Things That Matter To
Music
WOMAN IN THE VERGE: Sila Lua

Born in Galicia, Sila Lua started her musical career while studying music production in London and released two EPs ('The Black Door' and 'Vía') before 'ROMPE', her sea-culture inspired debut album.…

Music
Woman on the Verge: Lala Hayden

Having gained notoriety and popularity fronting indie outfit Anteros, Catalan-British singer-songwriter Laura 'LALA' Hayden is now diving deep into her solo project under the guise of Lala Hayden. Empowering, powerful…

Music
Woman on the Verge: Eva Ruiz

Born in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Eva Ruiz has the ability to paint  pictures with words and sounds, through her distinctly graceful, smooth yet powerful voice. She also portrays Jenna in Culpa Mia, a hit Amazon Prime…

Music
Woman on the Verge: MAVICA

Originally from Cartagena in south-eastern Spain, London-based Marta Casanova blends folk, indie, pop and electronic sounds. In September, Mavica’s debut album 'Sometimes a Person Never Comes Back (but that’s okay)',…

Music
Woman on the Verge: Ona Mafalda

"I am what I do," is how self-described compulsive composer, inevitable lyricist and optional instrumentalist Ona Mafalda identifies.  Her music often leads to comparisons with artists such as Lorde, Mitski, Florence…

Music
Things That Matter… Jards Macalé

Having worked with some of the biggest names in Brazilian music, including Joao Donato, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso and more, Jards Macalé has garnered status as one of the most influential samba and tropicalia artists. Macalé’s…

Music
Things That Matter to…Sara Correia

Widely regarded around the world as one of Fado music’s fastest rising stars, Portuguese singer Sara Correia’s profile has continued to rise sharply this year following the release of her acclaimed third studio album '…

Music
Things That Matter to…Harold Lopez Nussa

Recently signed to Blue Note Records, Harold started piano when he was eight years old in Havana, Cuba. After graduating from the Instituto Superior de Artes, he toured with Omara Portuondo and in 2003, worked with the Cuban…

Music
Things That Matter to...Alfredo Rodríguez

Widely considered to be one of the most gifted and exciting jazz pianists of his generation, Alfredo Rodríguez’s high-octane, warm and joyous musicianship won him at first the mentorship of Quincy Jones then a Grammy nomination.…

Music
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,…

Music
Things That Matter to…Susana Baca

Three-time Latin Grammy winner, Susana Baca is Peru’s most internationally renowned artist, who shone a light on the previously little known world of Afro-Peruvian rythmns. In 2021, she marked the 50th year of her career with the…

Music
Things That Matter to...Luiz Morais

Composer, arranger and 7-string guitarist Luiz Morais was born in Fortaleza, Brazil. Based in London since 201, the 32 year-old Brazilian is a unique voice in contemporary Jazz guitar and a virtuoso performer. Graduated in…

Music
Things That Matter to...Coco Maria

A self-described 'selectora' and the only resident Latin DJ on Gilles Peterson's Worldwide FM radio station, Coco Maria works in a vastly male dominated environment. The Mexican born DJ just DJ'ed for…

Music
Things That Matter to...Amaro Freitas

From the slums of Recife in Brazil's North-East to international jazz icon, Amaro Freitas has earned the music world's attention for "an approach to the keyboard so unique that it's startling" (Downbeat…

Music
Things That Matter to...Luiz Gabriel Lopes

Luiz Gabriel Lopes is a singer-songwriter from Minas Gerais, the fertile territory that spawned the incredible Clube da Esquina generation of Milton Nascimento, Lo Borges, Toninho Horta et al. Echoing these illustrious…

Music
Things That Matter to...La Chica

Uniting Paris Belleville and Merida, Sophie Fustec was born in Paris to a French father and Venezuelan mother. Between visits to Merida, Sophie studied violin and then piano, for 13 years in the conservatory and then sound…

Music
Things That Matter to...Arya

The second profile in our series on Venezuelan Diaspora Music, we are delighted to present a true rising star; Italo-Venezuelan singer/songwriter Arya. Daughter of Orlando Watussi, a well-known Venezuelan salsa singer, Arya grew…

Dance
Things That Matter to...Nestor García Gonzalez

32 year old Mexican Nestor Garcia Gonzalez has been working as a professional break-dancer for the last 9 years. In Mexico he was flexing his amazing talent in international touring shows, such as the Michael Jackson tribute and…

Music
Things That Matter to… Joao del Monte

We came across Joao del Monte a year ago through a video that went viral of him improvising in a bar in Spain with flamenco singer Daniel Peña “Deni.” The music-making chemistry between the two, with Joao mixing in his cuban…

Music
Things That Matter To...Antonio Lizana

Growing up immersed in the world of Flamenco, Cádiz-born Antonio Lizana studied Jazz in Musikene, the Advanced Music School in San Sebastián. Though submerged in jazz composition, he found that flamenco crept into every song he…

Dance
Things That Matter To...Pablo Egea

Winning last year's LUKAS for Outstanding Male Dance Performer, Pablo Egea captured Londoners' attention after spotting this rising star in the West End show "Heart Beat of Home" as a flamenco soloist dancer.…

Music
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…

Music
Things That Matter To...Flavia Coelho

From the morros of Rio de Janeiro where she was born to the paved streets of Paris, where she now resides, Flavia Coelho has travelled the world and is at home where her music feels welcome. Needless to say, the Brazilian has…

Music
Things That Matter To...Eliane Elias

Brazilian jazz pianist Eliane Elias is known for her distinctive and immediately recognizable musical style which blends her Brazilian roots, her sensuous, alluring voice with her virtuosic instrumental jazz, classical and…

Dance
Things That Matter To…Albert Quesada

Albert Quesada is a Spanish dancer and choreographer who trained in Amsterdam and Brussels (PARTS) after studying philosophy in Barcelona. Quesada is known for translating musical structures into choreography and inviting the…

Music
Things That Matter to…Omara Portuondo

One of the most inspirational women in music and known for her vibrant live performances, Omara Portuondo rose to fame in the 1950’s in pre-revolutionary Havana in the vocal group Cuarteto D'Aida, before becoming a huge name…

Sports
Things That Matter to...Roberto Carlos

Nicknamed ‘el hombre bala’ (the bullet man) for his powerful free-kicks, Roberto Carlos is undoubtedly one of the most iconic footballers of all time. Having made a name for himself in Brazil, Carlos began his European career…

Music
Things That Matter to...Mon Laferte

Mon Laferte is one of Latin America's most dynamic artists, unstoppable since releasing her album Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015. Last year's Latin Grammy winner for Best Alternative Song for 'Amárrame', the young…

Music
Things That Matter to...Yilian Cañizares

With two acclaimed albums, 2013's self-produced 'Ochumare' and 2015's 'Invocación', Yilian Cañizares is considered one of the most exciting and innovative jazz musicians of her generation. This young…

Music
Things That Matter to...Chucho Merchán

Colombian born Chucho Merchán is one of British rock’s most successful bass guitarists. After studying at Cambridge University, he spent two decades playing and touring with The Eurythmics, The Pretenders, George Harrison, Pete…

Music
Things That Matter to...La Mala Rodriguez

La Mala Rodriguez is one of the most successful Hispanic artists today. When Rosalia was still in her nappies, Mala was recording with some of the world's most commercial Latino artists as the only Spanish rapper to gain…

Society and Politics
Things That Matter to ...Aleida Guevara

Aleida Guevara was the first born of Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s seven children. The Argentine-born revolutionary fought in Cuba and the Congo before dying in Bolivia in 1967 at the age of 39. Aleida has grown up with an iconic…

Music
Things That Matter to...Al Roc

Al Roc (pictured left) is a member of Asilo 38, one of the biggest names on the burgeoning Colombian hip-hop scene, featured in the soundtrack to the film ‘Maria Full of Grace’. They come from "Aguas Blancas", one of…

Music
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…

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Film & Theatre
Jessica Maria Gilhooley, actor, filmmaker

Since graduating from the prestigious Drama Centre this British-Colombian Actor has appeared in…

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El Cenote: Mexican Food Done Incredibly Well

Calling all Mexican food enthuisaists! Think deliciously fresh guacamole paired perfectly with the…

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