U-LAB Podcast

17: Alvaro Díaz. Episode 17

The Puerto Rican indie rapper was delving into trap in Spanish way before reggaeton stars ventured into the genre. Still, he considers himself an outcast in the island's urban scene, while getting accolades in Mexico and abroad. Alvaro Díaz just signed a deal with Universal and 2018 will be a big year for him.

Jacqueline Santillán (Wait.Think.Fast). Episode 16

Out of unimaginable loss, the Los Angeles-based band Wait.Think.Fast. crafted beautiful, hopeful songs for their new album, 'Dale Tiempo'. I spoke with the band's frontwoman about dedicating the album to her late father, Julio.

Sokio. Episode 15

This Chilean composer and musician Sokio (Mauricio Díaz) is behind the 2nd annual New Latin Wave festival in New York City, where he aims to bring together Latinx music, journalism, gastronomy and art.

Glenda del E. Episode 14

This Cuban pianist and composer has been part of Alejandro Sanz's touring band for the past two years. Glenda is U-LAB Music's artist of the month for September. We spoke about her musical family, moving to Toronto as a teenager and a crazy dream she had about her idol, Stevie Wonder.

Luna Olavarría Gallegos. Episode 13

For years, Buena Vista Social Club is all most people knew about Cuban music. Luna Olavarría Gallegos is a writer whose work has appeared in The Fader, The Guardian, Remezcla and more. She is the executive producer of the Afrorazones multimedia project, which includes a compilation album of Afro-Cuban artists exploring race and identity through hip hop, R&B and spoken word.