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Felix Contreras Felix Contreras is co-creator and co-host of Alt.Latino, NPR's pioneering radio show and podcast celebrating Latin music and culture since 2010.
Felix Contreras.
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Felix Contreras

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Felix Contreras.
Mike Morgan/NPR

Felix Contreras

Host, Alt.Latino

Felix Contreras is co-creator and co-host of Alt.Latino, NPR's pioneering radio show and podcast celebrating Latin music and culture since 2010.

In addition to his post behind the mic, Contreras programs music from the Latin diaspora for the acclaimed Tiny Desk concerts and appears regularly on NPR's award-winning newsmagazines, All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

A knowledgeable international ambassador for Latino heritage and arts, "Tio Felix" travels extensively in search of new talent and new music, and captures important legacy performers in jazz and Latin genres. Various national and international publications have quoted his expertise on the contemporary influences of Latin culture, music, and media.

He's a recovering TV journalist whose first post at NPR in 2001 was as a Producer/Reporter for the NPR News Arts Desk. He is also NPR's resident Deadhead and performs around the DC area with his Latin music Beatles cover band, Los Day Trippers.

Story Archive

Friday

Jazz Piano Christmas 2023

Pianists Hilario Durán, Melvis Santa and Alfredo Rodríguez talk with host Felix Contreras onstage at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Jati Lindsay/Courtesy of The Kennedy Center hide caption

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Jati Lindsay/Courtesy of The Kennedy Center

NPR's Holiday Favorites

Jazz Piano Christmas 2023

This year, the annual holiday concert, recorded live at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., features an all-Cuban lineup: Hilario Durán, Melvis Santa and Alfredo Rodriguez.

Jazz Piano Christmas 2023

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Wednesday

Music News

The popularity of regional Mexican music is crossing borders and going global

NPR's Alt.Latino followed break-out trio Yahritza y Su Esencia on tour to document how their identity, and connection to regional Mexican music was shaped in their farmworker community.

The popularity of regional Mexican music is crossing borders and going global

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Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

On this week's episode of Alt.Latino, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras travel to Yakima, Wash., to interview family band Yahritza y Su Esencia. Jackie Lay/NPR hide caption

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Jackie Lay/NPR

Alt.Latino

Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

For the second episode of Alt.Latino's regional Mexican music series, hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras interview the rising family band Yahritza y Su Esencia in its hometown of Yakima, Wash. The two discover that the U.S.-Mexico border looms large in this regional Mexican moment, especially for Yahritza y Su Esencia — not strictly because of the music's obvious Mexican roots, but also the ways in which the border can create an "us" and "them" dynamic. The band's struggles with musical and personal identity also reflect the real struggles that millions of U.S.-born folks with Mexican heritage face. And what started as a musical journey for Ana and Felix has now become a personal journey.

Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

Listen · 33:16
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Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

On this week's episode of Alt.Latino, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras travel to Yakima, Washington to interview family band Yahritza y Su Esencia. Jackie Lay/NPR hide caption

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Jackie Lay/NPR

All Songs Considered

Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

For the second episode of Alt.Latino's regional Mexican music series, hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras interview the rising family band Yahritza y Su Esencia in its hometown of Yakima, Washington. The two discover that the U.S.-Mexico border looms large in this regional Mexican moment, especially for Yahritza y Su Esencia — not strictly because of the music's obvious Mexican roots, but also the ways in which the border can create an "us" and "them" dynamic. The band's struggles with musical and personal identity also reflect the real struggles that millions of US-born folks with Mexican heritage face. And what started as a musical journey for Ana and Felix, has now become a personal journey.

Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

Listen · 33:16
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Friday

Alt.Latino: Peso Pluma and the rise of regional Mexican music

Alt.Latino has a special three-episode series exploring the rise of regional Mexican music. Jackie Lay/NPR hide caption

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Jackie Lay/NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Alt.Latino: Peso Pluma and the rise of regional Mexican music

Regional Mexican music has taken the music industry by storm. Earlier this year, Mexican artist Peso Pluma and band Eslabon Armado made history when their song "Ella Baila Sola" topped the Billboard Global 200 chart. But this musical trend didn't come out of nowhere. In this episode of NPR's Alt. Latino, hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras head to Peso Pluma's performance in Nashville and try to understand the root of the phenomenon.

Alt.Latino: Peso Pluma and the rise of regional Mexican music

Listen · 33:53
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Wednesday

Regional Goes Global, Part 1: Finding Peso Pluma's music revolution in Nashville

On this week's Alt.Latino, an exploration of the rise of regional Mexican music. Jackie Lay/NPR hide caption

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Jackie Lay/NPR

All Songs Considered

Regional Goes Global, Part 1: Finding Peso Pluma's music revolution in Nashville

Earlier this year, Peso Pluma — a 24-year-old who grew up in between Guadalajara, Jalisco and San Antonio — became the first regional Mexican artist to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart. Something in the music industry was changing. Streaming numbers for regional Mexican shot up astronomically, as the musical stylings of banda and norteño made their way onto the Coachella main stage and burgeoning stars like Peso Pluma began to book their first U.S. tours in major markets. But what accounted for regional Mexican's rise? And what does the genre's continued popularity say about not just changing trends in the Latin music industry, but the changing shape of America?

Regional Goes Global, Part 1: Finding Peso Pluma's music revolution in Nashville

Listen · 33:01
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Regional Goes Global, Part 1: Finding Peso Pluma's music revolution in Nashville

On this week's Alt.Latino, an exploration of the rise of regional Mexican music. Jackie Lay/NPR hide caption

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Jackie Lay/NPR

Alt.Latino

Regional Goes Global, Part 1: Finding Peso Pluma's music revolution in Nashville

Earlier this year, Peso Pluma — a 24-year-old who grew up in between Guadalajara, Jalisco, and San Antonio — became the first regional Mexican artist to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart. Something in the music industry was changing. Streaming numbers for regional Mexican shot up astronomically, as the musical stylings of banda and norteño made their way onto the Coachella main stage and burgeoning stars like Peso Pluma began to book their first U.S. tours in major markets. But what accounted for regional Mexican's rise? And what does the genre's continued popularity say about not just changing trends in the Latin music industry, but the changing shape of America?

Regional Goes Global, Part 1: Finding Peso Pluma's music revolution in Nashville

Listen · 33:01
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Thursday

Marinero: How the diversity of the Bay Area shaped the artist's approach to music

Marinero is this week's guest on Alt.Latino. Courtesy of KQED hide caption

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Courtesy of KQED

Alt.Latino

Marinero: How the diversity of the Bay Area shaped the artist's approach to music

Recently Ana and Felix traveled to NPR member station KQED in San Francisco to meet Alt.Latino listeners and interview the musician Marinero, who has deep musical and familial roots in the Bay Area. This week's show is a recording of that live interview, full of great music as well as lots of laughs.

Marinero: How the diversity of the Bay Area shaped the artist's approach to music

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Monday

Friday

Music News

'Hit the Bongo: The Latin Soul of Tico Records'

For 75 years, Tico Records has produced Latin soul music of the highest order. A new compilation — Hit the Bongo! — celebrates Tico's anniversary.

'Hit the Bongo: The Latin Soul of Tico Records'

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Saturday

In conversation: Maluma on becoming a dad, hustling across genres and reggaeton's rise

This week's guest on Alt.Latino is Maluma. Michael Zamora hide caption

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Michael Zamora

All Songs Considered

In conversation: Maluma on becoming a dad, hustling across genres and reggaeton's rise

The Colombian singer Maluma has a lot to be excited about these days — a world tour, a new album and a shot at exploring a different part of his humanity: being a parent.

In conversation: Maluma on becoming a dad, hustling across genres and reggaeton's rise

Listen · 17:00
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Friday

Maluma: On becoming a dad, hustling across genres and reggaeton's rise in Colombia

This week's guest on Alt.Latino is Maluma. Michael Zamora hide caption

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Michael Zamora

Alt.Latino

Maluma: On becoming a dad, hustling across genres and reggaeton's rise in Colombia

The Colombian singer Maluma has a lot to be excited about these days — a world tour, a new album and a shot at exploring a different part of his humanity: being a parent.

Maluma: On becoming a dad, hustling across genres and reggaeton's rise in Colombia

Listen · 17:00
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Friday

Wednesday

Thursday

Talking Heads' 'Stop Making Sense' is still burning down the house

David Byrne of the Talking Heads in Stop Making Sense. A24 hide caption

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A24

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Talking Heads' 'Stop Making Sense' is still burning down the house

Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense has been called the greatest concert film of all time. Directed by Jonathan Demme, the iconic 1984 film takes the audience onstage with the band and captures them at the height of their power. Now, a restored version of the film is back in theaters, featuring propulsive performances of early hits like "Psycho Killer," along with deeper and funkier cuts, too.

Talking Heads' 'Stop Making Sense' is still burning down the house

Listen · 19:24
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Wednesday

Becky G: Why the Mexican American pop star always identifies as '200%'

Becky G is this week's guest on Alt.Latino. Jose Perez:Bauer-Griffin:GC Images hide caption

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Jose Perez:Bauer-Griffin:GC Images

Alt.Latino

Becky G: Why the Mexican American pop star always identifies as '200%'

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with Becky G, right after her forthcoming Tiny Desk performance, to talk about the cultural mash-up of her music, her philosophy for working with women in the industry and representing her Mexican heritage at Coachella.

Becky G: Why the Mexican American pop star always identifies as '200%'

Listen · 23:06
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Sunday

Music

It's time for 'El Tiny', the NPR Tiny Desk takeover for Hispanic Heritage Month

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre, hosts of the Alt.Latino podcast, about the upcoming "El Tiny" Tiny Desk Concerts that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

It's time for 'El Tiny', the NPR Tiny Desk takeover for Hispanic Heritage Month

Listen · 9:05
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Wednesday

Dissecting the Latin Grammy noms, from Regional Mexican snubs to Edgar Barrera love

Edgar Barrera is nominated for 13 awards at this year's Latin Grammys. Mindy Small hide caption

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Mindy Small

Alt.Latino

Dissecting the Latin Grammy noms, from Regional Mexican snubs to Edgar Barrera love

Anamaria Sayre, Felix Contreras and producer Isabella Gomez Sarmiento sit down to talk some real chisme this week — a special episode dedicated to the Latin Grammy nominations. Was there really a regional snub and what does it say about the way we choose to elevate our own art?

Dissecting the Latin Grammy noms, from Regional Mexican snubs to Edgar Barrera love

Listen · 28:16
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Tuesday

Music News

Here are the 24th Latin Grammy nominees

The 24th annual Latin Grammy nominations have been announced. The genre is experiencing a wave of unprecedented popularity, but recognition from the Latin Recording Academy seems to be lagging behind.

Here are the 24th Latin Grammy nominees

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Wednesday

It's 'El Tiny' season — and Alt.Latino has the lineup

J Noa is one artist featured in Alt.Latino's 'El Tiny' line-up. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Alt.Latino

It's 'El Tiny' season — and Alt.Latino has the lineup

This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras preview the artists coming to play Tiny Desk performances for their 'El Tiny' takeover, including indie explosion Kali Uchis returning home to Colombian beats, pop star Becky G debuting some Mexican regional soul and "La Caballota" herself Ivy Queen boasting pure boricua pride.

It's 'El Tiny' season — and Alt.Latino has the lineup

Listen · 22:50
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Wednesday

Omar Montes: Why the Spanish artist thinks the best school for flamenco is the street

Omar Montes is this week's guest on Alt.Latino. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Alt.Latino

Omar Montes: Why the Spanish artist thinks the best school for flamenco is the street

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras sit down with Spanish artist Omar Montes to talk about why he'll never lose his flamenco influences, expressing the oppression of his Romani ancestors in his music and why the rhythms of reggaeton and flamenco aren't so different. This interview is in Spanish. Please find an English version of the conversation on our website.

Omar Montes: Why the Spanish artist thinks the best school for flamenco is the street

Listen · 31:41
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