Alt.Latino

As we poured ourselves into the El Tiny takeover of the Tiny Desk, a month's worth of new music piled up in our inboxes. So, this week, we dig in and bring the long-awaited debut album from Puerto Rico's Benito-approved ensemble Chuwi, the rap-electronica of Monterrey's alternative experimentalist Nsqk, and a track of resilience in the face of an earthquake's destruction. Plus, Sofía Campos, The Mars Volta, and a deep dive into the glory days of mambo in New York City.

Artists, albums and songs mentioned in this episode:

(01:00) Chuwi, 'Libertad'
(09:33) Carlos Vives, Nidia Gongora, Juliana, "Aquí Seguiré"
(12:43) Nsqk, 'mosca'
(18:07) The Mambo Legends Orchestra, "La Rumbantela"
(24:35) Sofía Campos, 'Minha Beleza'
(26:59) The Mars Volta,"Voice In My Knives - Poseedora De Mi Sombra"

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Last week we published a Tiny Desk Concert that ended up being unusual for a few reasons.

First of all, it was the final production of our sixth annual El Tiny series. This was a very emotional moment for a lot of reasons. People really love Los Tigres del Norte, to the point that playing their albums feels like sitting with family. And if you’ve seen the introduction I gave the band just before they played at the desk you can see that I wasn’t embarrassed to get emotional when I talked about what the band means to me.

That emotional intro led to some changes in our process and format that resulted in a huge response from the audience that went viral. The result was a messy moment behind the scenes here at NPR and more than a little confusion for a lot of you.

This week’s episode looks back at last week.

First we want to share with you, directly from us, an explanation of what happened.

But mostly we want to put the spotlight back on the band and their music because for decades they have been bringing out the kind emotions that got this whole thing started.

Give it a listen and enjoy the music. Again. - Felix

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Jacob Ganz and Otis Hart. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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The Tiny Desk’s magnetism is its intimacy. We strip back lights and a big stage and get to see artists speak honestly about who they are directly to an audience around the world.

This becomes all the more profound during our El Tiny takeover of Latin Music Month, where artists whisper truths and share secrets about community, country, pain and family. Often on production days, artists share with us the importance of each individual song — the stories behind them and why they needed to be played in such an honest space.

So, this week on Alt.Latino we wanted to let you all in on the secrets. Alex Ferreira, Draco Rosa and Los Tigres del Norte shared with us, in their words, what a song they played at the Tiny Desk for this year’s El Tiny takeover meant to them. Hopefully, learning what’s behind the songs will help each show mean a little bit more for all of you, too.

Artists and songs featured in this episode:

(00:40) Mon Laferte, "No Le Regales Tu Corazón"
(04:06) Alex Ferreira, "Monte Adentro"
(13:43) Draco Rosa, "Vagabundo"
(19:58) Los Tigres del Norte, "Somos Más Americanos"

This podcast was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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The music of Tim Bernardes fits as easily in the poetry of the cosmos as it does in the songwriting canon of his country. Brazil has a legacy of some of the greatest most intricate, emotional songwriting there is, and if you ask me, I’d argue Tim fits right into it. So, I invited him in to play a Tiny Desk for our annual El Tiny takeover. And, of course, I took the opportunity to pull him into the studio after – I absolutely needed to know what he’s been listening to. So, here we are again playing my latest and greatest new game: a special version of our typical guest DJ episode, where I ask them to recall different parts of their lives and themselves through music. No prepared songs or ideas. Let’s call this episode a musical tapestry painted by one of the greatest Brazilian singer-songwriters of this era. - Anamaria Sayre

Artists and songs mentioned in this episode:

- The Beatles, 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'
- Os Mutantes, 'Caminhante Noturno'
- Milton Nascimento, 'Nuvem Cigana'
- Nelson Cavaquinho, 'Eu E As Flores'
- Gilberto Gil, 'Luzia Luluza'
- Antônio Carlos Jobim, 'Saudade Do Brasil,' 'O Boto'
- Caetano Veloso, 'Minha Mulher'
- Tim Bernardes, 'Realmente Lindo'

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Jazz has often been called America's musical gift to the world. This week's guests remind us not only of the well-documented ways that Cuba revolutionized that gift, but also how it blossomed in South America.

Chilean tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana and Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba stopped by after their recent Tiny Desk performance to chat about their own personal histories with jazz and its lineage in their respective countries. The memories Rubalcaba shares about Havana's jazz scene in the 1980s adds another layer to a story we've talked a lot about on Alt.Latino. And Aldana looks back on her youth learning music from her father and grandfather, both of whom were Chilean jazz pioneers.

The conversation also covers the music they played at the Tiny Desk, which comes from their recent album, 'Filin,' a reexamination of a Cuban musical movement that lasted from the 1940s through the '60s. Ultimately, this week's episode is time spent with two master musicians to hear how their lives and experiences contribute to their mutual appreciation and love of jazz.

Check out Melissa Aldana and Gonzalo Rubalcaba's Tiny Desk Concert here.

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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YEИDRY's music is almost as diverse she is. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Italy, the singer’s repertoire of genre and sound pulls from multiple continents, and even more unique cultural roots. It’s complicated to explain so many mixed identities, but, as we know quite well at Alt.Latino, music is an easy way to tell a complex story. From the first song she ever heard to a track that brings her peace, we’re presenting a playlist of YEИDRY, the artist and the person. It’s raw, unprepped, and just like YEИDRY: alive and constantly evolving.

Songs discussed in this episode:

- "Ese Hombre" by LA INDIA

- "Guitarra" by Yoskar Sarante

- "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi" by Radiohead

- "Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy

- "To Zion (feat. Carlos Santana)" by Ms. Lauryn Hill, Carlos Santana

- "Paloma" by Angélica Garcia

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Shortly after Los Texmaniacs did what they do best at the Tiny Desk, I pulled them into a studio to chat with them about the traditions they represent with their music. It turned into a master class on the accordion-fueled style known as conjunto, a mix of European folk music and Spanish-language storytelling. Plus, the group shared some love for one of the iconic artists who taught the world how to love conjunto, Flaco Jimenez, and how their personal connection to him also inspired them to move the music forward. - Felix

Don't miss NPR Music's full coverage of Latin Music Month, with Tiny Desk Concerts featuring Mon Laferte, Los Tigres del Norte, Tim Bernardes, Los Texmaniacs and more starting September 15 at NPR.org.

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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This week Ana features two very different Brazilian artists that both draw heavily on the '60s and '70s Tropicália genre. Felix presents two very different approaches to Colombian folkloric music and a new Spanish-language singer-songwriter who turns sadness into light.

Artists and albums featured in this episode:

(01:52) Maglore, 'Fluxo Natural'
(07:13) Indus, 'El Mangle'
(12:42) Candelabro, 'Deseo, Carne y Voluntad'
(17:11) Araña, 'Araña'
(21:07) Lucas Bezerra, 'EU MANDEI MEU AMOR PRO ESPAÇO'
(25:21) Luca de Dios, 'De Amor y Desamor

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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I like to think I’m the one who keeps things fresh on the show — or at least that’s what I tell everyone. But this week Felix once again proved that false, bringing in a fresh corridos tumbados duo from Guadalajara who takes a something-old-turned-new genre and smashes it together with metal. It's something I’ve never heard before. What can I say, Felix keeps us all young. I went back to Brazil with some up-and-coming artists whose albums I’ve been excitedly awaiting. And, of course, Felix had to balance things out with one of his favorite jazz vocalists. As per usual, we’re all about whiplash here at Alt.Latino, but in a way that hopefully will make you the favorite DJ at your next fiesta. — Ana

Artists and albums featured in this episode

(03:52) Cultura Profética, 'En bucle'
(09:53) Claudia Acuna, 'Ave de Luz: Chilean Jazz & Soul'
(13:52) Mari Froes, 'Esquina do Sol'
(17:36) Valeria Stewart, 'On A Wing'
(21:17) Raquel Dimantas, 'Cosmo Dorme'
(24:37) Ladrones, 'Arriba La L'

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Latin identity has been at the core of Cypress Hill's music from the very beginning -- their 1991 track "Latin Lingo" gave voice to the Latin roots of hip hop with its funky Spanglish callouts. But it took the band thirty-five more years to make an album of original songs written in Spanish: 'Dios Bendiga,' which was just released. In this episode, Felix chats with the band -- B-Real, Sen Dog and Eric Bobo -- about the influences behind the album, and why this moment felt right to finally make it. Plus, a cameo from the band's longtime producer and turntablist, DJ Lord.

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Mexico isn't the first place you think of as the cutting edge of experimental electronic music. But two new projects show that might be changing. LATIN MAFIA recently teamed up with British producer Fred again.. to make a bold new album featuring collaborators like Mabe Fratti and Lil Yachty. And the up-and-coming duo RØZ -- comprised of producers Manolo Cabrera and Hugo Lara -- just released their debut album, spinning a dazzling mix of hip hop, gospel and glitchy electronica. This week's episode also features a comically brilliant track from El David Aguilar, cumbia jam rockers Dos Santos, a cover from La Zorra Zapata, and a deep dive from Felix on the many interpretations of Consuela Velazquez's classic "Verdad Amarga."

Artists and albums featured in this episode:

(00:43) LATIN MAFIA & Fred again.., '9 months & 50 hours'
(07:40) Dos Santos, 'Es Amor'
(13:12) El David Aguilar, 'VIGENTE'
(18:42) Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo, 'El Arte de Bolero, Vol. 3'
(25:23) RØZ, 'SE ESTÁ HACIENDO TARDE'
(29:11) La Zorra Zapata, 'I Love You Baby'

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Harry Styles just finished a 5-night run in Mexico City. You know who else had a 5-night run in Mexico City? Michael Jackson in 1993.

Mainstream artists have a long history of being enticed by the energy of performing for a Latin American crowd … which means there’s also a long and less-known history of big pop stars making music for that audience.

Did you know Michael Jackson has a Latin track? So does Madonna. A few actually.

As early as the '50s, Nat King Cole experimented with Spanish and released an entire record, Cole Español, writing songs in partnership with legendary "Bésame Mucho" composer Consuelo Velásquez.

This week’s Alt.Latino is a pop takeover. We’re mythbusting the idea that there’s only been one kind of crossover — from Latin to mainstream — and walking through a long history of mainstream wanting to go… Latin.

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To celebrate Ana's world premiere as a DJ -- a gig playing for 5,000 people in Central Park, which she definitely, absolutely prepared for -- this week we present her summer playlist. We've got song of the summer contenders (Aitana's "SUPERESTRELLA"), sleeper hits we missed when they dropped (Quevedo's "EL BAIFO"), and bubbly classics-in-the-making we keep coming back to (Rawayana's "Se Vienen Cositas"). Plus, Felix balances the bangers with chill-out room Uruguayan jazz, a psychedelic guitar jam and a trio of sisters from Austin.

Artists and songs featured in this episode:

(02:23) Quevedo, "EL BAIFO"
(05:07) Camilo y los Cruzers, "Descarga Rockeada"
(09:23) Aitana, "SUPERESTRELLA"
(16:44) Alejandra Gala, "I Dare You"
(22:14) Rawayana, "Se Vienen Cositas"
(25:51) The Tiarras, "Vida Libre", "Black Sheep (unplugged)"

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Bill Evans might not be techno. But in this week's episode, the slow-building angst and tension of electronic producer Debit's new music reminded Ana of the beloved jazz piano master. And that kind of genre cross-pollination is everywhere in this week's showcase of new music: Brazilian field recordings remixed for the club, multiple reinterpretations of the Cuban guaguancó, and Spanish producers channeling -- as Ana puts it -- "experimental Boricua stuff."

Featured artists and albums:

(00:45) Various Artists, 'Candomblé: Sacred Rhythms in Brazil'
(04:24) Ítallo, 'CATATAU'
(11:25) Debit, 'Potpourri'
(16:41) Calequi y Las Panteras, 'TRES'
(21:07) Carolina Oliveros, 'Oye Camina'
(24:35) BLAYA, 'Your lesbian neighbour is playing music next door'

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed.

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We'll take any excuse to talk about the insane quality of music coming out of Spain these days. This week, we got one: Spain defeated Argentina on Sunday to win the 2026 World Cup Final. So, this episode is a celebration of the multitude of music scenes across Spain that we can't get enough of. Catch boundary-pushing electronic and hip hop producers in Madrid, indie rockers and songwriters in Barcelona, and some old favorites whose voices never stop (looking at you, Buika!).

Artists featured in this episode:

(01:22) C. Tangana
(04:19) Ralphie Choo
(06:28) Mora
(10:10) Bikôkô
(13:52) Buika
(16:04) Repion
(20:42) Lucia Fumero
(23:12) Maestro Espada

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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With last week's best-of show behind us, we've got a clean slate to dive into our favorite new music kicking off the second half of the year. Felix brings a batch of country tracks, while Ana -- to absolutely no one's surprise -- continues her exploration of Brazil's endless supply of captivating music. Catch a mesmerizing indie-ambient album from João Carvalho, some posthumous crooning from Raul Malo, the twangy return of Oklahoma's rising star Wyatt Flores, and much more.

Artists and albums featured in this episode:

(01:13) Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies, 'Gold and Roses (Live)'
(06:15) João Carvalho, 'Uma Festa no Centro do Vazio'
(13:02) Raul Malo, 'Bella Ciao: Raul Malo Live In Nashville'
(17:14) Rincon Sapiência, 'Um Corpo Preto'
(24:13) Wyatt Flores, 'Scared of Heights'
(27:50) Cupido, 'Maldito Cupido'

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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It’s that time of the year again: a mix between Christmas and Halloween for me and Felix. We gift you our best album picks of the year so far — and there’s nothing spookier for us than having to choose. So here it is, the music we’ve loved and listened to the most in the first half of 2026, some of the best (in our opinion) from all of Latin America and its diaspora. — Anamaria Sayre

Artist and albums featured in this episode:

(02:15) Trueno - 'TURR4ZO'
(07:06) Jonathan Suazo - 'Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto de mi Corazón'
(11:16) Broke Carrey - 'HIJO DEL PAÍS'
(15:48) X Alfonso - 'AIRE'
(22:28) Silvia Pérez Cruz - 'Oral_Abisal'
(29:30) Nuevos Rios - 'Nuevos Rios'
(32:17) Criolo, Amaro Freitas & Dino d'Santiago - 'CRIOLO, AMARO E DINO'
(37:33) Sofia Rei - 'Antónima'

This episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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On this week’s Alt.Latino, Anamaria and I both gush about 'Femme Fatale Vol. 2,' the new album from Chilean-Mexican singer Mon Laferte, who is on one of the more amazing creative streaks I've witnessed in a while. Also, Ana and I sometimes unintentionally align when picking new music for the show, and that took place this week with a couple of Brazilian highlights: I chose an artist who records as MOMO., while Ana brought in music from São Paulo-based artist Tijolo. Also this week, Chicago-based artist Sparklmami and an EP from Texan-Mexican singer Iveth Luna that got me thinking about the world of Spanish-language Christian music. —Felix Contreras

Artists & albums featured in this episode:

(01:31) Sparklmami, 'in this body'

(06:36) The Animeros, '¡Qué Bárbaro!'

(09:51) Mon Laferte, 'Femme Fatale Vol. 2'

(16:47) Iveth Luna, 'Making Ways'

(21:34) Tijolo, 'Y'

(25:37) MOMO., 'Tum Tum Tum'

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Otis Hart. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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This week's episode is a musical time machine. In the late 1960s, the band Zapata sprang out of a street gang in northwest Washington, D.C., with a sound that combined a variety of contemporary styles: Afro-Caribbean rhythms, soul jazz and the golden era of American R&B. The mixture worked. For a few years, Zapata opened for an astonishing number of A-list acts passing through the city, like Miles Davis, Sly and the Family Stone, Herbie Hancock and The Isley Brothers. But the band would break up in 1974, and for years their recorded material was believed to be lost. Now, surviving member Pepe Gonzalez has restored a cassette tape of Zapata's music from 1971, and is releasing it for the first time. In this episode, Felix chats with Gonzalez about the origins of the band, and how they tried to unify the Black and Hispanic musical scenes in the city at the time.

The podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Otis Hart. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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We're living in a moment when the geopolitical intersects with the personal in a profound way. The relationship between the United States and Cuba is once again in the news, and it happens at a time when there are a handful of new releases from Cuban artists on the island and around the world. The sounds of the albums are vastly different, but they all draw from the same deep well of inspiration that has always fueled Cuban music: a deep love for the intersection of cultures. The music we share this week is a reminder of the very real lives of the people caught in the middle of a situation with an uncertain outcome. It is joyous, contemplative, rhythmically sophisticated and lyrically profound. Just like all Cuban music.

Artists & songs featured in this episode:

(00:52) OKAN, "Ajé (Owo Nla Nla)"
(03:30) Ibeyo, "Aset"
(06:45) Orquesta Akokán, "No Me Voy"
(11:50) Cimafunk, "Cocinarte"
(15:47) X Alfonso, "Unicornio"

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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