In case you missed it in all the media sound bites, there's a new "richest person in the world" and he is MEXICAN! Move over Billy Gates and Mr. Buffet, Forbes just released their “World’s Billionaires 2010” list, naming Carlos Slim Helu the new champion of wealth.

The Mexican tycoon whose holding include American Movil (AMX) is worth $53.5 billion, can you even visualize it? While it’s still not as much as the American National debt, El Tio Carlos could buy the country and sell it to the Chinese at profit.

The big picture here is, if he could do it...then every Carlos, Maria and Anita could do it TOO. Before you start sending your wish list, give me a second to re-address my letter to Oprah, cuz now I got my Tio Carlos! ...READ MORE

The ever chameleonic Rubén Albarrán, from Café Tacvba, has decided to shake up more than his stage name this time. The singer, formerly known as Anónimo et al, introduced his new project at the Jardín Borda, as part of the Festival Tamoanchán de Morelos. As expected, the band doesn't have a permanent name, but for now, the funky Los ZopiRockets will do. Apart from Tacvba's ¡Pinche Juan!, aka Cosme, other band members include mad violinist and Cafeta collaborator Alejandro Flores, as well as Chilean artists Juan Pablo and Rodrigo “El Chino”.

Albarrán claims that his latest work was inspired by the sound of folkloric tunes and the memory of endlessly listening to his mother's albums. He claims that although he had composed such covers before, this was something he felt he had to do. That attitude reminds us of Café Tacvba, an honest and refreshing band when it comes to their music.

I know that Café Tacvba fans must be feeling somewhat nervous, seeing Albarrán part aside and do his own thing, but remember that it's for a greater good, in the name of pretty interesting music. Besides, who knows? Maybe Los ZopiRockets will become the next Café Tacvba.

Videos after the jump.

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Nothing's more endearing than realizing the man of your physical dreams is also in touch with his feelings, and has no qualms with expressing them freely. Take Billy Mendez, for example (not to be confused with the lead singer of Mexican band Motel). The Uruguay-born artist sings and writes from the heart, and fortunately for our vain selves, isn't bad on the eyes.

Billy used to dream of stardom from a young age, which is why he decided to head to Florida. There, he started writing for local artists in Miami and in New York, his hometown. Although he's currently unsigned, he's managed to start recording his first solo album, and hopes to one day share a stage with Shakira. Although most of the songs are ballads, it also features some pop, R&B and more Latino sounds.

Billy has chosen the mushy-wushy "Miradas" as his first single, check out the music video after the jump.


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It’s that time of year… as college students around the country pack their bags for Panama City and Cancun, music nerds all over embark on an alternative spring break of their own and head to …TEXAS!

Das right… it’s South by Southwest (SXSW and you say it "South By") time, and Remezcla is Lonestar State-bound to take in five days of non-stop musica, and report back with our findings.

South by South-Whaaa?

Part conference, part festival, SXSW isn’t just industry schmoozing for the jaded and snobby (though there’s plenty of that)–it’s any music lover’s wet dream; a five day party like no other …with quite the soundtrack. The streets of downtown Austin are closed off, making way for the crazy mix of bands, fans, press, groupies, bloggers, label execs, and wannabes to mingle and roam freely from party to showcase to BBQ to party to showcase… catering nicely to impromptu street performances, not to mention quality people watching.

SXSW is where many bands “get discovered,” and while previously it was all about getting signed by a label, now it’s more about catching the attention of bloggers, brands, and tastemakers, and just creating general buzzzzzzz. Traditionally an indie-rock (en inglés) affair, SXSW has gotten progressively more eclectic over the years, and 2010 offers up a verrrry long list of Latin American, Spanish, Brazilian, and US-based Latino acts that we couldn’t catch anywhere else.

Media outlets and brands dominate the daytime fun at “South By,” with afternoon open-bar parties and BBQs with more free music than anyone could possible keep track of. The official showcases take priority at night, giving you the opportunity to catch the next big thing (and plenty of already big things) in a small club setting that you couldn’t ever get at Coachella, Lollapalooza, or the like. Post showcases, afterparties take over, with DJs (and more bands) galore until the wee hours of the morning (or till the Austin po-lice shut things down…). Sleep is optional, but recommended.

SXSW 2010

This year, we're very pumped about having our second annual Official Remezcla.com Showcase, this time in conjunction with BMI! More details about our Showcase here and make sure to follow all the action in our Remezcla SXSW 2010 Guide.

See you in Austin or follow our adventures online!

Image: N.A.S.A. at the Filter party at SXSW '09

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As a native of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, I always prayed for two things when it came to public transportation: One, the demise of the unholy mess known as AMET, the transportation authority that requires a -40 IQ of its traffic conductors. And two, that Enrique Peñalosa, the Colombian urban planning mastermind, would somehow get to be our mayor. Peñalosa is often canonized for his outstanding overhaul of Bogota's public transportation system, and one of his go-to strategies was the cost-friendly dedicated bus lane system called Transmilenio.

My prayers have been half-answered. The AMET is still the lion pack of Santo Domingo's concrete jungle, but a Peñalosa-influenced system is now making its way to my current home, New York City: The Department Of Transportation announced yesterday that the Transitway, a dedicated bus lane system will soon be in place on a 34th St crosstown route. According to Streetsblog, the plan "adds full separation from traffic, with two-way bus service operating on one side of the street." It also includes a pedestrian plaza between Fifth and Sixth avenues, and it's projected to "improve [bus speeds] 35 percent, cutting river-to-river travel time to 20 minutes."

Color me shocked. Is America The Mighty actually importing ideas from its southern neighbors? For a nation that aims to see itself as a green think tank, it must be humbling to be fishing for ideas in Colombia, of all places. If anything, even I would have expected the ideas to come from (fingers crossed) future world superpower Brazil.

But wait! The dedicated bus lane idea did come from Brazil, after all: Peñalosa's direct inspiration hails from the fast-flowing streets of Curitiba, Brazil's own green think tank. The city's URBS lines have offered dedicated express lines since the early 90's, and the tube-shaped street-level stations work the same way a subway platform would, enabling pre-boarding payment and line transfers. I remember being marveled at the nearly seamless and comparatively inexpensive system when I visited South Brazil, and became a full-on devotee when I made use of its Mexican offspring, the Mexico City Metrobus.

But I'm confused now. Does this mean that America could partially downgrade to developing status (after all, Saint Peñalosa opted for Transmilenio after the subway option was deemed to expensive), or that Brazil, Mexico and Colombia are getting closer to development? There might be a silver lining to the economic downturn in the urban planning sector: This might just be the decade of truly, not-just-for-show cost-effective solutions, regardless of their origin. All I know is that somewhere in the world, Julia Sweig is having a laugh.

VIA: Fast Company

Image: DOT


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As we all know another earthquake shook the earth once again, but this time it was in South America, unfortunately in Chile. Chile is located under the "Circle of Fire" one of the most seismic zones in the world, and although it was not as damaged as Haiti our Chilean brothers and sisters need our help. Communications are down and highways have been greatly damaged. Many stand without roofs and rescue teams are still working to find people in between what has been destroyed.

Wondering what can be done? You can from right here, and this Thursday is your chance. Tomorrow, March 4th, Puro Chile, an organization located in downtown Manhattan along with Nesst are hosting a benefit party that will support local Chilean non-profit organizations that are channeling assistance to communities on the ground.

At this event, art and wine auctions will take place. Fine arts artists and performers from Chile will be present, among them Jorge Tacla, Sebastian Errazuriz and jazz musician Claudia Nuñez performing. Don't miss this opportunity to help Chile and also have a charming and entertaining night.

Puro Chile is located at 221 Centre Street (across of Grand Street) and the event will be from 6pm to 10pm. You can also RSVP at info@puro-chile.com ...READ MORE

In the new video for "Somos El Mundo," the Spanish version of "We Are the World," Latino artists old and new got together raise awareness and funds for Haiti. We haven't collectively laughed out loud so much in a long time when we watched it. Why? Stars, they're just like us!

Here are our Top 8 Awfully Good Moments from the video "Somos El Mundo":

8- Aventura's vocalist Anthony Romeo breathing heavily...we can't help but to expect "Somos El Mundo...So Nasty!"

7- Jon Secada, doesn't he seem whiter? Maybe he's using Sammy Sosa's cream. Contrast to Willy Chirino's orange tan a few frames later.

6- Vicente Fernandez. Come on Chente, loosen up a little, you ain't Placido Domingo!

5- Paquita La Del Barrio finally sings with love and not hate. Weird.

4- When you think of a guitar solo you think of Santana... not a pre-pubescent Emily Estefan. Seriously, leave it to the pros.

See our Top 3 Moments plus the video itself after the jump. ...READ MORE

Nacotheque party co-founder and promoter, DJ Amylulita just finished her latest DJ mix called Chula Pop Crush. The mix is dedicated (in her own words) "to club pop and dance electro-ish music." So when your getting ready to go out and party all night, this mix will charge all your batteries and get you pumped up. This free mixtape includes artists like Belanova, Anita Tijoux, and....Patricia Manterola from Garibaldi fame (random!)

Download the mixtape and check out the track list after the jump. ...READ MORE

Kevin Johansen is releasing a new live album/DVD in April titled Kevin Johansen+ The Nada+ Liniers: Vivo en Buenos Aires. The witty folk singer is bringing us a show in DVD, featuring lots of guest artists such as Kiko Veneno, Ileana Cabra (Calle 13), Fernando Cabrera and Paulinho Moska in a night of rhythmical, sweet and contagious melodies. The show was recorded in August 2000 at the Teatro El Nacional in buenos Aires and was filmed and edited by renowned Argentinean director Ariel Hassan.

Included in the live CD/DVD is one of our favorite Kevin songs, "Guacamole," originally from his 2000 album The Nada. Isn't everything better with guacamole? It sure is when Kevin makes it, even if he is not Mexican.

Watch video after the jump. ...READ MORE

Carla Morrison’s one-girl band is comprised of a Boss XL20 loops pedal, a tambourine, a melodic guitar, a Casio vintage keyboard and a mic. You couldn’t tell from the sweet, minimalistic, melancholic “Esta soledad,” the song of the week at iTunes Latino. The Mexican-born singer has often been compared to Feist and Joanna Newsom, and her voice carries hints of Lafourcade – if only Natalia indulged in songs where she never laughed at herself, but rather steeped her anger and ennui in guitar chords. Download “Esta soledad” from iTunes this week, for free, and check out Carla’s recently released EP, Aprendiendo a Aprender. Visit her MySpace here, or read her blog. ...READ MORE