Every week, La Alternativa delivers the very best from the Latin alternative scene by curating a blend of emerging and established artists within the Latin diaspora, while providing a platform to champion our growing local music scene. Listen on demand here and on 88Nine from 10-11 p.m. every Wednesday.
Kei Linch, ‘Ya no estas’
The Colombian rapper holds nothing back on her latest release and third track she’s shared in the past few months. “Ya no estas” is a stripped-back rap that explores the raw emotion and sense of longing after a breakup. It’s utterly honest and captures the self-bargaining that happens in the direct aftermath of a relationship before ultimately recognizing its inevitable end.
Linch has been a rising star in Colombia’s contemporary rap scene since first gaining recognition in 2021 as a finalist on reality show X-Factor under the name Anarkía and eventually signing with Sony Music. In the years since, she’s built a devoted fanbase by relying on self-explorative and reflective undertones — something that continues in her new music.
Chico Rivera, ‘Despiertame’
Chico Rivera is the pen name of Fernando Rivera Burgos, who earned his first notice as a member of rock band Epilogio. The Puerto Rican artist is venturing solo with a new project, which has a new highlight in the track “Despiertame.”
The song maintains a yacht-rock sensibility, exploring the monotony and disconnect of daily life. He captures the feeling more pointedly in the music video, where he fills the role of a taxi driver seeking to wake up from the dredges of his routine so he can enjoy the better things of life (we can all relate to that feeling).
Episode playlist
- Kei Linch, “Ya no estas”
- Andry Kiddos, “asimilando”
- Sofish, “Me Caigo”
- Cain Culto, “BASTA YA!”
- Los Telepaticos, “Todo Marchito”
- LATIN MAFIA, “Siento que merezco mas”
- Miguel, “CAOS”
- duendita & Noah Becker, “Bassline”
- ERO39 & MULA, “Las pequenas cosas”
- Chico Rivera, “Despiertame”
- PJ Sinsuela & Jorge Drexler, “Todo Se Complica”
- Leton Pe, “GRANADA”
- Simon Grossman, “Te Hice Un Reggae”
- Judeline & DELLAFUENTE, “tiempo pasa”
- Bebel Gilberto, “Aganju”
- Delfi Moore, “Caparazon”
