Felix Contreras appears in the following:
Bad Bunny residency prep, new guitar tracks and Latin genre benders
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Before Ana heads off to see Bad Bunny's unprecedented residency in Puerto Rico, we chat a little about why the celebration is significant to the island and Latin music in general.
We also dig deep into new releases that include four different approaches to the guitar and a musician from Peru who defies genre to create his own musical language.
Music heard in this episode:
• Hermanos Gutiérrez, "Elegantly Wasted (ft. Leon Bridges)"
• Bebo Dumont, "Hoy"
• Eljuri, "Karma"
• Yamil Quiere Ser Artista & Oliver Berg, "Bandido," "Gatito Miau Miau Miau"
• Yasser Tejeda, "Una Cascada de Miel"
• Yerai Cortés, "Sonar por Bulerías,"
• Judeline & Yerai Cortés, "Un puente por la Bahía, la Cruz del Campo"
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.
We also dig deep into new releases that include four different approaches to the guitar and a musician from Peru who defies genre to create his own musical language.
Music heard in this episode:
• Hermanos Gutiérrez, "Elegantly Wasted (ft. Leon Bridges)"
• Bebo Dumont, "Hoy"
• Eljuri, "Karma"
• Yamil Quiere Ser Artista & Oliver Berg, "Bandido," "Gatito Miau Miau Miau"
• Yasser Tejeda, "Una Cascada de Miel"
• Yerai Cortés, "Sonar por Bulerías,"
• Judeline & Yerai Cortés, "Un puente por la Bahía, la Cruz del Campo"
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.
Bad Bunny gets political, Brazilian grooves from Brooklyn, Reparto Cubano and more
Wednesday, July 09, 2025
Ana and Felix break down Bad Bunny's latest political video. Hear their failed attempt at a blindfold listening game.
Artists and songs featured in this episode:
• Cheo, "Amor A Primera Vista"
• babas tutsipop, "antonio banderas" and "cursi"
• Pedazo De Carne Con Ojo, "Sirens" and "Tiralo"
• Ryuichi Sakamoto "DOLPHINS"
• Frank Zappa "While You Were Art II"
• Pink Pablo, "ALL I DREAM," "OJOS AZUL" and "HORSES IN HEAVEN"
• Wampi, "La Última" ft. Leoni Torres
• Wampi, "La Diferencia" ft. Orlenis 22K, Ernesto Loso
• Silvana Estrada, "Lila Alelí"
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.
Artists and songs featured in this episode:
• Cheo, "Amor A Primera Vista"
• babas tutsipop, "antonio banderas" and "cursi"
• Pedazo De Carne Con Ojo, "Sirens" and "Tiralo"
• Ryuichi Sakamoto "DOLPHINS"
• Frank Zappa "While You Were Art II"
• Pink Pablo, "ALL I DREAM," "OJOS AZUL" and "HORSES IN HEAVEN"
• Wampi, "La Última" ft. Leoni Torres
• Wampi, "La Diferencia" ft. Orlenis 22K, Ernesto Loso
• Silvana Estrada, "Lila Alelí"
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.
Vintage cumbia, Ecuadorian folk, guitar jamming and Mexican rap
Wednesday, July 02, 2025
Our selections this week feature a crate diggers' delight from Colombia and the sound of modern rap in Mexico.
Featured artists and songs:
• Óscar Agudelo y El Combo Moderna, "Está Como Mango"
• Isabella Lovestory, "Fresa Metal," "Eurotrash," "Tu Te Vas"
• Grecia Albán, "YO POR TI"
• Vicente García, "Mambo Violento," "El Huracán," "Abusadora"
• BALTHVS, "Flesh and Soul"
• Gera MX, "Ciclo Vital," "1 Millón"
Credits
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.
Featured artists and songs:
• Óscar Agudelo y El Combo Moderna, "Está Como Mango"
• Isabella Lovestory, "Fresa Metal," "Eurotrash," "Tu Te Vas"
• Grecia Albán, "YO POR TI"
• Vicente García, "Mambo Violento," "El Huracán," "Abusadora"
• BALTHVS, "Flesh and Soul"
• Gera MX, "Ciclo Vital," "1 Millón"
Credits
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.
The Latin bands of the Tiny Desk Contest
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras was a Tiny Desk Contest judge this year, and on this episode, he brings six of his favorite entries to the show.
Artists and songs featured:
• Esotérica Tropica, "Despierta"
• Mario Diaz, Bachi and Los Salvajes, "Ropa de Colores"
• alegrías, "Daygo"
• Charly Siaba, "Lejos de Aquí"
• Los Pleneros de la Cresta, "Rayo del Sol"
• Taisha Estrada, "El Abstracto"
Credits
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
Artists and songs featured:
• Esotérica Tropica, "Despierta"
• Mario Diaz, Bachi and Los Salvajes, "Ropa de Colores"
• alegrías, "Daygo"
• Charly Siaba, "Lejos de Aquí"
• Los Pleneros de la Cresta, "Rayo del Sol"
• Taisha Estrada, "El Abstracto"
Credits
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
100 Years of 100 Things: The Legacy of Celia Cruz
Thursday, May 08, 2025
As our centennial series continues, Felix Contreras, host and co-creator of NPR's Alt.Latino, talks about the life and legacy of music icon Celia Cruz, born 100 years ago.
Music from South America, Spain and ... Mars?
Wednesday, May 07, 2025
The music this week comes from a variety of countries and genres, some of it sounds like music you've heard ... while others sound like nothing you've heard before.
Featured artists and songs:
• Natalia Bernal, "Más Allá"
• Jaze, "mil procedimientos"
• Jaze & Susana Baca, "jomalón"
• Jaze, "boomeran'"
• The Mars Volta, "Fin"
• The Mars Volta, "Enlazan las tinieblas"
• The Mars Volta, "Alba del orate"
• The Mars Volta, "Lucro sucio"
• Diego Mema, "la forma de quererte"
• Diego Mema, "till there was you" (Beatles cover)
• The Rumba Madre, "Abuela"
• Junior Zamora, "Salsa y Clase"
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
Featured artists and songs:
• Natalia Bernal, "Más Allá"
• Jaze, "mil procedimientos"
• Jaze & Susana Baca, "jomalón"
• Jaze, "boomeran'"
• The Mars Volta, "Fin"
• The Mars Volta, "Enlazan las tinieblas"
• The Mars Volta, "Alba del orate"
• The Mars Volta, "Lucro sucio"
• Diego Mema, "la forma de quererte"
• Diego Mema, "till there was you" (Beatles cover)
• The Rumba Madre, "Abuela"
• Junior Zamora, "Salsa y Clase"
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
A Banjo, Bomba, Bardo y Más
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Anamaria continues to impress Felix with new female voices, while he shares more jazz and Puerto Rican bomba fusion.
Featured artists and songs:
• Queralt Lahoz, "LA FE"
• Bardo, "Renacer" (feat. Combo Chimbita)
• Vanessa Zamora, "GRAVEDAD" (feat. Çantamarta)
• BEATrio, "Archipelago"
• Mon Laferte, "Otra Noche de Llorar"
• El Laberinto del Coco, "Todo Se Nubla"
Credits
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
Featured artists and songs:
• Queralt Lahoz, "LA FE"
• Bardo, "Renacer" (feat. Combo Chimbita)
• Vanessa Zamora, "GRAVEDAD" (feat. Çantamarta)
• BEATrio, "Archipelago"
• Mon Laferte, "Otra Noche de Llorar"
• El Laberinto del Coco, "Todo Se Nubla"
Credits
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
New Music: Something Old, Something New, Something Found... and Jazz
Wednesday, March 05, 2025
This week we balance our passion for new discoveries with reissued music from an iconic Latin American songwriter.
Featured artists and songs:
• Ezra Collective, "Body Language" (feat. Sasha Keable)
• Patti LaBelle, "Teach me Tonight (Me Gusta Tu Baile)"
• Teri Gender Bender, "SANAR"
• Kevin Kaarl, "recuérdame x siempre"
• Violeta Parra, "Cantores Que Reflexionan"
• Ben Aler, "Honest"
• Jose Luiz Martins, "Cravo e Canela"
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
Featured artists and songs:
• Ezra Collective, "Body Language" (feat. Sasha Keable)
• Patti LaBelle, "Teach me Tonight (Me Gusta Tu Baile)"
• Teri Gender Bender, "SANAR"
• Kevin Kaarl, "recuérdame x siempre"
• Violeta Parra, "Cantores Que Reflexionan"
• Ben Aler, "Honest"
• Jose Luiz Martins, "Cravo e Canela"
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
Ana Tijoux releases 'Vivda' — a decade after 'Vengo'
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
It's been 10 years since Chilean-French hip-hop artist Ana Tijoux dropped an album. She's back with Vida, and talks about her return to recording.
The popularity of regional Mexican music is crossing borders and going global
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
NPR's Alt.Latino followed break-out trio Yahritza y Su Esencia on tour to document how their identity, and connection to regional Mexican music was shaped in their farmworker community.
Marta Pereira da Costa: Tiny Desk Concert
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
The renowned Portuguese guitarist bridges centuries of history with immaculate playing.
Shakti: Tiny Desk Concert
Monday, October 30, 2023
The Indian jazz fusion band stops by the Tiny Desk for a historical performance.
'Hit the Bongo: The Latin Soul of Tico Records'
Friday, October 27, 2023
For 75 years, Tico Records has produced Latin soul music of the highest order. A new compilation — Hit the Bongo! — celebrates Tico's anniversary.
Maluma on becoming a new dad and using music to defy stereotypes about Colombia
Friday, October 20, 2023
Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras talk to Colombian superstar Maluma about defining his own genre, defying stereotypes with music about love, and new fatherhood
Becky G on her new album and how she represents the intersection of two cultures
Friday, October 13, 2023
Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras talk to Mexican American pop star Becky G about her latest album, Esquinas, her Mexican heritage and more.
Becky G: Tiny Desk Concert
Friday, October 13, 2023
The stripped down sound of some of Becky G's biggest hits offered a rare view of her artistry.
Alex Cuba: Tiny Desk Concert
Wednesday, October 04, 2023
Alex Cuba weaves evocative imagery into musical arrangements that conjure his native country.
It's time for 'El Tiny', the NPR Tiny Desk takeover for Hispanic Heritage Month
Sunday, September 24, 2023
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre, hosts of the Alt.Latino podcast, about the upcoming "El Tiny" Tiny Desk Concerts that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Here are the 24th Latin Grammy nominees
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
The 24th annual Latin Grammy nominations have been announced. The genre is experiencing a wave of unprecedented popularity, but recognition from the Latin Recording Academy seems to be lagging behind.
Yahritza y Su Esencia: Tiny Desk Concert
Thursday, August 24, 2023
The family trio belt out songs of lost love and longing in their Tiny Desk performance.
