1	The Fonseca Phenomenon This Colombian pop icon has earned his superstar status the old-fashioned way: with talent. read more...
2	The Magic Number When you’re a musician, the goal is to hit No.1. Here’s a look at some of Latino artists that have graced the top of the charts. read more...
3	Required Playlist We spotlight eight very varied albums with one thing in common: You shouldn’t live without them. read more...
4	El Judio Maravilloso Larry Harlow began his music career in the Catskills more than half a century ago. He’s still making music, while at the same time teaching the next generation. read more...
5	Under the Radar You may not have heard of these music artists—yet—but their work makes them almost sure-fi re stars of tomorrow. read more...
6	The Sound Circuit A roll call of some of the top Latin music festivals anywhere and the personalities they have attracted. read more...

Music Special

Under the RADAR

You might not have heard their album or recognize their names, but every one of these artists is sure to fi nd fame. Whether a fearless Spanish rapper, a blazing guitar duo or Pan-American rock phenoms, all of these acts have a growing cult following sure to
push them from indie favorites today to superstars tomorrow.

THE D.E.Y.
Who: A power trio, The D.E.Y. is made up of MC Divine, Élan and Yeyo, three intensely talented musicians with Puerto Rican, Cuban and African American backgrounds. Growing up in New York, the three came together to record music with a distinctly urban sound while tackling topics like youth, love and social problems such as police corruption and violence.
Sounds Like: They’ve been compared to the hip-hop greats The Fugees and Black Eyed Peas, and though they are in great company there, The D.E.Y. is distinctly individual. Very radio-friendly, their tracks blend rap, hip-hop and powerhouse R&B vocals, while also incorporating Afro-Latino beats and Spanglish lyrics. Two singles are out now as fans await a full album.

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA
Who: Take two musicians from Mexico with punk and heavy metal backgrounds and infl uences from Black Sabbath to salsa. This pair would seem quite possibly the least likely Spanish Flamenco duo. Add to that the fact that they are based, of all places, in Ireland. Yet Rodrigo and Gabriela have developed a growing cult fan base, proving themselves worldly musicians with tracks that range from traditional Spanish riffs to fusions of American metal and gypsy folk sounds. Sounds Like: No other. Playing without vocals or background singers, the guitars are the stars of their performances. Amazingly fast and furious with their fi nger picking, Rodrigo and Gabriela can play at an incredible pace while never sacrifi c-
ing the richness of sound for speed.

MONTE NEGRO
Who: A Bilingual L.A. rocker band Monte Negro is the brainchild of vocal-
ist Kinski Gallo Ro-
driguez, drummer Xavier Lopez, gui-
tarist Jason Li Shing and bassist Rodax Rodriguez. With Mexican American, Chinese American and probably other backgrounds among the band mates, the wholly American band has much to play with, and ex-
perimenting with sound seems to be a trademark.
Sounds Like: Embracing their city’s pan-Latino surroundings, their music is reflective of the vibrancy of Colombian cumbia, regional Mexican, reggae and alternative and classic rock. Monte Negro’s eclecticism and bilingualism might remind some of the genre-busting crew Ozomatli (and to be fair the two groups have performed side by side), but where Ozo boasts a lighter sound, Monte Negro veers to the darker and harder side.

PAMBO
Who: Mexico City rockera Pambo is the new ambassador of pop rock. With music videos full of vibrant colors, off the shoulder sweaters and big sunglasses, it’s easy to categorize the singer as a one-woman Banarama. But Pambo has some pretty big songwriting chops for a 22-year-old.
Sounds Like: Sweet and authentic, her lyrics defy her age yet give shape to her generation’s hopes and frustrations. Her aptly titled debut album Poprocks is a mix of up-tempo and danceable tracks and sing-along ballads with clever word play. Inspired by Natalie Merchant, among others, the youngster has chosen strong songwriting women to look up to.

LA MALA RODRÍGUEZ
Who: The words “Spanish,” “lady” and “rapper” rarely go in the same sentence—that is, except when talking about La Mala. She is one of those artists known by all the top producers and who has collaborated with some of the most well-respected acts. Count Julieta Venegas and Gustavo Santaolalla among just two of her admirers and collaborators.
Sounds Like: A skilled and fearless lyricist, La Mala toes the line. She has enough pop sensibilities to make her widely appealing, but also an individualist streak that gives her a sound like no other, blending pop, rap, hip-hop with an undercurrent of fearless femme.

KASSIN +2
Who: Describing the sound of this unique band is tricky. A fusion of Brazilian bohemian and avant garde artistry, the trio Kassin +2, named for band leader Alexandre Kassin and his two cohorts Moreno Veloso and Domenico Lancellotti, defies label. The third installment of the +2 series, the democratic trio has also put out albums under the names Moreno +2 and Domenico +2.
Sounds Like: Their record label describes their sound as that of New Brazil, and if Kassin + 2 is an indication of that, the country, it seems, is growing more and more diverse. The band’s 2007 release Futurismo is a concoction of vintage samba, tropicalia, techno sounds and favela funk.