New York Latin Culture Magazine®

World-class Indigenous, European & African Culture since 2012

New York Latin Alternative

Latin Alternative in NYC is a contemporary blend of Rock with Latin rhythms, usually sung in Spanish. It is really a catch-all term for the many fusions Latin artists are creating now.

The cover image is Puerto Rican percussionist, composer and leader Ama Rios, from her “PICC Flow Suite.” Ama was the first female Bomba prima (lead drummer) in Puerto Rico. Given that Bomba is a flirting dance between the dancer and lead drummer, having a female lead drummer, in a machista (male chauvinist) culture, was revolutionary. Ama is working her way through chemotherapy. She deserves all our support. Bendiciones Ama. 🇵🇷

Latin Alternative NYC

Summer’s LAMC Latin Alternative Music Conference is the highlight of Latin Alternative in NYC.

Latin Alternative Archive

February 2023

Edna Vázquez blends Mexican mariachi and American folk, pop and rock into something fabulous for Carnegie Hall Citywide; at the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan’s West Village; on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 7:30pm. FREE! 🏳️‍🌈🇲🇽

November 2022

Locobeach, and its own Cheo Pardo (DJ Afro), play Psychedelic Cumbia with Underground System (Afrobeat) for the World Music Institute at Nublu 151 in Manhattan’s East Village on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 8pm (7pm doors). From $20. 🇻🇪

October 2022

Mexican Pop-Rock-Folk singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade makes her Carnegie Hall debut on the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 8pm. 🇲🇽

What is Latin Alternative?

Latin Alternative is a blend of Rock with Latin rhythms, usually sung in Spanish. It’s an broadening and softening of the Rock form. Latin Alternative followed Latin Rock in the same way that Soft Rock followed Hard Rock, and Salsa Romántica followed Salsa Dura.

The term “Latin Alternative” is a catch-all for the many fusions Latin artists are creating now. There are many singer-songwriters and contemporary fusions of many traditional forms including: Haitian Kompa, Trinidad Soca, Guadalupe and Martinique Zouk, Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena, Honduran Parranda and more.

Some say Santana started the form when he mixed Rock with Latin on Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va” in 1970. “Bueno pa’ gozar.”

Argentine rocker and double Academy Award winner Gustavo Santaolalla (Arco Iris, Bajofondo, “Brokeback Mountain” and “Babel.”) moved to Los Angeles in 1977 where he produced a lot of Rock en Español which evolved into Latin Alternative. He’s the padrino (godfather).

NPR’s Alt.Latino also played a role in the genre’s development.

Like most Latin music, Latin Alternative comes from a little bit of everyone.

Latin music