Becoming An Icon

In our thrilling finale exploring the epic journey of the legendary Carlos Santana, we dive into a moment in life when his heroes faded away, leaving Carlos to seek inspiration within… and beyond. Santana's remarkable late-in-life resurgence in the '90s not only introduced him to a new generation but also solidified his status as an enduring icon. Join us as we unravel Santana's extraordinary lega...

In today’s episode of Becoming an Icon, we kick off with Santana’s decisive performance at a generation-defining music festival, propelling him to the mountaintop of success. However soon after, Santana would find himself wandering the desert. ​​Join us as we ride the tidal wave of his triumphs, only to be met with rough waters and sinking tides. Lilliana Vazquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts...

Get ready to groove as we take a deep dive into the extraordinary journey of Carlos Santana! His life and career embody the very essence of a '60s and '70s rock star, and today, we're diving headfirst into the legend's beginnings. Coming of age amidst the vibrant streets of San Francisco during the heyday of counterculture, Santana played legendary venues and witnessed legendary performances that...

Today on Becoming an Icon… Get ready to relive Selena’s meteoric rise and untimely fall. During the early '90s, Selena was at the peak of her career: "Amor Prohibido" was her biggest hit yet, and fans were captivated by her powerful performances. But then, as you know, tragedy struck. Instead of dwelling on how Selena was taken from us, join us in this episode as we celebrate all that she gave us...

Step into the world of Selena as we uncover the moments that shaped her legendary career. On today’s episode, we begin with her very first record deal, leading up to her legendary concert at the Astrodome in Houston. Join us as we deep dive into her romance with Chris Perez and the electrifying performances that solidified her status as a Tejano sensation. These were the years that cemented Selena...

Get ready to dive into the legacy of a brand new icon! Today, we shine the spotlight on none other than the queen of Tejano music... Selena! Join us as we embark on a journey through the early years of her career: from her upbringing in an artistic family to the challenges faced during the early days of the iconic Selena y los Dinos. Finally, witness the pivotal moment when Selena secured her firs...

Step into the spotlight with us for the grand finale of our Celia Cruz journey, where we delve into her twilight years: overflowing with awards, accolades, a fistful of Cuban soil, and even a poignant tribute. We'll uncover the profound impact of Celia's music, reflecting on how her voice transcended borders and touched souls worldwide. Whether she had even a glimmer of an idea of where her voice...

Today on Becoming an Icon: When Celia thrived, an entire groundbreaking musical scene thrived alongside her. Join us as we revisit Celia's stratospheric rise to fame, her journey as an immigrant in New York City, the global expansion of Salsa, and her unwavering advocacy for Black unity and Latino solidarity. We'll uncover how her invincible spirit and infectious energy continue to inspire generat...

Join us as we delve into the captivating legacy of a brand new icon! In this episode, we embark on a journey into the life of Celia Cruz. Starting from her humble beginnings in Cuba, we offer a glimpse of the island through Celia's unique perspective. And witness how pivotal moments of change in her homeland transformed Celia's life forever. This was merely the beginning of a remarkable journey fo...

Join us for the emotional finale of our Juan Gabriel journey as we pay tribute to the beloved icon's life and legacy. In this episode, as we mourn his passing, we revisit the touching moments of his funeral, where millions gathered to honor his memory and celebrate his extraordinary contributions to music and culture in that same place where he played and charmed thousands: Bellas Artes. As Juanga...

Welcome to today's episode where we dive into Juan Gabriel's extensive influence! From crafting iconic tunes for telenovelas to reminiscing about some of the most celebrated covers of his classics. Juanga's impact transcends music. Join us as we explore his profound influence on queer culture, including that unforgettable "Don't question what you can see, mijo" moment from his Primer Impacto inter...

We’re back with an all new season of Becoming an Icon! To kick things off with a bang, our spotlight falls on none other than El Divo de Juárez, Juan Gabriel! Today, we delve into his humble beginnings, tracing his journey from growing up in an orphanage to performing at one of the most prestigious venues in all of Mexico, Bellas Artes! Come with us to uncover how Juan Gabriel went from a small to...

¡Hey, Familia! We still can't believe the final episode for our season is here, so we made sure it's extra special. Join Lilliana and Joseph as they spill all the tea of our Icons alongside accomplished music and celebrity journalist, Tomás Mier. This episode is all about the past, the present and a lot of what the future holds for our favourite stars as well as latinx musicians who are up and com...

Before we say goodbye to the Estefans we have a special treat for you. Joining us today is the remarkable musician hailing from Barranquilla and now a fellow Miamian, JK Jurado. Together, we'll delve into the enchanting universe of Gloria Estefan, the Miami Sound Machine, and, of course, indulge in an unplugged musical session you won’t want to miss! Lilliana Vázquez and Joseph Carrillo are the ho...

Gloria Estefan's career continued to thrive as she embarked on a successful solo career with albums like "Cuts Both Ways" and "Don't Wanna Lose You." A near-fatal bus accident threatened her career, but she made a remarkable recovery and returned to the stage, released multiple albums with chart-topping hits. Her contributions were recognized with various awards, including the Presidential Medal o...

Despite her family's focus on her education, Gloria's musical career with the Miami Sound Machine took off. Their hit song "Dr. Beat" brought international success, and Emilio made the significant decision to step back from the band to support Gloria as her career soared. Their albums "Primitive Love" and "Let It Loose" marked a turning point, leading to Gloria's solo career and shaping the future...

In this episode, the focus is on Gloria and Emilio Estefan, who rose from humble beginnings to become music icons. Gloria, born in Cuba and raised in Miami, faced adversity, including her father's illness and discrimination. Despite this, she excelled in her studies and music. She met Emilio at the University of Miami, and together, they formed the one and only Miami Sound Machine. Join us as we t...

Marc Anthony's success influences Puerto Rican culture and the world as the global Salsa ambassador. But it's not just his music that's on center stage; his personal life is under the intense media spotlight, especially his marriages, surrounded by rumors and scrutiny. His philanthropic endeavors, particularly his foundation's support for underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic and Puer...

Born and raised in New York to the rhythm of the trumpet, the double bass, and the congas, Marc Anthony is the Puerto Rican music sensation who revolutionized the salsa genre. From his beginnings as a backup vocalist to becoming a global icon, we uncover how he made salsa a universal sound and how all those Grammys would lead to love.  Lilliana Vázquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts of Becoming...

The 2010's were rocked by Pop and Electronic Dance music, and there were two names that defined the decade: Bruno Mars and Selena Gómez. We're welcoming back the host of Estás Rica podcast Dani Sayan to celebrate their impact as well as speculate what the future has in store for these unapologetic stars. Lilliana Vázquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts of Becoming an Icon with production support...

Selena Gómez has made her mark as a singer and continues to do so. A true cultural revolutionary, her acting career is just as diverse. From her start on Barney & Friends to her most recent venture: letting the world truly see her, no filter. We'll be exploring her time on television, her filmic ventures, and even her role in the producing chair. So get ready because today we're cruising down...

Selena Gómez can do it all. She's an actress, singer, and business mogul changing the game for women in the industry. Her life has been highly publicized since she was very young, yet there is still so much left to learn about this trailblazing young icon. On this episode, we'll be focusing solely on her music career, from her start in Selena Gomez and The Scene to her first Spanish-language EP Re...

Bruno Mars went from impersonating Elvis Presley to living the Presley dream. Now it's time to focus on all the award-winning music that came after. We're talking Unorthodox Jukebox, 24K Magic, and An Evening with Silk Sonic. Don't forget two Super Bowls and a whole lot of style as we also breakdown his killer fashion sense and how enforces a dress code for recordings. Yes, you read that correctly...

We're very excited about the newest artist joining the Becoming an Icon roster: Bruno Mars. From his humble beginnings in Hawaii, his fight for recognition, and the well-deserved homecoming after one hell of a journey, let's welcome one of the greatest musicians we have been blessed to witness in real time.  Lilliana Vázquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts of Becoming an Icon with production sup...

We've had a great time discussing the life and career of our lobita, but our final episode on Shakira has arrived. Before we go, we're joined by the lovely Dani Sayan from the Estás Rica podcast! A badass Peruvian and psychologist, Dani offers us a unique perspective as we discuss Shakira's recent singles, outings, and outfits! Lilliana Vázquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts of Becoming an Icon...