PlatPhorm Podcasts

Alt.Latino: The Vaqueros of Hawaii

NPR Music · May 27, 2026

Alt.Latino: The Vaqueros of Hawaii artwork

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Alt.Latino: The Vaqueros of Hawaii

NPR Music

We don’t often get to discuss the ways that Latin American music made its way west across the Pacific Ocean. But this week we have two incredible projects that celebrate that journey. First, a Japanese band that fuses traditional minyo folk sounds with cumbia and other Latin rhythms. Then, a project that unearths a forgotten history of the 19th century Mexican cowboys who went to Hawaii to help manage livestock. Plus, a tribute to Afro-Colombian folk legend Totó La Momposina, who passed away this month at 85; an underrated Puerto Rican reggaetonero shines again; and, of course, Ana continues her Brazilian obsession with new tracks from up-and-comer Bebé. Artists and albums featured in this episode: (00:55) Bebé - 'Dissolução' (05:45) Minya Crusaders - 'From Japan With Love' (10:06) Álvaro Díaz - 'OMAKASE' (17:35) Los Cenzontles - 'Adios Ke Aloha: Waves of the Same Sea' (23:05) Orestes Gomez - 'No me fui porque quise' (28:04) Totó La Momposina - Various This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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We don’t often get to discuss the ways that Latin American music made its way west across the Pacific Ocean. But this week we have two incredible projects that celebrate that journey. First, a Japanese band that fuses traditional minyo folk sounds with cumbia and other Latin rhythms. Then, a project that unearths a forgotten history of the 19th century Mexican cowboys who went to Hawaii to help manage livestock. Plus, a tribute to Afro-Colombian folk legend Totó La Momposina, who passed away this month at 85; an underrated Puerto Rican reggaetonero shines again; and, of course, Ana continues her Brazilian obsession with new tracks from up-and-comer Bebé. Artists and albums featured in this episode: (00:55) Bebé - 'Dissolução' (05:45) Minya Crusaders - 'From Japan With Love' (10:06) Álvaro Díaz - 'OMAKASE' (17:35) Los Cenzontles - 'Adios Ke Aloha: Waves of the Same Sea' (23:05) Orestes Gomez - 'No me fui porque quise' (28:04) Totó La Momposina - Various This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Published
May 27, 2026
Status
active
GUID hash
e4c046b514fcc37619a076a8b290007e173ea6bedd67375049470da7f9961816
Archive key
alt-latino-the-vaqueros-of-hawaii--entry_c85ba7717961735e6f99140b5150
Archive id
entry_c85ba7717961735e6f99140b5150