The influence of Eastern Europe immigration in Latin America can be heard in the way the accordion was adapted and adopted in countries like Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and beyond. This week we take a deep dive into those traditions with our guide, Eduardo Díaz, former director of Latino cultural information for the Smithsonian Institution. Featured artists and songs: • Narciso Martínez, "Nix" • Carlos Vives, "Hijo de Vallenato" • Los Corraleros de Majagual, "La Pollera Colo...
Jun 04, 2025•27 min
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras was a Tiny Desk Contest judge this year, and on this episode, he brings six of his favorite entries to the show. Artists and songs featured: • Esotérica Tropica, "Despierta" • Mario Diaz, Bachi and Los Salvajes, "Ropa de Colores" • alegrías, "Daygo" • Charly Siaba, "Lejos de Aquí" • Los Pleneros de la Cresta, "Rayo del Sol" • Taisha Estrada, "El Abstracto" Credits Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Gr...
May 29, 2025•27 min
This week's mixture of jazz, trance-inducing beats, Mexican folk and gorgeous indie pop has something for everyone. Featured artists and songs: Paloma Morphy, "1 tipo nuevo" Camila Meza, "Persistir" Rusowsky, "Malibu" Ines Velasco, "Todo Es Para Decir" Pachyman, "Hard to Part" Las Chorizeras, "Blue Eyed Man" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals ...
May 21, 2025•26 min
Co-host Anamaria Sayre finally gets to share the new Guitarricadelafuente album with the world, and catch the NPR audience on the viral sensation Macario Martínez. Felix Contreras spotlights Lido Pimienta's symphonic pivot. Featured artists and songs: • Guitarricadelafuente, "BABIECA!" • Haydée Milanés, "Un amor que se demora" • Macario Martínez, "Sueña Lindo, Corazón" • Macario Martínez, "Otra Vez" • Macario Martínez, "¿qué somos hoy?" • Macario Martínez, "Hey destino" • Lido Pimienta, "Quiero ...
May 14, 2025•28 min
The music this week comes from a variety of countries and genres, some of it sounds like music you've heard ... while others sound like nothing you've heard before. Featured artists and songs: • Natalia Bernal, "Más Allá" • Jaze, "mil procedimientos" • Jaze & Susana Baca, "jomalón" • Jaze, "boomeran'" • The Mars Volta, "Fin" • The Mars Volta, "Enlazan las tinieblas" • The Mars Volta, "Alba del orate" • The Mars Volta, "Lucro sucio" • Diego Mema, "la forma de quererte" • Diego Mema, "till the...
May 07, 2025•28 min
Anamaria Sayre talks about the history of Puerto Rican hip-hop with rapper PJ Sin Suela. Featured artists and songs: • PJ Sin Suela & Chuwi, "Escúchame " • PJ Sin Suela, "Es La Hora" • Nuff Ced & Tek 1, "Metrópolis" • PJ Sin Suela, Siete Nueve & Messy Deprat , "Illegal 2.0" • E.A. Flow, "D'Aqui" • Intifada, Luis Diaz & Yallzee "Albizu" • Los Pleneros de La Cresta, "Los de la Isla" • Bad Bunny & Los Pleneros de La Cresta, "CAFé CON RON" • Tego Calderón, "Gracias" • Ñejo Y Dálm...
May 01, 2025•31 min
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre talk artistic growth and precocious talent. Featured artists and songs: • Natalia Lafourcade, "Cancionera" • Natalia Lafourcade & El David Aguilar, "Como Quisiera Quererte" • Natalia Lafourcade & Hermanos Gutierrez, "Luna Creciente" • Irene Diaz, "Anything For You" • Eladio Carrión & Myke Towers, "Vetements" • Eladio Carrión & Lia Kali, "Me Muero" • Kayatibu, LUIZGA & Yaka Huni Kuin, "Nai Basa Masheri" • Santi Sc, "Cuando No...
Apr 23, 2025•28 min
Anamaria continues to impress Felix with new female voices, while he shares more jazz and Puerto Rican bomba fusion. Featured artists and songs: • Queralt Lahoz, "LA FE" • Bardo, "Renacer" (feat. Combo Chimbita) • Vanessa Zamora, "GRAVEDAD" (feat. Çantamarta) • BEATrio, "Archipelago" • Mon Laferte, "Otra Noche de Llorar" • El Laberinto del Coco, "Todo Se Nubla" Credits Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's exec...
Apr 16, 2025•24 min
Bad Bunny's Tiny Desk concert was the most watched premiere in the series' history. In this episode, Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre speaks with the superstar at the Desk and takes you behind the scenes of the performance. NPR reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, who also was in the audience, sits in for Felix Contreras this week. Featured artists and songs: • Bad Bunny, "PIToRRO DE COCO" (Tiny Desk Version) • Bad Bunny, "VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR" (Tiny Desk Version) • Bad Bunny, "KLOuFRENS" (Tiny Desk Ve...
Apr 09, 2025•34 min
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre play the new music that caught their ears this week, plus Felix delivers a deep dive into the roots of psicodélico. Featured artists and songs: • Eslabón Armado, "Esa noche" • Adrian Quesada, "Ojos Secos" (feat. Cuco) • Jessie Reyez, "**I NEVER SAID I WAS SANE**" • BALTHVS, "Year of the Snake" • Grateful Dead, "Dark Star" • Os Mutantes, "A minha menina" • Duane Eddy, "Rebel Rouser" • Valeria Castro, "debe ser" • Valeria Castro "sentimentalmente...
Apr 02, 2025•33 min
Alt.Latino's Felix Contreras moved out of his long-time apartment, and in the process, he unearthed some amazing music. Co-host Anamaria Sayre shares the new songs currently moving her. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Mar 26, 2025•32 min
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras gives his co-host Anamaria Sayre a primer on Latin Jazz. She returns the favor with a new track from Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (of Tiny Desk fame) and a Mexican ranchera that sounds older than it is. Featured artists and songs: • Edison Machado & Boa Nova, "Naquela Base" • Michi, "Memmy (Recuerdo)" (feat. Gabriel da Rosa) • Adam O'Farrill, "Nocturno, 1932" • Vivir Quintana, "Más Libre Que En Casa" • Lucia Sarmiento, "Look Up" • Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, "#T...
Mar 12, 2025•22 min
This week we balance our passion for new discoveries with reissued music from an iconic Latin American songwriter. Featured artists and songs: • Ezra Collective, "Body Language" (feat. Sasha Keable) • Patti LaBelle, "Teach me Tonight (Me Gusta Tu Baile)" • Teri Gender Bender, "SANAR" • Kevin Kaarl, "recuérdame x siempre" • Violeta Parra, "Cantores Que Reflexionan" • Ben Aler, "Honest" • Jose Luiz Martins, "Cravo e Canela" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner...
Mar 05, 2025•21 min
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras takes us on a tour of African influences throughout Latinidad, with a little help from Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Miguel Zenón. Featured artists and songs: • Betsayda Machado & Parranda el Clavo, "Oh, Santa Rosa" • Bia Ferreira, "Quando Você Me Olha" • Cheo Feliciano, "Anacaona" • Ismael Rivera, "Las Caras Lindas" • Ruben Blades & Willie Colón, "Plantación Adentro" • Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound, "Lamento De Concepcion" • ÌFÉ, "Higher Love" Learn ...
Feb 26, 2025•28 min
'Alt.Latino' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are back with six new songs that span the spectrum of Latinidad. Featured artists and songs: • Christian Nodal, "A Solas con la Botella" • Las Trompas de Falopium, "JARRE" • pablopablo, Carín León & Ralphie Choo, "Eso Que Tú Llamas Amor" • The Mexican Standoff & Flaco Jimenez, "Tu Dirás" (feat. Los Texmaniacs) • Amaia, "C'est La Vie" • Angie K, "Red Dirt on Mars" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentn...
Feb 12, 2025•25 min
Our digital mailboxes continue to overflow with new music. This week, we hear from a Colombian-Venezuelan super group, a new Afro-Brazilian band, and Ana gets another jazz lesson from a Latin jazz orchestra. Songs featured in this episode: • XIXA, "Xolo de Galáxia" • Meme del Real, "Princesa" • Jessie Reyes, "GOLIATH" • Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, "Dia de los Muertos III Mambo Cadaverous" • Trinka, "Grego" • Astropical, "Me Pasa (Piscis)" Audio for this episode of Alt.L...
Feb 05, 2025•26 min
Do not come on Alt.Latino if you don't have good chisme! Ana and Felix talk about their favorite songs of the week, including some psychedelic cumbia, Cuban folk music and more. Songs featured on the episode: •Combo Chimbita, "Dímelo" •Cortadito, "Yemaya" •Joaquina, "desahogo" •Joaquina, "aeropuerto" •The Altons, "Waiting" •Thee Midniters, "It'll Never Be Over For Me" •Majo Aguilar, "el beso" •Carrie Rodriguez, "Miles Away" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentn...
Jan 29, 2025•34 min
Will Ana and Felix ever figure out their New Years Resolution for 2025? The clock is ticking. They contemplate that and share their favorite recent new music. Songs featured in this episode: Marina Albero, "First Step of the journey" Beelé, Ovy On the Drums, "Mi Refe" Fela Kuti, "Shakara" The Bongo Hop, "La Pata Coja feat. Nidia Gongora" nsqk, Easykid, "BOBOMENSOTONTO" Federico Aubele, "Te Quiero a Ti" Juana Aguirre, "lo_divino" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon ...
Jan 22, 2025•28 min
Los Angeles is home for me and always in my heart. Watching the fires from afar in my current city, New York, has me thinking a lot about what makes my hometown great: breathtaking mountains, stunning beaches and above all a hodgepodge, tapestry community that comes together in powerful ways during a painful moment. The good and bad of LA's history — redlining and rebuilding, previous fires and displacement, immigration and annexation — have all been building blocks for an exchange of culture th...
Jan 15, 2025•25 min
On Sunday, Bad Bunny released his sixth studio album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, and people are saying it's his most "Puerto Rican" record yet. The global pop star has clearly come home to his roots in a meaningful way and given the political situation on the island, releasing an album so proudly Puerto Rican is a major act of resistance. Anamaria Sayre, Felix Contreras and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento break down what exactly makes the record so Puerto Rican and why its Bad Bunny's most reflective, ambit...
Jan 08, 2025•31 min
'Alt.Latino' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre do their best to keep up with new releases, but sometimes great music evades their radar. On this episode, the duo highlight some of the best songs they never got a chance to share during the year. Music We Missed in 2024 • Sanje, "Buen Fantasma" (from 'De Repente Otra Vez') • David Lindes, "Te Vengo A Perdonar" (from 'Peace With A Lion') • Yung Dupe X Kimmø X PUGSPUGSPUGS, "Nube Negra" (from 'Políticamente Correcto') • Benjamin Walker, "Libr...
Dec 18, 2024•27 min
Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento run through their favorites in a crowded year for excellent songs, from innovative Spanish hip-hop to distinctive jazz. Songs featured in this episode: •Çantamarta, "MOTORIZADO" •Mala Rodriguez, "Casi Nada" •Zaccai Curtis, "Maple Leaf Rag" •Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso, "DUMBAI" •Melissa Aldana, "A Purpose" •Residente, "313" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our pr...
Dec 11, 2024•25 min
It's that time of the year — figuring out the best Latin music of 2024. And every year, it gets harder and harder (seriously, it's difficult!) for Ana and Felix to narrow down their extensive lists. Joined by NPR culture reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, the three round up the best albums of this year. Songs featured in this episode: •Angélica Garcia, "El Que" from Gemelo •Hinds, "Coffee" from Viva Hinds •Spanish Harlem Orchestra, "Lluego El Caballero (feat. Gilberto Santa Ross)" from Swing For...
Dec 04, 2024•24 min
Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre continue their discussion on the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammys and the industry's changes, featuring insight from Nathy Peluso, Rauw Alejandro and more. Songs featured in this episode: •Fuerza Regida, "TQM" •Fuerza Regida, "Que onda" •Fuerza Regida "HARLEY QUINN" •Latin Mafia, "y como te digo que" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music'...
Nov 27, 2024•19 min
The Latin Grammys recently marked its 25th anniversary. Alt.Latino 's Anamaria Sayre was in Miami to talk to some of Latin music's most influential artists to understand some of the trends that are shaping Latin music today, shared over two episodes. Songs featured in this episode: •Juanes, "Fíjate Bien" •Juanes, "Vida Cotidiana" •Álvaro Díaz, "Quien Te Quiere" •Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera "Bebé Dame" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support...
Nov 20, 2024•22 min
Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre may be traveling in Spain, but that doesn't mean they don't stop finding exciting new music to share. On this episode, they bring "folk pirano" from Damaris Bojor, laidback bedroom pop from Chicocurlyhead, the latest from Becky G and more. Songs featured in this episode: •El León Pardo, "La Perica" •Laura Itandehui, "La Distancia" •Haydée Milanés, "Requiem Para Un Amor" •Chicocurlyhead, "WASTED WEEKEND" •Damaris Bojor, "No es normal" •Becky G, "OJALÁ" Audio for...
Nov 13, 2024•19 min
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are in Spain this week for a music conference, so they soaked up the local sounds. Featured Songs: - Mayte Martín, "El Breve Espacio Que No Está" - Rels B and Lia Kali, "La Vida Sin Ti" - Judeline, "INRI" - Buika, "La Niña De Fuego" Listen to the playlist at https://npr.org/altlatino . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Nov 06, 2024•18 min
Anamaria Sayre brings some exciting new sounds coming out Mexico City (while recording from Mexico City) including sweet new music from Colombian artist Elsa Y Elmar, while Felix Contreras shares new jazz-classical out of Barcelona and more. Songs featured in this episode: •Elsa y Elmar, "Palacio" •Alih Jey, "Luz de Gas" •Little Jesus, "Tierra Llamando A Sant" •Lucia Fumero, "Folklore II" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cil...
Oct 23, 2024•24 min
To celebrate the release of a new book from NPR Music, How Women Made Music , as well as the 50th anniversary this year of the album Celia & Johnny, Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre walk through their favorite songs by the legendary Celia Cruz, alongside the artist's niece Linda Pritchett. Songs featured in this episode: • Celia Cruz, "Bemba Colorá" • Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, "Yiri Yiri Bon" • Celia Cruz, "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" • Celia Cruz, "Quimbara" • Celia Cruz, "Cuando Salí de Cuba" ...
Oct 16, 2024•34 min
Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre play a few of their favorite new tracks, some from Alt.Latino standbys and some exciting new discoveries, too. Also, we hear from an Alt.Latino listener about a Dominican song that moves her. Songs featured in this episode: • Twanguero, "Rumba #2" • Twanguero, "La Leyenda de Cañaveral" • Rosalía, "Omega (feat. Ralphie Choo)" • Wyatt Flores, "Oh Susannah" • pablopablo, Helado Negro, "Lejos De Más" • Troker, "El Novio (Versión Mariachi)" • Los Sufridos, Bad Gyal,...
Oct 09, 2024•32 min
