Útilies. It relates to school supplies, including notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, paper, scissors… anything children need to get through the school year. Not a big deal for the middle class, but it can be a serious challenge to those of lesser means. López Obrador made it a campaign promise that útilies would be provided free to all children throughout Mexico, just as he did for the children of Mexico City while he was mayor.

At one time or another all our hearts have been broken. That’s why we bring you this song by Puerto Rican superstar Ednita Nazario. Active since 1961, she’s learned a thing or two about broken hearts. Here’s a helpful guide to mending and moving on!

Milagros and Evo can’t stand each other…. Or maybe they can’t stand to be apart from each other. It seems that everybody is struggling to find their other half or, like our Argentinian friends would say, their media naranja.

Who said that love songs can’t be fun? Even if we still don’t understand the relationship between the song and the video, we really enjoyed the adventures of this security guard in the middle of the night.

Just, as immigration is a big campaign issue in the US, emigration touches a nerve in Mexico. When Andrés Manuel Lopéz Obrador ran for president of Mexico in 2006, he wanted to make it clear that his goal was to create jobs, in Mexico, so that would-be migrants would feel less need to flee north.

The most famous Colombian hips belong to Shakira. In this video we see a lot of the sensual dance and catchy music that have made Shakira’s name known throughout the whole world. Beware the full moon when this lovely she-wolf is on the prowl.

Here’s the second part of the interview with Goy of Karamelo Santo. They are among the leaders of their home country’s independent music scene (Argentina). All their records were self produced—the major labels just weren’t interested in a band which plays free shows for the unemployed and pokes fun at the international monetary fund.

Chayanne sings (and dances) to tell us all about Lola, who does not sound like a nice woman. Pity the fool that stands between Lola and her shallow pursuits!

Is it by chance that Diego Maradona IS Maradona and you are not? “Life is a raffle, lottery or game of chance,” claims the refrain of this catchy song by Manu Chao. But if you were Maradona, what would you do? Would you live like him? Listen in and ponder the question.

Goy plays guitar and sings for Karamelo Santa, one of the best ska bands in Latin America. Argentina is the band’s homeland (they are practically from the Pampas). But the 7 boys with wild hair and wild songs do not sing around a Gaucho campfire; their sound reverberates in the world’s largest cities.

Yabla is in the historic center of Lima, the capital of Peru, on a national holiday and a saint’s day, no less. If you’re going to be stuck in a bit of traffic on a tour, Lima’s famous Plaza de Armas is a great place to be. There’s so much to see: The presidential palace, a 16th century cathedral and more. Come see for yourself.

After the party, there’s a lot of cleaning up to do. Milagros feels used, Ivo feels compelled to ask for Milagros’ dismissal and the house is a mess.

Life on Mars? A star invasion? As usual, our boys of La Gusana Ciega are a bit surreal, a bit out there, but always fun to listen to. Enjoy the ride.

Let’s listen to more of this love story, starring a German woman and a Peruvian man on a date with destiny!

Explosive rhythms and politically incorrect lyrics are part of what made Calle 13 an international superstar. This song "Atrévete-te-te" is one of their first hits that made people turn their heads and move their hips all over the dance floor.