It’s been a rough year, but as always art saves the day - and there was so much amazing music to keep us company. Objectivity is a farse, so you can call these our favorites or the best songs of 2021 — lo que quieran! Our picks are as diverse as our tastes, so get ready for a ride from polished pop and festive salsa to futuristic takes on Venezuelan indigenous mythology and a little bachatica. Feliz año beibeis! Featuring music by Rauw Alejandro, Marc Anthony, Arca, Daddy Yankee, Sech, Prince Ro...
Dec 17, 2021•50 min
Llegó la navidad amores! It’s coquito, its hallacas and tamales and pasteles, it’s pernil and pan de jamón and generally ungodly amounts of pork. Y bueno, música. We’ve got some classic Venezuelan gaitas, some diaspora feels salsa, and yes, a christmas dembow. Enjoy the season! Featuring music by Victor Manuelle, Cardenales del Éxito, El Alfa, El Cherry Scom, Kiko El Crazy, Shelow Shaq, Maracaibo 15, Sebastián Yatra, and Gran Coquivacoa. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3GmxwsW Follow us: instagram.co...
Dec 10, 2021•41 min
Big feelings. Big vocals. Big hair. It’s time for another señora jams episode! Consider your end of year deep cleaning playlist started. Join us as we do a rundown of some very señora songs, and revisit the perennial question: is Vero a señora yet? Featuring music by Myriam Hernández, Paulina Rubio, Alejandra Guzman, Lucero, Pimpinela, Yuridia and Gloria Trevi. Show notes: bit.ly/3xNbpc6 Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Dec 03, 2021•38 min
We’re so delighted to have Dominican duo Martox as our invitados this week! They join us to talk (en español) about their brand new EP Se Siente Diferente, the queer storyline in the EP’s visuals, and how they’ve created an all-encompassing artistic concept behind their music. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3kPzp9j Follow Martox: instagram.com/martoxmusic twitter.com/martoxmusic Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea
Nov 19, 2021•35 min
Xenia Rubinos’ music defies categorization, blowing up genre boundaries in favor of raw emotion and a sharp, witty musicality. We’ve been in conversation with Xenia here since 2017 and following her for even longer, and she returns to the show (for a third time!) to talk about her new album, Una Rosa. Join us as we talk about her creative processes, her influences, her relationship to flowers y más. Follow Xenia: http://xeniarubinos.com Check our tienda and take care of some of your holiday shop...
Nov 12, 2021•57 min
Ya va a ser jalogüín, and we love spooky season around here! This year we’re talking about things that scare us, like terrible apologies (::ahem:: yes we talk about THAT bad apology), climate apocalypse, and some slightly less serious things too. Featuring music by J Balvin, Tokischa, Sergio George’s Salsa Giants, Helado Negro, Jacob Forever, Bad Bunny, Abra, Toby Love, and DJ Gecko. Show notes: https://bit.ly/2ZuFZdw Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioM...
Oct 29, 2021•47 min
Are you itching for a boo now that it’s getting cold out in the northern hemisphere? Looking for some short-term seasonal cuddling? Cuffing season is here! Whether you need a boo or you’re good with a blanket, we gotchu. Featuring music by Kewin Cosmos, Paloma Mami, Shadow Blow, Gabriel Garzon Montano, Tito El Bambino, De La Ghetto, Omar Apollo, Miguel and Buena Vista Social Club. Show notes: bit.ly/3b2d4A2 Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea
Oct 22, 2021•41 min
Dominican Producer Diego Raposo finds inspiration everywhere - from ambient to Dominican classics - and listening to his vibey beats, we can tell. Esta semana we talk to Diego (en espanglish tirando a español lol) about what he’s been listening to (early Anthony Santos stand up!), collaborating locally and online, and the role of the producer in how music comes together. Featuring music by Diego Raposo, Mediopicky, Sango, Esty, Leton Pe, MULA, CeQuei, Baldera, y Rochy RD. Show notes: https://bit...
Oct 15, 2021•31 min
This week, a very special guest: Dominican rapper, producer, and podcast fave Mediopicky. En español, we talk about his latest releases, collaborations, growing up in a household of four women, and the wide range of music that shaped his sound. Featuring music by Mediopicky, Leena Bae, AcentOh, El Cherry Scom and The Shaggs. Show notes: bit.ly/3oLYWTo Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea
Oct 08, 2021•41 min
Move over, hot girl summer. It’s time for fat boy fall. This week we take on gordofobia and bring 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/2Y9DaOK Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Oct 01, 2021•48 min
After years of verano episodes, it’s finally falls turn! Despite not really being a thing in large parts of Latin America, we find a way to interpret the vibe of this season through Latinx music we love. Featuring music by Helado Negro, Pehuenche, Twin Shadow, Willy Chirino, Celia Cruz, Ela Minus, Maite Hontel and Herencia de Timbiqui Show notes: bit.ly/39v0hFy Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Sep 24, 2021•44 min
Algo nuevo pa sus playlists. Queer bachata, neo-disco, and a peaceful electronic experimental track that might fill you with wonder. Featuring music by Karlos Rose, Martox, J Balvin, Jarina de Marco & Empress Of, Kiki Bello, and Mas Aya ft Lido Pimienta. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3ziQRXU Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Sep 17, 2021•41 min
Our summer hiatus is over beibeis! ¿Nos extrañaron? We needed the time away but we are happy to be back, talking through some of our summer music moods n vibes. We share our thoughts on a much-hyped summer collab, our ideal temperature, body positive summer beach anthems and why we’re thankful for what nuestra divina señora Ivy Queen has taught the boys. Featuring music by Aventura, Bad Bunny, Ana Macho, Prince Royce, Yomo, Hector El Father, Nicky Jam, Rita Indiana, Marc Anthony, Tokischa and Ro...
Sep 10, 2021•43 min
Verano is in full swing in our hemisphere, so we have a lil something pa la playa, to blast out the open windows of your car, to feel yourself in your cute summer ‘fits…and a lil playlist to tide you over during our annual verano break. Stay hydrated, stay cool, wear sunscreen. Les queremos! Music by El Alfa, CJ, El Cherry Scom, Daddy Yankee, Jodosky, Juanka, Tainy, Andre Veloz, Nio Garcia, Casper Mágico, Ozuna, Myke Towers, Wisin, Yandel, Fredo Versátil, and Ivy Queen. Show notes: https://bit.l...
Jul 16, 2021•40 min
Bochinchoso jams. stretch mark shout outs, latinx pop confections, incredible voices and much more on today’s new music episode. We also talk about parenting as a celebrity, two reggaeton artists that Vero thinks are slept on and her latest tender thirst trap. Show notes: bit.ly/36kxHoG Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Jul 09, 2021•38 min
You want longing? You want feeling? You want drama?! Let us recommend un bolerito (or a few)! This week we are diving into boleros - the history of the genre, why Pérez sees bachata as the thematic heir to boleros, and some of our faves. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3jygzU8 Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Jul 02, 2021•37 min
It’s rainbow season beibeis! We’re here, we're queer and we're celebrando with music that is either a queer anthem or by a queer artist. We also talk through our fave pride activities and whether either of us has even been in el closet. Featuring music by Albita, Ana Gabriel, Emily Estefan, Villano Antillano, Ana Macho, Gloria Trevi, Lomaasbello, Tokischa, Haracca Kiko, El Cherry Scom y Mima. Check out Planned Parenthood’s new campaign: http://beseen.org Show notes: bit.ly/3wBFeuB Follow us: ins...
Jun 18, 2021•48 min
When our friend Lucia Leandro Gimeno passed, y’all were the sweetest, most understanding listeners we could have possibly imagined, so we wanted to give a little pride month homenaje to our dear friend so y’all could get to know him a bit too. LL was joyful, charismatic, deeply committed to their friendships - and a music lover. This week, we talk about LL’s legacy as an activist and healer, the music that LL loved, and songs that helped us process the grief. Featuring music by Bomba Estereo, Pi...
Jun 11, 2021•39 min
Ya saben, we don’t like to go too long before bringing you some of the new things we’ve been into lately. We also debate a few attempts at classic covers, introduce a Venezuelan feminist artist network, and Vero even brings two songs that (shocking!) Pérez really likes. Featuring music by El Experimento, Gailen, La Manta, Jc La Nevula, Paramba, El Chuape, Young Gatillo, Natalia LaFourcade, Aida Rojas, Nicky Jam, El Alfa, Boza, Cocora, Bacilos and Juanes. Check out Planned Parenthood’s new campai...
Jun 04, 2021•36 min
After an anxiety-filled year (decade? lifetime?), we are ready to chill tf out. This week, música pa tomarla suave. Some old faves, some new artists to watch out for, y bastante relajo. Featuring music by Immasoul, Pilar Montenegro, Giselle D’Cole, Don Dinero, Xenia Rubinos, Farruko, Pedro Capó, Yendry, Carla Morrison, and Kali Uchis. Check out Planned Parenthood’s new campaign: beseen.org Show notes: https://bit.ly/2RHZT17 Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/...
May 28, 2021•35 min
This week we’re doing a deep dive into an unexpected international sensation—Buena Vista Social Club. This 1997 album brought a whole generation of Cuban musicians into the spotlight, and immortalized their incredible musicianship. Not without complicated context and some controversy, of course. Listen in to revisit some of our favorite songs from this incredible album. Featuring music by Buena Vista Social Club. Check out Planned Parenthood’s new campaign: beseen.org Show notes: bit.ly/3v8TJpc ...
May 21, 2021•49 min
We are back, we are vaxed, some of us are waxed, and we are ready to give ourselves to the streets. This week we allow ourselves to feel the joy of the defrosting that our extremely privileged global position in vaccine access allows us. These are the songs that get us in the el mood pa la calle. Featuring music by Amara La Negra, Big Soto, Noriel, Nicky Jam, Leebrian, DeLaGhetto, Nfasis, Ñejo y Dálmata, Big Pun, and Joe. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3eLiJgw Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twi...
May 14, 2021•49 min
It’s been a few months since we talked new music beibis, so it’s time to listen to some of our favorite new releases over the last few months. Esta semana we got a healthy mix of moods for y’all: vaccinated hoe, easy listening reggaeton, chill pero turned up, and more. Featuring music by Acentoh, Angel Pa, Chiky La Paca, Star Music, Mr. Kutukuh, Mediopicky, J Play, Piso 21, Marqueza, Selena Gomez, Rauw Alejandro, Immasoul, Becky G, Camilo and Xenia Rubinos. Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s...
Apr 09, 2021•34 min
Esta semana tuvimos el gusto de conversar con la reina del indie chileno Javiera Mena sobre su nuevo EP que lanzará esta primavera. También hablamos sobre los triángulos amorosos, la depresión y la falta de inspiración del principio de la pandemia, y de lo que ha significado - y cómo ha cambiado - ser una lesbiana fuera del closet a través de su larga carrera. *La versión original de este podcast incluía un término que aprendimos es ofensivo y difícil de escuchar. Editamos este episodio para exc...
Apr 02, 2021•35 min
Estamos de cumpleaños, beibis! March is our anniversary month and this year it’s been five (!!!) years since we started this show. For our birthday episode we are revisiting five genres that we’ve explored deeply on this show, and pointing you to some of the past episodes where we’ve explored some of the these themes and genres. To our listeners and supporters, our endless gratitude. It’s all worth it because of you, se les quiere mucho!!! To celebrate our fifth anniversary, if you become a memb...
Mar 19, 2021•1 hr
Pandemic nostalgia no longer knows any bounds at this point, and this week we get nostalgic for Elvis Crespo’s hit album Suavemente. But besides a strangely intense longing for hearing that all-too-familiar a cappella beginning, Suavemente - the album - was a massive international hit. Esta semana we revisit this classic, and how a Nuyorican kid got to be one of the biggest merengue stars in the world. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3velI7d Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea ...
Mar 12, 2021•43 min
What are the components of a good shower song? Drama? Beltability? Is danceability an asset or a liability? We are over here feeling very grateful for warm running water after a devastating week in Texas, and imagining our perfect shower playlist. These are some of our shower faves. Featuring music by Elena Rose, Ana Gabriel, Lalo Rodriguez, Thalia, Olga Tañon, and Proyecto Uno, plus for our member segment: Becky G and Los Fantasmas del Caribe. Show notes: bit.ly/3uBlZkc Follow us: instagram.com...
Feb 26, 2021•46 min
Our millennial is showing ya’ll. In today’s episode we explore the boy band genre with a Latinx spin. What makes a boy band a boy band anyway? Is it the sound? Chromosomes? A certain fan base? The tendency to sell you a white heterosexual fantasy? Join us on this surprisingly existential journey. It gets deeper than you might expect. Featuring music by Menudo, Backstreet Boys, CNCO, OV7, Aventura, O-Town, 98 Degrees and Bacilos. Show notes: https://bit.ly/2OudTcO To find out more about PP's tele...
Feb 12, 2021•53 min
Been a minute since we’ve given you some new music, so this week we got algo nuevo for you. Show notes: bit.ly/36KEYP3 To find out more about PP's telehealth services: plannedparenthood.com/menea For the new and restocked items in our tienda: radiomenea.com/tienda Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea facebook.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Feb 05, 2021•48 min
It’s been two whole decades. Twenty years! This week we take a moment to look back to 2001. What were we listening to? What was charting? Was it, maybe, the year of the ballad?! Featuring music by Shakira, Jose Jose, Jerry Rivera, Marc Anthony, Moenia, Azul Azul, JuanGa and Pilar Montenegro. Show notes: https://bit.ly/2NjhuK0 To find out more about PP's telehealth services: https://plannedparenthood.com/menea For the new and restocked items in our tienda: https://www.radiomenea.com/tienda Follow...
Jan 22, 2021•46 min
