Dolly Parton’s Seventies country classic, “Jolene,” has received many a rendition in English, including takes by goddaughter Miley Cyrus, the White Stripes, Pentatonix, and even a queer interpretation by Nadine Gibbs. But nearly 50 years since its release, the legendary song finally gets its first Spanish-language makeover by two Mexican …
Read More »How Alaina Castillo Held the Internet Captive by Strangely Addictive Lullabies
Two years ago, Houston, Texas native Alaina Castillo was an unassuming high school senior at Clear Falls High — who was covertly building her own mini-empire on YouTube’s ASMR community. In her first of several videos, titled “Sing You to Sleep,” she soothes her viewers’ senses with an extra hushed …
Read More »The Future According to Juanes
More than 20 years ago, Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, frontman of the hard-rock act Ekhymosis, was itching to break out of Colombia. As civil war and narcoterrorism raged back home, the Medellín band took their unique blend of cumbia rock to Los Angeles, hoping to follow in the footsteps of …
Read More »Karol G, Nicki Minaj Exude Glamour in Surprise New Video for 'Tusa'
Karol G and Nicki Minaj fans were united in shock Thursday night, after the two dropped a surprise new single, “Tusa.” The title comes from a Colombian slang term for the heartache one experiences after a breakup. Still, Nicki and Karol don’t sweat it — in both English and Spanish, …
Read More »Tropicália Fest 2019 Celebrates Latin Alternative Across Generations
Now in its third year, the music and food festival Tropicália touches down on Los Angeles November 9th and 10th. Organized in conjunction with Goldenvoice and local news outlet L.A. Taco, Tropicália — not to be confused with the Brazilian pop movement of the same name — owes its continued …
Read More »Ricky Martin Confirmed to Host the 20th Annual Latin Grammys
If Ricky Martin and the Latin Grammys have one thing in common, it’s that they’re both celebratingplatinum anniversaries in 2019. It’s been 20 years since Martin first cracked the English-language market with his smash hit, “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” and helped usher in Latin pop’s crossover to American mainstream radio. …
Read More »This Week in Latin Music: Hispanic Artists Score at the VMAs, 'Thotiana' Remix, New Draco Rosa
MTV made a noble attempt at Latinx inclusion at this year’s VMAs; and “Thotiana,” the hit song by Blueface, made her way to Colombia and came back “Fariana.” In case you missed it, here are some highlights from this week in Latin music. Hispanic Artists Win Big at the VMAs …
Read More »This Week in Latin Music: Rock en Español Revisited, New CNCO and Salt Cathedral
Twenty years from now, releases by Tainy, J Balvin and Bad Bunny will be the most exemplary of 2019; but our rock en español playlist will have you raging like it’s 1999. In case you missed it, here are Rolling Stone‘s biggest highlights from the week in Latin music. La …
Read More »Cuco Floats Up From Rock Bottom on Long-Awaited Debut 'Para Mí'
In 2016, singer-songwriter Omar Banos went viral when he posted a video of himself playing a slide-guitar version of Santo and Johnny’s 1958 surf instrumental classic “Sleepwalk.” Recording under the moniker Cuco, the Mexican-American artist maintained the buzz by releasing his own psychedelia-soaked love ballads; sung in Spanglish, and underscored …
Read More »Rosalía and J Balvin Fly High in New Video for 'Con Altura (feat. El Guincho)'
The follow-up to their serene 2018 collaboration, “Brillo,” Spanish flamenco-pop alchemist Rosalía and Colombian reggaetonero J Balvin meet once more — 30,000 feet in the air — in their jaunty new reggaeton single, “Con Altura,” or “With Height.” The song also features the vocal talents of fellow Spaniard, Canarian producer …
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