Alt.Latino
Alt.Latino is a podcast from NPR Music that celebrates the evolving Latinx community through music. Hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre interview living legends and rising stars, discussing Latinx culture, heritage, and shared experiences. The show offers a mix of music and conversation, with sponsorship-free episodes available through Alt.Latino+.
Episodes
A Tejano masterclass with El Gato Negro, Ruben Ramos
Ruben Ramos' life story mirrors the history of what we now know as Tejano music. His family's musical roots in Texas go back to 1918, and as a boy he was brought into the family bands, first as a drummer and then as a vocalist. He's been playing big band-inflected Tejano music now for more than six decades, and just released a tribute album tracing that musical lineage, called 'Los Días de Calor.'
The Vaqueros of Hawaii
We don’t often get to discuss the ways that Latin American music made its way west across the Pacific Ocean. But this week we have two incredible projects that celebrate that journey. First, a Japanese band that fuses traditional minyo folk sounds with cumbia and other Latin rhythms. Then, a project that unearths a forgotten history of the 19th century Mexican cowboys who went to Hawaii to help ma
Gipsy Kings are back, Julieta Venegas' norteña roots and more
Two different pioneers - from two different continents - are at the heart of this episode of new music. Since the late 1980s, Gipsy Kings have been infusing Catalan rumba flamenca with a pop sensibility that defies the purists. Their new single "Historia," from an upcoming album of the same name, shows they've still got that punchy danceability forty years on. And across the pond, Mexican rocker a
Our favorite Latin Tiny Desk Contest entries
Since 2014, we've been hitting bands up to send in their videos for the opportunity to win the Tiny Desk Contest. And almost from the beginning, Alt.Latino has been pulling aside the bands and artists that play Latin music. It’s always been a highlight to see the incredible talent that's out there night after night in bars, clubs, community centers, street parties and backyards, finding new ways t
El futuro es Milo J
I've been dying to interview Argentine artist Milo J ever since he came to NPR earlier this year to perform at the Tiny Desk. The 19-year-old started his career as a trap artist, but his latest album, 'La Vida Era Más Corta,' mines Argentine folklore to present a bold vision of his country that resonates deeply with younger generations. That Tiny Desk was just released -- and became one of our fas
Flamenco meets Música Mexicana
Fusion is at the heart of so much of the music we cover - especially on this week's episode. Flamenco producers descend on Hermosillo to experiment with regional Mexican music. Young Argentine artists blend trap with folk and rock en Español. A sunny Rio sound is born in Spain. Plus, a New Mexican string band, an Afro-Brazilian collective and an exploration of Latin roots from Cypress Hill. Artis
Argentine indie, Venezuelan reggaeton and punk from San Antonio
This week's new music show spans the breadth of Latin America. Argentine indie artist Paula Prieto goes experimental. Venezuelan reggaeton pioneers Chino y Nacho return to the limelight. Brazilian singer Marina B reminds Felix of The Beatles. Guatemala's Doctor Nativo pays homage to the "caminantes" heading north to find a better life. Plus, Latin punk from San Antonio, and a celebration of Afro-C
Jorge Drexler returns home
Jorge Drexler is one of the most decorated singer-songwriters in Latin America. His albums are always high profile events, and his latest record merits the attention. It's called Taracá, and to make it he returned home to his native Uruguay - after living in Spain for 30 years - to explore the roots of an Afro-Uruguayan tradition known as candombe. On this week's episode we chat with Drexler about
Sonic Bloom: Fresh, funky new tracks from Rio, Granada and more
Listen to this episode out in the springtime air. It starts with a bucolic jaunt through Brazilian guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento's latest orchestral project, then finds La Plazuela's fresh Spanish funk and Macha's irreverent side project. Other sounds along the way: Caribbean pop from Venezuela, feel-your-feels indie from northern Mexico and an electronic spin on the indigenous Náhuatl language.
Dominican indie, Peruvian cumbia and experimental Argentine pop
Two phrases spoken during this week’s episode stand out because they represent how Ana and I approach our searches for new music. The first: “The only limit is the imagination.” In my constant hunt for the sound I have never heard, this thought is my mantra. The new music we’re bringing this week really steps up to that challenge, from young upstarts like Broke Carrey to beloved veterans like Drac
Songs she loves: Sofia Rei and the magic of the human voice
From the very beginning of Alt.Latino, female vocalists have captivated us the most -- and New York-based Argentine vocalist Sofia Rei has been high on our list of favorites for a while. She uses the human voice like paint on a canvas, layering voices to create choirs that take flight at the mere suggestion of a melody. On her new album Antónima, she not only creates magic with her own voice but a
A Tejano master gets his flowers. Plus, Yahritza y Su Esencia returns
This week's new music pairs well with a glass of wine - or, at least, that's what Ana chose while taping this happy hour edition of Alt.Latino at Felix's dining room table. And the music on tap spans a huge breadth of styles. Yahritza y Su Esencia returns with a powerful sophomore album after a spell out of the limelight. Brazilian legend-in-the-making Lucas Santtana collaborates with his mentor G
If the singer falls silent, life falls silent: The female power anthem hall of fame
International Women's Day is more than a perfunctory holiday in many parts of Latin America. In Mexico City, for example, more than 120,000 people turned out on Sunday to protest femicide and celebrate the ongoing fight for basic rights for women in the country. In honor of the holiday, this week's episode debuts our female power anthems hall of fame, highlighting women in Latin music whose art ch
From church basement to salsa immortality: Remembering Willie Colón
On Feb. 21, the musical world lost a legend and pioneer of salsa: Willie Colón.The trombonist, songwriter, producer and arranger was a key part of the transition of Afro-Caribbean dance music from regional traditions to worldwide popularity. For an insider’s perspective on that history, this week we speak to trombonist and bandleader Angel “Papo” Vázquez, a Philadelphia-born musician who was not o
Chicano soul, Canary Islands merengue and a percussion supergroup
This week on Alt.Latino, it's another new music episode with a global panorama: Canary Islands merengue, Chicano soul, Afro-Brazilian roots and more. Plus, a percussion supergroup that Felix could listen to for hours.Featured artists and albums:(00:00) Introduction(00:55) Quevedo, 'NI BORRACHO'(05:02) Joey Quiñones, 'In a Soul Situation'(12:24) Carolina Mama, 'Amina'(15:31) Elipsis, 'Elipsis'(19:2
A Brazilian summer and a lost Mexican masterpiece
So, I was away for a bit and the new music just piled up during the holidays, and while we were watching Bad Bunny make headlines at the Grammys and the Super Bowl. Our first new music episode of the new year has quite a variety of styles from lots of different countries. We could say that about just about every new music show we produce. But what are we to do when the amount of creativity that co
Puerto Rico takes the field at the Bad Bunny Super Bowl
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was many things: a time-traveling journey through the history of Puerto Rico, a statement of pan-American unity, and a masterpiece of cultural expression. This week, co-hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are joined by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento — who brings on-the-ground reporting from San Juan — to unpack the symbolism embedded in Bad Bunny's performance.S
Bad Bunny makes history at the Grammys. Up next, the Super BBowl
Last Sunday, Bad Bunny's 'DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS' became the first exclusively Spanish language album to win album of the year at the Grammys. This coming Sunday, the Puerto Rican megastar will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. For this week's episode, Anamaria Sayre and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento chat about what these two moments mean for Bad Bunny, the island of Puerto Rico, and the role of L
Venezuela speaks: Producer Ella Bric spins songs with a 'teardrop of optimism'
This month we’ve been looking at the music of Venezuela from a lot of different angles. For this episode, we’ve invited trumpet player and producer Ella Bric to be our guest DJ. She shared what she thinks are the most socially, culturally and politically impactful pieces of music to come out of Venezuela in the last half century.Ella Bric grew up in a migrant-rich town in Venezuela called San Anto
Rawayana on their new album and a changing Venezuela
Sometimes life imitates art - or at least the two can seem eerily connected. On Jan. 1, the Venezuelan band Rawayana released a new album, '¿Dónde Es El After?,' which began with a lyric that many interpreted as a wish for their country's leadership to be gone. A few days later, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was ousted from power and seized by American forces. For this week's episode, we cha
Our Love Letter to Bob Weir
Over the weekend, we lost a musician who shaped the lives of countless people: the late, great Bob Weir. He was a founding member of the Grateful Dead who played guitar, wrote and sang in the band for 30 years. After Jerry Garcia died and the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir kept the spirit of the music alive for three more decades, creating new Deadheads for generations to come — he brought
Music as protest in Venezuela
Venezuela has a deep tradition of reflecting political change through music. This week, as the country reels from the seizure of its president by American forces, we explore the recent history of Venezuelan protest music, and from the Nineties right up until the present. First, we share an excerpt of an episode we made at another moment of political turmoil in Venezuela, in the summer of 2024. The
What We Missed In 2025
The sheer volume and variety of Spanish-language music released every year is breathtaking. Even those of us with our ears to the ground are bound to miss things. So, in this episode we travel back through the year to resurface some of the remarkable albums that somehow didn't make it on the show. Catch Afro-Caribbean jazz, a history-spanning classical strings project, the return of Juana Molina a
What Were Felix and Ana's 2025 Favorites?
This year was bookended by two major statements in Latin music. In January, Bad Bunny released DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, and followed that up with a 31-show residency in Puerto Rico over the summer. Then, in November, the Spanish vocalist Rosalía released her genre-defying masterpiece LUX, which sent legions of music lovers scrambling to try to grasp the magnitude of an album performed in 13 different
Zen and the art of new music
Some folks think by December all the releases for the year are complete. Not quite. This week we feature a new music show with albums that should be considered along with the year’s best. We've got pop and alternative from Mexico, funk from Colombia, rock and ambient from New York and a Tejano master celebrated by his fellow Texans. Plus, Felix brings the zen. Artists and songs featured in this e
Roots and unity at the Latin Grammys
The annual Latin Grammy awards are always full of glamour and glitz. But they're also an ideal time to take the pulse of the industry - which is exactly what Anamaria Sayre did this year, perusing the red carpet to talk with the most exciting names in Latin music. In this episode, Ana brings Felix her report from Las Vegas, where Bad Bunny won Album of the Year, the independent Brazilian music sce
Rosalía in her own words
Spanish vocalist and composer Rosalía has been a major presence in Spanish language music since she released her 2018 album, "El Mal Querer." She started by leaning into her flamenco roots, but since then she has expanded her musical vision to become one of those musicians who defies category.Her new album "LUX" stretches that descriptor to its limit. Her musical tools this time include the London
Portraits of Jazz and Identity in Latin America
Ever since I heard the Argentine saxophonist Gato Barbieri back in the Seventies, I’ve been fascinated by musicians from South America who found their way to jazz.Lately there seems to be a strong showing of contemporary musicians from various Latin American countries who not only play jazz but also mix certain Latin American folk traditions into their sound.So, this week I spoke with six of them:
Salsa, bossa nova, and Argentina's next big thing
Not to sound like a broken record, but I'll say it again: the variety of creative expression in what is inadequately labeled "Latin music" continues to astound me.From the bossa nova-by-way-of-Guatemala of Fabuloso and Los Skeepers, to the evolving torch singing of the Chilean-via-Mexico vocalist Mon Laferte, to the ‘Western noir’ of California singer Andrés Miguel Cervantes, to Nathy Peluso’s Arg
What's in our mailbag? The beauty of simplicity
The past month has been a whirlwind. The El Tiny takeover of the Tiny Desk... interviews with some of the most exciting artists in Latin music... and, of course, puppets! So, for today's episode, we emerge from the craziness and dig into our neglected mailbag, which is brimming with new music. What did we find? Simple beauty. A young songwriter from Veracruz whose spare compositions have wowed his
A Tiny Desk chat with Silvana Estrada
There's no question that Mexican vocalist and composer Silvana Estrada is special to Alt.Latino. Ever since she launched her 2022 album "Marchita" with a series of revelatory singles, she seemingly spoke directly to Alt.Latino co-host Anamaria Sayre.Since those earliest days, the two have been able to spend quite a bit of time together in interviews and other public gatherings, which only brought
A conversation with Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan is one of those musicians whose work and mere presence in the record industry deserves without question platitudes like ‘pioneering’ or ‘ground breaking.’ In fact, we have often mentioned her in that light throughout the 15 years of Alt.Latino. So it was a thrill to invite her to chat with us once again, this time immediately after a stunning Tiny Desk performance that will publish
The return of El Tiny
It's that time of year again: NPR's Tiny Desk becomes El Tiny, featuring concerts from some of the most exciting and legendary Latin artists around. So, this week Felix and Ana run through this year's El Tiny lineup and listen to performances from Fito Paez, Carlos Vives, Chuwi and more. Plus, a conversation about the news that Bad Bunny will perform at next year's Super Bowl LX.This podcast episo
Latin honky tonk and imaginary collaborations
The way new music comes to Alt.Latino World Headquarters says a lot about our slight age difference. I still get CDs in the mail, with an occasional music file sent via email. Ana is constantly playing me audio files she gets vial email or texts from her new music sources, very rarely on CD. So while we were busy putting the finishing touches on our fist annual El Tiny takeover of the Tiny Desk Co
Bad Bunny Closes Out His Residency
Bad Bunny's months-long residency in Puerto Rico is coming to an end. The shows brought in hundreds of millions of dollars to the island, and sparked new debates about Puerto Rican identity and politics. For this week's episode, Ana and Felix traveled to San Juan to take in one of the final performances, and interview both locals and tourists about the musical and cultural impact of the summer of
A Tribute to Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras
This week's episode is a tribute to host Felix Contreras, who just received the Hispanic Heritage Award for Journalism from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Co-host Anamaria Sayre and the Alt.Latino team surprised Felix with guest appearances from Juanes, Daymé Arocena, Chucho Valdés, Dolores Huerta and more.This podcast was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya
Felix's healing soundtrack and new love songs
Felix shares the music that's helped him recover from a serious illness. Anamaria shares some new exquisite (and, in one case, slightly toxic) love songs. Featured artists and songs:• Blood Orange, "I Can Go" (feat. Mabe Fratti & Mustafa)• Draco Rosa, "Quiero Vivir"• Caetano Veloso, "Voce E Linda" (Remixed Original Album)• Tim Bernardes, "BB (Garupa de Moto Amarela)"• Tim Bernardes, "Última Vez"•
Ecuadorian-American indie pop, 2010s Tumblr-core and bedroom pop cumbia
This week, NPR Music reporter Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento is back on the mic, bringing host Anamaria Sayre new music in the vein of her 2010s Tumblr era. Think emo bangs, bright blue skinny jeans and a Warped Tour T-shirt. Sonically, this week’s picks run through bedroom pop, sultry balladry and Bronx-Dominican rap over post-punk basslines.
Featured artists and songs:• Titanic (I. la Católica and Ma
Flaco Jimenez and Eddie Palmieri: Why Their Music Mattered
On Alt.Latino we often discuss the way that traditions are recognized and expanded upon. Usually it’s when we’re talking about new artists.But this week we are spending time honoring two legends: Tex Mex accordion player Flaco Jimenez and Latin jazz pianist/composer Eddie Palmieri each died within the last few weeks. They were foundational to their respective musical cultures, products of two dist
Latin summer anthems
Felix Contreras is on vacation, so Anamaria decided to throw her own kind of summer bash in his absence. With NPR Music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento along for the ride, today’s Alt.Latino sails through tropical bangers from Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and more.Simon Grossmann, “Copa del Mundo”A beachy pop-ballad about building a soccer team (as a metaphor for making love), “Copa de
The decline of corridos tumbados? Plus, more jazz from Felix
Some might call it whiplash, the way we sometimes zip from one genre of Latin music to another in our New Music shows. But I like to think of it as an expression of the richness and vitality of all music made under what is known as Latin music.
This week's selections reinforce the idea that trying to identify this music under one heading is impossible. Let's just call it Good Music.
Featured art
It's a Bad Bunny summer in Puerto Rico: Ana recaps 2 of his Residency shows
Global superstar Bad Bunny is hosting an unprecedented 30 concert residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fans are calling it a defining cultural moment for the island. Anamaria Sayre attended two recent shows and shared her reflections.Music featured in this episode:• Bad Bunny, "Callaita" • Bad Bunny, "Baile Inolvidable" • Los Pleneros de la Cresta, "Los de la Isla"• Gilberto Santa Rosa,"La Agarro B
Bad Bunny residency prep, new guitar tracks and Latin genre benders
Before Ana heads off to see Bad Bunny's unprecedented residency in Puerto Rico, we chat a little about why the celebration is significant to the island and Latin music in general.We also dig deep into new releases that include four different approaches to the guitar and a musician from Peru who defies genre to create his own musical language.Music heard in this episode:• Hermanos Gutiérrez, "Elega
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'Our joy is our resistance.'
This week Ana and I share some of our long time favorites. While Ana leans into music discovery, I tend to bring more of the classics. In fact, I build playlists on a streaming service to mix music much like I did back in the era of the cassette tape. There is wide swath of music presented in the show this week. —Felix Contreras• Maestro Espada, "La despedida," "Tres gotas de rocío," and Peretas d
Bad Bunny gets political, Brazilian grooves from Brooklyn, Reparto Cubano and more
Ana and Felix break down Bad Bunny's latest political video. Hear their failed attempt at a blindfold listening game.Artists and songs featured in this episode: • Cheo, "Amor A Primera Vista"• babas tutsipop, "antonio banderas" and "cursi"• Pedazo De Carne Con Ojo, "Sirens" and "Tiralo"• Ryuichi Sakamoto "DOLPHINS"• Frank Zappa "While You Were Art II"• Pink Pablo, "ALL I DREAM," "OJOS AZUL" and "
Vintage cumbia, Ecuadorian folk, guitar jamming and Mexican rap
Our selections this week feature a crate diggers' delight from Colombia and the sound of modern rap in Mexico.Featured artists and songs:• Óscar Agudelo y El Combo Moderna, "Está Como Mango"• Isabella Lovestory, "Fresa Metal," "Eurotrash," "Tu Te Vas"• Grecia Albán, "YO POR TI"• Vicente García, "Mambo Violento," "El Huracán," "Abusadora"• BALTHVS, "Flesh and Soul" • Gera MX, "Ciclo Vital," "1 Mill
Karol G goes Pan-Latin, Argentine rock reimagined, Mexico now and then
Karol G leans into a Pan-Latin approach on her latest album. Jazz vocalist Roxana Amed reimagines classic rock from her native Argentina. And more.Artists and songs featured in this episode:• Panteón Rococó, "Parison" (featuring Carín León, Sabino & Remmy Valenzuela)• Juan Wauters, "Manejando por Pando"• Roxana Amed, "Dejaste Tu Corazon"• Fito Páez and Luis Alberto Spinetta, "Dejaste Ver Tu Corazó
Best music of the year (so far)
A look at some of the most intriguing music released during the first six months of the year.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
New Tracks: Bruce Springsteen (yes, that Bruce Springsteen), pablopablo and more
This week Anamaria Sayre continues to scour her part of the internet for great new tracks that will impress Felix Contreras, while he continues to explore Latinos who sing country music.Featured artists and songs: • Alleh & Yorghaki, "me late"• Alleh & Yorghaki, "capaz (merengueton)"• Louie TheSinger, "Quicker Way To Jesus"• pablopablo, "Dónde Estás!"• Bruce Springsteen, "Adelita" • Bruce Springst
Accordions: From Eastern Europe to Latin America, with love!
The influence of Eastern Europe immigration in Latin America can be heard in the way the accordion was adapted and adopted in countries like Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and beyond.This week we take a deep dive into those traditions with our guide, Eduardo Díaz, former director of Latino cultural information for the Smithsonian Institution.Featured artists and songs:• Narciso M
The Latin bands of the Tiny Desk Contest
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras was a Tiny Desk Contest judge this year, and on this episode, he brings six of his favorite entries to the show. Artists and songs featured:• Esotérica Tropica, "Despierta"• Mario Diaz, Bachi and Los Salvajes, "Ropa de Colores"• alegrías, "Daygo"• Charly Siaba, "Lejos de Aquí"• Los Pleneros de la Cresta, "Rayo del Sol"• Taisha Estrada, "El Abstracto"CreditsAudio for
Musical lessons for living in the moment and meat-inspired band names
This week's mixture of jazz, trance-inducing beats, Mexican folk and gorgeous indie pop has something for everyone.Featured artists and songs:Paloma Morphy, "1 tipo nuevo"Camila Meza, "Persistir"Rusowsky, "Malibu"Ines Velasco, "Todo Es Para Decir"Pachyman, "Hard to Part"Las Chorizeras, "Blue Eyed Man"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is
Guitarricadelafuente and Lido Pimienta return with stunning albums
Co-host Anamaria Sayre finally gets to share the new Guitarricadelafuente album with the world, and catch the NPR audience on the viral sensation Macario Martínez. Felix Contreras spotlights Lido Pimienta's symphonic pivot.Featured artists and songs:• Guitarricadelafuente, "BABIECA!"• Haydée Milanés, "Un amor que se demora"• Macario Martínez, "Sueña Lindo, Corazón"• Macario Martínez, "Otra Vez"• M
Music from South America, Spain and ... Mars?
The music this week comes from a variety of countries and genres, some of it sounds like music you've heard ... while others sound like nothing you've heard before.Featured artists and songs:• Natalia Bernal, "Más Allá"• Jaze, "mil procedimientos"• Jaze & Susana Baca, "jomalón"• Jaze, "boomeran'"• The Mars Volta, "Fin" • The Mars Volta, "Enlazan las tinieblas"• The Mars Volta, "Alba del orate"• Th
Rapper PJ Sin Suela on Puerto Rican hip-hop and more
Anamaria Sayre talks about the history of Puerto Rican hip-hop with rapper PJ Sin Suela. Featured artists and songs:• PJ Sin Suela & Chuwi, "Escúchame "• PJ Sin Suela, "Es La Hora"• Nuff Ced & Tek 1, "Metrópolis"• PJ Sin Suela, Siete Nueve & Messy Deprat , "Illegal 2.0"• E.A. Flow, "D'Aqui"• Intifada, Luis Diaz & Yallzee "Albizu"• Los Pleneros de La Cresta, "Los de la Isla"• Bad Bunny & Los Plener
These Alt.Latino faves just keep getting better and better
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre talk artistic growth and precocious talent.Featured artists and songs:• Natalia Lafourcade, "Cancionera"• Natalia Lafourcade & El David Aguilar, "Como Quisiera Quererte"• Natalia Lafourcade & Hermanos Gutierrez, "Luna Creciente"• Irene Diaz, "Anything For You"• Eladio Carrión & Myke Towers, "Vetements"• Eladio Carrión & Lia Kali, "Me Muero"• Kaya
A Banjo, Bomba, Bardo y Más
Anamaria continues to impress Felix with new female voices, while he shares more jazz and Puerto Rican bomba fusion.Featured artists and songs:• Queralt Lahoz, "LA FE"• Bardo, "Renacer" (feat. Combo Chimbita)• Vanessa Zamora, "GRAVEDAD" (feat. Çantamarta)• BEATrio, "Archipelago"• Mon Laferte, "Otra Noche de Llorar"• El Laberinto del Coco, "Todo Se Nubla" CreditsAudio for this episode of Alt.Latino
Behind the scenes of Bad Bunny's Tiny Desk
Bad Bunny's Tiny Desk concert was the most watched premiere in the series' history. In this episode, Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre speaks with the superstar at the Desk and takes you behind the scenes of the performance. NPR reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, who also was in the audience, sits in for Felix Contreras this week.Featured artists and songs:• Bad Bunny, "PIToRRO DE COCO" (Tiny Desk Versi
A psicodélico deep dive, plus new music from Spain and Colombia
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre play the new music that caught their ears this week, plus Felix delivers a deep dive into the roots of psicodélico. Featured artists and songs:• Eslabón Armado, "Esa noche" • Adrian Quesada, "Ojos Secos" (feat. Cuco)• Jessie Reyez, "**I NEVER SAID I WAS SANE**" • BALTHVS, "Year of the Snake" • Grateful Dead, "Dark Star"• Os Mutantes, "A minha men
Music To Move By (It's Not What You Think)
Alt.Latino's Felix Contreras moved out of his long-time apartment, and in the process, he unearthed some amazing music. Co-host Anamaria Sayre shares the new songs currently moving her.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Jazz from Latin America, plus a track we can't name from Ca7riel & Paco
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras gives his co-host Anamaria Sayre a primer on Latin Jazz. She returns the favor with a new track from Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (of Tiny Desk fame) and a Mexican ranchera that sounds older than it is.Featured artists and songs:• Edison Machado & Boa Nova, "Naquela Base"• Michi, "Memmy (Recuerdo)" (feat. Gabriel da Rosa)• Adam O'Farrill, "Nocturno, 1932"• Vivir Quintana,
New Music: Something Old, Something New, Something Found... and Jazz
This week we balance our passion for new discoveries with reissued music from an iconic Latin American songwriter. Featured artists and songs:• Ezra Collective, "Body Language" (feat. Sasha Keable)• Patti LaBelle, "Teach me Tonight (Me Gusta Tu Baile)"• Teri Gender Bender, "SANAR"• Kevin Kaarl, "recuérdame x siempre"• Violeta Parra, "Cantores Que Reflexionan"• Ben Aler, "Honest"• Jose Luiz Martins
Afro.Latino: From Venezuela to Puerto Rico and beyond
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras takes us on a tour of African influences throughout Latinidad, with a little help from Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Miguel Zenón.Featured artists and songs:• Betsayda Machado & Parranda el Clavo, "Oh, Santa Rosa"• Bia Ferreira, "Quando Você Me Olha"• Cheo Feliciano, "Anacaona"• Ismael Rivera, "Las Caras Lindas"• Ruben Blades & Willie Colón, "Plantación Adentro"•
Christian Nodal stays messy, pablopablo recruits Carín León, and new Flaco Jimenez
'Alt.Latino' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are back with six new songs that span the spectrum of Latinidad.Featured artists and songs:• Christian Nodal, "A Solas con la Botella"• Las Trompas de Falopium, "JARRE"• pablopablo, Carín León & Ralphie Choo, "Eso Que Tú Llamas Amor"• The Mexican Standoff & Flaco Jimenez, "Tu Dirás" (feat. Los Texmaniacs)• Amaia, "C'est La Vie"• Angie K, "Red D
Selena Gomez's tears, Jessie Reyez's gratitude and what it means to be 'xolo'
Our digital mailboxes continue to overflow with new music. This week, we hear from a Colombian-Venezuelan super group, a new Afro-Brazilian band, and Ana gets another jazz lesson from a Latin jazz orchestra.Songs featured in this episode:• XIXA, "Xolo de Galáxia"• Meme del Real, "Princesa"• Jessie Reyes, "GOLIATH"• Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, "Dia de los Muertos III Mambo Cad
Why we love Joaquina. Plus, Felix is chismeless
Do not come on Alt.Latino if you don't have good chisme! Ana and Felix talk about their favorite songs of the week, including some psychedelic cumbia, Cuban folk music and more.Songs featured on the episode:•Combo Chimbita, "Dímelo"•Cortadito, "Yemaya"•Joaquina, "desahogo"•Joaquina, "aeropuerto"•The Altons, "Waiting"•Thee Midniters, "It'll Never Be Over For Me"•Majo Aguilar, "el beso"•Carrie Rodri
Felix and Ana try out New Year's Resolutions
Will Ana and Felix ever figure out their New Years Resolution for 2025? The clock is ticking. They contemplate that and share their favorite recent new music.Songs featured in this episode:Marina Albero, "First Step of the journey"Beelé, Ovy On the Drums, "Mi Refe"Fela Kuti, "Shakara"The Bongo Hop, "La Pata Coja feat. Nidia Gongora"nsqk, Easykid, "BOBOMENSOTONTO"Federico Aubele, "Te Quiero a Ti"Ju
A moment for Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home for me and always in my heart. Watching the fires from afar in my current city, New York, has me thinking a lot about what makes my hometown great: breathtaking mountains, stunning beaches and above all a hodgepodge, tapestry community that comes together in powerful ways during a painful moment.The good and bad of LA's history — redlining and rebuilding, previous fires and di
Why Bad Bunny's 'DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS' is an act of political resistance
On Sunday, Bad Bunny released his sixth studio album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, and people are saying it's his most "Puerto Rican" record yet. The global pop star has clearly come home to his roots in a meaningful way and given the political situation on the island, releasing an album so proudly Puerto Rican is a major act of resistance. Anamaria Sayre, Felix Contreras and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento bre
Music We Missed in 2024
'Alt.Latino' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre do their best to keep up with new releases, but sometimes great music evades their radar. On this episode, the duo highlight some of the best songs they never got a chance to share during the year.Music We Missed in 2024• Sanje, "Buen Fantasma" (from 'De Repente Otra Vez')• David Lindes, "Te Vengo A Perdonar" (from 'Peace With A Lion')• Yung Du
Alt.Latino's favorite songs of 2024
Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento run through their favorites in a crowded year for excellent songs, from innovative Spanish hip-hop to distinctive jazz.Songs featured in this episode:•Çantamarta, "MOTORIZADO"•Mala Rodriguez, "Casi Nada"•Zaccai Curtis, "Maple Leaf Rag"•Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso, "DUMBAI"•Melissa Aldana, "A Purpose"•Residente, "313"Audio for this episode of
Alt.Latino's favorite albums of 2024
It's that time of the year — figuring out the best Latin music of 2024. And every year, it gets harder and harder (seriously, it's difficult!) for Ana and Felix to narrow down their extensive lists. Joined by NPR culture reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, the three round up the best albums of this year.Songs featured in this episode:•Angélica Garcia, "El Que" from Gemelo•Hinds, "Coffee" from Viva
As the Latin Grammys turns 25, how much has Latin music changed? (Part 2)
Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre continue their discussion on the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammys and the industry's changes, featuring insight from Nathy Peluso, Rauw Alejandro and more.Songs featured in this episode:•Fuerza Regida, "TQM"•Fuerza Regida, "Que onda"•Fuerza Regida "HARLEY QUINN"•Latin Mafia, "y como te digo que"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Sim
As the Latin Grammys turns 25, how much has Latin music changed? (Part 1)
The Latin Grammys recently marked its 25th anniversary. Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre was in Miami to talk to some of Latin music's most influential artists to understand some of the trends that are shaping Latin music today, shared over two episodes.Songs featured in this episode:•Juanes, "Fíjate Bien"•Juanes, "Vida Cotidiana"•Álvaro Díaz, "Quien Te Quiere"•Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera "Bebé Dame"
Alt.Latino's new music round-up: Damaris Bojor, Becky G and Chicocurlyhead
Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre may be traveling in Spain, but that doesn't mean they don't stop finding exciting new music to share. On this episode, they bring "folk pirano" from Damaris Bojor, laidback bedroom pop from Chicocurlyhead, the latest from Becky G and more.Songs featured in this episode:•El León Pardo, "La Perica"•Laura Itandehui, "La Distancia"•Haydée Milanés, "Requiem Para Un Am
Our Spain Soundtrack: Judeline, Lia Kali and more
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are in Spain this week for a music conference, so they soaked up the local sounds.Featured Songs:- Mayte Martín, "El Breve Espacio Que No Está"- Rels B and Lia Kali, "La Vida Sin Ti"- Judeline, "INRI"- Buika, "La Niña De Fuego"Listen to the playlist at https://npr.org/altlatino.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of p
Alt.Latino's new music round-up: Elsa y Elmar, Alih Jey and Little Jesus
Anamaria Sayre brings some exciting new sounds coming out Mexico City (while recording from Mexico City) including sweet new music from Colombian artist Elsa Y Elmar, while Felix Contreras shares new jazz-classical out of Barcelona and more.Songs featured in this episode:•Elsa y Elmar, "Palacio"•Alih Jey, "Luz de Gas"•Little Jesus, "Tierra Llamando A Sant"•Lucia Fumero, "Folklore II"Audio for this
Celebrating the legacy of Celia Cruz
To celebrate the release of a new book from NPR Music, How Women Made Music, as well as the 50th anniversary this year of the album Celia & Johnny, Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre walk through their favorite songs by the legendary Celia Cruz, alongside the artist's niece Linda Pritchett. Songs featured in this episode:• Celia Cruz, "Bemba Colorá"• Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, "Yiri Yiri Bon"• Celia
Alt.Latino's best new music round-up: Rosalía, Twanguero and Wyatt Flores
Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre play a few of their favorite new tracks, some from Alt.Latino standbys and some exciting new discoveries, too. Also, we hear from an Alt.Latino listener about a Dominican song that moves her.Songs featured in this episode:• Twanguero, "Rumba #2"• Twanguero, "La Leyenda de Cañaveral"• Rosalía, "Omega (feat. Ralphie Choo)"• Wyatt Flores, "Oh Susannah"• pablopablo,
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