In spite of its small size, el ombligo sometimes makes a large impression. Cubiky, a experimental electronica band from Los Angeles, were inspired to write a funky song about it.

Our top reporter stops by Peru’s capital and catches a ride with Ulises, a taxi driver/tourist guide/cop with a thorough knowledge of the city and a great willingness to share it. Ulises takes us to the Rimac area of Lima. Rimac means que habla (“that could speak”) in Quechua, a telling name for this telling ride!

The Krayolas have been around for a long time, and their work, talent and dedication shows in “Little Fox.” We warn you: this song will be stuck in your head for several weeks.

People say that you either love or hate Monterrey rock act Panda. But in spite of some criticism, they have shown that their music is set to last, and that they have the passion to make it happen, as we can see in this live performance.

Far from Minnesota, this Spanish rock act is begging the girl to slow down. A safe thing to do, especially if the girl in question is a taxi driver.

At top of the Mexican Rock’s pyramid is Café Tacuba. Since their breakthrough Re (1994), they have reshaped themselves countless times. Rubén Isaac Albarrán Ortega, their lead singer, has a thing for changing his name. He even puts Diddy to shame! Through the years, he has been known as “Juan,” “Pinche Juan,” “Cosme,” “Masiosare,” “Anónimo,” “Nrü,” “Amparo Tonto Medardo In Lak’ech,” “At Medardo ILK,” “G3,” “Gallo Gasss,” “Élfego Buendía,” “Rita Cantalagua,” “Sizu Yantra,” “Ixaya Mazatzin Tleyótl,” “Ixxi Xoo,” and “Cone Cahuitl.” Enough for an identity crisis!

Aleks Syntek (born: Raúl Alejandro Escajadillo Peña) assumed a last name short for sin teclados (literally, without keyboards), a handle given by a friend from whom he had asked to borrow a synthesizer (looks like he bought a few since then!). This Mexican artist is well known for producing and writing songs for others as well as releasing his own records.

Amparo Sanchez – a singer and guitar player from Spain – is not afraid to mix genres, geographies and influences. On her band Amparanoia’s website, she explains: “My paranoia is music and the idea was to mix rhythms and styles, taking enjoyment from the rumba to ‘ranchera’, or the bolero and ska…” (Of course, Amparo + paranoia = Amparanoia.) Listen to 2006’s “La vida te da” and hear the Afro-Cuban rumba interpreted by this talented Spaniard.

Panda, also known as PXNDX, is a Mexican band located somewhere between punk, indie rock and pop on the musical spectrum. Narcisista por Excelencia was the first single of their 2006 album Amantes Sunt Amentes, “Lovers are crazy”.

We were driving around the roads of rural Nicaragua when we caught a glimpse of this donkey driven cart with loads of milk. We had to get to know this guy! Here it is, a YABLA exclusive with a milk seller!!

World famous boricua Ednita Nazario was once just another six year old watching a Ponce ball game. By chance a line drive flew right into the glove she held before her. The crowd went wild, and that crowd just happened to include a big record producer, who was even more impressed when she offered him a song.

Puerto Madero is both antique and fashionable. What many years ago was a commercial port is now one of the most chic parts of the city.

Plaza de Mayo is one of the most important places in Buenos Aires’s History. It was the center of many political events and has seen the likes of Evita, Perón, and the “Madres de Mayo”.

Some people could see Arturo Vega as just a guy who happened to design the Ramones logo, but the truth is that he had to get his hands dirty with hard work, and that meant loading tons of equipment, manning the lights and basically doing whatever was needed by the band. The reward was great: thousands, maybe millions, wearing an image that he created.