Buika: 'La Noche Mas Larga' (2012)
A few months ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Concha Buika. Charming, clever, talented beyond words and with a unique a yet universally appealing personal history: the daughter of African immigrants who grew up in Spain…
Gilberto Gil: “I’ve always felt I was in the best place I could be”
Thirty years after first seeing him in concert at the age of eight, Amaranta Wright comes face to face with the Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil on his recent visit to London, and gets an insight into the man that inspired her…
Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo Vice Versa
” Viajando Com o Som” (The Lost ’76 Vice-Versa Studio Sessions)
Things That Matter to...Al Roc
Al Roc (pictured left) is a member of Asilo 38, one of the biggest names on the burgeoning Colombian hip-hop scene, featured in the soundtrack to the film ‘Maria Full of Grace’. They come from "Aguas Blancas", one of…
Pacifica @ The Garage, Islington
Formed by internet friends Inés Adam (vocals and guitar) and Martina Nintzel (bass and vocals), and Inspired heavily by The Strokes, Pacifica is in Argentine rock duo who gained traction posting covers on social media before…
Sao Paulo Symphony and Venezuelan Pianist Gabriela Montero delight a packed Royal Albert Hall at The BBC Proms
The 2016 season of BBC Proms has featured an unusual programme of high profile musicians from Latin America, starting with the brilliant young Argentine Sol Gabetta, soloist in an outstanding performance of Elgar's '…
Going Back to Move Forward
If anyone knows the secret to moving ahead by looking back it is Juan de Marcos, the man behind the original Buena Vista Social Club Album and all that followed. He talks to Latinolife with frankness about Music, Cuban Identity,…
THE JANUARY REGGAETON RECAP | 2026
It may be a New Year but social media has taken it upon themselves to revisit the past. Currently you can’t open any online platform without being greeted with a throwback picture from 10 years ago as people have decided it’s…
“Through Love we can Link”
Brazilian superstar, Emicida, talks about his rise from the Sao Paulo favela to headlining world festivals, and impresses Arden Farrow with his message of love, positivity and hope, which is what we all need to hear right now.
Lucas Santtana @ The 299, London
Having collaborated with giants of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) such as Caetano Veloso, Marisa Monte and Paralamas do Sucesso, among others, and having played in Gilberto Gil's band for several years, the singer from…
Latinolife's Best Party Tracks of 2016
As the Reggeatón beat continues to generate global party anthems, and mainstream music sees Latin influence on an unprecedented scale, we thought we'd pay tribute to this incredibly appealing and uniquely Latin beat, with…
Arturo O'Farril's Fantasy Island Tracks
As son of the late Cuban composer, arranger, conductor, Chico O’Farril, and growing up among the greats of New York’s Jazz scene, we reckoned ARTURO O’FARRIL pianist, composer, and educator extraordinaire, must have had some…
Diomedes de Jesús Díaz Maestre (26 May 1957 – 22 December 2013) ‘El Cacique de la Junta’
Colombia mourns the loss of a Vallenato Legend, Diomedes Díaz died aged 56 at home in Valledupar.
Radical Beauty
Every now and then, someone special emerges through the cracks in the music industry monolith to grab listeners’ attention. Marta Gómez is one of those artists. Her authentic sound, her story-telling and meaningful lyrics have…
Ingratos hermosos
Over a career spanning nearly 30 years Mexico City’s Cafe Tacvba have experimented with a sombrero full of musical genres including rock, pop, jazz, tropical, electronica, and traditional Mexican tunes that they have melded into…
Explosive Alegría
It would seem that anything Gente de Zona touches turns to gold. Whether it’s putting Enrique Iglesias back at the top of the charts, or keeping Marc Anthony relevant, everyone who’se anyone in music goes to this Cuban Reggeatón…
De Camino Pa La Cima J Alvarez (Reloaded 2.0)
A compilation of his latest releases plus future hits.
THE OUTSIDER
Few people thought that Reggaetón - the famous “Dembow” beat with the Latino twist that exploded 15 years ago – would stand the test of time. Yet today almost every big artist, from Shakira and Enrique Iglesias to Drake, Sia and…
THE JULY REGGAETON RECAP
In the true spirit of summer, it seems every single artist has taken the opportunity to venture outside and team up with one another. Each of the songs in this month’s recap capture contrasting emotions. From bold-bouncy…
A BODY IN THE WORLD
One of the brightest gems of contemporary Brazilian music, Luedji Luna fuses Afro-Brazilian rhythms, jazz and soul with poetry that honours her Bahian roots. Having just picked up two Latin Grammies, one for Best Brazilian…
The Demographics of Music
With a name like Che Sudaka, you can't help but be curious. We talk to the band of Latino immigrants in Spain creating a stir in Europe
Music Speaks
At only 46, Vicente Amigo is already considered a Flamenco legend and the greatest Spanish guitarist of his generation. Currently touring with his new album “Tierra” Vicente Amigo talks to Latino Life.
Order Within Chaos
Desorden Publico is arguably Venezuela’s most loved band. A kind of Rolling Stones meets Madness with a tropical vibe that has been rocking generations in Latin America. Jose Luis Seijas meets the legendary band in Caracas on…
Omar Sosa's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to get you through those times of despair? Our castaway, composer-pianist-bandleader Omar Sosa, one of Cuba’s most celebrated Jazz musicians, grew up…
THE FEBRUARY REGGAETON RECAP
In the month of love, Anitta professes her love for Romeo Santos while ROA and Hades66 name drop Rosalía. A power duo brag about how hypnotising their ‘culos' are while a rising rapper gets hypnotised by the eyes of someone…
Movimientos 10th Birthday Playlist
DJ Cal Jader chooses 10 tracks from the Movimientos crates with some of the tunes that rocked the dance floor at their early nights to three key releases on their record label and a few killer tunes from the last few years.
It Takes Two…
Love comes in many forms, but music never lies when it comes to harmony...so we bring you the best in North-South Harmony? From Frank Sinatra and Tom Jobim when mutual admiration looked so cool (I mean, the legs crossed and fag…
The Audacity of Being Brazilian
Pianist/singer/songwriter Eliane Elias is known for her distinctive musical style, which blends her Brazilian roots and her sensuous, alluring voice with her virtuosic jazz, classical and compositional skills. We caught up with…
'Salvavidas de Hielo' Jorge Drexler
Blasting away all things vacuous and inane in this world, the Uruguayan singer-songwriter delivers another sublime work of unique musicality and profound lyricism.
The People's Salsero
At first dismissed for his wordy complexity, Rubén Blades - composer, singer, salsero, lyricist, narrator, poet, social conscience and political activist - soon proved to be Fania Record's biggest money spinner and Latin…
Top Ten Contemporary Reggaetón Tracks
Originally from Panama, Reggaetón’s roots can be traced back to the late 1990s, borrowing elements of reggae, rap, and hip-hop, and initially performed in underground venues. As the indisputably catchy beat and swagga soon spread…
THE DECEMBER REGGAETON RECAP | 2025
What a year 2025 has been, but don’t wish it away too fast, there’s still a whole month of new music to digest from some of your favourite Latin stars. If you’re after a way to kickstart your new year, how about a brand-new…
Family Atlantica
Spanning Latin America, Africa and Europe in a single record is no mean feat. But Family Atlantica absolutely pull it off.