highest praise: "beyond category."

The Cuban drummer and Guatemalan film composer offer deeper understandings of the creative process and how cultural influences shape their creative output.

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.

The Argentine vocalist mixes tradition and various contemporary genres in her Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST performance.

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"

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

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.

This week we visit with NPR's Radio Ambulante, talk about immigration issues and meet a singer with a message.

Two new music documentaries — featuring Linda Ronstadt and Arturo O'Farrill — tell us stories about history, identity and culture through Mexican folk music.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Take a journey into the artistic sensibilities of a genuine photographic icon. This interview was conducted entirely in Spanish.

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

The trio of powerful Latina vocalists is at home in mariachi, country, Americana and folk music.

The Cuban-American pop star indulges her love of Brazilian music and rhythms on her new album.

With members spread over four countries, LADAMA elegantly blends cultures and ideas. Its new album is called Oye Mujer.

From Carlos Vives to Ana Tijoux, here's a batch of new music that meditates on identity, culture and the pandemic.

The very essence of boogaloo music is about "bringing people together, creating conversation and creating community." How was it appropriated by white supremacists?

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.

"Blackness is heterogeneous." On this week's episode, deep conversations about the Afro Latinidad and Blackness.

Our annual mid-year survey contains music that speaks to the current health crisis, as well as the fight for racial equality.

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.

"Music is more democratic than literature." Ten years after releasing her debut album, the Dominican musician and novelist returns with Mandinga Times.

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.

These conversations with Lila Downs and Gina Chavez explore identity, the power of language and listening to our ancestors for guidance.

Music gives voice to frustration and anger. On this episode, we listen to musicians demand social justice in song and action.

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.

This week, we host a roundtable with reporters covering the coronavirus and how infections have adversely impacted communities of color in the U.S.

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.

Hit play on new songs from Chicano Batman, Lido Pimienta and Helado Negro for your indoor and socially-distanced outdoor activities.

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.

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.

Davíd Garza, Making Movies' Enrique Chi and Rocio Marron share the struggle of being a working musician during this time.

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.

We use the music of pianist Omar Sosa this week to calm our anxieties and fears during an uncertain time.

Bad Bunny's YHLQMDLG is the buzz of the Latinx internet, but we also speed through 14 other essential releases.

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.

"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.

We capture the sights, sounds and even the tastes of Afro Colombian culture at the Petronio Alvarez Music Festival.

The Puerto Rican rapper's musical history is essentially the history of the reggaeton. Her influence helped shape the genre as we know it.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

This week, hear interviews with members of Fea, Jenny and the Mexicats and Y La Bamba on culture, identity and the evolution their songwriting.

Alt.Latino draws the lines between Latin music and some of the eight women who invented popular music.

"We make music to collide with the world." The Puerto Rican superstar discusses Nibiru and the state of Latin Urban music.

In what's become an annual tradition on Alt.Latino, we remember those we've lost through song with reverence and a little joy.

Sometimes the musicians who visit Alt.Latino prefer to express themselves in Spanish. This week we have an all Spanish interview with the founders of the founders of the genre busting Cuban band, Sintesis.

The SoCal Mexican roots-rock and soul band drops by to chat about its new, self-titled album. Over the past decade as a band, the members now feel like family.

Netlfix is streaming a film documenting the iconic band retracing a historic concert by country legend Johnny Cash.

Alt.Latino favorite Gaby Moreno tams up with Van Dyke Parks

The saxophonist, flautist and bandleader has been traveling to Cuba and performing its music for over 30 years.

Can you hear the cha-cha-cha in "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"? Or the mambo in "What I'd Say"? Dive into early rock and roll's Cuban DNA.

Three portraits of musicians and a filmmaker who illuminate distinct forms of Mexican music expression.

As seasons change, we play Cuban music from Canada, Salvadoran/Mexican music from Los Angeles and a Nuyorican protest song.

This week we visit with artist performing at the third annual Los Dells festival in the U.S Midwest.

Just a week after performing at Woodstock, Santana released its self-titled debut. Hear original members of the band recount its creation.

The musician and magazine publisher talks to Alt.Latino about guitar players and issues of representation on this week's show.

Music and identity dominates a wide-ranging conversation with writers Elizabeth Acevedo, Amanda Alcantara and Danyeli Rodriguez del Orbe.

This week a special show of music to help mourn and remember the victims of the recent tragic events around the country.