Alt.Latino

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...

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 epis...

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 C...

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...

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 Sura...

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 V...

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 M...

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 di...

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), “Cop...

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 artis...

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 Agarr...

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, "El...

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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...

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"...

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," "...

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 C...

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

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 Spr...

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: • Narcis...

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" Credits...

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 m...

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 Ve...

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 ora...

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 & Lo...