¡Qué dúo!

Two mega music stars of the Hispanic world are shining together. Juan Luis Guerra joins Enrique Iglesias to deliver the one song to rule all others during my time in Mexico.

"Cuando Me Enamoro" is a love song like any other. And with a title of "When I Fall in Love", these guys don't even bother with innuendos.

So why bother mentioning it?

Because pairing the sweet voices of Iglesias and Guerra is enough to make the biggest macho man ask for a hug. Okay, maybe not a hug. But I've seen plenty of guys singing along to this song as if it's their anthem. Even I've joined in during the chorus, because damn if it isn't catchy.

The song is from Enrique's newest album, Euphoria. If the lovely duet with Guerra isn't your style, then give "I Like It" a listen. With Pitbull at his side, Enrique rocks the club scene with the first single from his new album.

"Cuando Me Enamoro" is the perfect track for all the hopeless romantics out there, and "I Like It" was made for a little grind time in the clubs. Oh Enrique, is there anything he can't do?

- DJ Gringuito

Los Discos

Greetings, Rock Lobsters, from the wonderful Mexican state of Yucatán! I'm here for an internship with a TV news station, but that's not important. You're here for music.

Throwing a curveball your way, this post is dedicated to my adventure at a Mexican dance club. Nearly three years after my first "disco" experience, I still enjoyed the heart-pounding house music and American pop remixes...

I was glad to see that the many “discos” of Mérida continued to profit in my absence. Traveling down Paseo Montejo (the main drag of the city), I could see crowds of teens, twenty-somethings and adults.

Yes, it is possible to spot a handful of middle-aged men posted at the bar. Once they grab their drinks, they circle the club with heads a bobbin’ and chest hair a poppin’. It would be creepy, if it weren’t so entertaining to watch.

From that description, it should be obvious that I enjoy people-watching. But, boy, are the tables turned when I walk in a club. It definitely has nothing to do with my style or dance moves, though. I just happen to be taller and whiter than everyone else. And, did I mention, less coordinated on the dance floor?

All right, that’s enough self-deprication for now. Friday night my roommate and I met some of his friends at Tequila. You’re right to assume from the name that Tequila is not a family establishment.

If you want to know how my night ended, you can finish the story at The Yucatán Diaries. It's my own blog covering my many adventures in Mexico.

-DJ Gringuito

Toy Story 3

Yes, merely a week after my goodbye, I've returned to Radio Chevere. But for good reason, I swear. If you haven't seen Toy Story 3 yet, feel free to continue reading. The minor details I'm about to release have no effect on the movie's plot.

In the heat of the rising action, a dramatic switch changes everyone's favorite space ranger, Buzz Lightyear. His reset switch literally transforms Buzz Lightyear into his Spanish-language equivalent. Hilarity ensues!

More blog-worthy, however, is the movie's ending credits. The Gipsy Kings blast a flamenco-fused version of Randy Newman's Oscar-nominated "You've Got a Friend in Me" while Buzz and Jessie tear up the game room floor with a toy-sized dance. Check out the Gipsy Kings perform the song live on Dancing with the Stars! Don't be too impressed though, those professional dancers have got nothing on the Toy Story steppers.

Aqui todavia,

DJ Gringuito

La Despedida

When the lovely people at ACRN first asked me to blog about Spanish music, I was baffled that someone would actually come to me for anything music-related. Let's be honest, nobody knows music like my fellow Rock Lobsters.

My shallow grasp of the Spanish-language music scene was enough for my first couple weeks of blogging. Soon after, I had to search the interwebs for new music just to meet my weekly deadline. I'm happily did it though, because it made me a better blogger. The better understanding has me finally feeling like a true langosta.

Nearly six months after it's inception, Radio Chevere is still going strong. If you haven't learned anything; too bad, because I know I have. But the weekly Spanish lessons are coming to end. As an alum, I will be out of the Lobster-loop. :(

Ending on a happy note, I'm going to Mexico in September! I'll be down there for an internship, but you can be sure that I'll be enjoying the music scene. Who knows, I just might be back for a couple random updates. Hasta luego, familia.

Nos vemos,

DJ Gringuito

Musica Gratis!

All right langostinas, LobsterFest is upon us. I'm sure you're already being bombarded with festival info, so I'll keep this brief.

Make sure you stop by the ACRN booth at LobsterFest, because there will be FREE iTunes download cards for the first 100 fest-goers. The lovely people at Nacional Records provided me with the cards that are wonderful little portals to new Spanish-language music.

This is your opportunity to legally obtain singles from the artists I've blogged about like Manu Chao and Ana Tijoux. More importantly, you can check out artists I haven't covered like Quiero Club and Los Amigos Invisibles. Here's the track list:

1. Pacha Massive - If You Want It (Ga Ga Tech Mix) [feat. Rita Indiana]
2. Cuarto Poder - Solo Tu Tienes La Llave
3. Ana Tijoux - 1977
4. Los Rakas - Lo Mucho Que Te Quiero
5. Hello Seahorse! - Bestia (Julieta Venegas Remix)
6. Choc Quib Town - De Donde Vengo Yo
7. Latin Bitman - Help Me (Feat. Francisca Valenzuela)
8. Mexican Institute of Sound - Yo Digo Baila
9. Tonino Carotone - Amar y Vivir
10. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs - Vamos Ya (Curtis Mayfield Cover)
11. Fidel Nadal - Emocionado
12. Matorralman - El Taxi del Mañana
13. Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love (The Pinker Tones Remix)
14. Manu Chao - Clandestino (Live)
15. Maldita Vecindad - Fut Callejero (Pura Diversion)
16. Banda de Turistas - Lo Comandas
17. La Bien Querida - 9.6
18. Los Amigos Invisibles - Vivire Para Ti (Feat. Natalia Lafourcade)
19. Misterio (feat. Senor Flavio of Los Fabulosos Cadillacs) - La Momia Negra
20. Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich+Fussible – Manuel Santillan, El Leon (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs Cover)
21. Nortec Collective Presents: Clorofila - "BabyRock" Rock
22. Quiero Club - It's All About Dun Dun
23. Furland - Colores Colores Colores

Nos vemos a LobsterFest,
DJ Gringuito

Maluca, Presente!

Maybe springtime is to blame for my recent focus on the opposite sex. Maybe I'm connecting with my inner hermosa. Either way, the trend continues with Maluca!

Coming out of the Dominican Republic by way of NYC, Maluca's self-described "tropical, house, ghettotech" sound is attracting plenty of attention.

Check out this brief interview with the up-and-coming artists whose music is "a hodgepodge of everything that [she loves] about New York."

Find more videos like this on SOCIETY HAE

Maluca's music isn't all Spanish-language, so all listeners can enjoy her fresh new sound. Tracks like the hyper-meregnue "El Tigeraso" already have me convinced that I'll be picking up her mixed tape. Until then, I guess I'll have to settle for following her on Twitter while she tours Europe.

Hasta pronto,

DJ Gringuito

Ven con Venegas

While researching Ana Tijoux, I stumbled upon Julieta Venegas. I first heard about this Mexican cantante during my time in Mérida. But my first exposure left me immediately refusing to listen to her music.

It all started when a friend of mine found Venegas' song "Limon y Sal". It's a cute pop song about Julieta wanting her man "with lemon and salt," just like chelada beer. Oh how fun! But a thousand listens later, I was burnt out and uninterested in the rest of her work.

What a mistake! Her sweet voice could warm even the crankiest curmudgeon's heart (mine after hearing "Limon y Sal" numerous times a day). With an award's list full of Latin Grammys, Latin VMAs and one Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album for Limon y Sal (aaahhh!).

As much as I complain about the catchy song, there are plenty of great tracks on the album. "Eres Para Mi" features the aforementioned emcee Ana Tijoux. When Tijoux couldn't make Venegas' MTV Unplugged show, La Mala Rodriguez filled the role and rocked the mic.

There's more to Venegas than her award-winning voice (and looks. Oh c'mon, I've made it this far without commenting on her natural beauty). Anyhow, prepare yourself for Venegas' squeezing an accordion for "Me Voy." Yes, an accordion! And you thought Feist was quirky!

Slow and simple lyrics make Venegas a great artist for beginning listeners and Spanish-speakers. Even if you don't understand her yet, her voice is sure to coo you to a sense of comfort and relaxation.

Estoy enamorado (otra vez),

DJ Gringuito