10 Great Latino Albums of 2014

Source by Sandra Guzman

Some of the most notable Latin music recordings of 2014 celebrated and explored major themes—culture, race, national and ethnic identity and the sacred-- in all of their complexity. Even while singing or rapping to social and environmental injustice and exploitation, the thought-provoking music of new artists as well as Latin music legends provided lots of opportunities to dance, think, chill, or rock out.        
There were some fantastic collaborations that delved into love, romance, tradition, politics and the sacred, making 2014 a year of smart, elegant, and phenomenal music.        

Rootsy without being corny, the rich sounds, fusions, and rhythms of Latin America and the Caribbean are all present in these picks--from bachata, folk, Latin jazz and flamenco to merengue, experimental, alternative rock, sugary pop, salsa and bomba y plena.        

There was so much amazing music recorded by Latino artists; we highlighted 10 albums to give you a taste of what 2014 sounded like.

 

Listen to the music here.

The Year In Latino Books: Here's 10 Great Picks

Source by Sandra Guzman

From jaw-dropping celebrity memoirs to gorgeously illustrated picture books, from sensual and musical poems to whimsical young adult reads, by all accounts 2014 was a wonderful year for Latino letters.

Here are ten Latino books published this year and recommended by bookstore owners, book clubs and plain old book lovers that will have you and your family sitting in front of a cozy fire with some café con leche or chocolate caliente.        

Happy Reading!

 

 

Book details life of ‘forgotten’ U.S. Latino Scholar

Source by Russell Contreras, AP

George I. Sanchez regularly is left out of books on the civil rights movement. His role is seldom mentioned in studies on desegregation cases. Even people in his birth-state hardly know his name, though his imprint on New Mexico’s educational system still is felt today.

A new biography seeks to change that.

This month, Carlos Blanton released “George I. Sanchez: The Long Fight for Mexican American Integration.” He’s hoping the biography finally places the Latino scholar in his proper place among civil rights giants.

A project that took more than a decade, Blanton wrote the book after combing through previously unknown letters, writings and materials to reconstruct the life of a man who was at the center of some of most important civil rights moments in history.

“I started this book only thinking of him as a cultural scholar,” said Blanton, a history professor at Texas A&M University. “Then, I found a civil rights activist.”
Sanchez was born in Albuquerque in 1906. At 16, he worked as a public school teacher at a small rural school in Yrisarri, New Mexico. He became superintendent of the Bernalillo County school district six years later.

That experience sparked his mission to reform the state’s educational system, particularly IQ testing of Latinos and American Indians, which he viewed as racially biased. Eventually, Sanchez became what would be equivalent to the state’s deputy secretary of education.

Read more.

[Music] Latin Music We Loved In 2014: Texas Heat and Miami Soul

Source by NPR Staff

Throughout 2014, our friends Jasmine Garsd and Felix Contreras over at NPR's Alt.Latino have dropped by Weekend Edition to share new records they love with us.
This week, they're giving us a recap of their favorite artists of the year, from a soulful Miami singer who is taking a page from Janis Joplin, to a young Mexican American DJ who is mixing genres with surprising results.

Don't forget to let us know what your favorite records were this year, and check out Alt.Latino's complete list here.

Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe: Salsa's Original Gangsters

Source by Angel Diaz

 

Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe were very instrumental in Salsa's success during the late '60s and throughout the '70s and '80s. Under the banner of Fania Records, this duo pushed the boundaries of traditional Salsa, and, in turn, became worldwide superstars, touring Central and South America, and cities all across the Eastern Hemisphere, most notably, Paris.

To get a grasp of just how big these guys were, consider this: The Fania All-Stars shut down Yankee Stadium in 1973. The damage the stadium sustained during the show, caused by those in attendance dancing the night away, put Bronx Bombers' last month of home games in jeopardy. It was an electric time in New York City. Willie's revolutionary trombone-backed production shifted Salsa's mambo and boogaloo (Latin R&B) to a more street-oriented sound, with lyrics that reflected the harsh realities many artists skirted around. With the help of Hector's beautiful voice, the duo were able to have commercial success and still stay street.

Read more.

[VIDEO] Bamz On Using 'N' Word: "Latinos & Blacks Are The Same"

Source by Marjua Estevez

Newly signed to Duck Down Records, East Harlem spitter Bodega Bamz stopped by DASH Radio to chat about being single, groupies, his love for his native borough and his views on Latinos using the word “n*gga.”

“Spanish and Blacks, we the same,” he explained. “Where I come from, we’re the same. So to me, that word is not derogatory when a Latino says it.”

Of course, what Bamz meant when he said “Spanish” was “Latinos,” perhaps “Hispanic.” But not persons from Spain.

But what say you? People of all shades and ethnicities agree the ‘n’ word should be put to rest, Black people included. While some urge our generation to do away with the historically racist term, many remain it is an expression of endearment when distinguished from “n*gger.” 

Watch the video here.

Chris Rock Slams Hollywood, Says L.A. Is Mexican 'Slave State'

Chris Rock slammed Hollywood as a "white industry" and said when it comes to Mexicans, there is an acceptance "that there's a slave state in L.A."

In an essay written by Rock published in The Hollywood Reporter, the black comedian and actor blasted the entertainment industry for its lack of jobs for black and Latinos.

"But forget whether Hollywood is black enough. A better question is: Is Hollywood Mexican enough? You're in L.A, you've got to try not to hire Mexicans," said Rock, saying while it's the most liberal town in the world, there's "...just an acceptance that there's a slave state in L.A. There's this acceptance that Mexicans are going to take care of white people in L.A. that doesn't exist anywhere else. I remember I was renting a house in Beverly Park while doing some movie, and you just see all of the Mexican people at 8 o'clock in the morning in a line driving into Beverly Park like it's General Motors. It's this weird town."

"You're telling me no Mexicans are qualified to do anything at a studio? Really? Nothing but mop up?" wrote Rock. "What are the odds that that's true? The odds are, because people are people, that there's probably a Mexican David Geffen mopping up for somebody's company right now. The odds are that there's probably a Mexican who's that smart who's never going to be given a shot."

The story has been generating a lot of buzz on social media.

Why ‘Jane The Virgin' Star Gina Rodriguez Says ‘Latinos Are Not Limited By Their Culture'

Source by Carolina Moreno 

Gina Rodriguez has won the hearts of critics and fans on CW’s “Jane The Virgin,” and the actress now wants to “give her blessings away.”

The Chicago-born star with Puerto Rican roots will be hosting a "NUVO Point of View: The Emerging Latino Filmmakers" on Thursday at 8 p.m. In an exclusive clip given to The Huffington Post, Rodriguez spoke about why she is honored to host the special, her views on playing a virgin on tv and more.

The NUVOtv 3-hour special will showcase the top Latino screenwriters, producers, and directors chosen from more than 200 submissions. On the topic of presenting Latino films to a nationwide audience, the star said it was especially important when the stories don’t concern Latino issues.

Read more.

Prince Royce English Songs and Album

Source by Claudia Balthazar 

Latino Pop star Prince Royce is working on his first English language album hoping to follow in the footsteps of Spanish-speaking stars Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias.

"After releasing three Spanish albums, I felt more prepared as a musician and a songwriter," Royce said in an interview with Idolator. "I can now connect to many different English-speaking countries that don't know who Prince Royce is."

Price Royce has dominated Billboard's Latin Songs chart in the past few years with hits like "Las Cosas Pequeñas" and "Darte Un Beso." The heartthrob, raised by Dominican parents in Bronx, New York, was nominated for four Latin Grammys last month.

The singer has promised his fans that he is by no means leaving his Latin roots. Even in his English songs, there's a hint of his Latin and tropical sound.

Read more.

[Video+Music] Top artists to watch at Vive Latino 2015

Source By Eduardo Stanley 

Vive Latino, the most important music festival in Latin America, will take place in Mexico City March 13, 14 and 15, 2015. With names such as Siddhartha, Jimmy Page and Aterciopelados, the lineup was already announced and tickets went on sale right after.

Thousand of people from Mexico, USA and Latin America attend this annual musical event in part due to the organizers’ ability to bring a stylistically eclectic lineup, mixing traditional rock with the newest musical trends, and both local and international artists as well as a good combination of different generations of artists sharing stages.

Click here for show lineups and tickets. 

[MUSIC] Alt.Latino's Favorite Latin Music Of 2014

Source by JASMINE GARSD

As 2014 begins to wind to a close, Alt.Latino is spending this week looking back at our favorite artists of the year. It's an unusually varied list, and not just musically: Heavy-hitting veterans are included alongside new artists we expect to make a huge splash in 2015. As always, this list can't possibly be definitive, especially in a year with so many excellent releases. So help us out: What were your favorites this year?

List to the music here.

Ruben Blades, Sting Launch Quito’s 480th Birthday Bash

Ruben Blades and Sting mixed up a cocktail of salsa and rock to give a rousing start to the celebrations marking the 480th anniversary of the founding of this Andean city.

Before crowds gathered at the Bicentennial Park, the old airport north of Quito, Blades and Sting headlined Quitonia, a six-hour show that included Ecuadorian stars such as Tomback, rapper AU-D and singer-songwriter Juan Fernando Velasco. Read more.

Hip-hop duo Los Rakas proud of their Latino roots

Source by John Benson

Doing whatever feels right in the moment is often easier said than done.
However, for the better part of the last decade, Oakland’s Los Rakas has been doing just that, turning heads with its unique mélange – hip-hop, plena, soul, reggae and dancehall – of music that bounces between Spanish and English lyricism.

Featuring cousins Raka Rich and Raka Dun, the bilingual rap and reggae duo was recently named as one of the first Latin artists – alongside 3BallMT­– to join the Honda Civic Tour, which will be on the road for the next month.

Read more.

Latin Grammy "Tangos" - Rubén Blades

[VIDEO] Pitbull's Latino-themed jokes at the American Music Awards not appreciated

Source by Fox News Latino

Pitbull brought some Latino flavor when he took the stage to host the American Music Awards for the second consecutive year. But for some viewers, the Miami rapper left a sour taste in their mouths.
The show started with a burst of energy thanks to Taylor Swift’s on fire, almost literally, performance of “Blank Space,” but when the Cuban-American rapper took the stage for his intro, it just fell flat “Mr. Worldwide” spent a good portion of his introductory monologue with Latino-themed jokes including poking fun at President Obama’s recent immigration action.

“Now, you all know I’m Cuban, but remember America, not all Latinos are Mexican,” Pitbull said. “We got everybody here tonight – black, white, pink, purple, orange, Asian, Latino – and guess what, President Obama said we can all stay. God Bless America.”

Read more.

Watch the video

 

Edward Furlong: The unknown Latino badboy of Hollywood

Source by Tony Castro

There was a time when teen actor Edward Furlong, who played the heroic young savior John Connor in “Terminator 2: Judgement Day,” was being called one of Hollywood’s future leading men, the likes of a Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt.

He was 15, a teen heartthrob, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s younger half in a billion-dollar action movie franchise of mankind’s war against machines, and celebrated with a slew of awards attesting to his precocious brilliance and tremendous promise.
Had it been common knowledge that the dreamy-eyed Furlong was Mexican on his mother’s side, Hispanics who helped make the “Terminator” franchise a worldwide blockbuster would have been hailing him as the American Latino major Hollywood star who might open the gates in Tinseltown. Read more.

Latin Grammys 2014: Rubén Blades wins Best Tango Album

Source by Martin Chilton

Rubén Blades's new album Tango wins a Latin Grammys award, and there are wins for Enrique Iglesias and Placido Domingo.

Rubén Blades won his fifth Latin Grammys awards last night for his new album Tango.

Enrique Iglesias, Calle 13, Placido Domingo, Niña Pastori and the late flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia, were also winners

Blades spoke recently about the benefits of choosing tango over salsa.

Tango was also nominated for album of the year and the 66-year-old from Panama City said: "People probably have to rub their eyes and say, 'What, Ruben Blades in the tango category?' I was surprised because you never know about Grammy nominations. My album Siembra, arguably the biggest seller in the history of salsa, never got nominated for a Grammy. Read more.

Ruben Blades Tangos His Way to Latin Grammys

Source by CHARLES J. GANS

Ruben Blades says he never imagined his CD "Tangos" would be nominated for a Latin Grammy.

Instead, it's up for two ? album of the year and best tango album.

"People probably have to rub their eyes and say, 'What, Ruben Blades in the tango category?' I was surprised because you never know about Grammy nominations. My album 'Siembra,' arguably the biggest seller in the history of salsa, never got nominated for a Grammy," said the 66-year-old Blades, who has won four Latin Grammys and six Grammys.

Read more.

Univision searches for ultimate Latino boy band

Source by Juan Fernandez Gonzalez

Univision Communications has opened online auditions to select the first participants for La Banda, a reality TV show developed by the US Hispanic network, Fremantle Media Latin America and Syco Entertainment.

La Banda aims to create the world's ultimate Latino boy band via a massive search in the US. Contestants will compete for a place in a band called La Banda and for a coveted recording contract with the Sony Music Latin label (home to many Latin music artists) along with Simon Cowell's Syco Music, One Direction's record label.

"I'm very excited about this show. There is a huge amount of talent out there and La Banda is going to give five guys the opportunity of a lifetime," commented Simon Cowell.

"We are proud to start the search for the next great Latino boy band," added Alberto Ciurana, president for programming and content at Univision Communications. "There is vast talent in our community and with La Banda we will find and launch the next generation of musical superstars."

The first phase of the auditions will take place online, with interested parties submitting information to the site LaBandaoficial.com. The best contestants will receive a ticket to take part in a private audition in front of the production team. The online casting will be followed by casting events across the United States and Puerto Rico in the spring of 2015.

"The launch of Labandaoficial.com is the first step in what I know will be more than a television show but a life-changing experience for many young talents, and one that will change the Latin music industry," said Alejandra Espinoza, who will be the host of the Univision show.

Rubén Blades & The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Demi Lovato Says Her Latino Roots Changed How She Views Her Body

Source by Carolina Moreno

 

Demi Lovato is no stranger to body image issues -- but the singer says her Latino roots are one reason she learned to love her curves.

A seemingly bare-faced Lovato, 22, graces the cover of Glam Belleza Latina’s winter issue. The “Neon Lights” singer spoke to the magazine about the importance of “self-care,” her new skin care collection and how her Latin background has impacted the way she views her body. Read more.

Top 10 bestselling books by Latino authors

Source by Veronique de Miguel

Want to stay on top of your Latino literature? Well here is the list of bestselling Latino authors in the US that have taken the top 10 spots in the last month. The great thing is most of these selections are printed in both Spanish and English editions for your reading enjoyment.

Here is the list.

Disney's 'McFarland, USA' Tackles Latino Themes With Inspiring True Story

Source by Carolina Moreno

For decades Disney has suffered from a dearth of real Latino stories, but the studio seems to be changing that with “McFarland, USA.”

The upcoming movie is inspired by a 1987 true story and follows a group of Latino students in a California farming town who, with the help of their P.E. teacher Jim White (Kevin Costner), build their high school’s first cross-country team. The boys run into a series of issues on and off the track but learn to band together to prevail.

“This is a farming town. These kids working here are invisible. They come from the fields and they go back to the fields,” is how the film’s trailer, released last week, opens. Right from the start audiences know this sports drama will not only follow the vein of its inspiring predecessors (think “Field Of Dreams,” also starring Costner), but will deal with social issues that are a reality for many Latino children who are migrant workers. 

Read more.

Watch the trailer.

Latinas For Latino Lit: 'Remarkable' Children's Books of 2014

Source by Sandra Lilley

It's the holiday season and the end of the year, with its accompanying "best of" lists, including book lists. Viviana Hurtado and Monica Olivera, the creators of Latinas For Latino Lit (L4LL), have compiled the Remarkable Latino Children's Literature of 2014, a wonderful collection of Latino-themed books, many of them written and illustrated by Hispanic authors and artists.

L4LL's mission is to boost literacy among U.S. Latino children through initiatives such as their summer reading program while showcasing Latinos' cultural, literary and artistic contributions.

Much of the beautifully written and illustrated Latino children's books are not front and center on traditional book lists, and L4LL hopes their list spurs parents and educators - as well as publishers, sellers and reviewers - to showcase these works. Read more.

Rubén Blades Sings His Way Into Discovery

Source by NPR STAFF

Rubén Blades is one of the great salsa singers in the world. He also happens to be a composer, an actor, an activist and a man who's run for president of Panama. He lost that election, but became that country's Minister of Tourism.

His latest album, Tangos, has been nominated for two Latin Grammys: Album of the Year and Best Tango Album. On the record, Blades turns some of his well-known salsa repertoire into tango music with the help of Argentine composer Carlos Franzetti.

"I was always interested in trying to find how different genres would affect the lyrics that I'd written," Blades says. "Salsa is where most of my songs have been recorded, the genre of salsa. It's very frenetic, fast-paced. And I felt that the lyrics sometimes were being lost. I wanted to see how the lyrics would react under a tango type of structure, which is more reflexive."

Blades says the tango versions, slower and more atmospheric, have led him to understand his songs in a new way. There's also been a less pleasant surprise: "Some people have told me, 'Oh, I didn't realize that you could sing, actually,' which is kind of distressing to hear after 40 years."

Hear the rest of the conversation at the audio link, including Blades' plan for a potential presidential bid in 2019 and a tender moment he shared with his father while listening to the album's last song, "Tiempos."

Bodega Bamz Reps for His Latin Culture With “El Rey"

Source by @swishthis.

Bodega Bamz sets the internet ablaze with his new single – “El Rey.”

Riding off the success of his 2012 mixtape, Strictly 4 My P.A.P.I.Z., the New York-bred, half-Dominican/half-Puerto-Rican rapper Bodega Bamz dropped his newest single to rave reviews from his fans.
El-Rey”gives a taste of Bodega’s forthcoming debut album, Sidewalk Exec. With its modest but clean production value, the track harkens back to an older era of hip hop, when simple beats and efficient hooks underscored vivid lyricism.
Bodega has won his growing throng of followers with a gritty flow and authentic references rooted in Latin culture.  His unabashed pride for his heritage and inner city upbringing resonates deeply with his working class disciples. He tells tales of his street life with aimless braggadocio and an el barrio twang.
O
ften comparing himself to a Christ-like persona, like in his video for “P.A.P.I.,” which places him an allegorical scene from the Last Supper, Bodega clearly reckons himself to be a god among men.  We’ve seen his brand of pseudo-divinity before from the likes of Kanye and Nas. Although he’s far from taking the throne based off his lyrics alone, his perspective fills a gaping hole for Latino representation in hip hop

Latin Grammys 2014: Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Juanes, Rubén Blades

                                                          Source by Melissa Castellanos

Latin Grammys are almost upon us and fans in the U.S. and around the world are getting amped for a night filled with the best in the industry -- Latin artists who bring the traditional-to-contemporary, smooth Latin beats and rhythms, rich cultural components and some killer rhythm to boot!
The Latin Recording Academy recently announced that Latin Grammy winners and current nominees Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Juanes, Rubén Blades, Carlos Franzetti and the 2014 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat will perform for its milestone 15th anniversary on Nov. 20.
Also on the stellar Latin line-up includes current nominee Carlos Santana, who will perform for the first time with Latin Grammy-winner Pitbull, which was previously announced by The Latin Recording Academy. The legendary guitarist, who still continues to wow, has two nominations for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for "Corazón" (Deluxe Version) and Best Long Form Music Video for "Corazón: Live From Mexico - Live It To Believe It."

Read more.

Actress Olga Segura to begin directing "The Dinner"

Source by EFE

Mexican actress Olga Segura will begin working on a new film, "The Dinner," starring Cate Blanchett and on which she will be part of the production team.

Segura, who currently plays the role of Edith Phillips in the Telemundo soap opera "Señora Acero," told Efe that, just like acting, she enjoys everything about producing films because it encompasses elements that "as a creative person" she wants to explore.

"When you produce a film, you have to create an entire world so that the actors can do their work," said the actress, who along with her brother Juan Carlos and her friend, actor Hector Jimenez, founded the "Producciones A Ciegas" production company after filming "Cellmates," directed by Jesse Baget. Read More.

John Leguizamo will screen his movie FUGLY in NYC

On November 5th he will screen his movie FUGLY in a NYC theater. Leguizamo will be present greeting guests and for Q & A! Check out his IG post.

'Pitbull: The Lyfe' and 'The REAL Change Project'

Source by Philiana Ng

Pitbull has his sights on expanding his TV presence.

The Miami rapper, whose real name is Armando Christian Perez, has teamed with The Weinstein Co. via his Honey I'm Home shingle to produce two unscripted series, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Pitbull: The Lyfe will offer a behind-the-scenes look into Pitbull's busy life, world tour and sessions in the recording studio. He is behind radio hits like "Timber," "Give Me Everything" and "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)."

The REAL Change Project will team the rapper with the world's top entertainers and public figures, such as First Lady Michelle Obama, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Kobe Bryant as they look back at the mentors who helped inspire and shape their success, as well as include performances to help raise money for teachers and educators internationally. Patrick Reardon, seniorvp television production, will oversee for Weinstein Co. Pitbull, Michael Calderon, Liam Murphy,president and CEO of Real Change Productions, and Robert Engler are executive producers.
Neither projects have networks attached to them yet.

“Our television division at TWC has made an incredible name for themselves in creating fresh and entertaining unscripted programming. Partnering with Pitbull, one of the biggest names in music today, on The REAL Change Project and The Lyfe is a phenomenal opportunity that we’re all very excited to get started on," said Harvey Weinstein, Weinstein Co. co-chairman.

"It’s an honor to partner with The Weinstein Company and Real Change Productions/Honey I’m Home on Lyfe and The REAL Change Project, two series with the point of view that life is what we make it — some follow the rules; others bend them,” said Pitbull. “After the party kicks off 2015, we will show what’s behind the curtain and most important, learning, listening from the best plays a huge role in thejourney.”

Pitbull has a busy slate ahead of him — he's returning in a row Nov. 23 and on Fox. On the music side, he's prepping his eighth studio album, Globalization, out Nov. 24 via RCA.

Pitbull performs with Carlos Santana at Latin Grammys

Source by WENN.COM

Latino superstars Pitbull and Carlos Santana are set to team up for an electric performance at the Latin Grammy Awards. The two stars' set at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on 20 November (14) will be one of many collaborations on the night, including the TV debut of Pepe Aguilar and Miguel Bose. 

Guitar great Santana has two nominations for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album and Best Long Form Music Video for Corazon: Live From Mexico - Live It To Believe It. Pepe Aguilar is nominated for Best Ranchero Album for Lastima Que Sean Ajenas. Actress Jacqueline Bracamontes will co-host the event, which will air live on America's Univision network. The telecast will be distributed internationally to more than 80 countries.

Three Films From ‘Cine Latino

Source by Jonathon Sharp

This weekend kicks off Cine Latino, a film festival put on by the Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul that seeks to celebrate movies in Spanish and Portuguese.

Thirty-eight films are part of the lineup, and most of them screen twice. The two venues showing the films are the St. Anthony Main Theatre, and The Heart of the Beast Theatre. Both are in Minneapolis.

Here are capsule reviews of a few of the films in this wide-ranging lineup.

10 Must-Read Books by Latino Authors

Source by Alanna Nunez

Put down your phone and pick up a book (you do remember those, right?).

Check out the LIST of the 10 Must-Read Books by Latino authors.

The Latino Dream

Source by Daniel A. Flores 

Manuel Miranda has a long, white beard hanging over the faded text on his Pink Floyd T-shirt.

Two generations of Mirandas are standing in their rented space, booth 65, at an indoor bazaar peddling their books, vinyls, CDs and cassettes. Dated music blares as browsers try out records and tapes on the stereo residing on the side wall.

An artist for more than four decades, Manuel Miranda raised his children surrounded by music, film and various other forms of fine art. One son became a cellist and music educator while another went on to study architecture.

Imanol Miranda, the middle son, studied art at the University of Texas-Pan American and found a passion in using digital photography to investigate larger concepts.
“His dad does the old world art with the colors, paintbrush and canvas,” said Bob Jones, exhibit specialist at The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center in Austin. “And then his son moved on to a more modernized, digitized type of environment.”

Read More.