Alt.Latino

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

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

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

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

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

Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre, and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento discuss their favorite music releases of 2024 so far, including tracks from Nathy Peluso and Trueno. They highlight the diverse music scene in Spain, praise Angelica Garcia's genre-blending album, and explore the talents of Melissa Aldana and Nati Peluso. The episode features a range of music styles and female vocalists, showcasing the vibrant Latin music scene.

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

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

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

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite new music, from Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko's boundary-pushing new music, to Alejandro Escovedo's genre-bending rock and Angelica Garcia's electro-cumbia.Songs featured in this episode:• Young Miko, "Tamagotchi"• The Mavericks, "Moon & Stars (with Sierra Ferrell)"• Angélica Garcia, "Juanita"• Alejandro Escovedo, "Castañuelas"• Nella, Yendry, "Veinte Años"• Sheila E., "Bemba Colorá (ft. Gloria Estefan and Mimy Succar)"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler. Hazel Cills is the podcast editor and digital editor for Alt.Latino, and 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