Washington, DC’s cultural scene is often overlooked in favor of its political reputation, but looking beyond that there’s a rich cultural history. This week, DMV local DJ kristy la rAt (@ratatomica) joins us to share about some of DC’s many and diverse music scenes. From post-punk to neoperreo to merengue and trapchata, this eclectic mix will give you a feel for the musical landscape of this small but mighty city. Featuring music by Fuego, Wannabe, Kynves Escobar, Mock Identity, Machetres, Primi...
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 4 min
We just had the three hottest days ever recorded on earth, so let’s match the heat with the music, les parece? We chat about hot clubs, hot sex, hot weather….and an increasingly hot planet. Pero no se preocupen - we know hope is a discipline around here, and we believe we have the power to turn that around. Featuring songs by Hector El Father; Major Lazer, J Balvin, El Alfa and Diplo; Reyna Tropical; Chesca; Arca; La Santa Cecilia; Juanka and Brray; and Yan Block, Wheeler, and DJ Nelson. Show no...
Jul 14, 2023•53 min
Turns out that being badly behaved has no gender. This week we’ve got songs all about those boos and baes that have screwed you over. Las tóxicas, los malportados, the bad girls and the fuck boys. Our people love to sing about these tipo/as, so listen in. Featuring music by Big Soto, Ecko, Mr. Pelon, Young Miko, Jowell & Randy, Victor Manuelle, Bad Bunny, Mari, Villano Antillano, Grupo Firme and Carin Leon. Show notes: bit.ly/3JCUS1s Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea...
Jul 07, 2023•34 min
Revenge bachata, alt dembow, electro-tango, Chilean indie, y más make up our set of brand new bops for y’all esta semana. Featuring music by Yailin La Más Viral, Mediopicky, Jenn Morel, Joelii, Elíades Ochoa, Esty, Vico C, Niña Tormenta, Don Omar, and Ana Macho. Show notes: bit.ly/3JuSWIm Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Jun 23, 2023•25 min
This week we have a very special invitada, Jenni Mota, who is hosting the upcoming NYC event Mujeres del Movimiento. This historic concert will feature an all Dominican women line up, and she joined us to talk about how this event came about, why it’s so historic, and the artists that will be featured. Y como siempre, the backlash she’s facing for this event. Featuring music by Yailin La Mas Viral, La Mas Doll, Braulio Fogon, Shadow Blow, La Perversa, Lismar, La Insuperable, Queen Parker, La Dem...
Jun 16, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Book bans, anti-trans legislation, abortion bans and restrictions...things are feeling more than a little fascist in the USA right now. Todo mal, pero no a falta de resistencia. This week 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 ma...
Jun 09, 2023•53 min
We are gay every month, but in June we like to give a little extra shine to nuestra gente cuir. In a dystopian twist, drag performers are under attack right now, so we’re giving some big love to our drag community and all of the songs that make their performances pop in this week’s episode. Featuring music by Gloria Trevi, Christina Aguilera, David Summers, Thalia, Albita, Celia Cruz, Selena and Valentina. Show notes: bit.ly/42r0O4o Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tiny...
Jun 02, 2023•51 min
We put together a few new finds for y’all, and it shaped up to be muuuyyy de verano! We are on the precipice of summer, we’ve had a few unseasonably warm days care of climate catastrophe, the Mr. Softee truck is starting to make its first few appearances… we can almost taste the raspados and smell the ocean air. Hope you’re as ready as we are! Featuring music by Sebastián Yatra, Manuel Turizo, Beéle, Alex Anwandter, Buscabulla, RKM & Ken Y, RaiNao, DeLaGhetto, MJ Nebrada, DJ Babatr, Yung Ive...
May 19, 2023•38 min
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned es lo que dicen ¿no? We have had some momentos virales lately with women who have been done dirty by their boo - ::cough:: Shaki ::cough:: - so we decided to dig into the genre. We love a woman scorned señora vibe, so we dug up some older tracks for y’all, but people stay acting a fool throughout time, so we have some more current tracks for y’all too. Featuring music by Pimpinela, Laura León, Toña La Negra, Cardi B, Letón Pé, Choby, Damas Gratis, and Viru ...
May 12, 2023•36 min
How did the brassy sounds of the Mexican countryside suddenly start dominating the charts? For people who are new to following Mexican Regional music, this rise might seem out of left field. But the ascent of this new generation of Mexican Regional artists has been in the making for years. This week we delve into the Regional Mexican artists who are leading this pop moment, how they got here, and why they’re hitting the big time now. Featuring music by Peso Pluma, Eslabon Armado, Grupo Frontera,...
May 05, 2023•51 min
Arguably North America’s first boy band, Menudo found epic success before the Backstreet Boys were even out of diapers. The group’s career spanned four decades and involved 32 young men, many albums and a lot of controversy. In this week’s episode we explore the impact, trajectory and dark side of Menudo. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and rape involving minors. Featuring music by Menudo. Show notes: bit.ly/3oEXWT1 Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter....
Apr 28, 2023•55 min
The rises on jeans were low, mp3 players were new, and the president was lying about the existence of weapons of mass destruction to invade a whole country to avenge his daddy and make his VP some cash. The year is 2003, and twenty years ago (!!!) the musical landscape looked….vastly different. We were coming off the end of the Latin boom era of the late 90s. Meanwhile, reggaeton was on the precipice of blowing up globally, and the Latin music industry was hell bent on ignoring it. This week, we...
Apr 21, 2023•51 min
April 17th would have been Chavela Vargas’ 104th birthday. We’re taking this opportunity to do a deep dive into her legendary career. 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 explore her legacy in today’s episode. Featuring music by Chavela Var...
Apr 14, 2023•39 min
Hallelujah! Amen! Our Women’s History Month content is spilling into April, ¿y porqué no? The best kind of April shower this week - musiquita nueva by dope ass mujeres. Featuring music by Olga Tañon, Xenia Rubinos, Karol G, Tei Shi, La Santa Cecilia, Pedro Hidalgo, Salt Cathedral, Nicole Manzo, and Kali Uchis. Show notes: bit.ly/3UerVwV Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s2RQhS Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Apr 07, 2023•37 min
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we wanted to highlight four trans Latina musicians. Especially given the increasing attacks on trans people, it felt important 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/3TUUNKt Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s2RQhS Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Mar 31, 2023•52 min
It’s been seven years of Radio Menea. Increíble no? This week, to celebrate our birthday, we go through our favorite songs on each of those seven years. It’s been some jams - travel in time con nosotres! Featuring music by Manuel Turizo, MULA, Daddy Yankee, Joyce Santana, Bad Bunny, Arca, Yahritza y Su Esencia, and Lucrecia Dalt. Show notes: bit.ly/40r9XsM Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s2RQhS Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Mar 24, 2023•59 min
This week, Vero guides us through a dive into a Latinas making electronic music today. A genre - or set of genres! - that transcends boundaries of style and sound, music produced electronically has expanded how we perceive music, who can make it, and even what is sonically possible in endless and amazing ways. Show notes: bit.ly/3FxhpKZ Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s2RQhS Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 10 min
A legendary artist, Susana Baca is also responsible for bringing Afro-Peruvian rhythms to the world stage. An incredible singer, dancer and activist, Baca’s extensive catalog honors the deep legacy of Afro-Peruvians both thematically and rhythmically. In honor of Black History Month, we take a deep dive into Baca’s life and career, bringing shine to this incredible woman who, at 78, continues her career. Featuring music by Susana Baca Show notes: bit.ly/3xscQgu Follow us: instagram.com/radiomene...
Feb 17, 2023•52 min
In the USA, Valentine’s day is exclusively focused on romantic love. Pero en América Latina es el día del amor y la amistad, and this Valentine’s day we wanna honor the love and care in friendships. The way our social structures are set up, romantic relationships seem to be set up as the ones that deserve to become the most valuable ones in our lives. We reject that premise. This week, we talk about songs that remind us about the value and radical potential of friendship. Featuring music by Bad ...
Feb 10, 2023•50 min
This week we’re bringing you the awards categories you never knew you needed. The best song for cleaning your house? For getting ready to turn up? For feeling feelings that you aren’t actually feeling? We may never make it to the Latin Grammy’s, so we decided to bring the award show to you. Featuring music by Luisito Ayala y La Puerto Rican Power, Juan Gabriel, Wisin y Yandel, Alexis y Fido, Pepe Aguilar, Ángela Aguilar, La Marisoul, Mon Laferte, Juanes and Fuete Billete. Show notes: bit.ly/3l5C...
Feb 03, 2023•37 min
This week we have a nice lil variedad of new finds for y’all: sentimental ballads, trippy morphing boleros, healing-vibes R&B y mucho más. Featuring music by Yahritza y su Esencia, Kali Uchis, Willy Chirino, NOIA, Buscabulla, Ximena Sariñana, Melov, Soy Emilia, Geogy Mills, Nicky Jam, and Andrea Bell. Show notes: bit.ly/3HBTuf4 Follow us: instagram.com/radiomenea twitter.com/radiomenea tinyletter.com/radiomenea
Jan 27, 2023•28 min
As Shaki breaks the internet with her BZRP freestyle dissing her cheating ex, we decided to explore the genre of the diss track. This week - in addition to the Shaki’s viral session with producer Biza por su puesto - we explore all manner of diss tracks and tiraeras. Do we love the mess o nos da pena ajena? But it’s more than beefs and pettiness - the art of the creative insult, the lyrical skill, the culture of la batalla. Featuring music by Paquita la del Barrio, Shakira x Bizarrap, Carlos Viv...
Jan 20, 2023•50 min
New year, new…hookups? 2023 is here and we are thirsty! Okay not really, but the songs we are bringing this week definitely are. It isn’t hard to find Latinx songs with horny undertones, and this week we have a few of our favorites. Featuring music by La Lupe, El Alfa, Nicky Jam, Tomasa de Real, Speedy, RaiNao, Brray, Leslie Grace, Noriel, Bad Bunny, ñengo flow and Yomil y El Dany. Show notes: bit.ly/3ILz58m Follow us: instagram.com/radiomenea twitter.com/radiomenea tinyletter.com/radiomenea
Jan 13, 2023•34 min
Last week you gave us your faves of 2022 - now it’s our turn. Featuring music by Bad Bunny, Lucrecia Dalt, Yahritza y Su Esencia, Oksana Linde, Manuel Turizo, Villano Antillano, Rauw Alejandro, Natti Natasha, Daddy Yankee, and Wisin y Yandel. Show notes: bit.ly/3V7WMKd Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Dec 16, 2022•46 min
This week, it’s about you. You told us your favorite song by a Latine artist from this year - in person at Lánzate in Philly - Latinx organizing hub Mijente’s conference - and via IG desde sus casitas. We can’t say we are surprised that y’all have impeccable taste. Featuring music by Elsa y Elmar, Bad Bunny, Shakira, Ozuna, Silvana Estrada, Arca, Safety Trance, Esty, Bomba Estero, Kaina and Carla Morrison. Show notes: bit.ly/3uyAt5I Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tiny...
Dec 09, 2022•30 min
2022 isn’t over yet, and we’re rounding it out with some new new for your end of year consideration! Ya saben, our usual combo of some weird shit and some pop. Featuring music by Grupo Firme, La Ventaja, Mala Fama, Karlos Rose, Mabe Fratti, Bacilos, Timo, Rauw Alejandro, Maricuir, and Lorena Orlando. Show notes: bit.ly/3iO4lZk Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Dec 02, 2022•31 min
Legendary Brazilian singer Gal Costa passed away last week, leaving behind an incredible legacy of musical innovation. Along with others in the Tropicália movement of the late 1960s, they created a new genre that married traditional Brazilian rhythms with international sounds. Gal was a central voice in the tropicalimso movement, and that work laid the foundation for a career spanning over 50 years. Featuring music by Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Maria Bethânia and Seu Jorge. Show no...
Nov 18, 2022•32 min
Luzmila Carpio is a luminary of indigenous music in Latin America and beyond. 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. This week, as we start a month rife with revisionist histories about colonization, we offer you this antidote. Show notes: bit.ly/3G8PsKM Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Nov 11, 2022•34 min
On November 1, 2002, Tego Calderón released El Abayarde, his groundbreaking and genre-shifting debut album. 20 years later, we reflect on Tego’s legacy and what this album’s celebration of Blackness and enduring musical impact has meant for reggaeton, Puerto Rico and Latin music worldwide. Featuring music by Tego Calderón. Show notes: bit.ly/3E0uSuD Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/RadioMenea
Nov 04, 2022•41 min
You know what time it is. Spooky sounds, spooky themes, and general jaloguín vibes for one of our fave holidays! We have demons and devils, calaveras y muerte, and notorious ghosts. Spooky as sexy, spooky as a metaphor for moral panic, and some really beautiful spookiness too. Featuring music by Six Sex, Calle 13, La Lupe, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Rubio, Ángela Aguilar, and Café Tacvba. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3TKDZ7Z Follow us: instagram.com/RadioMenea twitter.com/RadioMenea tinyletter.com/R...
Oct 28, 2022•36 min
