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Alt.Latino: NPR Music's Program For Latin Alternative And Rock In Spanish Latino arts and culture explained with music and conversation, presented by Felix Contreras.

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Latinx Arts And Culture
Not Your Abuela's Music: A Deep Dive Into Mexican Regional Music

Legendary Mexican Regional band Los Tigres del Norte keeping it real at Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx. John Reilly/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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John Reilly/Courtesy of the artist

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Not Your Abuela's Music: A Deep Dive Into Mexican Regional Music

The music of your parents and grandparents is now part of a music industry trend that may soon overtake the popularity of reggaetón.

Not Your Abuela's Music: A Deep Dive Into Mexican Regional Music

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Alt.Latino's LAMC 2021 Cheat Sheet

Venezuelan-born rising starlet maye will perform at this week's LAMC. Fernando Osorio/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Fernando Osorio/Courtesy of the artist

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Alt.Latino's LAMC 2021 Cheat Sheet

Here's a little preview of six artists we're most excited to see at the virtual Latin Alternative Music Conference — most of which we've never heard before.

Alt.Latino's LAMC 2021 Cheat Sheet

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Alt.Latino's Favorites From SXSW 2021

Vocal Vidas perform at the SXSW Music Festival showcase presented by Soy Cubana: Music from the Movie during SXSW Online on March 19, 2021. Courtesy of SXSW hide caption

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Courtesy of SXSW

Alt.Latino

Alt.Latino's Favorites From SXSW 2021

The regular Alt.Latino chingonas talking about our 12 favorite acts from this year's virtual SXSW, including Vocal Vidas, Yasser Tejeda & Palotré, Ruido Rosa and more.

New York City's Influence On Latin Music

Ben Lapidus discusses his novel New York and the International Sound of Latin Music, 1940-1990. Renee Klahr/NPR Illustration hide caption

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Renee Klahr/NPR Illustration

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New York City's Influence On Latin Music

Ben Lapidus, scholar and Grammy-nominated musician, explains New York's central role in developing Latin music across the U.S. and Latin America.

New York City's Influence On Latin Music

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Selena's Spark Still Shines

Fans paying tribute to Selena in Texas. Jana Birchum/Getty Images hide caption

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Jana Birchum/Getty Images

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Selena's Spark Still Shines

We sat down with the director of Selena, an author, a college professor and the creator of the wildly popular Anything for Selena podcast to talk Selena's legacy. Touching on topics from maintaining her Tejano roots to what they imagine would have been her Latin Trap collab with Bad Bunny, these experts had us feeling all kinds of Selena energy and love in the room.

Selena's Spark Still Shines

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Speed Dating Through Spring's New Music

Mon Laferte's new album is called SEIS. Mayra Ortiz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mayra Ortiz/Courtesy of the artist

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Speed Dating Through Spring's New Music

Featuring Mon Laferte, Cuco and Juanes, Alt.Latino shares the latest songs you need to know. Follow the playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.

Speed Dating Through Spring's New Music

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A 97-Year-Old Mexican Jazz Drummer's Latest Gig

Mexican jazz legend Tino Contreras celebrates his 97th birthday with a special concert from Mexico City. Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the Artist

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A 97-Year-Old Mexican Jazz Drummer's Latest Gig

Tino Contreras talks about his upcoming show at the former home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the famous Casa Azul in Mexico City. This interview was conducted en español.

A 97-Year-Old Mexican Jazz Drummer's Latest Gig

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Omar Sosa Takes A Journey To East Africa

Omar Sosa's new album is An East African Journey. Massimo Mantovani/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Massimo Mantovani/Courtesy of the artist

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Omar Sosa Takes A Journey To East Africa

Fans from around the world speak of Omar Sosa's gigs as spiritual experiences — the silence is just as important as the notes. The pianist's new album features field recordings of traditional musicians and instruments from East Africa.

Omar Sosa Takes A Journey To East Africa

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From The 'Cosmic Barrio' To 'Despacito,' Two Latin Music Books We Love

Two different authors explore Latin music history and its future. Renee Klahr/NPR Illustration hide caption

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Renee Klahr/NPR Illustration

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From The 'Cosmic Barrio' To 'Despacito,' Two Latin Music Books We Love

Latin music is part of the cultural fabric of America. Two new books from Leila Cobo and Betto Arcos show how far back that history goes.

From The 'Cosmic Barrio' To 'Despacito,' Two Latin Music Books We Love

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Women Are Instrumental To Latin Music

Melissa Aldana, a saxophone wielding chingona, included among this week's female instrumentalists. Holis King/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Holis King/Courtesy of the artist

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Women Are Instrumental To Latin Music

We dive back in time to understand the roles women have occupied in Latin music, and look forward at the artists blazing new trails — pushing progress for both female instrumentalism and the entirety of Latin music.

Women Are Instrumental To Latin Music

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A Year Of Pandemic: Alt.Latino Remembers

Mourners hold candles during a vigil in Baja California. GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images

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A Year Of Pandemic: Alt.Latino Remembers

This week we present stories of the pandemic from NPR, StoryCorps and the University of Texas to remember a year of loss and hope.

A Year Of Pandemic: Alt.Latino Remembers

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The Voice And Spirit Of Bobi Céspedes

Bobi Céspedes' spiritual presence is as joyful as her voice. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

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The Voice And Spirit Of Bobi Céspedes

Bobi Céspedes' spiritual presence is as joyful as her voice. On this episode, the singer shares her music and connection to her African roots.

The Voice And Spirit Of Bobi Céspedes

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Remembering Johnny Pacheco Of Fania Records

Johnny Pacheco was the soul of Fania Records. Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr / NPR / Getty Images hide caption

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Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr / NPR / Getty Images

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Remembering Johnny Pacheco Of Fania Records

This week's episode examines the story of the force behind a social movement. Johnny Pacheco crafted a legacy of cultural pride and stellar musicianship for Fania Records, imprinting his own genius in the minds and hearts of generations of musicians to come in the process.

Remembering Johnny Pacheco Of Fania Records

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The Man Running An Entire Nation's Institute Of Sound

Mexican Institute of Sound's Camilo Lara discusses his new album, Distrito Federal. Andres Navarro/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Andres Navarro/Courtesy of the artist

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The Man Running An Entire Nation's Institute Of Sound

by Anamaria Sayre ,

Mexican Institute of Sound's Camilo Lara invites us to Distrito Federal by taking us on a tour of his past, including a party at Prince's Paisley Park.

The Man Running An Entire Nation's Institute Of Sound

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Now We Sob, Forever He Sings: Chick Corea Remembered

Chick Corea, prolific musician and composer, is remembered and celebrated. Chick Corea Productions/Courtesy of Chart Room Media hide caption

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Chick Corea Productions/Courtesy of Chart Room Media

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Now We Sob, Forever He Sings: Chick Corea Remembered

Chick Corea's music has been such a big part of our lives. Arturo O'Farrill, Sofía Rei, Haydée Milanés, Rubén Blades and many others share what his music meant to them.

Now We Sob, Forever He Sings: Chick Corea Remembered

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Warm Up Your Winter With New Songs

Magos Herrera's new release La Creación de las Aves is featured on this week's episode. Adrien Tillman/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Adrien Tillman/Courtesy of the artist

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Warm Up Your Winter With New Songs

It's been a while, so the digital mail bag of new music has been piling up. Hear new music from Bomba Estéreo, Magos Herrera, Diamante Eléctrico and more!

Warm Up Your Winter With New Songs

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Gustavo Santaolalla: A True Master Of All Trades

Gustavo Santaolalla discusses wide array of musical pursuits. Betsy Meza Moreno/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Betsy Meza Moreno/Courtesy of the artist

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Gustavo Santaolalla: A True Master Of All Trades

Gustavo Santaolalla — musician, producer, film and video game composer — embodies Duke Ellington's highest praise: "beyond category."

Gustavo Santaolalla: A True Master Of All Trades

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Defying Cultural Expectations: Dafnis Prieto And Carlos Rafael Rivera

Dafnis Prieto and Carlos Rafael Rivera show Alt.Latino how they carved out paths for themselves in music that has surprised the world. Renee Klahr/NPR Illustration hide caption

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Renee Klahr/NPR Illustration

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Defying Cultural Expectations: Dafnis Prieto And Carlos Rafael Rivera

The Cuban drummer and Guatemalan film composer offer deeper understandings of the creative process and how cultural influences shape their creative output.

Defying Cultural Expectations: Dafnis Prieto And Carlos Rafael Rivera

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After The Storm

Hours after an insurrectionist mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. John Moore/Getty Images hide caption

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John Moore/Getty Images

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After The Storm

We take a break from the music for a Latinx perspective on the events that took place at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6.

After The Storm

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Tiny Desk Artist Profile: Sofia Rei

Argentine vocalist Sofia Rei was part of the Tiny Dest Meets globalFEST online music festival. Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the Artist

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Tiny Desk Artist Profile: Sofia Rei

The Argentine vocalist mixes tradition and various contemporary genres in her Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST performance.

Tiny Desk Artist Profile: Sofia Rei

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