LATINO LIFE'S ULTIMATE REGGAETON RECAP 2024
Reggaeton has had its fair share of the spotlight this year thanks to some of the hottest acts' songs catapulting into the mainstream music world. Stars have used their already large fanbases to their advantage whether that’…
Things That Matter to…Eliane Correa
Eliane Correa studied piano and composition at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, before relocating to London where she quickly gained fame for her work as a composer, musician and bandleader. After years as arranger,…
THE ONLY WAY IS UP
It has been a rollercoaster few years for the Grammy award-winning singer, but now Lila Downs is appreciating life more than ever, she tells Elizabeth Mistry
Little Louie Vega's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need, to get you through those times of despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway, Little Louie Vega, the world renowned house…
JESSE & JOY (East West Records)
This is the album that won Jesse & Joy, the Mexican brother and sister duo, their first US Grammy for best Latin pop album in February this year. It’s also their first to feature songs in English, some of which have already…
Baroque Cubana: The Extraordinary Story of Gabriela Mulen
Gabriel Mulen is a charismatic young musician from one of Old Havana’s most iconic Afrocuban neighbourhoods who combines a career as one of only two professional organists in Havana - playing organ and harpsichord in two Early…
Surrogate Latino #7: Miguel Muziq, Latin Jazz Guitarist
Guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Miguel Muziq is a new force to be reckoned with on the Latin Jazz scene. His production/remixing credits include Usher and Kelly Rowland, now Miguel’s debut album “An Angel’s Healing” finally…
We Love...Gal Costa
Endowed with a charismatic and exquisite voice filled with stylistic delights, Maria da Graҫa Costa Penna Burgos (better known as Gal Costa) was a native of Salvador, Bahia. Along with Maria Bethania, she was one of the primary…
Our Tribute to Sandro
The man known as The Argentine Elvis was a national treasure. The funeral was held on January 5th at the Argentine national congress, usually reserved only for presidents or former presidents. The streets where lined with…
Venezuela’s Rich Musical Tapestry
Professor T.M. Scruggs, an ethnomusicologist at the University of Iowa, has spent six years specializing in Venezuelan music and culture. In this interview he paints a fascinating portrait of a musical heritage that is one of…
Chaos with a Purpose
From New York to Puerto Rico, Buscabulla is an electronic music duo formed by Luis Alfredo Del Valle and Raquel Berrios, both Puerto Rico-born musicians who lived in Brooklyn until 2017. That year, Puerto Rico was destroyed by…
The Reluctant Artist
When his debut album 'Veneer' went platinum back in 2006 while a Phd student at Gothenberg University, José González’s life changed forever. About to embark on a career as a ground-breaking scientist, his instantly…
Tito Nieves Tunes that Rock The Dance Floor
"El Pavarotti de la Salsa" as he is also known, Tito Nieves is one of the best voices of Salsa, no doubt. With a fantastic career that started in the late ’70s, Tito has managed to stay relevant and active, keeping his…
Alí Primera’s ‘Necessary Song’
Ali Primera, Venezuela’s own Silvio Rodriguez, was long-discarded to the official cultural sin-bin. But his popularity never waned and now his voice is being resurrected by the establishment that once scorned him.
TIMBA’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN
Those who were enjoying Eliane Correa and su Evolución at this weekend's LatinoLife in the Park, are no doubt are fans of Maykel Blanco - today's bonafide guru Cuban Timba. Lucky for them, for the first time in six…
"I couldn't have made this film if I wasn't Latino"
In the 1950s, when the Democratic Republic of the Congo was a Belgian colony, a generation of Congolese musicians fused traditional African rhythms with Afro-Cuban music to create the electrifying beat of Congolese rumba - a beat…
Swiss Sampling: An Interview with Michel Cleis
His track ‘La Mezcla’, using a Toto La Momposina sample, became one of the biggest house tracks of the century, and it made him a household name in that market. Now the World-renowned Swiss DJ and producer just reworked Natalia…
Top Ten Latin Music Hits of June
Latino Life comes to show you which tropical songs have the highest popularity during June.
DESTINY’S SONG
Luis Enrique is arguably Latin America’s biggest and most enduring romantic salsa star of the modern era. Hits such as 'Desesperado', 'Así es la vida' and 'Tu no le amas le temes' made him a…
The Essence of Salsa Aristocracy: why we love Pete 'El Conde' Rodriguez
Of all the legendary crooners of salsa’s golden era, Fania founder Pacheco always claimed that Pete 'El Conde' Rodriguez was his favourite singer. And you only need to listen to his songs to see why: the understated…
DJ Flecha's Top Ten Cuban Tunes
DJ Flecha has had an amazing DJ career, playing with the most famous Cuban bands such as Los Van Van, Charanga Habanera, Adalberto Álvarez, Manolito Y Su Trabuco, Paulo F.G, Pupi Y Los Que Son Son and Issac Delgado. This is his…
City Music Guide: Cali
Over the years LatinoLife has built up relationships with amazing DJs around the world; their passion, knowledge and dedication to the music they love we admire. As part of a new series, we decided to ask our friends for the…
Bridges and Walls
With 1.5 billion YouTube views, a 3x platinum debut album in Mexico and a second album premiering at #1 all over Latin America and several Grammys, what makes Jesse and Joy one of Latin America's biggest emerging acts? As…
In Praise of Chavela Vargas 1919-2012
A tribute to one of Latin America's most iconic female role models.
Things That Matter to...Anderson, lead singer of Afro-Reggae
Anderson, 29, was born and raised in Vigário Geral, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most violent favelas. His mum is a dinner lady and his dad, a tax-driver. Anderson’s first jobs involved doing small favours for criminals like wrapping…
MAGIC MAJO
Joining the cast of Cirque Du Soleil's latest show - inspired by her native Mexico - is a dream come true, singer Majo Cornejo tells Elizabeth Mistry
An Aural Mapping of Nostalgia
One of the most critically and commercially successful bands to emerge from Latin America, Café Tacvba have come to define the essence of Mexican rock. Ahead of their European Tour this September, Shyal Bhandari speaks with…
Rebel Spirit
Ana Tijoux is well known for her strong lyrics that question the status quo, whether social, political, religious, cultural or economic. In the best tradition of Latin American cantaurores, the Chilean-French hip-hop singer…
Reclaiming The Streets
Ryan Castro is the latest in a string of Medellin music sensations to reach global fame, with hits such as Jordan, Wasa Wasa, Malory and Mujeriego. Just as Colombia’s ‘City of Eternal Spring’ has come to be known as the new…
Reggaeton Soul
At the age of 19, Manuel Turizo is fast becoming the latest Colombian sensation to explode in the world of Reggaetón. His first hit 'Una Lady Como Tú' received over 1.3 billion YouTube views, while 'Vaina Loca…
Latinolife's Ultimate Reggaetón Top Ten of 2017
What a year its been for Reggaetón. Finally the unique Latin Caribbean beat we've been pioneering here at Latino Life and La Bomba for the last 15 years has broken the global charts over and over, showing there is no turning…
A Night Out With Rapzodia
Our man in Havana takes us on a bus journey (literally) into the post-Covid nights of Havana to discover the best Cuban acts coming out of lockdown. First stop, a sizzling evening with Rapzodia, an electrifying blend of hip hop,…
Aziza Brahim - born in Africa, schooled in Cuba, resident in Spain
Aziza Brahim's music adeptly travels the expanse between her Western Saharan roots and Barcelona, her current home. Aziza is a poet and an eloquent spokesperson for the Saharawi people and their ongoing struggle for…
Victor Jara, Singer-songwriter (1932-1973)
Victor Jara was a popular folk singer in Chile, who was tortured and murdered in 1973 by the military coup led by Augusto PInochet. Ever since, the man and his music has been an inspiration for millions across the world. Almost…
Things That Matter To...Mandinga
Hailing from Bucharest, Mandinga have come a long way since representing Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2012. Integrating the sassy Spanish lead singer Bárbara Isasi, this energetic, funky Tropical-Urban fusion…