Alt.Latino

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 Xarin), "Te Queiro 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 Transormar"
• 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.

Latin Alternative pioneers Aterciopelados are featured along side the vocalist from Spain's Macaco and Mexican reggae/ska vets Panteon Rococo this week.

Three of Puerto Rico's biggest musicians release a protest song through social media that challenged the island's governor.

Alt.Latino hits the road to visit RuidoFest in Chicago, NuevoFest in Philadelphia and the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) in NYC.

Paying tribute to the father of the bossa nova through his music and the words of his fellow musicians.

The former Calle 13 vocalist and the roqueros from Kansas City discuss their new albums and how they channel their passions about the world into music.

These songs have the power to say what we feel, even when we can't say them ourselves. We listen back to some of our favorite stories from NPR's American Anthem series.

Six months into 2019, we highlight dream pop, electronic fantasies, West African Cuban music and Latin rock from a salsa icon.

Carlos Santana is having a big year: the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, the 20th anniversary of Supernatural, and now a new album featuring Spanish vocalist Buika, Africa Speaks.

With Cuba in the new this week, Alt.Latino re-examines the longstanding musical relationship between the US and Cuba.

The three women who play the lead characters in the Starz series Vida join Alt. Latino to talk music, drama and La Llorona.

The Mexican guitar duo talk share songs by Nina Simone, Caifanes and Rage Against the Machine and discuss the role of the guitar in rock.

The iconic Mexican vocalist and composer Lila Downs uses music to celebrate chiles.

Taina Asili and Olmeca talk about mixing activism with music in this week's show.

The West African vocalist talks about bringing out the Afrobeat in Celia Cruz's rich Cuban catalog with the tribute album Celia.

The Honduran-American vocalist shares her musical inspirations with Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras and guest host Jessica Diaz-Hurtado.

Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras empties the mail bag that was overflowing with new music. Mexico and Spain are represented as are Joni Mitchell and Amy Winehouse.

Over breakfast tacos and barbecue, Team Alt.Latino sat down with musicians at SXSW for interviews about their music.

The five nights of discoveries at SXSW 2019 served as a reminder that music can heal, challenge and change the world we live in.

The prolific electronic musician stops in to talk about his influences and his new album, This Is How You Smile.

Roma director Alfonso Cuarón handpicked artists to make music inspired by the characters from his Oscar-nominated film. The results are stunning.

Through four wide-ranging conversations — with a punk singer, a reporter, a group of Latin American expats and singer Rita Moreno — Alt.Latino took a wide-lens survey of the cultural landscape.

Musicians have a long tradition of staring down military dictatorships and oppressive governments in Brazil.

We're sure you've heard of Santana but do you know Y La Bamba? This week's show features new music from icons and new artists you should know.

Good Morning, Aztlan collects several well-known Perez compositions as well as his thoughts on a variety of topics.

An excerpt of a year-long series featured on NPR that speak to unity and inspiration.

In an interview from Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny talks about his influences and the music on his new record.

Jasmine Garsd returns to review listeners' favs. We heard music we knew and also some discoveries.

It's been another watershed for Latin music. Altlatino's Felix Contreras, Stefanie Fernandez, Marisa Arbona Ruiz and Catalina Maria Johnson round up the year's best.

A batch of new music to enjoy just before the Solstice and much colder weather.

The latest album from O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra is a collaboration with Mexican son jarocho musicians.

Musical ofrendas highlight our annual celebration of family and friendship.

An appreciation for Latin jazz musician Jerry Gonzalez.

The iconic actor and musicians teams with Jazz At Lincoln Center to sing both bog band swing tunes and songs from his catalog.

The iconic musician talks about his career and plays songs that influenced his music.

'The Complete Cuban Jam Sessions' box set proves these friendly gatherings were incubation chambers for Afro-Cuban music and jazz.

Latin music is well represented in the popular Tiny Desk Concert series.

A collection of stories from NPR News about the devastating storm and its aftermath.

This special Spanish language Podcast Extra highlights a Cuban hip-hop artist in her own words.

The Crossing tells a story of identity and rock and roll dreams on his newest album.

Air That You Breathe by Frances De Pontes Peebles captures samba's golden age.

Summer's almost over so we present new sounds and two video premiers from upcoming albums.

Great new music to get you through the rest of the summer!

Latinx bands who feel shut out of mainstream Fests find gigs at Latin music festivals

Musicians use music to challenge the President's immigration policies.

We laugh, we cry, we celebrate the best of the year so far with everything from bugalú to boleros to Latinx punk.

The pianist's new album is a lesson on contemporary Cuban piano, performed with a trio with strong familial ties.

This week, Alt.Latino talks to Vida show runner Tanya Saracho about portraying Latinx stories of queerness, family and gentefication with an eye toward nuance onscreen and representation offscreen.

After cracking the American pop charts last year, the Colombian reggaeton star is following the success of "Mi Gente" with his fifth album, Vibras. And he knows you're still listening.

This week on Alt.Latino, we discuss how and whether to remix legendary recordings — and, along the way, feature a new album of remixed salsa classics.

The San Antonio-based band can trace its musical roots back to conjunto's beginnings in the early 1930s. The group plays guest DJ with tracks from its Spanglish-titled new album.

A panel of women take on the topic of what it takes to make in in the Latin music business while staying true to your gender identity.

The NPR Music staff watched almost 5,000 videos during the Tiny Desk Contest. We highlight five Latinx artists that impressed us.

The Colombian-American singer recalls her favorite childhood memories tied to music and plays some of the songs that inspired her debut album Isolation.

At 19, the producer and singer born Omar Banos has built a millions-strong following for his infectious dream pop — and begun testing it as a tool to help immigrant families like his own.

Some artists we can't wait to see at the annual music conference in Austin, Texas, representing a wide spectrum of styles and genres.

Alt.Latino hosts our first SXSW Showcase with two bands that show off distinct styles and approaches to Latin music.

Latino film makers create compelling histories of two Chicano civil rights figures in their new films to air on PBS.

Jorge Drexler shares music from his native Uruguay that influenced his own music.

This week, we have a thoughtful discussion of the genre's sometimes controversial depiction of women.

All the music in the show this month has a musical or cultural tie to Africa, in celebration of Black History Month.

The iconic actress Rita Moreno talks about her new role on One Day At A Time on Netflix and offers lessons about life.

The pioneering DJ and member of Masters At Work talks about his recent Grammy nomination, growing up in the Bronx, and a new collaboration with some of the Cuba's finest musicians.

We've already featured some great on the blog — now we add even more great music on the podcast.

Four artists with roots in El Salvador discuss their art and the threat to the country's immigrant community.

Alt.Latino kicks off the new year with a new feature: the Alt.Latino Album Chat, a conversation about a new album by the artist who made it. This week, Making Movies.

We call on some of the top Latinx music writers to help us look back at some of their top cuts of 2017.

In a genre going in as many directions as modern Latin music, how do you narrow a list of albums to just a few favorites? Alt.Latino's host and guests share their attempt for 2017.

Her voice dripping with Southern R&B grit, Moreno and her band never lose sight of the emotion in the holiday classics they perform at KUT in Austin, Texas from a show recorded in 2015.

Alt.Latino's digital and analog mail bags were still bulging with new music, even as the year is drawing to a close. Rock, hip-hop, soul and rancheras — we have it all.

This week we talk about the new film Coco with an NPR entertainment reporter and some of the principals of the film.

Alt.Latino makes the trek to Las Vegas to cover the Latin Grammy's! Join us for a visit to the Red Carpet!

Puerto Rican artist iLe plays Guest DJ, joining us to spin the classics from another era, the raw material that helped her create the album iLevitable.

The jazz drummer Antonio Sanchez is much more than that job title suggests — his new album Bad Hombre addresses current events instrumentally.

This week, conversations with two greats of the theatre stage — one you probably know and the other you should.