“Mirame A Los Ojos Para Que Leas Mi Acento”

January 20, 2012By Nati

Voto Latino‘s column, AMP (Art, Music, Politics) in the Huffington Post goes Rock + Roll.  Read here about the band crossing the country, crossing bridges and sound, in search of a truth, NYC’s own, Outernational.  From the article: “To say the revolution is breathing through music is an understatement. We’ve witnessed and walked with the … Read More

Sandungueo – gueo – gueo – gueo – Sandungueo

January 14, 2012By Nati

Wrap up here from amazing artist, Iztel Xoco.  Check her full post here.  Featuring some of her photos below! The (long) night was a cross spectrum of diaspora dance sounds, from the dembow of Dj Wyldlyfe, to full-out moombahton of Sazon Booya, to the bailefunk of DJ Comrade (shouts on the live mpc cut up … Read More

2011 Soul À La Mode: This The Future, We Salute You

December 31, 2011By Nati

I have never done a BEST OF list before and I am not about to start.  It was once said, ‘Music is an ocean’  – there’s simply much too much.  But I wanted to share (and archive) some of the things that made me happy in 2011 and why.  Enjoy! *ARTIST* Nitty Scott, MC – … Read More

And It Don’t Stop: NYE & January #FUTUREROOTS

December 28, 2011By Nati

Where have I been, you ask?  Meditating on 2012 and where she’ll take me.  And planning.  Been laying low after an extremely hectic season and upcoming NYE madness. Speaking of NYE.  I’ll be at Ideya Latin Bistro – a super sweet restaurant in SoHo, NYC – where we’ll be wiling out to DJ Geko Jones … Read More

Border Stories on Stage: ‘One Journey’

December 22, 2011By Nati

Cali homegirl, Kamren Curiel, is now writing for Voto Latino‘s new blog: AMP (Arts, Music, Politics) and I wanted to share her most recent piece on the amazing work of another friend, Yadira de la Riva and her one-woman theater piece, ‘One Journey: Stitching Stories Across the Mexican “American” Border‘ (click the photo below to … Read More

Los Rakas: (Still) Los Manes Del Futuro

December 16, 2011By Nati

2011 – what a Raka year.  Feel like a ton of bricks hitting me, but we forge on!  Los Rakas is one of the hardest working groups out there, blazing trails and constantly breaking down barriers.  They transcend genre and style while showcasing their talent and creativity everywhere they go.  I am so proud to … Read More

#FUTUREROOTS Recap: ‘La Cumbia Es Un Canto Negro’ By MAKU Soundsystem

December 12, 2011By Nati

MAKU Soundsystem celebrated the release of their second album, ‘Makumbala‘ this past Saturday at SOB’s along with DJ Monk-One as part of the third installment of #FUTUREROOTS.  MAKUMBALA is a special edition 7” vinyl that was recorded live over bleeding mics at SoundWorks Studio. Their first album ‘Vamos Bien‘ can be bought at their shows. … Read More

Quantic & Soundway’s New Release + Playable Map of Colombia

December 5, 2011By Nati

UMMMM, how cool is this?  Soundway with the work of Quantic (AKA Will Holland) put together this forward-thinking audio map of Colombia and all her beautiful rhythms (NOT JUST CUMBIA PEOPLE!).  It was compiled to celebrate the release of “The Original Sound of Cumbia: The History of Colombian Cumbia & Porro As Told By The … Read More

From The Presses: NPR Weekend Edition: ‘Funky, En Español’

November 14, 2011By Nati

NPR’s AltLatino was a guest on Weekend Edition with host Audie Cornish to get into some funky jams from Panama to PR: “Puerto Rico’s Mima dances with ghosts in a tune reminiscent of Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me.” Oakland’s Goapele teams up with Panamanian rappers Los Rakas for a steamy tune that would’ve made Marvin Gaye proud.” … Read More