Latin Roots : World Cafe The roots and branches of Latin music.

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Essential and Emerging Artists

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World Cafe's Best New LatinX Playlist

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October 9, 2022 • We've launched a Best New LatinX Spotify playlist of new music from established and rising artists from the United States, Central and South America.

Alt.Latino kicks off Latinx Heritage Month on World Cafe

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Chris Cruz/Courtesy of the artist

Alt.Latino kicks off Latinx Heritage Month on World Cafe

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September 15, 2022 • Felix Contreras and new co-host Anamaria Sayre discuss the evolution of Alt.Latino and give a preview of their month-long takeover of the Tiny Desk Concert series, El Tiny.

Alt.Latino on World Cafe

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Hear a live mini-concert from Lido Pimienta

Lido Pimienta performing live for World Cafe John Vettese/WXPN hide caption

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Hear a live mini-concert from Lido Pimienta

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June 28, 2022 • What adds to Lido's Polaris Prize and Grammy award-winning resume is her ability to command the stage as a live performer.

Lido Pimienta on World Cafe

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The Mavericks Are Going Back To Their Roots On 'En Español'

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Alejandro Menéndez Vega/Courtesy of the artist

The Mavericks Are Going Back To Their Roots On 'En Español'

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October 12, 2020 • Though they've done some songs in Spanish in the past, En Español is The Mavericks' first album entirely in Spanish.

The Mavericks On World Cafe

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25 Live Performances To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

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25 Live Performances To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

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September 29, 2020 • Here's a look back to some of the incredible live performances from artists that have been featured on World Cafe, Latin Roots and the XPoNential and Nuevofest music festivals.

Hispanic Heritage Month On World Cafe: The Playlist

World Cafe celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month Rich McKie/WXPN / Getty Images hide caption

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Rich McKie/WXPN / Getty Images

Hispanic Heritage Month On World Cafe: The Playlist

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September 14, 2020 • Take a musical journey throughout Latin America, through cities in Central America, South America and Mexico to explore the rising Latinx voices and sounds that often fall under the radar.

Latin Roots: 13 Alternative Tracks To Jumpstart 2020

Lucy Camp's song "MAMI" is featured in this round-up of 2020 releases. Milan Cooper/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Milan Cooper/Courtesy of the artist

Latin Roots: 13 Alternative Tracks To Jumpstart 2020

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February 3, 2020 • With the first month of 2020 in the books, we're excited to share a fresh spectrum of sonidos alternativos from all over Latin and South America

Latin Roots: The Best Alternative Songs Of 2019

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Jose Romero/Courtesy of the artist

Latin Roots: The Best Alternative Songs Of 2019

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December 26, 2019 • The playlist is a carefully curated selection of Latino artists who created intriguing, unforgettable and soul-boosting sounds.

Nuevofest 2019: Calypso, Salsa And Bolero From The Beachers

The Beachers perform at Nuevofeset 2019 Rich McKie/WXPN hide caption

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Nuevofest 2019: Calypso, Salsa And Bolero From The Beachers

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October 18, 2019 • Formed in 1966, the group's music is inspired by Caribbean rhythms and the musical tradition of Panama.

Nuevofest 2019: Silvina Moreno Joins Kevin Johansen On 'Es Como El Día'

Kevin Johansen performing live at Nuevofest 2019 in Philadelphia. Rich McKie/WXPN hide caption

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Nuevofest 2019: Silvina Moreno Joins Kevin Johansen On 'Es Como El Día'

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October 17, 2019 • One of the highlights at the day-long concert celebrating Latin American music was a performance by Kevin Johansen from Buenos Aires.

Nuevofest 2019: Experience Yanga's Fiery And Danceable Performance

Yanga performs live at Nuevofest 2019 in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live. Rich McKie/WXPN hide caption

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Nuevofest 2019: Experience Yanga's Fiery And Danceable Performance

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October 14, 2019 • Based in Southern California, the five-piece delivered a set of Afro-Colombian influenced songs.

Nuevofest 2019: The Smooth Grooves Of Los Rivera Destino

Los Rivera Destino perform at Nuevofest hosted by World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. Rich McKie/WXPN hide caption

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Nuevofest 2019: The Smooth Grooves Of Los Rivera Destino

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October 10, 2019 • The band, whose members have collaborated with Bad Bunny, was one of the many musical highlights of Nuevofest.

Nuevofest 2019: A Punk-Inspired Set From Tall Juan

Tall Juan performs live at Nuevofest 2019 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. Rich McKie/WXPN hide caption

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Nuevofest 2019: A Punk-Inspired Set From Tall Juan

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October 8, 2019 • Armed with an acoustic guitar and the dance moves of a young Elvis Presley, Tall Juan commanded the audience's attention at the daylong Latin fest.

Nuevofest 2019: The Spellbinding Vocals And Harmonies Of STEFA*

STEFA* performs live at Nuevofest 2019 in Philadelphia. Rich McKie/WXPN hide caption

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Nuevofest 2019: The Spellbinding Vocals And Harmonies Of STEFA*

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October 4, 2019 • Watch live performances of "Sepalina" and "Una Casita" recorded live at the day-long celebration of Latin American music.

Nuevofest 2019: The Psychedelic Soul Of Lady HD

Lady HD performing live at Nuevofest 2019 in Philadelphia. Rich McKie/WXPN hide caption

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Nuevofest 2019: The Psychedelic Soul Of Lady HD

October 3, 2019 • Watch a live performance from the Philadelphia based musical project of singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ciaran Wall and LA producer Dusty Moon.

Latin Roots: 7 Artists Exploring The Dreamy Side Of Latin Alternative

If you've ever loved, felt loved or even experienced those heavy emotions that accompany the opposite, make way for Joslyn-Marie's profound R&B musings. Morgan Paije/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Morgan Paije/Courtesy of the artist

Latin Roots

Latin Roots: 7 Artists Exploring The Dreamy Side Of Latin Alternative

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July 12, 2019 • These artists are pushing past the periphery of Latin alternative and experimenting with trippy, soulful and love-afflicted sounds.

Watch Kevin Johansen, Silvina Moreno, The Beachers And More Live At Nuevofest 2019

Clockwise from left: Kevin Johansen, Silvina Moreno, The Teachers Kevin Johansen (Nora Lezano), Silvina Moreno (Niko Sedano), The Teachers (Pierre Rios)/Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Kevin Johansen (Nora Lezano), Silvina Moreno (Niko Sedano), The Teachers (Pierre Rios)/Courtesy of the artists

Latin Roots

Watch Kevin Johansen, Silvina Moreno, The Beachers And More Live At Nuevofest 2019

July 11, 2019 • Watch all seven performances from this year's festival celebrating the new sounds of Latin alternative music.

The 5 Best Latin Alternative Songs Of 2019 (So Far)

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David Nala Marques/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Latin Roots

The 5 Best Latin Alternative Songs Of 2019 (So Far)

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May 24, 2019 • We're nearly halfway through 2019 and have already been musically blessed with so many joyous sounds.

5 Highly Anticipated Latinx Music Releases For Early 2019

Helado Negro's latest album, This is How You Smile, comes out March 9 on RVNG Intl. Ebru Yildiz /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Ebru Yildiz /Courtesy of the artist

Latin Roots

5 Highly Anticipated Latinx Music Releases For Early 2019

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January 25, 2019 • Discover upcoming albums from standout talents that we can't wait to hear, all set to release in the first quarter of the year.

Nuevofest 2018: Experience The Celebration

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Senia Lopez/WXPN

Performances

Nuevofest 2018: Experience The Celebration

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August 15, 2018 • Watch all seven performances from this year's festival celebrating the new sounds of Latin alternative music.

Combo Chimbita Itzel Alejandra/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Itzel Alejandra/Courtesy of the artist

Latin Roots

Latin Roots: Combo Chimbita

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December 7, 2017 • Cumbia — but psychedelic, trippy and downright freaky, with an inventive combination of rhythms and sounds from Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Latin Roots: Combo Chimbita

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Courtesy of the artist

Latin Roots

Latin Roots: La Vida Bohème

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October 11, 2017 • La Vida Bohème makes anthemic rock and roll that exudes charisma. But at its center, you'll find hope in the face of danger.

Latin Roots: La Vida Boheme

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Auique Cabanillas/Courtesy of the artist

Latin Roots

Latin Roots: Buscabulla

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September 27, 2017 • With a name that translates as "troublemaker," you get an idea of what to expect in this live performance.

Latin Roots: Buscabulla

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Tribu Baharu performing live at Nuevofest 2017 in Philadelphia, PA. John Vettese/WXPN hide caption

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John Vettese/WXPN

Latin Roots

Latin Roots: Tribu Baharú

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September 13, 2017 • Hear the Colombian ensemble perform live at this year's Nuevofest in Philadelphia.

Latin Roots: Tribu Baharú

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DNA/Courtesy of the artist

Latin Roots

Latin Roots: Balún

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August 28, 2017 • Hear a live performance from the band, whose sound combines shoegaze-pop with pan-Caribbean identity, recorded at Nuevofest 2017 in Philadelphia, Pa.

Latin Roots: Balún

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