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1999's 'Latin Explosion' chased crossover hits. Today, Latino artists don't need them

In the third part of our series exploring crossover in pop music, we reexamine the so-called "Latin explosion" of the '90s: what it was supposed to be for audiences across the U.S., and what it actually came to represent. Blake Cale for NPR hide caption

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Blake Cale for NPR

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1999's 'Latin Explosion' chased crossover hits. Today, Latino artists don't need them

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Latino artists like Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira ruled the pop charts. But who was that so-called "Latin Explosion" actually for, and what were the business considerations behind it? In the third part of our series exploring crossover in pop music, we examine how this supposed boom turned out to be more of a marketing creation, which evaporated when digital streaming entered the picture.

1999's 'Latin Explosion' chased crossover hits. Today, Latino artists don't need them

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Chicano Batman On 'Invisible People' And LA Vibes

Chicano Batman are (l-r) Bardo Martinez, Eduardo Arenas, Gabriel Villa and Carlos Arévalo. George Mays/Courtesy of Chicano Batman hide caption

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George Mays/Courtesy of Chicano Batman

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Chicano Batman On 'Invisible People' And LA Vibes

The music of the band Chicano Batman has long defied genre. Funk, psychedelic, soul, indie — it's all these things and more. Sam talks to band members Carlos Arévalo and Bardo Martinez about their new album, Invisible People, what it's like not to be able to tour and how their music is the ultimate reflection of their hometown, Los Angeles.

Chicano Batman On 'Invisible People' And LA Vibes

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