Latin music

Yep, my dad loves Latin music. Arnoldo Triviño, aka my dad, never played an instrument or even sang in a perfect falsetto. Pero, he called some of Latin music’s greatest artists his friends. He was in New York City during salsa’s heyday and more than likely was bending elbows with Willie Colon or at least Willie’s roadies. My dad was a man about town, the mayor of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where I grew up.

Various reports are saying Shakira will drop a new single this month and a new album later on. And boy am I ehhh! Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Shak Attack but reports also say the single will be available in both English and Spanish. Gag! Why do great/good Latin artists feel obligated to record in English? Yes, I know Shakira is a huge pop star now but her tunes still and will forever sound better in Spanish.  Just peep the videos below and tell me which lengua your favorite singer should stick to?

I attended a New York Yankee game last Friday and boy is my Met heart burning. Pero, since this is a blog about Latin music and not sports like my boy Alex I’ll say this: the intro music for the Yankee batting line-up sounds like a house party in Spanish Harlem. Yes, we all know Latinos dominate baseball with juice (A-Rod) and no juice (Jose Reyes) but they have also transformed a ball game’s ambience. Check out the songs some of the Yankee sluggers came out to on Friday night against the Minnesota Twins.

I’m always looking for the next new artist in Latin music and the next big Latino MC. I always show love to the Omar Cruzs and Pitbulls of the world but how about the cats on the come-up. Well, thanks to the Internet (which is where everyone hears new music nowadays) spotting the next potential star MC is at our fingertips. Emilio Rojas is one MC we’re co-signing 1) because he’s got skills, 2) his name is so damn Latino and 3) he dropped a mini-freestyle verse without blinking an eye.