New Selena TV Series in the Works

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January 18, 2017

Last year it was revealed that a major TV production company optioned the rights to the legendary Selena Quintanilla’s late husband, Chris Perez’s book, To Selena With Love, for a bilingual TV miniseries. This news broke to both favorable and unfavorable reviews, including a lawsuit. Considering that Selena is the reigning queen of Tejano music and an international icon for all Latinos who grew up listening to her legacy, it’s no surprise that her image and music continues to be commercialized; MAC cosmetics recently re-released their Selena-inspired cosmetics line due to popular demand.

Back in ’97, the Puerto Rican, Emmy award-winning journalist we all remember from Primer Impacto, Maria Celeste released a book about the singer’s death, Selena’s Secret: The Revealing Story Behind Her Tragic Death. Maria Celeste took to Twitter and Facebook to announce that Disney bought rights to the book and another TV series is in the works. Maria Celeste’s news was received by not-so welcoming reactions and the link to the Facebook page Celeste tweeted appears to have been removed.

It’s likely that the show will go on. Selena fans can rejoice, and we’ll have to wait until the series airs to judge whether we get a reputable piece of journalism or another commodified docu-series based on the death of our legend, Selena.

Residente of Calle 13 Delivers Electrifying New Single “Somos Anormales”

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Claudia Mercado

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January 13, 2017

For months now, Residente of Calle 13 has been traveling the world and teasing us with not so subtle hints of a “nu pröject.” Back in 2015, René Pérez Joglar, better known as Residente, half of the Grammy award-winning Calle 13, announced that he was working on a new project and would be putting out music as a solo artist. Residente traveled to Russia, Siberia, and China (among other places), based on a DNA test that revealed his genetic ancestry, “discovering sounds and uncovering stories.” René has always been a vocal artist, performer, and activist, the site dedicated to this project shows just that, as René puts it, “We are all residents in the spaces that confine us.”

“Somos Anormales,” Residente’s first single of this project is eclectic, unapologetically encouraging us to embrace our inner freak, with the fervor we’d expect from Residente. Recorded in Siberia, the track features traditional instruments and musical style of the region. The video for the single is just as anormal (viewer discretion is advised). A documentary, album, and tour are on their way.

Que Es Trap? Latino Trap Music Artists to Watch

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Claudia Mercado

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January 13, 2017

Trap is definitely trending in the mainstream rap scene, making its way to Latinoamérica. Trap music is identified by its mix of rap, hip-hop, and heavy use of electronica, popularized in the U.S. by rappers like Gucci Mane. Trap music got its start in the South; Atlanta, to be exact and its lyrical focus is the “trap” life, drug dealing, poverty, and violence, over electrifying and addicting beats that has everyone bobbing their heads.

While Latino rappers and rap en español are not new concepts, the trap music subgenre is growing in Latin America and being popularized in mainstream Latino music. We’ve rounded up some up and coming Latino trap music artists to listen to.

Bryant Myers

At 18-years-old, Bryant Myers from Puerto Rico, with his deep, throaty vocals, has lended his trap style to Maluma’s “Cuatro Babys.”

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny is a staple in the Puerto Rico trap music scene.

Noriel

Trap Capos Season 1, a compilation of Latino trap, features Noriel on almost every track. The album debuted at No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Albums.

Kevin Roldán

From Colombia, Kevin Roldán is a blend of reggaeton y trap.

Chicano Batman and More Latin Music Artists at Coachella 2017

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Claudia Mercado

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January 9, 2017

L.A.-based band, Chicano Batman returns to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA this year, along with some other Latin music acts worth checking out. Coachella’s annual festival attracts crowds from all over the world, and while Radiohead, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar are headlining the festivities this year, we’re excited to see Latin music artists continue to make the lineup.

In the past, Coachella has hosted Café Tacvba, Calle 13, 3BallMTY, Manu Chao, and Caifanes to name a few. This year, Chicano Batman, whose album Freedom is Free drops March 3rd, along with Mexican punk band Los Blenders, Venezuelan folk singer Devendra Banhart, Bronx DJ’s The Martinez Brothers, Spanish female band Hinds, and Chilean artist Nicolas Jaar will be bringing Latin music and feels to Coachella 2017.

Chicano Batman, who began making psychedelic, indie-funk jams since 2008, will be making their second appearance at Coachella; the band first performed at the festival in 2015 and have been making a name for themselves being named one of the bands to watch in 2017 by KCRW. Check out the group’s site for tour dates and to pre-order Freedom is Free.

The festival will take place April 14-16 and April 21-23, you can attempt to get tickets here.

Café Tacvba Helps Us Kick Off The Year With New Single

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Claudia Mercado

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January 5, 2017

For four years we’ve patiently waited for life from Café Tacvba, and they’ve finally delivered with their newest single “Futuro.” The new track starts off slow, Ruben’s vocals dark, and a melodic pounding provides the signature Latino folklore we can expect from Café. Filled with contradictions exploring life and death, and a hopeful take-away, “el futuro es hoy” (“the future is now”), the record is the perfect anthem to start the year as we anticipate an album rumored to be released in Spring.

The group released the single “Un Par De Lugares” last year, the first music we heard from Café Tacvba since their 2012 album El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco. The group will be playing two shows in Orange County at the Anaheim House of Blues in March, click here for tickets and info. Also, check out the band’s website in the meantime.

NYE Playlist: The Top Latin Songs of 2016

By

Claudia Mercado

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December 31, 2016

This NYE weekend while we’re all celebrating, bidding farewell, and ringing in the new year, one thing we can be thankful for is all the music we were graced with in 2016. A lot of record-breaking and chart-topping songs and albums were released, and Latino music artists killed it across charts. From newcomers like CNCO and Maluma, who lent his seductor vocals to legends Shakira and Ricky Martin, to Daddy Yankee who resurfaced with the unofficial anthem of clubs across the nation with “Shaky Shaky,” we’ll be singing and dancing to these jams well into 2017.

We created a playlist of the Top Latino songs of 2016 so we can ring in 2017 right. The only word we can use to describe music this year, fuego!

1. “Chantaje” – Shakira ft. Maluma

2. “Shaky Shaky” – Daddy Yankee

3. “Vente Pa’ Ca” – Ricky Martin ft. Maluma

4. “Bailar” – Deorro ft. Elvis Crespo

5. “Safari” – J Balvin ft. Pharrell Williams, BIA & Sky

6. “Hasta el Amanecer” – Nicky Jam

7. “Reggaeton Lento (Bailemos)” – CNCO

8. “La Gozadera” – Gente de Zona ft. Marc Anthony)

9. La Bicicleta – Carlos Vives & Shakira

10. “DUELE EL CORAZON” – Enrique Iglesias ft. Wisin

11. “Ay Mi Dios” – IAmChino ft. Pitbull, Yandel & Chakal

12. “Ginza” – J Balvin ft.

13. “Diles” – Farruko, Bad Bunny & Ozuna ft. Arcangel, Nengo Flow, Dj Luian & Mambo Kings

14. “Traicionera” – Sebastian Yatra

15. “La Mala Y La Buena” – Alex Sensation ft. Gente de Zona

16. “De Pies A Cabeza” – Mana & Nicky Jam

17. “Algo Contigo” – Gente De Zona

18. “Vacaciones” – Wisin

19. “En La Intimidad” – Ozuna

20. “Caile” – Bryant Myers, Revol & Bad Bunny ft. Zion & De La Ghetto

Latin Music Artists To Keep On Your Radar in 2017

By

Claudia Mercado

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December 29, 2016

Kehlani

Bay Area singer and songwriter Kehlani first came under the spotlight as a member of pop group Poplyfe, who were finalists on America’s Got Talent. Fast-forward to 2015 and Kehlani’s second mixtape You Should Be Here , debuts at number 5 on the national R&B and Hip-Hop chart. And we’re not surprised. The sultry songstress who describes herself as Black, White, Native American, and Hispanic, recently performed at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival at LA’s Expo Park, has collaborated with Chance the Rapper, and her highly anticipated debut album SweetSexySavage will be released on January 27, 2017. Kehlani is the perfect blend of Bay Area badass and sexy neo-soul.

Follow Kehlani on Twitter @kehlani

A.CHAL

Peruvian-born Alejandro Chal, better known by his stage name, A.CHAL, dropped his debut studio album Welcome to GAZI earlier this year to critical acclaim. Chal was born in Peru and his family moved him to Queens, New York four years later, where a 12-year old A.CHAL began rapping and making beats thereafter. Chal produces a lot of his own music and has been releasing psychedelic, soulful tracks since 2013 with the release of his first EP, Ballroom Riots. On GAZI, A.CHAL raps and croons about taking drugs, spiritual experiences, and his indulgent creative process in a raspy echo of a voice over trippy beats. Listen to “Fuego” and try not to sway your head.

Follow A.CHAL on Twitter @AlejandroChal

Maluca

Maluca first introduced us to her self-described “ghetto-techno, Latin-dance, hip-hop, rave music” with her first single, “El Tigeraso.” La Dominicana New York native has since collaborated with Diplo and Robyn on the eclectic “Love is Free” also joining Robyn on tour, aside from releasing more of her ghetto-techno, Latin-dance singles. Maluca is the Portuguese word for crazy girl and the title fits Maluca, in a good way. From her style to her blend of Latin and techno, Maluca’s energy is felt in her songs, which we can’t describe as anything other than elevated craziness. We hope a full-length album is on its way from Maluca.

Follow Maluca on Facebook

Jesse Baez

Jesse Baez may not be well-know, yet, but his debut EP, B.A.E.Z features a Spanish version of The Weeknd’s “Tell Your Friends.” Baez resembles The Weeknd, in vocals, and looks even. On “Decile,” Baez delivers a perfect translation of The Weeknd’s track that all Latino’s can relate to with Spanglish references and shout-outs to el D.F. and Monterrey. Baez also covers PARTYNEXTDOOR on “Ven a Verme,” which we can see couples bachatiando to on a remix of this version. Baez reps Guatemala and we anticipate only good things from this hípster crooner.

Follow Jesse Baez on Facebook

The Latin Shows You Don’t Want to Miss in 2017

By

Claudia Mercado

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December 24, 2016

While we wait for 2016 to come to an end, and may or may not anticipate what 2017 has in store, one thing we can look forward to is all the Latin music and live shows coming to LA.

Mexican pop duo, Camila, comes to the Riverside Municipal Auditorium on Thursday, February 2, 2017. Get tickets here.

Los Temerarios will be using the acoustics of The Forum in Inglewood to continue romancing loyal fans and newcomers alike with their greatest ballads and new hits on Sunday, February 12, 2017, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Get tickets here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD-ZdxgZezs

LA’s very own and Grammy award-winning, La Santa Cecilia, will perform at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Get tickets here.

México’s very own rockeros, the legendary Café Tacvba will rock the House of Blues in Anaheim on Thursday, March 9, 2017. Get tickets here.

Everyone’s favorite accordionist, Julieta Venegas, comes to the House of Blues in Anaheim on Thursday, March 16, 2017. Get tickets here.

Best Latin Venues in LA to Ring in 2017

By

Claudia Mercado

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December 24, 2016

Still scrambling to finalize your New Year’s Eve plans? You’re not alone. NYE is that time of year we’re all looking for the perfect way to say good-bye and ring in the new year, be it with that special someone or at the hottest party. The good news, there is always something to do in LA, and NYE is no exception.

Looking for something with Latin flair? We’ve rounded up 5 clubs and events offering that Latin NYE sure to be one for the books.

The famous Conga Room in Downtown’s L.A. Live brings 2017 NYE Extravaganza with legendary La Sonora Dinamita performing their best to ring in the new year. Get your tickets here.

Everyone’s favorite LA speakeasy, La Descarga presents New Years in Havana “Tropicana Style.” Cuban showgirls, rum, and puros, you’ll find yourself celebrating 2017 in Cuba. Get your tickets here.

Grand Park + The Music Center’s annual block party, N.Y.E.L.A. 2017 is sure to be a treat. With 3 music stages and Latino acts like Jungle Fire, bringing Afro-Latin funk jam, L.A. Samba Dancers to mesmerize, and Jose Marquez. N.Y.E.L.A. 2017 will take place in the heart of LA and did we mention its free?

Known as one of LA’s best Latino nightclubs, The Mayan is hosting its own New Years Eve 2017 complete with live Tropical music, DJ’s spinning top 40 and reggeaton, and complimentary champagne for the countdown toast. Get tickets here.

Mariachelada Edición Especial New Year’s Eve at the Don Chente Bar-Grill and Lounge in DTLA will throw an NYE party with two floors of entertainment and a live performance by El Conjunto Nueva Ola. Get tickets here.