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.
Summer in Milwaukee. The heat waves are coming and going, and the city’s festival circuit is in full swing. At this midway-ish point of the year, it’s a good time to recap our favorite projects of 2026 so far — including new stuff from old favorites and instant classics from the freshest faces.
It also wouldn’t be a look back without acknowledging the scary moments, from ICE raids in major cities like ours to two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. The silver lining is that we’ve seen communities come together to support each other, an effort that continues through Venezuela relief from Doctors Without Borders and the mutual-aid program from Comité Sin Fronteras right here in Milwaukee.
On the music front, one of the projects that grabbed us this year is from Cultura Profética, a pioneer in the Latin American reggae scene. Formed in 1996 in Puerto Rico, the band’s hits like “Ilegal” and “Saca, Prende Y Sorprende” lean into more socio-political themes. Their newest album, En Bucle, sets sweeter vibes in the cadence of reggae, with soul and afrobeats mixed in.
Heading to CDMX, Sonido Gallo Negro is bringing modern mambo into motion along with Los Angeles artists like Mariposas del Alma and Doris Anahi. Their latest album, Cumbiavision, includes “Suavecito,” a reworking of the 1972 Chicano soul song made popular by Malo and Jorge Santana. This project continues to amplify Sonido Gallo Negro’s reputation and sound — something we try to do every week on La Alternativa.
Enjoy all the sounds in this episode and make sure to tune in at 10 p.m. every Wednesday for more from the world of Latin alternative.
Episode playlist
- Girl Utra & Chromeo, “Denisse”
- VALÉ, “rapido”
- BRUSES, “RATERA”
- Sotomayor, “Vida”
- Cultura Profética, “Déjame Entrar”
- Matt Louis, “Juanga”
- Planta Industrial, aka the darknight & Saso, “Barra Payan”
- Judeline & DELLAFUENTE, “tiempo pasa”
- Reyna Tropical & Xiuhtezcatl, “CAMINO”
- Manu Beker, “Cómo te fue hoy?”
- MXKA & JM4C, “Xclusiva”
- ELENAA ROSE & Alleh, “TUTUTU”
- Cain Culto, “BASTA YA! (feat. Xuihtezcatl & Snow Tha Product)”
- YENDRY, “Mala Mia”
- Espíritu System, “Encontrarme Contigo”
