Alt.Latino
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!
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Felix Contreras joins NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro to share three standout Latin-alternative albums from the first half of the year. -
With Folkways curator Dan Sheehy as a guide, Alt.Latino explores how the music of West Africa has influenced Latin America and the Caribbean. -
On this week's Alt.Latino, hear new sounds from musicians who fly below the radar in Latin America, as Remezcla music editor Isabelia Herrera shares some key tracks. -
Brazil's rich musical history is interwoven into Alt.Latino's weekly musical explorations. Just in time for the opening ceremonies, we collected some of our favorite Brazilian music moments. -
Veteran radio host Betto Arcos has just returned from a trip to Colombia, and he comes to Alt.Latino bearing gifts — including a deep dive into the country's best folk and contemporary music.
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Hear re-imagined pre-Colombian music and arias from the jungles of Brazil and beyond, chosen with the help of Tom Huizenga from NPR Music's Deceptive Cadence. -
The Puerto Rican duo talk about their musical inspirations, politics and the day they spent in a mental institution. -
We're only half way through the year and it's already been a year of musical surprises. A rising Chilean MC took on politics, a Venezuelan rap group released an amazing mix tape, and a young Mexican singer moved into bolero icon territory. We recap our favorite artists and musicians of 2012 so far.
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This week's songs feel like a strange trip across physical and mental borders. Join us as we listen to brand new tracks from the Latin world. -
A selection of somber songs that might even make you smile.
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Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras play some of their favorite new songs from the last few months, featuring globe-spanning electronica from Colombian producer Sinego, border-crossing new music from La Doña, nuanced salsa from Spanish Harlem Orchestra and more.Songs featured in this episode:•Adrian Quesada, "Dos Manos"•Nancy Sanchez, "You Are"•Sinego, "Quema"•Sinego, Pahua, "Sol"•Spanish Harlem Orchestra, "Llegó El Caballero (feat. Gilberto Santa Rosa)"•La Doña, "Corrales"•La Doña, "Corrido Para Palestina"•Andres Levin (feat. Pedrito Martinez, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yissy García & Yerba Buena), "Manteca 2.0 (An homage to Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie & Cayo Hueso)"•Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo and Gil Fuller, "Manteca"•Nico Sorin, Proyecto Gomez Casa, Lucy Patané, "Karma Dron"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Taylor Haney, with editorial support from Hazel Cills and Otis Hart. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Over the past month thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets to protest the disputed election of president Nicolás Maduro, while Venezuelan artists like Danny Ocean use music to reflect on this political moment. But Ocean's work is just one data point in a long history of music from Venezuela that embodies the political opinions and emotions of those within the country and the diaspora.On this week's episode, Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are joined by producer Isabella Gomez Sarmiento to walk through crucial moments in Venezuela's political history over the last 30 years, and the music that soundtracked it.Songs featured in this episode:•Yordano, "Por estas calles"•Carlos Baute, "Yo me quedo en Venezuela"•Canserbero, "Es Épico"•Danny Ocean, "Me Rehúso"•Apache, "Rompiendo el Hielo"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Taylor Haney, with editorial support from Hazel Cills, Zach Thompson, Tony Cavin and Didi Schanche. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre run through their favorite new music, including new work from Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean in the midst of the country's political crisis, Girl Ultra leaning into her techno side, funky, electro-cumbia from Superfónicos and more.Songs featured in this episode:•Superfónicos, "Renaceré"•Girl Ultra, "lalala"•Fuerza Regida, "TUQLO"•Danny Ocean, "por la pequeña Venecia"•Lisa Morales, "Hermanitas in the Rain"•Jazz Orishas, "Deniye"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Taylor Haney, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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The genre commonly referred to as "Chicano soul" has that "you know it if you hear it" kind of sound. It's a bicultural interpretation of late 1950s and early '60s African American R&B ballads by Mexican American youth, influenced by the operatic style of Mexican rancheras. Broken hearts, unrequited love and loving the wrong person are often the main themes.Real talk: it's the smooth, bilingual vocals of Malo's 1972 hit "Suavecito" expressing the thrill of a new love that is still heard at lowrider car shows or the pleas of "You're Still A Young Man' by Tower of Power, to name a few examples. This week Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre unpack the genre and how the tradition is being reborn by a crew of young artists making it sparkle anew. Songs featured in this episode:•Malo, "Suavecito"•Joe Bataan, "I Wish You Love, P1. 1"•Tower of Power, "You're Still A Young Man"•Thee Sacred Souls, "Can I Call You Rose?"•The Altons, "Soon Enough"•Thee Sinseers feat. Joey Quinones, "Seems Like"•Mikey Jimenez, "Takin' All My Lovin'"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre round up their favorite new tracks, including heartbroken music from Omar Apollo, a mix of jazz and Afro-Puerto Rican sounds from Papo Vazquez and a controversial new merengue electrónico track from Karol G.Songs featured in this episode:•Omar Apollo, "Empty"•Los Cenzontles, "Different Drum"•Mabe Fratti, "Oidos" and "Intento fallido"•Karol G, "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido"•Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Hamilton de Holanda, "Mandalagh"•Papo Vazquez and Mighty Pirates Troubadours, "Plena Pa'Los Apache"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Even if you don't know Edgar Barrera's name, you know his work. The multiple Grammy-winning writer and producer has worked with dozens of the biggest names in Latin music — Bad Bunny, Maluma, Karol G, Camilo — the list goes on. But he's also one of the main forces pushing regional Mexican into the mainstream over the past few years, and turning Pan-Latin sounds into pop perfection.This week on Alt.Latino, Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre visit Barrera in his studio, as he breaks down how he makes a hit song.Songs featured in this episode:•Toy Selectah, "Hay Guey"•El Cuarteto de Nos, "Enamorado tuyo"•Grupo Frontera, Nicki Nicole, "Desquite"•Manuel Turizo and Marshmello, "El Merengue"•Carin León and Maluma, "Según Quién"Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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To mark the halfway point of 2024, Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre and NPR Culture Desk producer Isabella Gomez Sarmiento run down their favorite releases of the year so far, from a career-defining release from Nathy Peluso, a leveling up from Argentine rapper Trueno, introspective jazz from Melissa Aldana and so much more.Songs featured in this episode:•Trueno, "Tranky Funky"•Kali Uchis, "Dame Beso //Muévete"•Lau Noah ft. Gaby Moreno, "Aunque Suene Bonito"•Carlos Ares, "Amigo"•Angelica Garcia, "Gemini"•Melissa Aldana, "I Know You Know"•Nathy Peluso, "Legendario"•Reyna Tropical, "Cartagena"•Daymé Arocena (feat. Vicente García), "A Fuego Lento"•Akapellah (feat. Al2 El Aldeano, Faker), "Ni Con Money"•The Marias, "Run Your Mouth"•Grupo Frontera, "Me Hizo Un Favor"•Alvaro Diaz, Feid, "Gatitas Sandungueras Vol. 1"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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The Library of Congress' National Recording Registry is more than just a collection of music and sound — it's a reflection of who we are as a country. In April, two new Spanish language songs were added to the registry: Juan Gabriel's "Amor Eterno" and Héctor Lavoe's "El Cantante."This week on Alt.Latino, Felix and Ana take the opportunity to dive into the Spanish language songs that have made it into the historic collection, as well as share their dream picks for what should be chosen next.Songs featured in this episode:•Héctor Lavoe, "El Cantante"•Juan Gabriel, "Amor Eterno (En Vivo [En el Palacio de Bellas Artes])"•Buena Vista Social Club, "Chan Chan"•Buena Vista Social Club, "Orgullecida"•Buena Vista Social Club, "El Carretero"•Santana, "Oye Como Va"•Lydia Mendoza, "Mal Hombre (Cold-Hearted Man)"•Dizzy Gillespie feat. Chano Pozo, "Manteca"•Ivy Queen, "Quiero Bailar"•Jose Feliciano, "El Reloj"•Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Ana and Felix collect their favorite recent releases from the past few months, including new material from the breakout regional band Grupo Frontera, a country/Latin cross-over in the music of Wyatt Flores, a new song from groundbreaking rapper Mala Rodriguez and more.Songs featured in this episode:•Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, "Mas Que Nada"•Luis Muñoz, "Crescent Moon"•Mala Rodriguez, "Casi Nada [Explicit]"•Alih Jay, "Bang Bang (Mi Baby Me Mató)"•Cher, "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"•Grupo Frontera, "Me Hizo Un Favor"•Wyatt Flores, "Half Life"•Danny Ocean, "Cero Condiciones [Explicit]"•Fabiola Méndez, "Lamento en Celinés"•Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, "EL ÚNICO"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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It's the 10th annual Tiny Desk contest and there's been a strong showing of Latin artists behind desks across the United States and Puerto Rico.Felix and Ana sifted through all the entries and pulled their favorites from artists with roots all across the Americas. And if one of them ends up winning, you can thank us for the introduction.Songs featured in this episode:•Cathia, "Taza de Café"•Manu Manzo, "Celos"•Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices, "Quiero Volver"•Flaco el Jandro, "Lluvia Pesada"•Los Quinceañeros, "Guero"•La Doña, "Loser Girl"•Alejandro Aranda, "Pieces"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy