Some big, bittersweet news, amores - after almost 9 (!!!) years producing a weekly podcast, with over 300 episodes under our belts, we’re bringing Radio Menea to a close. In this final episode, we talk about that decision, what is next for this project, and Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Bad Bunny parting gift to us. Featuring music by Bad Bunny.
Only the crumbling of our nation state could make Vero actually care about Latinx celebrity chisme, pero aqui estamos! We’re finding solace in distraction, gossip and some of our favorite tracks to close out this year. Cuidense amores, and we’ll see you in 2025. Featuring music by Ryan Castro, Maisak, Xavi, Rauw Alejandro, Laura Pausini, Yahritzia y Su Esencia, MJ Nebreda, Prince Royce, Gabito Ballesteros, CERO39, Ruzzi, Leon Leiden, Ximena Sariñana. Show notes: bit.ly/49rmtOH Follow us: instagr...
There have been so many emotions since the reelection of the orange chupacabra—fear, sadness, grief and yes—anger. As everyone gears up for the fight to come, we’re revisiting an 2022 episode from one of the most impactful impacts of his first administration—the Supreme Court’s reversal of 50 years of legal precedent for the right to abortion. Listen in for songs that connect us to our rage, our grief and our joy amidst what feels like constant disaster. Featuring music by La India, Kelis, Sergi...
So...things are feeling more than a little fascist in the USA right now. Todo mal, pero no a falta de resistencia. This week we are re-running an episode from last year in which we talk about the global rise of fascism, historical context around the ebbs and flows of progress and backlash, and of course, the soundtrack of resistance. Whether it’s the musicians who resisted the 1960’s rise of right-wing dictators in Latin America as part of the Nueva Canción movement, artists who are making polit...
This week we're re-running an episode exploring the Latin American folk music movement that was La Nueva Canción. Fueled by leftist politics and the integration of indigenous musical elements and instruments, La Nueva Canción produced incredible and inspirational folk music across the region and continues to influence the music we love today. ***Also, we had a math struggle this epi! Violeta Parra was born in 1917, so she was actually in her 50s when she died, not in her 30s! Thank you Christina...
Trico Tri! Today we’re stretching wayyyy back in the archives for our very first jalogüin episode. It’s weird, it’s spooky, there are vampires and brujas and scary things that aren’t our political situation. We know we can all use a little escape right now. Enjoy! Featuring music from Johnny Prez, Total Freedom, Los Rakas, Las Sucias, El Gran Combo, and María y José. Show notes: bit.ly/4huKhVQ Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea newsletter: bit.ly/RMjoin
We’re back with a brand new episode, this time an interview with Shariana Ferrer-Núñez, co-founder of La Colectiva Feminista en Contrucción, a Puerto Rican grassroots group. They were very involved in the 2019 protests that forced the resignation of Governor Ricky Roselló, protests that utilized what came to be known as “perreo combativo.” It’s a really great conversation with Shariana about their broader political work and the role of things like reggaeton and perreo in organizing. The intervie...
This week, we’re re-running a conversation we had with a very special guest: Dominican rapper, producer, and podcast fave Mediopicky. We talked back in 2021 (¡en español!) about his latest releases, collaborations, growing up in a household of four women, and the wide range of music that shaped his sound. He just put out a new album, "el precio de la yuca" earlier this fall — highly recommend — and we thought it was a great time to revisit our chat. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3AeD3nP Follow us: ...
We’re continuing our Dominican music series by bringing back this deep dive into Dominican dembow with Jennifer Mota from 2020. It holds up! A music journalist and expert in Dominican Dembow, Jennifer joined us to dig deep into the history and future of an increasingly influential genre. She breaks down the history of Dominican dembow, how migration has shaped it, and shares some of the most important songs from the arena. Featuring music by DJ Boyo, Jhon Distrito, Bad Bunny, La Delfi, Los Ando ...
To start a few weeks focused on la música de la República Dominicana, we’re bringing back a 2019 interview with some of our faves: electro-Caribbean darlings MULA. In a full episode en español, we chat with Cristabel, Anabel, and Rachel about how they met, the whirlwind magia of their artistic process, their collaborations, and projects to come. Están redi?? Featuring music by MULA, Sibylle Baier, Tokischa ft Tivi Gunz, and Los Melódicos. Show notes: https://bit.ly/4dsHfOw Follow us: instagram.c...
We’re back loves and talking about our fave new releases. From non-monogamy anthems to toxic masculinity reggaeton to right wing nightmares and new singles from Bad Bunny and our Dominican faves MULA, it’s a journey beibeis! Featuring music by MULA, Bad Bunny, Ojitos Cafe, Arca, Tokischa, Nicky Jam, Luar La L, PJ Sin Suela, Chuwi and Maria Becerra. Show notes: bit.ly/4eEupgX Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea newsletter: bit.ly/RMjoin
Move over, hot girl summer. It’s time for fat boy fall. This week, as some of us are reaching acceptance about fall’s inevitable approach on the northern hemisphere, we are re-running an epi on gordofobia, bringing some body posi anthems and songs by folks who identify in some way with their larger size. Featuring music by Jodosky, Big Pun, JLO, Akapellah, Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, and IMALOTOSA. Show notes: https://bit.ly/4cSRmfc Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea newsletter: ...
Selena deep cuts. Quinceañera classics. Borracho jams. We're continuing our streak of talking about music from la frontera this week by bringing back an episode with writer Yvonne Marquez. A native of Mission, Texas, Yvonne joins us to focus on the music of la frontera Tejana and to chat about our shared love of the Rio Grande Valley. Listen in for stories about kitchen dance parties, high school mariachi bands, and the best tamales spot in South Texas. Featuring music by Grupo Control, Jesika, ...
Thirty years later, Selena’s magnum opus remains as relevant as ever. This week, we’re re-running a deep dive we did on this seminal album with the one and only Favy Fav. Co-host of Latinos Who Lunch and a dear friend of the podcast, artist Favy Fav is a MAJOR Selena stan. We get at the biggest hits, a few of the deep cuts, and revisit all of what makes Selena one of the greatest Latinx artists of all time. Featuring music by Selena. Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea new...
The US-Mexico border is many things: a divisive political fact, a total fiction, home to many Latinx people and an arena of major cultural influence. For today’s episode, we take a look at some of the music that has arisen from this part of the country, and the social and political forces that influence life and art in this liminal space. Featuring music by Gaytan y Cantu, Los Tigres del Norte, Freddy Fender, Selena, Chalino Sanchez, Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho, Natanael Cano, Bad Bunn...
Juan Gabriel was not just a singer and a songwriter - he was legendary. Over the years his songs brought us joy, his fabulous outfits gave us life, and his flamboyant performances served as the launchpad for countless family conversations about sexuality and gendered performance. For queer Latinxs, he was one of our icons. This episode, originally recorded shortly after his death, was Radio Menea’s first time dedicating an entire episode to one artist's life, music, and impact. Que en paz descan...
We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes that dive deep into the careers of iconic artists. An unofficial queer icon, Chavela lived outside of gender norms during a time when it was risky to do so. Despite this, she made a name for herself in Mexico with her incredible voice, becoming especially known for her renditions of classic rancheras. A complicated person and singular talent, we revisit her legacy in today’s episode. Featuring music by Chavela Vargas. Show notes: bit.ly/4dGtE6C Foll...
Living legend Susana Baca is responsible for bringing Afro-Peruvian rhythms to the world stage. An incredible singer, dancer and activist, Baca’s extensive catalog honors the deep cultural legacy of Afro-Peruvians, both thematically and rhythmically. This week we’re re-running an episode we originally ran for Black History Month, but Baca’s life and career deserves shines all year long. Featuring music by Susana Baca. Show notes: https://bit.ly/46GvG4j Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter...
To wrap up our summer series on indigenous music, in today's new episode we explore how indigenous instruments have contributed a wealth of dynamic sounds, melodies and beats to the music of Latin America. We focus on six instruments—three percussion, two wind and one string–-as an entry point into the impact of these instruments on music in the region. Featuring music by Los Kjarkas, Sonora Dinamita, Lila Tirando a Violeta, Ismael Rivera, Quilapayún, Internacionales Conejos and Simon Diaz. Show...
We talk a lot about the influence of African people, instruments, and rhythms on Latinx music. But we know that indigenous peoples and musical traditions have also had an impact. This week we are re-running a deep dive we took into one of the most iconic examples of that influence from Los Kjarkas, an Andean folk group from Bolivia, whose iconic song Llorando Se Fue (aka La Lambada) inspired many covers and samples, from the 80s until today. Featuring music by Los Kjarkas, Kaoma, Wisin y Yandel,...
This month we’re bringing you some of our favorite episodes focused on indigenous music, and this week we’re bringing back a deep dive into Luzmila Carpio, an indigenous Bolivian singer. Her songs, inspired by the sounds of bird song, streams, and the land she grew up on, have brought Quechua and Aymara sonic traditions and stories of indigenous resistance around the globe. Featuring music by Luzmila Carpio, Captain Planet, Pusisuyu Sikuthalas, and Nicola Cruz. Show notes: Follow us: instagram.c...
Originally aired during the thanksgiving season, we're bringing back this early days Indigenous artists episode for a lil indigenous summer series. We're giving you a little antidote to colonialist revisionist history by bringing indigenous artists who are making music that emphasizes their roots, integrating indigenous languages, instrumentation, and cultural references. We hope that you'll hear evidence that the colonial project has failed - indigenous cultures today are alive despite it all, ...
On deck for this week we’ve got a slate of our favorite recent releases. True to form, this one really takes you on a mood shifting journey from summer reggaeton pops to experimental cello, from cumbia to electronic music and more. Featuring music by Los Angeles Azules, Emilia, Mabe Fratti, Nicky Jam, Ryan Castro, Boundary, La Santa Cecilia, Boza, Elena Rose, Moffa, Manuel Turizo, Ñengo Flow and Tokischa. Show notes: bit.ly/4eT9k3A Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea newsl...
It’s still pride month, and as it comes to a close we’re revisiting a 2023 episode featuring trans mujeres in Latinx music. Sadly the attacks that inspired this episode last year have only increased, so we continue to celebrate and honor these women and their musical contributions. Featuring music by Linn da Quebrada, Liniker, Arca and Villano Antillano. Show notes: bit.ly/4eIKh32 Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea newsletter: bit.ly/RMjoin
Think: songs your favorite Latina drag queens love to perform. Songs that might not be explicitly gay, but get the queers going. You know the ones. These are the gay anthems. Featuring music by Selena, Ana Gabriel, Gloria Trevi, Thalia and Celia Cruz. Show notes: https://bit.ly/4bckGwl Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea newsletter: bit.ly/RMjoin
It’s still gay Christmas over here, so we’re bringing you an episode from the archive featuring some of our favorite out queer and trans Latin artists. Featuring music by Albita, Linn Da Quebrada, Anaís Azul, Gina Chavez, Sailorfag and Elysia Crampton. Show notes: bit.ly/3KJDSqm Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea newsletter: bit.ly/RMjoin
This week we’re sharing some big chisme: We are writing a book!!!! And not just a regular degular book, but an illustrated, choose-your-own-adventure exploration of the impact of Latinx music on US culture and US culture on Latinx music. In today’s episode we talk through the process that got us here, and give you a little taste of the kind of things we are going to cover through some of our favorite songs. We wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for all of your support for this project over the...
Pride is nigh, querides, and this week we’re re-running an early-days (2016!!!) episode of Radio Menea featuring queer artists. Listen in to hear about queer Latinx musicians who've been doing it since forever, and some of the new generation of out and proud folks who are walking in their footsteps. We also talk about the origins of Pride and its inextricable connection to Latinx resistance. Featuring music by Ricky Martin, Alex Anwandter, Andy Peña, Rita Indiana, Albita, and Javiera Mena.
This week, un invitado muy especial: Chilean indie darling and Radio Menea fave Alex Anwandter, talking about his new album Dime Precioso. Join us as we talk about his bimbo era, why he’s found his power in the superficial, the challenges of the music industry today, and how - as a long time “super gay” artist - he’s moving away from the commodification of identity in his latest work. Featuring music by Alex Anwandter. Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea newsletter: bit.ly...
This week we’ve got some new music from our faves. From bachata and dreamy bedroom pop to mariachi and vibey house, it’s an eclectic and entertaining ride, as always. Featuring music by Ronny Mercedes, DJ Aguilar, Tei Shi, Wisin, Yandel, Xiomara Fortuna, Marc Anthony, Girl Ultra, Yahritzia y Su Esencia and Ambar Lucid. Show notes: bit.ly/4bj1IFd Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea newsletter: bit.ly/RMjoin
