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GRAMMYs

Celia Cruz

Photo: M. Caulfield/WireImage

News
The Latinas Of 'Women Who Rock' latinas-women-who-rock

The Latinas Of 'Women Who Rock'

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Sometimes Latinas are forgotten about when it comes to popular music; we look at the Latina artists who are featured in 'Women Who Rock,' a new book that celebrates female artists making contributions to popular culture
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Oct 9, 2018 - 6:21 pm

Wearing a long blue lace gown with ruffled flounce sleeves, the late salsa music queen Celia Cruz was a powerhouse onstage during the 2002 Latin GRAMMY Awards. With her trademark smile and a towering white and blue wig that was so grand it resembled a headdress, she energetically belted "La Negra Tiene Tumbao," her 2001 hit song that was nominated for three Latin GRAMMYs that evening, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.

Celia Cruz's Latin GRAMMY History

This moment is highlighted in Women Who Rock, a new book that pays tribute to women who have defined, continue to define and have made contributions to popular music. The illustrated book is  densely rich and written by multiple authors, all of whom are female. It features playlists picked to sonically introduce readers to the artists they read about.

It's not an easy feat to rundown the history of women in music, however pop music critic and editor Evelyn McDonnell was determined to do just that alongside a roster of diverse women.

"I didn't want it to just be my taste. Or my opinion," shared McDonnell. "I wanted to have this pool of experts…and I really sought diversity of expertise among those writers."

One of those writers, Michelle Threadgould knew "there would be this mad dash [to feature mostly] white rock and roll female musicians." So she pitched and ultimately penned pieces spotlighting Cruz, Selena Quintanilla, Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux, Los Angeles punk rocker Alice Bag and other Latina artists featured in the book.

"I pitched…artists that I really wanted in the book and that I did not think the majority would pitch," she shared. "I have an essay in there that's about Alice Bag. Alice Bag has definitely not had pages dedicated to her in a book like this," Threadgould said.

Representation of Latin Women in Music

"I feel like [Latinas tend] to get left out of a lot of discourses," McDonnell said. "Beginning with Celia Cruz, who's someone I think is so amazing and sometimes not acknowledged enough outside the Latino community."

"There's so many interesting things about Celia," Threadgould said. "I think the hardest thing is things that you leave out."

we dance. we sing. we celebrate 5 years of days are gone by singing selena pic.twitter.com/I6jx9mmhgl

— HAIM (@HAIMtheband) October 1, 2018

Threadgould begins Cruz's chapter with her 2002 Latin GRAMMY performance and goes into the Afro-Latina's musical style describing "her call-and-response improvisations." She also explores on her exile from Cuba, which played a crucial role in her professional and personal life.

The book also tells the story of Selena Quintanilla, the popular cumbia and Tex-Mex singer who was tragically killed in 1995 at the age of 23. In the past two decades the singer, who made history when she won Best Mexican-American Album at the 1994 36th GRAMMY Awards, has transcended the Latino community, garnering nods from the likes of rapper Drake and pop group Haim.

Although a film adaptation of Selena's life was released in 1997, starring a then relatively unknown Jennifer Lopez, was met with critical acclaim, Threadgould digs deeper into her life before and after her death. "I was also really tired of her being portrayed as this good daughter that [re-affirmed] patriarchal machismo values that were bullsh**, because that really wasn't her life," she said. "That absolutely was not. I guess it was sort of like a reframing of Selena that was important to me."

Why This Narrative Is Important To All Women

It was Selena's ability to defy her obstacles as a woman, and the resilience of all the other artists in the book that overcame their own boundaries that at the end of the day, both McDonnell and Threadgoud, hope women can draw from the book and use as encouragement in their own lives.

"It's a really tough time right now, because I think that everything that's in the news is triggering for so many women, right. It's hard. It's really hard," McDonnell said. "I'm going through that emotionally, myself. I hope that this book can be a point of inspiration."

Threadgould added: "What I think is really important is this whole idea of owning your rage, owning your ugliness, owning these aspects of yourself that aren't accepted by the patriarchy and claiming them and researching them, and not being afraid of them," she said. "Every single person that I dig was like a rebel in her own way. That's what I really hope women are inspired to be is like to be their own rebel."

Women Who Rock is available now.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2018
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GRAMMYs
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Photo: Mike Pont/Getty Images

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Mon Laferte

Mon Laferte

Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images 

News
Mon Laferte & More To Perform At Selena Sanctuary mon-laferte-gabby-moreno-highlight-immigrant-experience-selena-concert

Mon Laferte, Gabby Moreno To Highlight Immigrant Experience At Selena Concert

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The concert will take place in New York and will feature a line-up of Latin artists
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 26, 2018 - 1:17 pm

Selena continues to impact and influence generations of Latinos even after her death. Inspired by the iconic Tejano singer's legacy in music and the Latino community, a free concert will celebrate her music while bringing awareness to the undocumented immigrant experience in the U.S.

Selena for Sanctuary will be held at the Lincoln Center in New York on July 26 and will feature a lineup of Latin artists and musicians. Among them are Chilean singer and Latin GRAMMY winner Mon Laferte as well as Guatemalan Latin GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Gaby Moreno. Rock vocalist Nina Diaz, indie artist Cuco, singer/songwriter Omar Apollo, singer August Eve and DJ/producer Riobamba will also perform.

NPR's Alt. Latino's Felix Contreras will host the concert and guitarist Chris Perez, Selena's widower, will join Nina Diaz during her performance.

NYC!!

T O M O R R O W#SelenaForSanctuary

FREE!@Icryduringsex @monlaferte Gaby Moreno @ChrisPerezNow @NinaDiazMusic @_omlar @augusteverios @riobamba_dj pic.twitter.com/HRNgT0bQt9

— (@mijamgmt) July 25, 2018

The music artists will "bring their own spirit to Selena's famous melodies." It will also be an opportunity for fans to get to know a variety of nonprofits that provide aid with immigration issues. The event was music manager Doris Muñoz's idea, who began the event when her parents needed help with their immigration process. Muñoz manages Cuco and August Eve.

The concert will let fans "link arms and fight the good fight. We can do this while enjoying a beautiful night of music for our immigrant communities, at a prestigious platform like Lincoln Center where our community deserves a seat at this table," Muñoz told Remezcla. "This couldn't come at a better time."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Music Festival AUS

Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

News
Australia's Pill Testing Debate Heats Up australias-pill-testing-debate-heats-following-music-festival-deaths

Australia's Pill Testing Debate Heats Up Following Music Festival Deaths

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Authorities have threatened to cancel future music fests in order to decrease accidental on-site deaths, but others say pill testing could do more
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jan 2, 2019 - 1:19 pm

The conversation over whether pills should be tested at Australian music festivals is intensifying after two recent deaths.

A man died on Dec. 30 of a suspected overdose at the Lost Paradise music festival in New South Wales, and another man died on Jan 1. of a suspected drug overdose after attending the Beyond The Valley festival in Victoria.

Pill testing is one possible solution to the overdose deaths continuing to happen at music festivals in Australia, according to medical experts. But the option has been met with resistance.

Although the Australian Bureau Of Statistics can provide date on the number of people who have died from drug-related cases, the data does not show how many occurred "at large scale public events," according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

In 2016, there were 1,808 drug induced deaths in the country, according to the Australian Bureau Of Statistics. Illicit drugs increased that year, with the death rate from Psychostimulants quadrupling since 1999.

Authorities have threatened to cancel music festival events; the New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would do "everything we can" to shut down the Defqon.1 festival after two people died in Sept.

READ: Music Fans Traveled The World For Live Events In 2018

But some say shutting down festivals is not a realistic way of keeping people from taking illicit drugs and welcome pill testing as a way to decrease deaths.

In the past, Berejikian has had a zero tolerance stance on pill testing, stating: "Anyone who advocates pill testing is giving the green light to drugs. That is absolutely unacceptable."

But as other leaders in parts of Australia rule out pill testing at music festivals, following the recent deaths, the Premier is warming to the idea.

"If there was a way in which we could ensure that lives were saved through pill testing, we would consider it—but there is no evidence provided to the government on that," Berejiklian said, according to the Guardian.

READ: Hearing Clinics Help Make Summer Festivals Rock

The country held its first pill test trial at the Groovin the Moo festival in Canberra in April. Participants were able to provide a small sample of their pill(s) or powder to volunteers, who then analyzed the m in a mobile laboratory.

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner has said that the governments have to consider all available evidence to save people's lives, including pill testing.

"Pill testing is not a silver bullet, but it's a proven and positive way to help prevent this kind of tragedy, has majority support from Australians and must be at least trialed on a pilot basis —if it doesn't work, then stop it," Palmer told the Australian.

After the death of the man in New South Wales, Brisbane Water Police district commander Acting Superintendent Rod Peet said, "the best safety message is don't take drugs."

ABC Triple J conducted a survey of 11,000 young people that showed 55% have brought drugs to a festival and 83% would use pill testing, if available.

2019 Music Festival Preview: Noise Pop, Ultra & More

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Photo: JUSSI NUKARI/AFP/Getty Images

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Obama Shares 2018 Music Picks barack-obama-shares-2018-music-picks-bj-chicago-kid-courtney-barnett-and-more

Barack Obama Shares 2018 Music Picks: BJ The Chicago Kid, Courtney Barnett And More

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Obama's music picks reveal his truly wide-ranging taste
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Dec 28, 2018 - 12:08 pm

Former President Barack Obama isn’t letting go of the year-end roundup tradition he began while in office. Two years after his last term ended, No. 44 has released his pop culture picks of 2018, including his top songs of the year.

From The Carters' "Apes**t" to Tonina's "Historia De Un Amor" (feat. Javier Limón and Tali Rubinstein,) Obama's music picks reveal his truly wide-ranging taste. Other songs include Cardi B's "I Like It" (feat. Bad Bunny and J Balvin,) Lord Huron's "Wait By The River," Brandi Carlile's "Every Time I Hear That Song," Anderson East's "King For A Day," and H.E.R's "Could've Been" (feat. Bryson Tiller.)



View this post on Instagram


As 2018 draws to a close, I’m continuing a favorite tradition of mine and sharing my year-end lists. It gives me a moment to pause and reflect on the year through the books, movies, and music that I found most thought-provoking, inspiring, or just plain loved. It also gives me a chance to highlight talented authors, artists, and storytellers – some who are household names and others who you may not have heard of before. Swipe through to see my best of 2018 list – I hope you enjoy reading, watching, and listening.

A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama) on Dec 28, 2018 at 6:31am PST

"It gives me a moment to pause and reflect on the year through the books, movies, and music that I found most thought-provoking, inspiring, or just plain loved," Obama wrote on Facebook about continuing his roundups. "It also gives me a chance to highlight talented authors, artists, and storytellers – some who are household names and others who you may not have heard of before. Here’s my best of 2018 list - I hope you enjoy reading, watching, and listening."

Obama also remembered to include artists from his hometown of Chicago: BJ The Chicago Kid and Chance The Rapper made his list with their songs "Turnin' Me Up" and "My Own Thing" (feat. Joey Purp), respectively.

International picks include music from Mali's Fatoumata Diawara, Australia's Courtney Barnett and the U.K.'s Tom Misch.

The former President also gave a special shout-out to GRAMMY-winning jazz legend Nancy Wilson, who died in early December at the age of 81.

READ: Nancy Wilson, Legendary Vocalist And Jazz Icon, Dies At 81

Outside of music, Obama also revealed his favorite movies and books, naming wife Michelle Obama's Becoming as his favorite read of the year.

Ed Sheeran, Mariah Carey & More Broke Big Music Records In 2018

Tags: 2018, Latest News, Jennifer Velez, Barack Obama, music, Cardi B, The Carters, Courtney Bartnett, H.E.R, Chance The Rapper, BJ Chicago The Kid, Nancy Wilson, Anderson East, Tonina, Lord Huron, Barndi Carlile, Fatoumata Diawara, Tom Misch, 

61st GRAMMY Awards
News
Who Will Voters Pick For Best Latin Pop Album? poll-who-do-you-think-voters-will-choose-best-latin-pop-album

Poll: Who Do You Think Voters Will Choose For Best Latin Pop Album?

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With Pablo Alboran, Claudia Brant, Natalia Lafourcade, Raquel Sofia, and Carlos Vives nominated in this category, there is no doubt this will be a tough choice for voters
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Dec 26, 2018 - 9:32 am

The 61st GRAMMY Awards' Best Latin Pop Album category reflects not only a diversity of artists from all over Latin America and from Spain, but also a range of experiences, backgrounds and voices that make up the Latin pop genre today.

From Spain's Pablo Alboran incorporating Latin urban rhythms in songs about love on his album Prometo to first-time nominee Argentine singer/songwriter Claudia Brant's passionate, personally fulfilling Sincera, there’s no doubt this will be a tough choice for voters.

Polls

Who Do You Think Voters Will Choose For Best Latin Pop Album?

Mexican singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade is also in the running. Lafourcade pays homage to popular Latin American music composers by giving well-known and cherished classics her own touch in Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos), Vol. 2.

Or it could go to Puerto Rico's Raquel Sofia, who dived deep into personal themes, including heartbreak, bringing together soul, jazz, pop and more.

And we can’t forget Colombian singer/songwriter Carlos Vives, who on Vives gave us his lively, upbeat sounds, but also brought light to social issues in countries like Mexico.

While you'll have to tune in to the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb.10 to find out who voters chose, you can make your voice heard by voting above. So, which Latin Pop Album would you vote for?

Urban Latin Music Dominated 2018, According To Streaming Services

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.