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.
We start the show with a tribute to the legendary Totó la Momposina, who passed away May 17 at the age of 85 and left a lasting legacy that radiated from Colombia around the entire globe. Remembered for bringing Afro-Indigenous rhythms of cumbia, bullerengue, mapalé and more to audiences, we opened with a prime example of her genius: “La Verdolaga.”
Continuing in that vein, we celebrated women and the new music they’re sharing with the world, including Cuban jazz icons Dayme Arocena and La Dame Blanche, French-Cuban sister duo Ibeyi, and proud Puerto Rican RaiNao.
That last artist recently shared pieces of new album Marcriá at NPR’s Tiny Desk, providing a glimpse of the soft world she is molding. The record blends jazz, reggaeton, R&B, alt-pop and more while connecting to her island home with bountiful tambores, maracas and guiro. RaiNao even demonstrates her musical chops by playing saxophone on the album. She’s an artist to watch and one who always wears Puerto Rico on her sleeve.
Episode playlist
- Toto La Momposina, “La Verdolaga”
- Dayme Arocena, “La Rumba Soy Yo”
- Tania Maria, “Samba de Orly”
- La Dame Blanche, “Los Fines De Semana”
- RaiNao & Cultura Profetica, “dame la verde”
- AKRILLA, “para siempre (｡>﹏<)”
- Cain Culto (ft. Xiuhtezcatl & Snow Da Product), “BASTA YA!”
- A. CHAL, “Noche Sola”
- Yahritza Y Su Esencia, “01-800”
- Malcriada & NIÑOS GÓTICOS, “Six Seven”
- Miguel, “CAOS”
- Idea Blanco, “Violeta, tu estrella en la frente”
- LA GURU, “SDLM”
- Ibeyi, “Aset”
- Cancamusa, “Antes de que apague el sol”
