Alt.Latino

Shortly after Los Texmaniacs did what they do best at the Tiny Desk, I pulled them into a studio to chat with them about the traditions they represent with their music. It turned into a master class on the accordion-fueled style known as conjunto, a mix of European folk music and Spanish-language storytelling. Plus, the group shared some love for one of the iconic artists who taught the world how to love conjunto, Flaco Jimenez, and how their personal connection to him also inspired them to move the music forward. - Felix Don't miss NPR Music's full coverage of Latin Music Month, with Tiny Desk Concerts featuring Mon Laferte, Los Tigres del Norte, Tim Bernardes, Los Texmaniacs and more starting September 15 at NPR.org . This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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 Ana features two very different Brazilian artists that both draw heavily on the '60s and '70s Tropicália genre. Felix presents two very different approaches to Colombian folkloric music and a new Spanish-language singer-songwriter who turns sadness into light. Artists and albums featured in this episode: (01:52) Maglore, 'Fluxo Natural' (07:13) Indus, 'El Mangle' (12:42) Candelabro, 'Deseo, Carne y Voluntad' (17:11) Araña, 'Araña' (21:07) Lucas Bezerra, 'EU MANDEI MEU AMOR PRO ESPAÇO' (25:21) Luca de Dios, 'De Amor y Desamor This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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

I like to think I’m the one who keeps things fresh on the show — or at least that’s what I tell everyone. But this week Felix once again proved that false, bringing in a fresh corridos tumbados duo from Guadalajara who takes a something-old-turned-new genre and smashes it together with metal. It's something I’ve never heard before. What can I say, Felix keeps us all young. I went back to Brazil with some up-and-coming artists whose albums I’ve been excitedly awaiting. And, of course, Felix had to balance things out with one of his favorite jazz vocalists. As per usual, we’re all about whiplash here at Alt.Latino, but in a way that hopefully will make you the favorite DJ at your next fiesta. — Ana Artists and albums featured in this episode (03:52) Cultura Profética, 'En bucle' (09:53) Claudia Acuna, 'Ave de Luz: Chilean Jazz & Soul' (13:52) Mari Froes, 'Esquina do Sol' (17:36) Valeria Stewart, 'On A Wing' (21:17) Raquel Dimantas, 'Cosmo Dorme' (24:37) Ladrones, 'Arriba La L' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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

Latin identity has been at the core of Cypress Hill's music from the very beginning -- their 1991 track "Latin Lingo" gave voice to the Latin roots of hip hop with its funky Spanglish callouts. But it took the band thirty-five more years to make an album of original songs written in Spanish: 'Dios Bendiga,' which was just released. In this episode, Felix chats with the band -- B-Real, Sen Dog and Eric Bobo -- about the influences behind the album, and why this moment felt right to finally make it. Plus, a cameo from the band's longtime producer and turntablist, DJ Lord. This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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

Mexico isn't the first place you think of as the cutting edge of experimental electronic music. But two new projects show that might be changing. LATIN MAFIA recently teamed up with British producer Fred again.. to make a bold new album featuring collaborators like Mabe Fratti and Lil Yachty. And the up-and-coming duo RØZ -- comprised of producers Manolo Cabrera and Hugo Lara -- just released their debut album, spinning a dazzling mix of hip hop, gospel and glitchy electronica. This week's episode also features a comically brilliant track from El David Aguilar, cumbia jam rockers Dos Santos, a cover from La Zorra Zapata, and a deep dive from Felix on the many interpretations of Consuela Velazquez's classic "Verdad Amarga." Artists and albums featured in this episode: (00:43) LATIN MAFIA & Fred again.., '9 months & 50 hours' (07:40) Dos Santos, 'Es Amor' (13:12) El David Aguilar, 'VIGENTE' (18:42) Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo, 'El Arte de Bolero, Vol. 3' (25:23) RØZ, 'SE ESTÁ HACIENDO TARDE' (29:11) La Zorra Zapata, 'I Love You Baby' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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

Harry Styles just finished a 5-night run in Mexico City. You know who else had a 5-night run in Mexico City? Michael Jackson in 1993. Mainstream artists have a long history of being enticed by the energy of performing for a Latin American crowd … which means there’s also a long and less-known history of big pop stars making music for that audience. Did you know Michael Jackson has a Latin track? So does Madonna. A few actually. As early as the '50s, Nat King Cole experimented with Spanish and released an entire record, Cole Español , writing songs in partnership with legendary "Bésame Mucho" composer Consuelo Velásquez. This week’s Alt.Latino is a pop takeover. We’re mythbusting the idea that there’s only been one kind of crossover — from Latin to mainstream — and walking through a long history of mainstream wanting to go… Latin. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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

To celebrate Ana's world premiere as a DJ -- a gig playing for 5,000 people in Central Park, which she definitely, absolutely prepared for -- this week we present her summer playlist. We've got song of the summer contenders (Aitana's "SUPERESTRELLA"), sleeper hits we missed when they dropped (Quevedo's "EL BAIFO"), and bubbly classics-in-the-making we keep coming back to (Rawayana's "Se Vienen Cositas"). Plus, Felix balances the bangers with chill-out room Uruguayan jazz, a psychedelic guitar jam and a trio of sisters from Austin. Artists and songs featured in this episode: (02:23) Quevedo, "EL BAIFO" (05:07) Camilo y los Cruzers, "Descarga Rockeada" (09:23) Aitana, "SUPERESTRELLA" (16:44) Alejandra Gala, "I Dare You" (22:14) Rawayana, "Se Vienen Cositas" (25:51) The Tiarras, "Vida Libre", "Black Sheep (unplugged)" This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . 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

Bill Evans might not be techno. But in this week's episode, the slow-building angst and tension of electronic producer Debit's new music reminded Ana of the beloved jazz piano master. And that kind of genre cross-pollination is everywhere in this week's showcase of new music: Brazilian field recordings remixed for the club, multiple reinterpretations of the Cuban guaguancó, and Spanish producers channeling -- as Ana puts it -- "experimental Boricua stuff." Featured artists and albums: (00:45) Various Artists, 'Candomblé: Sacred Rhythms in Brazil' (04:24) Ítallo, 'CATATAU' (11:25) Debit, 'Potpourri' (16:41) Calequi y Las Panteras, 'TRES' (21:07) Carolina Oliveros, 'Oye Camina' (24:35) BLAYA, 'Your lesbian neighbour is playing music next door' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed. 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

We'll take any excuse to talk about the insane quality of music coming out of Spain these days. This week, we got one: Spain defeated Argentina on Sunday to win the 2026 World Cup Final. So, this episode is a celebration of the multitude of music scenes across Spain that we can't get enough of. Catch boundary-pushing electronic and hip hop producers in Madrid, indie rockers and songwriters in Barcelona, and some old favorites whose voices never stop (looking at you, Buika!). Artists featured in this episode: (01:22) C. Tangana (04:19) Ralphie Choo (06:28) Mora (10:10) Bikôkô (13:52) Buika (16:04) Repion (20:42) Lucia Fumero (23:12) Maestro Espada This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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

With last week's best-of show behind us, we've got a clean slate to dive into our favorite new music kicking off the second half of the year. Felix brings a batch of country tracks, while Ana -- to absolutely no one's surprise -- continues her exploration of Brazil's endless supply of captivating music. Catch a mesmerizing indie-ambient album from João Carvalho, some posthumous crooning from Raul Malo, the twangy return of Oklahoma's rising star Wyatt Flores, and much more. Artists and albums featured in this episode: (01:13) Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies, 'Gold and Roses (Live)' (06:15) João Carvalho, 'Uma Festa no Centro do Vazio' (13:02) Raul Malo, 'Bella Ciao: Raul Malo Live In Nashville' (17:14) Rincon Sapiência, 'Um Corpo Preto' (24:13) Wyatt Flores, 'Scared of Heights' (27:50) Cupido, 'Maldito Cupido' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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

It’s that time of the year again: a mix between Christmas and Halloween for me and Felix. We gift you our best album picks of the year so far — and there’s nothing spookier for us than having to choose. So here it is, the music we’ve loved and listened to the most in the first half of 2026, some of the best (in our opinion) from all of Latin America and its diaspora. — Anamaria Sayre Artist and albums featured in this episode: (02:15) Trueno - 'TURR4ZO' (07:06) Jonathan Suazo - 'Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto de mi Corazón' (11:16) Broke Carrey - 'HIJO DEL PAÍS' (15:48) X Alfonso - 'AIRE' (22:28) Silvia Pérez Cruz - 'Oral_Abisal' (29:30) Nuevos Rios - 'Nuevos Rios' (32:17) Criolo, Amaro Freitas & Dino d'Santiago - 'CRIOLO, AMARO E DINO' (37:33) Sofia Rei - 'Antónima' This episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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

On this week’s Alt.Latino, Anamaria and I both gush about 'Femme Fatale Vol. 2,' the new album from Chilean-Mexican singer Mon Laferte, who is on one of the more amazing creative streaks I've witnessed in a while. Also, Ana and I sometimes unintentionally align when picking new music for the show, and that took place this week with a couple of Brazilian highlights: I chose an artist who records as MOMO., while Ana brought in music from São Paulo-based artist Tijolo. Also this week, Chicago-based artist Sparklmami and an EP from Texan-Mexican singer Iveth Luna that got me thinking about the world of Spanish-language Christian music. —Felix Contreras Artists & albums featured in this episode: (01:31) Sparklmami, 'in this body' (06:36) The Animeros, '¡Qué Bárbaro!' (09:51) Mon Laferte, 'Femme Fatale Vol. 2' (16:47) Iveth Luna, 'Making Ways' (21:34) Tijolo, 'Y' (25:37) MOMO., 'Tum Tum Tum' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Otis Hart. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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's episode is a musical time machine. In the late 1960s, the band Zapata sprang out of a street gang in northwest Washington, D.C., with a sound that combined a variety of contemporary styles: Afro-Caribbean rhythms, soul jazz and the golden era of American R&B. The mixture worked. For a few years, Zapata opened for an astonishing number of A-list acts passing through the city, like Miles Davis, Sly and the Family Stone, Herbie Hancock and The Isley Brothers. But the band would break up in 1974, and for years their recorded material was believed to be lost. Now, surviving member Pepe Gonzalez has restored a cassette tape of Zapata's music from 1971, and is releasing it for the first time. In this episode, Felix chats with Gonzalez about the origins of the band, and how they tried to unify the Black and Hispanic musical scenes in the city at the time. The podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Otis Hart. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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

We're living in a moment when the geopolitical intersects with the personal in a profound way. The relationship between the United States and Cuba is once again in the news, and it happens at a time when there are a handful of new releases from Cuban artists on the island and around the world. The sounds of the albums are vastly different, but they all draw from the same deep well of inspiration that has always fueled Cuban music: a deep love for the intersection of cultures. The music we share this week is a reminder of the very real lives of the people caught in the middle of a situation with an uncertain outcome. It is joyous, contemplative, rhythmically sophisticated and lyrically profound. Just like all Cuban music. Artists & songs featured in this episode: (00:52) OKAN, "Ajé (Owo Nla Nla)" (03:30) Ibeyo, "Aset" (06:45) Orquesta Akokán, "No Me Voy" (11:50) Cimafunk, "Cocinarte" (15:47) X Alfonso, "Unicornio" This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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

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.' In this episode, Felix chats with "El Gato Negro" Ramos about the history of Tejano music across the twentieth century, and how his own story fits inside of it. This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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

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 manage livestock. Plus, a tribute to Afro-Colombian folk legend Totó La Momposina, who passed away this month at 85; an underrated Puerto Rican reggaetonero shines again; and, of course, Ana continues her Brazilian obsession with new tracks from up-and-comer Bebé. Artists and albums featured in this episode: (00:55) Bebé - 'Dissolução' (05:45) Minya Crusaders - 'From Japan With Love' (10:06) Álvaro Díaz - 'OMAKASE' (17:35) Los Cenzontles - 'Adios Ke Aloha: Waves of the Same Sea' (23:05) Orestes Gomez - 'No me fui porque quise' (28:04) Totó La Momposina - Various This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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

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 and songwriter Julieta Venegas explores the musical roots of her norteña heritage on a new album, playing with the biculturalism that defines so much of life along the border. Plus, Las Añez brings twin harmonies to Andean folk-pop, Helado Negro teams up with Reyna Tropical, Mexican upstart Esteesgarcia confounds Ana and Felix, and more! Artists & songs featured in this episod e: (00:22) Las Añez - "Cebolla", "Libéralo" (05:21) Helado Tropical - "Tocando" (09:44) Esteesgarcia - "south kids", "Okupa" (14:35) Gipsy Kings - "Historia" (23:23) Julieta Venegas ft. Yahritza y Su Esencia - "La Línea" (25:53) bpuntito - "colitaderana", "después" (31:29) Ana Moura & MARO - "Era de Aquário/Deixa o Sol Entrar" This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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

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 to express their Latino identity through music. This year was no different. We waded through hundreds of entries to select the six to feature this week, which showcase a huge variety of musical expressions. And a reminder: you can see every band that sent in a video this year right here - and a big shout out to this year’s winner, Cure For Paranoia ! Artists and songs featured in this episode: (04:10) Sofia Gomez, "Without Me" (07:58) Ed Harvest, "Me Toca Despedirme de Ti" (11:05) alegrías, "Wahoo!" (16:05) Ivan Llanes and Friends, "Cubahia" (22:27) Majo Puente, "MAKTUB" (25:56) Thee Almighty Majestics, "Última Noche" This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive director of NPR Music. 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

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 fastest-growing shows ever -- so we figured the time was right to call up Milo J and dig into it all. And just a note up front: this interview is entirely in Spanish. Llevaba mucho tiempo con ganas de entrevistar al artista argentino Milo J desde que vino a NPR a principios de este año para tocar en Tiny Desk. Este joven de 19 años comenzó su carrera como artista de trap, pero su último álbum, 'La Vida Era Más Corta,' se inspira en el folclore argentino para presentar una visión audaz de su país que conecta profundamente con las generaciones más jóvenes. Ese Tiny Desk acaba de salir al aire y ya se ha convertido en uno de nuestros shows de mayor crecimiento, así que pensamos que era el momento ideal para llamar a Milo J y profundizarlo. Y una nota previa: esta entrevista es completamente en español. - Anamaria Sayre You can watch the full Tiny Desk performance at NPR.org 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

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. Artists and albums featured in this episode: (02:26) Trueno, 'TURR4ZO' (09:37) Lone Piñon, 'Hot Carne Seca' (13:20) Chanela Clicka, 'COBRA' (18:50) Cypress Hill, 'Dios Bendiga' (22:30) Leo Middea, 'Notícias de Puglia' (25:28) Mandinga Beat, 'Afro-Brazil' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. 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