--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anani-kaike/message ..read more

She was a teacher, social worker, "Las Hijas de la Libertad" organizer, and a revolutionary. She stood ready to giver her life for the liberation of her country. Though she never fired a single shot, she was charged with murder for the deaths of 3 police officers during the October 30, 1950, Jayuya uprising. Her name was Blanca Canales and this is her story. Songs: Idioma Patria y Bandera - Edwin Colon Zayas, Luis Miranda En un bello amanecer - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro' La Estrella Sola - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro' Further listening and reading: Podcast on Pedro Albizu Campos Blog post on ..read more

As we celebrate women's history month, enjoy this first part of three episodes celebrating women in Latin music this month. This week will celebrate Cuban artists through the years from the 1800's to the modern day; learn about the elders right up until today. Songs: Maria Teresa Vera - Pensamiento Rita Montaner - Rumba Guajira  Juana Coralia Lopez - Isora Club  Paulina Alvarez - Maiz pa' los pollos  Esther Borja - Lagrimas Negras  Xiomara Alfaro - Angelitos Negros Maria Luisa Chorrens - Eso Olga Chorrens - Te Adoraré Graciela Perez - El Fin Olga Guillot - Tengo Que Acostum ..read more

Did you know the author of the original lyrics of 'La Borinquena' was a woman named Lola Rodriguez de Tio? Rodriguez de Tio was a poet, abolitionist, independence activist and strong proponent for women's rights in Puerto Rico. She also wrote that now famous line, often attributed to José Martí, "Cuba y Puerto Rico son dos alas del miso pajaro" (Cuba and Puerto Rico are two wings of the same bird). Learn about her here for women's history month!  Songs:  La Borinqueña - Rafael Alers  La Borinqueña - Danny Rivera  La Estrella Sola - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro' --- Send in a ..read more

As we celebrate women's history month, enjoy this first part of three episodes celebrating women in Latin music this month. This week will celebrate Puerto Rican artists through the years from the 1800's to the modern day; learn about the elders right up until today.  Elisa Tavarez - un recuerdito Victoria Hernandez/Rafael Hernandez -  Perfume de Gardenia  Julita Ross - Tu y Yo Graciela Rivera - No me beses mas  Carmen Delia Dipini - Delirio Sylvia Rexach - Olas y Arenas Myrta Silva - Puerto Rico del Alma  Ruth Fernandez - que cancion mas linda  Lucy Fabrey - Pri ..read more

On March 1, 1954 gunfire erupted in the US House of Representatives. Just seconds before, someone had shouted the words, “Que Viva Puerto Rico Libre!”. The woman who uttered the cry for liberty was none other than Lolita Lebron. One might think, without knowing the experiences that led to Lebron’s actions, that she was some kind of violent psychopath or mentally ill fanatic, as she was characterized by US media. But as we look deeper into her actions, we see this “attack” was actually a cry for liberty from a voiceless people. It was resounding demand for justice and sovereignty. As we further ..read more

 As Black History Month comes to a close, join me on a musical exploration of the role of Africa in many forms of Latin music.  Que le paso - Cortijo, Kako, Chivirico Rumba Para los Rumberos - Los Muñequitos de Matanzas   Dilo Como Yo - Patato y Totico En la Cumbre - Celeste Mendoza  Rio Esta Hondo - Jerry Gonzalez  Caballero que bomba - Cortijo Su Combo  A la verdegüe - Cortijo, Kako, Chivirico A bailar mi bomba - Roberto Roena  Majestad Negra - Grupo Afro Boricua  Bailando Plena - Moncho Leña, Mon Rivera  Pa' los Boricuas ausentes - Cesar Co ..read more

It’s Luis Muñoz Marin’s birthday, so let’s take this opportunity to highlight the atrocities he committed against Puerto Rico. Luis Munoz Marin rose from being, in all estimations, one big failure to being a senator and later the governor of Puerto Rico. It was quite a feat, but what he did with his newly acquired power was another story. Marin declared martial law to quell the 1950 Nationalist uprisings, had two towns in Puerto Rico bombed by P47 Thunderbolt warplanes, used carpetas to spy on and convict innocent people, only guilty of not supporting him, and even enacted the 1948 Gag Law pre ..read more

Whether he played the most traditional Cuban rumbas, odes to the Orishas, Charanga, Latin Jazz or even new takes on soul classics, Mongo Santamaria had a unique, easily recognizable, yet versatile sound. Today's show celebrates the life, music and legacy if this giant in Afro-Cuban percussion after the 20th anniversary of his passing and for the start of Black History Month.   Sofrito  Para Ti Palo Mayombe  Afro Blue  Agua Limpia Todo Wolenche for Chango O' Mi Shango Chano Pozzo Columbia  Watermelon Man  Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay  Sometimes Bread  ..read more

Did you know that Pedro Ortiz Davila, better known a Davilita, sang the first version of Rafael Hernandez’s tear welling ode to Puerto Rico, Lamento Borincano? Or that Davilita was an ardent supporter of the Partido Nationalista Puerto Rico, and he sang and composed songs in support of the island’s independence movement? The prolific and beloved vocalist worked with the likes of Rafael Hernandez, Pedro Flores, Daniel Santos and Felipe ‘La Voz’ Rodriguez. Though his name is scarcely mentioned today, and his contributions are often overlooked, Davilita’s voice is one that should be upheld and hi ..read more