Category: Uncategorized

Finally, a Celebration of Afro-Latino Music That Doesn’t Ignore Hip-Hop

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Kahlil Cummings is one of many performers scheduled at AfroLatino. Photo by Safiya Dawuni.

The sounds and rhythms of West African drums, the sharp slaps on the djembe and the cavernous thumps on the dunun, will echo and bounce out of the recently reopened John Anson Ford Theatres and off into the hills surrounding the Cahuenga Pass this Saturday, Sept. 10. Those drums will mark the first lesson of many in a two-hour session about the long history of musical collaboration between the African and Latino diasporas that continues today in Los Angeles.

“AfroLatino – A Celebration of the African and Latino Diasporas” is a dive into understanding the Afro-Latino identity with an ethnomusicological twist. Numerous artists from L.A. and beyond will trace the history of African people in the Western hemisphere through the impact and influence of their music.

Continue reading at LA WEEKLY.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Presents 17th Annual Dia De Los Muertos Celebration

Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Dia De Los Muertos celebration, the largest Day of the Dead celebration outside of Mexico, returns for its 17th edition.

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This year’s theme is “El Arbol De La Vida/The Tree Of Life,” with a focus on sculptural traditions of the town of Metepec near Toluca de Lerdo.

Music this year will be provided by:

Julieta Venegas

Buyepongo

Alejandro y Maria Laura

Mitre

Mariachi Flor De Toloache

Here’s my rundown of last year’s event, which celebrated the culture of Mexico’s indigenous Huichol people, visited by 40,000 people and featured musicals artists Lila Downs, Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, Huichol Musical, and others.

More info at ladayofthedead.com.

Arsenal Net Three Past Chivas in International Friendly [photos]

Arsenal of England toured the US this summer for a number of pre-season matches before the start of the 2016/2017 Barclay’s Premiere League. The Gunners defeated their opponents, Chivas de Guadalajara, 3 – 1 at the Stubhub Center, home of MLS side LA Galaxy.

Below are a few shots from the game. All game photos are at my Flickr album.

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Calentura: Global Bassment feat. Dengue Dengue Dengue, Los Rakas, Tropkillaz [video]

Calentura took things to the next level last week, March 12th, when the monthly party by Subsuelo and Late Night Laggers moved further east to the El Rey Theatre. The reason? To celebrate the release of Calentura: Global Bassment on Fania Records, which I wrote about in LA Weekly.

The night included guests Peruvian Dark cumbia duo Dengue Dengue Dengue, Panamanian rudeboys Los Rakas, and Brazilian Trap duo Tropkillaz. Check out the video of each act below. Hella photos coming soon.

Dengue Dengue Dengue:

Los Rakas:

Tropkillaz:

Best Of 2015

Bomba Estereo

The electro cumbia/tropical bass group released the album of the year with Amanecer. The above track, “Algo Esta Cambiando,” is my favorite track off the album.

El Tri

I had the pleasure to see Mexico’s national team play (and win!) twice this year. The first game was in March at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum where Mexico defeated Ecuador 1 – 0. It was the game where Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez became Mexico’s second most prolific goalscorer and where my excitement over it was caught on camera.

The second time was at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena where El Tri defeated Team USA 3 – 2 in extra time to clinch the CONCACAF spot for the 2017 Confederations Cup. I sat on the field opposite Mexico’s bench and was on TV again, this time for the entirety of the match.

Afroxander spying on Paul Aguilar and Raul Jimenez.
Afroxander spying on Paul Aguilar and Raul Jimenez.

New York

I finally went to New York for the first time in my life. The week-long trip went by too quickly but was incredibly fun thanks to my wonderful friends. (Yes, I cut my hair too).

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Most important of all, my nephew was born this year!

El Mato A Un Policia Motorizado – “Violencia”

“Violencia” is the new song from El Mato A Un Policia Motorizado of La Plata, Argentina. The track is part of a four-track “maxi-simple” (their version of the maxi-single), which also contains “El Baile De La Colina,” “Aire Fresco,” “Rucho,” and “Dos Galaxias.”

The maxi-simple will be available in the US on Spotify, cassette tape, and vinyl on February 19th via Nacional Records.