A Brief History of Latin Music in London
Notwithstanding the cheesy album covers and the pastiche distortions of Latin dance on BBC’s Strictly’, London has had a long and idiosyncratic affair with Latin culture. From the hi-flying success of Edmundo Ros’ Latin Big Band…
Tito Rojas Dies at 65
There are very few salsa artists who had the level of success that Tito Rojas had during the 90s. One of the best selling Latino artists of that decade, he managed to stay relevant until pretty much he passed away a few weeks ago…
Things you should know about Latin American Oscar Triumphs
Do you remember the days when Latino artists weren’t allowed to sing their songs on mainstream TV because ratings would drop? I know right? Hard to imagine, but it did…Back in 2005, when Jorge Drexler was nominated for an Oscar…
Narconovelas – Glorifying or Challenging Stereotypes?
Latinolife explores the two sides of this controversial debate.
75 Days (2020) Dir. Marc Romero
Screened at the 2020 London Spanish Film Festival, in his film ‘75 Days’ (2020) Writer/director Marc Romero re-visits a horrifying real-life event that remains a brutal and dark mystery. In 1992, in an area known as Alcàsser,…
Spotlight on...Cazzu
Cazzu has been dubbed the Queen of Argentine Trap, bringing to the forefront the trap movement in Argentina alongside other artists.She is one of the few women in the male-dominated trap scene.
LatinoLife - The UK's First Latina-run National Portfolio Organisation
In April 2023 LatinoLife became the UK's first and only Latina-run National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), selected to be part of the UK government's ‘most varied and ambitious’ portfolio of NPOs. In being chosen as one…
Luis Alberto Spinetta, Icon of Argentine Rock, 1950 - 2012
We pay homage to El Flaco (The skinny one), a man who revolutionised the music scene of Argentina forever with his unique sound, eccentricity and talent and, in doing so, captured the nation’s heart.
Things You Should Know About...Chilean Cinema
Chilean cinema is on a high at the moment with directors such as Pablo Larraín and Sebastián Lelio creating some of the most original and critically acclaimed works of the day, but it has had a tumultuous past. Although Chilean…
Facundo Cabral - Argentine singer-songwriter, philosopher and writer (1937 - 2011)
Described as a ‘worldwide messenger of peace’ by the United Nations, and a voice of protest against Argentina’s military dictatorship from 1976 to 1982, Cabral remains one of Latin America’s most celebrated folk musicians.
Resilience and Resistance: a History of Colombian London
Over the last 50 years, hundreds of thousands of Colombians have made their mark as the UK's largest spanish-speaking community. As a consequence, Londoners are never far away from the enticing smell of pandeja paisa, the…
Black Heroines of Latin American History
Being an female activist meant putting your life at risk, being a black female activist was a probable death sentence, yet these courageous women took that risk, and gave their lives in some cases, in order to shape our history.…
LATIN ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IN 2025
If last year's celebration of Latin music was anything to go off it’s safe to say our favourite artists will once again be at the forefront of everyone’s attention, not just Reggaeton lovers. The year has already started…
Cupuaçu: Brazil's Alternative to Chocolate
Forget cocoa, meet cupuaçu, a brand new contender in the arena of chocolate substitutes.
Things you should know about....Argentine Cinema
Get inspired with ten facts about one of the world's most dynamic and creative film nations.
Maluma
Recently making he big London splash at London's SSE Wembley arena, Maluma has joined an elite band of Latin artists such as Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, who can fill London arenas. He is the…
The Queen of Quechua Pop Grows Up
Back in 2018, Renata Flores Rivera burst onto the international music map with her cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ in Quechua, the indigenous language of the Incas. The video received almost two million…
Carlos Marín: Il Divo’s non-Diva
Il Divo was brought together by Simon Cowell in 2003 and, since then, the multi-national quartet, made up of Urs Buhler from Switzerland, Frenchman Sebastien Izambard, American David Miller and Carlos Marin from Spain, have sold…
Top 10 Colombian Salsa Albums
Colombian salsa is defined by its ability to add a unique touch to a synthesis of sounds and influences from all over the Caribbean and New York. From the romantic tenderness of Grupo Niche to the unique Timbao of Joe Arroyo to…
Salsa Hits of the 1970s
By the '70s Jerry Massucci's Fania label was exploding the New York Latin music scene and beyond. Known as the Motown of Latin music, for 20 years it was a conveyer belt of hits that took music from the Latin Carribean…
Colombia: Stairway Storytellers in Medellín
In Medellin, Billie Melluish-Turner finds a project to replace ghoulish and superficial tourism with something real and sustainable
Top Ten Most Common Misconceptions about Latin America
Good dancers? Latin Lovers? Revolutionary guerrillas? You might have watched too many soap-operas or just followed rumours but if you want to check your prejudices about Latin America and the Latinos, here are 10 common…
We Love Toña la Negra (1912 –1982)
Mexico has never been short of fantastic singers and to become considered as a singing star in the country, you have to be great and Toña La Negra was one of the greatest singers Mexico has given to the world. An Afro-Mexican of…
Simón Díaz (1928-2020)
When it comes to Venezuelan music, you cannot get any better than Simón “Tío Simon” Díaz. The original creator of Caballo Viejo, the Latin American standard that has been recorded by some many great and was also used as the bases…
Things You Should Know About...Brazilian Cinema
It is fascinating that although all the Latin American countries discovered the magic of moving pictures at around the same time, thanks to the pioneering work of the Lumière Brothers in 1895- 1896, the trajectory of their…
Divine Sensuality: The Genius of Juan Luis Guerra
From his lyrics that verge on magical realism, to his intensely sensual melodies and his relationship with God, we praise the undecipherable enigma that is Juan Luis Guerra, one of Latin America’s most sublime music makers and…
Here Come the Reggaetoneras
The crude origins of Reggaeton, from videos verging on soft porn and misogynistic lyrics, have been toned down in recent years in the industry's quest to make the genre moe commercial. At the same time, female Reggaeton…
THE LAST FOREST – Where Dreams Collide and Nightmares Escape
In an isolated Yanomami land in the Amazon, the shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomani tries to keep the spirits of the forest and the traditions alive, while the arrival of gold prospectors brings death and destruction to the community.…
WHERE TO EAT LATIN IN LONDON - The Ultimate Guide
Latin Culture has hit the high street in a big way, but how do you tell the quality from the crass? Here’s our definitive directory of London’s best Latin and Spanish eats, drinks and clubs.
Our Top Ten Favourite Venezuelan Albums
Venezuela is Latin Music's best kept secret. On top its rich tapestry of Afro-Caribbean influences, Venezuela was a mecca to immigrants from all over the world and, as opposed to Cuba, the influence of American pop helped to…
TOP 10 DISCOS FUENTES VINYLS
When it comes to Colombian Music, Discos Fuentes is the daddy. Since 1934 this seminal label has been home to some of Colombia’s biggest commercial artists, yet it was never afraid of the experimental and the weird. When it came…
Rafael Cortijo - musician, orchestra leader and composer (1928-1982)
There is a before and after in Puerto Rican music and his name is Rafael Cortijo. A self taught percussionist, what Cortijo lacked on musical education he made up in flavour and vision. With his compadre Ismael Rivera, Cortijo…
Spotlight on... Eladio Carrión
Eladio Carrión has been defined as a trap singer, but he has been seen engaging in R&B, Reggaeton and even Dancehall in “Lluvia”. He has gained great popularity in the industry thanks to his character and explicit lyrics…
Five Latin Reasons to Love...Breaking Bad
You don't have to be a fan of the latest hit series, Breaking Bad, about a science teacher turned Crystal Meth manufacturer, to appreciate the seriously great Latin music it features. The music supervisor, Thomas Golubić…
AMAZONAS: The Beauty of Britain's Afro-Indigenous Latinas
Carina Costa Londono brings together some of Britain’s proud Afro-Indigenous to show their natural beauty in a pioneering photo shoot