Arguably North America’s first boy band, Menudo found epic success before the Backstreet Boys were even out of diapers. The group’s career spanned four decades and involved 32 young men, many albums and a lot of controversy. In this week’s episode we explore the impact, trajectory and dark side of Menudo.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and rape involving minors.

Featuring music by Menudo.

Show notes: bit.ly/3oEXWT1

Follow us:

instagram.com/RadioMenea

twitter.com/RadioMenea

tinyletter.com/RadioMenea

The rises on jeans were low, mp3 players were new, and the president was lying about the existence of weapons of mass destruction to invade a whole country to avenge his daddy and make his VP some cash. The year is 2003, and twenty years ago (!!!) the musical landscape looked….vastly different. We were coming off the end of the Latin boom era of the late 90s. Meanwhile, reggaeton was on the precipice of blowing up globally, and the Latin music industry was hell bent on ignoring it. This week, we explore 2003 in music to think about what has changed, and what has stayed the same.

Featuring music by Julieta Venegas, Tego Calderón, Thalia, Fat Joe, Don Omar, Ricky Martin, Molotov, and Ivy Queen.

Show notes: bit.ly/3N37r8N

Follow us:

instagram.com/RadioMenea

twitter.com/RadioMenea

tinyletter.com/RadioMenea

April 17th would have been Chavela Vargas’ 104th birthday. We’re taking this opportunity to do a deep dive into her legendary career. An unofficial queer icon, Chavela lived outside of gender norms during a time when it was risky to do so. Despite this, she made a name for herself in Mexico with her incredible voice, becoming especially known for her renditions of classic rancheras. A complicated person and singular talent, we explore her legacy in today’s episode.

Featuring music by Chavela Vargas.

Show notes: bit.ly/3GJAHgK

Follow us:

instagram.com/RadioMenea

twitter.com/RadioMenea

tinyletter.com/RadioMenea

Hallelujah! Amen! Our Women’s History Month content is spilling into April, ¿y porqué no? The best kind of April shower this week - musiquita nueva by dope ass mujeres.

Featuring music by Olga Tañon, Xenia Rubinos, Karol G, Tei Shi, La Santa Cecilia, Pedro Hidalgo, Salt Cathedral, Nicole Manzo, and Kali Uchis.

Show notes: bit.ly/3UerVwV

Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s2RQhS

Follow us:

instagram.com/RadioMenea

twitter.com/RadioMenea

tinyletter.com/RadioMenea

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we wanted to highlight four trans Latina musicians. Especially given the increasing attacks on trans people, it felt important to celebrate and honor these women and their musical contributions.

Featuring music by Linn da Quebrada, Liniker, Arca and Villano Antillano.

Show notes: bit.ly/3TUUNKt

Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s2RQhS

Follow us:

instagram.com/RadioMenea

twitter.com/RadioMenea

tinyletter.com/RadioMenea

It’s been seven years of Radio Menea. Increíble no? This week, to celebrate our birthday, we go through our favorite songs on each of those seven years. It’s been some jams - travel in time con nosotres!

Featuring music by Manuel Turizo, MULA, Daddy Yankee, Joyce Santana, Bad Bunny, Arca, Yahritza y Su Esencia, and Lucrecia Dalt.

Show notes: bit.ly/40r9XsM

Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s2RQhS

Follow us:

instagram.com/RadioMenea

twitter.com/RadioMenea

tinyletter.com/RadioMenea

This week, Vero guides us through a dive into a Latinas making electronic music today. A genre - or set of genres! - that transcends boundaries of style and sound, music produced electronically has expanded how we perceive music, who can make it, and even what is sonically possible in endless and amazing ways.

Show notes: bit.ly/3FxhpKZ

Become a Radio Menea member: bit.ly/2s2RQhS

Follow us:

instagram.com/RadioMenea

twitter.com/RadioMenea

tinyletter.com/RadioMenea

A legendary artist, Susana Baca is also responsible for bringing Afro-Peruvian rhythms to the world stage. An incredible singer, dancer and activist, Baca’s extensive catalog honors the deep legacy of Afro-Peruvians both thematically and rhythmically. In honor of Black History Month, we take a deep dive into Baca’s life and career, bringing shine to this incredible woman who, at 78, continues her career.

Featuring music by Susana Baca

Show notes: bit.ly/3xscQgu

Follow us:

instagram.com/radiomenea

twitter.com/radiomenea

tinyletter.com/radiomenea

In the USA, Valentine’s day is exclusively focused on romantic love. Pero en América Latina es el día del amor y la amistad, and this Valentine’s day we wanna honor the love and care in friendships. The way our social structures are set up, romantic relationships seem to be set up as the ones that deserve to become the most valuable ones in our lives. We reject that premise. This week, we talk about songs that remind us about the value and radical potential of friendship.

Featuring music by Bad Bunny, Los Enanitos Verdes, Ibeyi, Los 2 de la S, Banda MS, Javiera Mena, El Chaval de la Bachata, Jubilee, Maluca, and Rey Ruiz.

Show notes: bit.ly/3IcOxcD

Follow us:

instagram.com/radiomenea

twitter.com/radiomenea

tinyletter.com/radiomenea

This week we’re bringing you the awards categories you never knew you needed. The best song for cleaning your house? For getting ready to turn up? For feeling feelings that you aren’t actually feeling? We may never make it to the Latin Grammy’s, so we decided to bring the award show to you.

Featuring music by Luisito Ayala y La Puerto Rican Power, Juan Gabriel, Wisin y Yandel, Alexis y Fido, Pepe Aguilar, Ángela Aguilar, La Marisoul, Mon Laferte, Juanes and Fuete Billete.

Show notes: bit.ly/3l5Ca9o

Follow us:

instagram.com/radiomenea

twitter.com/radiomenea

tinyletter.com/radiomenea