LoLa Mc makes it’s mark
It was one of those ground breaking moments; London’s First ever Latin music Conference took place on May 3rd, the first steps to reinforce the UK’s Latin Music industry. Musicians, DJs, dancers, promoters, venues, labels, distributors, media descended on Bush House to check the temperature of Latin Music in London through a day of panels, discussions and workshops and networking. Sessions included ‘Where Latin Music Fits in London’, Women in Latin Music’ ‘Salsa Dancing and Music’ and an ‘Urban Latin Music Forum’, as well as workshops on funding, PR and Social networking and more. As one participant said: “It felt like our Anglo-Latin family had the chance to talk about issues facing our scene for the first time.”
Medellin Miracle Madonna
Once known as the city of bloody-thirsty drug traffickers, Madonna’s duet with Maluma has given Medellin a different allure. Never mind that the ageing pop icon is a bit late in jumping on the Reggaeton bandwagon, the Medellin tourist board couldn’t have wished for, paid for, better promo. Ah that’s an idea, maybe they did. She says: “I had a dream and woke up in Medellin/The sun was caressing my skin/another me could now begin.” He says: “Mami te voy a enamorar” Apparently, in the land of magical realism, gorgeous young men lust only after women above the age of 60. At their Billboard Awards performance, the sight of Maluma, one minute undressing his senior lady, the next stopping her from falling over, was somewhat refreshing. We just hope that Medellin isn’t besieged by expectant gringas of a certain age.
Building Bridges
Latin-Anglo collaboration is where it’s at in global pop at the moment. Whether its Daddy Yankee x Katie Perry or Balvin x Beyoncé live at Coachella. Our favourite has to be Alicia Keys x Pedro Capó x Farruko in Calma, simply because Alicia is the R&B queen who made a less obvious choice in the accomplished Puerto Rican songwriter and actor Capø - an authentic colab and a great song. Latin artists continue to break new ground with the biggest Latino presence ever at Coachella, probably the US’ most mainstream music festival, including Bad Bunny, Rosalia, Balvin, Mon Laferte. If only politicians could learn from the music industry, which is clearly reaching across borders and building bridges rather than building walls.
