María “La Mala” Rodríquez’ latest effort has taken Spain by storm. The record, says María, is called Alevosía because “Lo he hecho a tiro hecho, sobre seguro y no hay fallos. Lo he hecho queriendo.” YaTv.com calls her “the most courageous voice” of Spanish rap today.

Javier Garcia was born in Madrid to a Cuban father and spent his earliest years in Spain before heading to boarding school in Ireland (from whence his mother comes), finishing high school in Miami after the age of 16. So what kind of Spanish accent does he have? Well, by his own admission, something of a Cuban one when he sings, a kind of a Spanish one when he talks… (we called him and asked!)

Ever find it nearly impossible to get home after a rough night out? Javier Garcia gives musical life to just such a scenario in A Casa. Cuídate, it’s a catchy tune!

If Javier doesn’t get you swinging, swaying and stumbling over your two left feet with this tune, you’re at the wrong site! The trumpet is courtesy of the incomparable Arturo Sandoval, who we had the pleasure of seeing at the Blue Note a while back. A drunken and noisy Tom Jones showed up mid-set with full entourage, causing the fiery Sandoval to call for ¡cállate!

Me Gustaria blends Cuban son, guajira and charanga, accented with a little hip-hop. Javier Garcia “would like” to please your musical palate, give it a listen!

Javier Garcia. Keep your ear to the sound system, we’re catching his tunes popping up at downtown lounges and restaurants. Come along for a ride as our man is at the helm of the tranquila bus. This song was Javier’s first release, and garnered gold records in three countries. It’s guaranteed to have you moving “suave, suavecito.”

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.

If you have ever seen Almodovar’s Matador you are familiar with the “black widow” phenomenon. Javier García explores the same territory here, tongue firmly in cheek, in his remix video for Me Gustaría, which might make you think twice before chatting up that sexy pole dancer you meet at the airport.

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. For all you semiotics majors, Maria “La Mala” Rodriguez explores the intersection of sex, commerce, technology, gender and competition in "Jugadores, Jugadoras" (Male Players, Female Players).

Ángeles Morales de las Heras, a.k.a. Shaila Dúrcal, the child of pop stars Rocio Dúrcal and Antonio Morales Barreto, grew up in Madrid but spent much of her life on the road touring the world with her mom. No stranger to the limelight, she debuted on Spanish television at 12, singing for Nikka Costa, who was then 19. Adult success was not immediate, but came quickly with the release of the highly sentimental, Recordando, her second album.