Global Beat Mexico

Dance into the New Year Dec 20, 2023

Junf, Betto Arcos, and Moni Saldaña join Raul to bring you tunes for your holiday soundtrack. “Tengo Tanto Deseo de Ti” by Emally Villa brings the Señor Discos energy. “La Fiesta de Remedios” by Tepeyac Usto will get you in the cumbia spirit. And “Me Va a Costar” by Kevin Kaarl channels heartbreak and hope for the new year.

Stellar vocals and moody dance vibes Dec 13, 2023

Moni Saldaña is back with Raul and three new tracks! Mexico City’s LATIN MAFIA teams up with Humbe on a huge new hit “Patadas de Ahogado.” Nicole Horts delivers beautiful vocals on “Estrella”. Plus Youyousolo and Canal de Miramontes collab on “¿Y Si Se Me Olvida Tu Cara?” for some moody dance vibes.

Get to the dancefloor Dec 06, 2023

Junf is back with Raul and three new tracks! “No Juice” from Proux brings the Señor Discos energy to the dancefloor. “Erasmo” from Cuarto Seis, a band based in Mexico City, channels indie sounds. And rising artist Typow joins forces with Chusi and Imlaylow to fuse urban pop and R&B in “Pose.”

Rock neo norteño out of Chihuahua Nov 29, 2023

Betto is back with Raul and three new tunes. First up, Los Malagueña put a modern twist on son huasteco in “Flores Negras.” Get swept away by beautiful vocals in “Luna Entre Mis Brazos” by Sabina Miguel. And dance along to rock neo norteño music in “El Licenciado” by Los Vikingos del Norte (aka Vikings of the North!)

Slick R&B vibes from Mexico City Nov 15, 2023

Moni Saldaña is back with three fresh tracks for us: slick R&B vibes kick things off with “Azul” by Noa Sainz. Experience full vibrant color in “Abriendo Los Ojos” by Radio Carretera. And mellow shoegaze in “Más Tiempo” by Policias and Ladrones (aka Cops and Robbers or Police and Thieves) from Tijuana.

Traditional and experimental sounds out of Coyoacán Nov 08, 2023

Betto is back from Mexico with 3 tracks all recorded at a legendary studio in Coyoacán, Mexico. The spirit of son cubano and Caribbean music in Mexico intertwine in “Juego” by the late Roberto González and his daughter Julia González Larson. The violin sings in “Ojos Serranos” by trio Los Descarados. Plus sounds from Colombia, Venezuela and Morocco all come together in “Suelta Caudal” by Colectivo Novo Zambo.

Uplifting dancy tracks and Señor Discos vibes Nov 01, 2023

Junf is back with Raul and 3 danceable tracks. Two siblings from Oaxaca bring us Britpop-inspired avant garde sounds in “Bola Ora” by Valgur. A Buñuel-inspired suburban crew from the state of Mexico Unperro Andaluz brings us some relaxing psychedelia in “La Piedad.” And Daft Punk type sounds jump out in “What Should I Do with the Dreams We Left?” by Midnight Generation from Northern Mexico. Señor Discos approved. Search for “Global Beat Mexico playlist” to get all the tracks.

From Tijuana to Monterrey Oct 25, 2023

Moni Saldaña is back with two Tijuana-born bands: Vaya Futuro’s heavy rock track “Posesión” channels some angry energy. And Mint Field’s “Nuevo Sol” soothes the soul with dreamy ethereal vibes. Plus Monterrey-based artist Méne weaves his love for fútbol in his latest single “Tele”.

Beautiful rootsy sounds with guest Lila Downs Oct 18, 2023

Betto is back with Raul alongside guest curator and legendary singer Lila Downs. From the Costa Chica of Guerrero,we hear a beautiful bolero from sisters Las Hermanas Garcia, “Desesperanza.” Lila introduces us to her collaborators from Michoacán, El Trompo Trio, with “El Encerrón.” And Isaac Montijo, an indigenous artist from Sonora, brings us a cumbia-ska in “Rokerita.”

When you ask for more / I love you so much Oct 11, 2023

Junf is back with a crushy track from Baja, “Me Gustas Tanto” by KNYA. Plus two hip-hop influenced songs from Monterrey: genres collide to sultry perfection in “Cuando Me Pides Más'' by Noah Pino Palo. And N4NO (pronounced “nano”) is both a musician and chef who shouts out California in his collaboration with producer YOSHI in “Nuevas Normas.”

Who’s going to dream of us when we wake up? Oct 04, 2023

Moni Saldaña is back with 3 new tracks: a moody electronic ballad “Ahí Estaré” by Urbøi (pronounced “your boy”) is full of teen-style longing and excitement. Lorelle Meets The Obsolete is a longtime Moni favorite –and we hear why – in "Invisible.” A dream-state builds and builds in "Modelo a Seguir" by Orbe // Nacimiento.

Road-trip ready beats from Veracruz and Guerrero Sep 27, 2023

Betto Arcos is back with tracks from all over Mexico. “Buen Camino” by Laura Murcia celebrates departures, a lost friend, and the Caribbean coastal sounds of Colombia. “Zapatea” from El Monte Adentro is a foot-tapping trip through modern and traditional sounds of Jalapa. And “Estero” by Renee Mooi takes us to the moonlit wetlands of the Costa Chica of Guerrero.

The perfect soundtrack for escaping reality Sep 20, 2023

Junf is back with a ballad, a groove, and Señor Discos vibes for us. Andre Beltrán’s voice and lyrics shine in “Un Adios y Dos Olvidos.” Valeria Jasso brings us a new Yucatan sound in “Noches.” And “Again” from Tyrell and ROMderful is an English-language dance track perfect for escaping reality.

Heartbreak, dating woes, and the beaches of Oaxaca Sep 13, 2023

Moni Saldaña is back in CDMX with 3 new songs for us: breakup ballad "Atardeció Sin Vos" by El David. Real and raw tales of dating in "Wey" by Luisa Almaguer. And visual artist Macabro.tv’s foray into instrumental music with "Mermejita," calling up a favorite Oaxaca beach.

A time-unleashing spell Sep 06, 2023

Betto Arcos is back with 3 tracks that conjure some epic sounds and feelings: “Darina” by Ricardo Amadeus. “La Vaina” from Mamasonicas. And “Conjuro para desatar el tiempo” by Troker.

Cumbia is the new punk Aug 30, 2023

Junf is back with Raul to play 3 new songs for us. Modern cumbia gets an accordion twist in “Fantasma” by Rocko Paez. From the Monterrey scene, Kiddie Gang is not quite a band, not quite a collective. Their dreamy new track is “Vampiro.” And electronic DJ Ferraz channels the sounds of CDMX clubs, from disco to Venezuelan influences, in “Latin Boogie,” remixed by Derrick Mckenzie of Jamiroquai.

Dreamy guitars and flashes of lightning Aug 23, 2023

Betto is back with 3 new tracks for us showcasing traditional folklore sounds in contemporary ways. Ernesto Anaya plays over 30 instruments and brings that flash in “El Relámpago.” Valeria Rojas of the supergroup Los Folkloristas has a new solo single “La Pajarera.” Xinto Stevenz found his stage name while living in Los Angeles for a short stint, and then returned to Mexico City where he plays the guitarra de son, the traditional instrument of Veracruz on “Sueño.”

So many shows and future cult artists Aug 16, 2023

Moni Saldaña is back with 3 new tracks for Raul: Mexico City psych-rockers Supersilverhaze have a new single “Antropoceno.” Next, Guadalajara-based hip-hop artist Samantha Barrón with “Como Las Aves.” And cult indie producer Sanje goes solo with “Buen Fantasma.”

Introducing Global Beat Mexico Aug 16, 2023

Sit back, recline your seat, and join KCRW’s Raul Campos on a journey through some of the freshest music from México. Three new tracks every week from our curators, Mexico City DJ and music supervisor Junf, director of Festival NRMAL Moni Saldaña, and NPR’s Betto Arcos.

A family affair and big festival energy Aug 09, 2023

This edition is a family affair. Moni Saldaña joins Raul Campos to break down some serious sonic connections featuring Global Beat alumni and KCRW mainstays alike. Grenda’s “Eye For You” is sung in English, fusing downtempo electronics and emo-melodics into a yearning, pulsating gem. Nsqk (pronounced like the powdery milk treat) brings us a sonic confection in “El Tiempo Que Necesitas.” And Los Benders’ “Playa Privada” is a bouncy, whistle-centric ray of sunshine just begging to be shouted along to with a massive festival crowd.

New holiday classics for your playlists Aug 08, 2023

Betto Arcos gives us the gift of holiday-inspired bangers, straight from Mexico’s emerging alternative scene. Folk and jazz sounds from around the world are reimagined and delivered with passion and punch from artists Amir Moreno, Chalanes del Amor, and Arturo O’Farrill.

Mind-melting psychedelia Aug 07, 2023

Moni Saldaña is back with Raul Campos, bringing three gems that spotlight the creative flair of women in the Mexican alternative scene. Listen in for chill indie-rock vibes, a fun and funky bedroom pop tune, and some mind-melting psychedelia. Artists in this episode: Películas Geniales, Elis Paprika, sailawway.

Gulf Coast action and jazzy luxury Aug 06, 2023

NPR’s Betto Arcos returns to the table for another IQ-sharpening session through deep knowledge of Mexico’s regionally specific histories, and the myriad ways music is able to amplify the past and the present… often simultaneously. This episode features artists Embrujo Huasteco, Stephanie Delgado, Maria Moctezuma.

Nostalgia rock and sultry sunlit alt Aug 05, 2023

Moni Saldaña returns to Global Beat: Mexico with hand-selected tracks that blend the sounds of the past as filtered through the youthful creativity of the future. Dark and sultry tones present themselves only to be immediately contrasted by moments of pure light. Prepare for total immersion in the brilliance of Mexico’s alternative’s future with Los Flakos, Mercedes Nasta, Rodrigo Blanco, Bobui.

Daytime disco and a Michoacán migration Aug 04, 2023

Junf and Raul (affectionately known as Raulito) are back with a full slate of bangers representing avant-folk, daytime disco, and globe trotting hip-hop collabs. Artists featured include Axel Catalán, Plano (CDMX DJ duo Rodrigo Casarín and Juan Andrés Vergara), and Mexico’s MC Masta Quba, Spain’s P. Jaguar, and Peru’s A.C.O on “Conmigo.”

Tongue twisters with your favorite freak Aug 03, 2023

Raul Campos and Moni Saldaña are back with 3 tracks perfect for getting lost in an afternoon daydream: Mexico City’s Marion Raw with indie-folk gem “Ghost in the Machine.” “Felpa” from Parque de Cometas is a sweet and sultry delight infused with notes of psychedelia and fuzz-rock. And, named after a classic Mexican tongue twister, Pepe Pecas is a mystical musical character emerging from Mexico City, best described as "your favorite freak".

CDMX artists breaking internationally Aug 02, 2023

Mexico City DJ Junf is back with a bang, putting us onto some young independent artists making a name for themselves in international scenes. Whether you’re craving a soft and soothing love song, a dreamy, upbeat folk number, or an all-out rave banger, this episode has a treat in store for you from artists Ilse Hendrix, Yöels, and Future Feelings.

Women in the Mexican alt scene Aug 01, 2023

Moni Saldaña highlights some of the most cutting-edge women in the alternative Mexican scene with tracks from Mabe Fratti, Margaritas Podridas, and Kirnbauer.

Mexico City indie excellence Jul 31, 2023

Junf is back and better than ever with selections from Guadalajara and Mexico City. Cubo-Caribbean sounds meet traditional dance hall music, modern indie meets R&B, and house meets disco in these delightfully diverse tracks from Ángel Céspedes, Ana Verá, and Hotmood.

Introducing Moni and Mexican underground Jul 30, 2023

Our curator Moni Saldaña has been embedded amongst México’s most progressive, underground music communities for the past 15 years. We anticipate an onslaught of hidden gems from her, starting with the antics of Sgt. Papers, the debut solo work from Myuné of the excellent Mexico City-based shoegazers Mint Field, and supergroup iiis (pronounced like “ay ay ays!”) consisting of members of Petite Amie and Little Jesus.

Introducing Betto and Veracruz vibes Jul 29, 2023

Betto Arcos introduces us to artists and instruments from the Gulf state of Veracruz alongside outputs from CDMX. Arcos serves up 3 tracks: isolation vs. illumination from Hela San, an Instagram DM-turned-symphonic-pop fantasia from Verónica Valerio x Van Dyke Parks, and the shape of Mexican jazz to come with Vico Diaz.

Introducing Junf and the “new cumbia” sound Jul 28, 2023

Junf is a DJ and music supervisor in Mexico City aka CDMX, sharing three jovial tracks with KCRW’s Raul Campos. It’s avant-garde, it’s psychedelic, it’s Mexico meets Argentina for the future with Sonido Gallo Negro’s “Bufo.” Then, dream-like vocals paired with simplistic, twangy guitar lines in “Antes” from Monstruos del Mañana. And “Discoman” from YoSoyMatt, French Braids, and Eva de Marce is the perfect track for roller skating by the beach.

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