Difficulty: Newbie
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican Draco Rosa, or Draco for short, sings about a promised paradise somewhere near the end of the world. You have to get there, his song explains. On the guitar, Draco is backed up by a bevy of stringed instruments that create a haunting effect. Part of the video is shot on Draco’s ranch in Puerto Rico, which makes you wonder… Does the promised land look like a tropical island?
Difficulty: Intermediate
Chile
Formerly known as “Bitman y Roban,” DJ Bitman is one of the new faces of Chilean music. But DJ Bitman’s music is far from belonging to only one place: you can hear traces of Brazilian samba and even some New York hip hop. There is also some Caribbean salsa and some European dub. It’s not a surprise that people from everywhere enjoy it!
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Division Minuscula hails from Matamoros, a Mexican border town just to the south of Brownsville, Texas. Despite having disbanded for five years while members finished their degrees and helped out with family businesses, the group is back and not yet forgotten, with this hit song, Sismo (Earthquake), shaking the airwaves.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Spain
Dhira brings a heavy Hindu and Indian influence to the European club scene’s take on American hip-hop and club music. These late night party animals are said to be vegetarians who enjoy cheese sandwiches when they are not busy rapping.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Spain
Depedro is the stage name of Spanish musician Jairo Zavala and also the title of his debut album. Before going solo, Zavala had already enjoyed a productive career as a singer, guitar player, and founder of the rock band Vacazul. Listen to his song La Memoria. It's a little gloomy but, hey... who isn't a little tired?
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Argentina
This Argentine hip hop artist reminds us of the artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince. Dante has been recording since he was 14, as part of the very successful duo known as Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Colombia
Check out the video for Colombian music artist, Cynthia Montaño's upbeat single, "Chontaduro."
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Spain
A member of the all-female band "Wha Wha Buga" from Donostia, Spain, explains how the group started and gives her perspective on women in the music business.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
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.
Difficulty: Advanced
Venezuela
Cuarto Poder, one of South America’s top hip-hop groups, interprets "Aquí no se está jugando" (Not fooling around here), a song that is part of their third album.
Difficulty: Beginner
Argentina
Me siento parte del rock, aunque el disco sea más pop explains Coti Sorokin (known to his fans simply as “Coti”) in an interview with MTV España. His talent is widely respected, having composed songs for the likes of Alejandro Lerner and Diego Torres, and served as producer for Los Enanitos Verdes.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
An apostador is anyone who makes a wager. Control Machete’s "El Apostador" comes off their album Uno, Dos. This exquisitely animated video backs up the song’s tale of have and have not. It must be your lucky day, because we’re betting that you are going to learn something!
Difficulty: Intermediate
Chile
Born in Chile, singer-songwriter Claudia Montoya resides in the south of Germany. In her song, "Perdí mi identidad" [I Lost My Identity], Claudia narrates her adventures and memories as an immigrant in Europe. Visit https://www.facebook.com/sabor.jam to familiarize yourself with more of Claudia's work.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Chile
Claudia Montoya shares with Yabla her most recent single, "Volverte a abrazar" [To Hug You Again]. Accompanied by an eclectic group of artists from Germany, Argentina, Cuba, Chile, Japan, Spain, and Peru, Montoya describes rhythmically this period of quarantine and her desire to return to normality.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Chile
With her eclectic and multicultural music, Yabla is lucky to have talented singer-songwriter Claudia Montoya as a friend. In “Prisionera de tu amor” [Prisoner of Your Love], the German-Chilean artist explores the musical conventions of flamenco, including its Arabic influences.
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