“El Hijo de Hernandez” by Cuarteto de Nos

Cuarteto de Nos – Bipolar

Latin Media Gurus: Cancion del día.

Aqui esta algo que nos encantó aqui en LMG! Un grupo procedente de Uruguay, llamado Cuarteto de Nos.

Un grupazo con una buena propuesta de rock! El productor de este proyecto es el mismísimo Juan Compodónico, uno de los cuantos miembros del grupo de electro tango, Bajofondo. Además, este video es de otro nivel! Que bárbaros!

Asi que escuchen, y disfruten de esta muy buena cancion.

Great song and video! “El Hijo de Hernandez” by Cuarteto de Nos. They are from Uruguay and their album is produced by Juan Campodónico (that’s right, one of the members of Bajofondo). Let me know what you think.

By the way, this video is absolutely genius!

Cuarteto de Nos – Video de El Hijo de Hernandez

A Spectacular Future Awaits David Estrada in the MLS! Exclusive Interview!

David Estrada Is Drafted Into the MLS

By Efraín Cruz, Latin Media Gurus Contributor

Hello fellow LMG followers, I had the great opportunity of speaking with four-year UCLA soccer player David Estrada who was just drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft with the 11^th pick overall to the Seattle Sounders FC.

David was born in Morelia, Michoacán and raised in the agricultural community of Salinas, California. Having walked on to UCLA his freshman year, he surprised everyone becoming Soccer America’s freshman of the year.

Now four years later he has the opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing professionally. I caught up with David during this very special moment for him and his family.

Interview with David Estrada

Latin Media Gurus Exclusive

E: First of all congratulation on being selected in the MLS draft! What was your initial reaction upon you hearing your name?

D: Thank you. It was a huge surprise and did not expect it at all. When I heard my name announced I honestly lost my mind and ran out of my house and screamed my lungs out, then called my cousin Jazz who lives in L.A. to share the moment.

E: What were your expectations going into this draft? Was entering the MLS Draft always your plan?

D: I expected to go early 3th or 4th and it never really crossed my mind that I would be chosen in the first. I decided I would give it my all when I heard I was going to be invited to a couple of combines and especially the MLS combine.

E: Tell me about your family, they must have been really excited! What does this mean for your family?

D: I have an amazing family that has always been supportive of what I’ve done in soccer from high school to UCLA and now this new chapter in my soccer career. They were all really proud of me and it’s because of their support that I believe I have come this far. Jazz Rodriguez is a cousin from LA who had never stop believing in me and he is a big reason of why I have come this far.

E: Growing up in Salinas, CA was playing futbol professionally always your goal?

D: Since very young soccer was something I wanted to continue doing as long as I could. I never thought I would have played at UCLA until my sophomore year (in high school) when my cousin told me he believed I had what it took to play in Division 1. During my college years he always pushed me and said I could make it. This kind of support and the hard worked paid off and I am glad I can continue playing soccer at a professional level; the money is the last of my concerns. I come from Salinas, CA an Agricultural area and I am proud of where I come from. It’s not the safest and especially the section where I am from, East Salinas, but I love it the same.

E: You’ve already faced a few obstacles, basically walking on to UCLA to being named Soccer America Freshman of the Year and then injuring your foot the next year, what have these challenges taught you as you go into the next level?

D: These have been obstacles that have made me become mature. My mental toughness is another thing that has changed and showed this past year. All these challenges where tough to overcome these past four years and I consider them beneficial to my development as a soccer player and person. I know how hard I must work and I will continue to do the same in this new chapter of my life.

E: You’re going to the Seattle Sounders who have Freddie Ljungberg, former Arsenal player and Swedish international, how does it feel to have the opportunity to train with a player of such a background?

D: I am just excited of the opportunity to play next to players like him, who have played at the highest level and hopefully can feed of his game.

E: Obviously there is a long road ahead, but what is your ultimate dream playing soccer?

D: My ultimate dream is to say I played professionally. It does not matter where but I would like to play for as long as I can. This is a great opportunity, but like you said I still have a long road ahead of me.

E: Any message for the young kids, particularly the young Latino kids out there who dream of achieving such a goal?

D: I would say to have fun and if they’re serious about pursuing something in soccer to always work hard and never let anyone tell them that they can’t do something. Always be humble.

E: That’s a great message David and just one last question out of curiosity, what was the team you rooted for growing up?

D: Cruz Azul, my man.

E: No más tienen que dejar de ser los subcampeones de México, hopefully they win the title soon.

D: Yeah man, this year for sure (laughs).

E: Thanks a lot for your time, I appreciate it a lot and the best of luck in Seattle y échale ganas!

D: Alright man, no problem. Thank you and hope all is well in LA.

David Estrada Flashes His Futból Skills

Bazuca Magazine

Bazuca Magazine

Polo y su banda

Being the first pocket size magazine to hi the Latino market since 2004, now Bazuca is online being pro-active about the scene, covering every important event in the areas of music, film and culture. Bazuca’s content is aimed at targeting latinos between the ages of 18 and over, and has done so successfully through the past few years.

Bazuca is definately a pioneer in the Latin Alternative niche, and has always provided an excellent coverage of artists and events. More importantly, each time you visit their site, theres something new and exciting to read, so I highly suggest you take a visit today.

Polo and company, great job! We’ll continue to follow your posts and events! You guys are definitely Latin Media Gurus!!

www.bazucamagazine.com

Be sure to add Bazuca on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BazucaMagazinecom/423473985690

Natalia LaFourcade En Vivo

Bazuca and The Conga Room Present

Univision Special Edition of Sabado Gigante to Aide Haiti

Unidos Por Haití

Univision Special

In efforts to aid Haiti in the aftermath of the horrendous earthquake, Univision will air a special edition of Sabado Gigante hosted by Don Francisco on Jan. 23rd Entitled Unidos por Haití (United for Haiti), in hopes to raise funds for the relief efforts to aid the devestated nation.

All of the company’s resources will be leveraged for this special program and will include Univision, TeleFutura and Galavisión personalities who will join Don Francisco in support of this fund-raising effort along with many well-known artists to be announced shortly.

“Our hearts go out to the Haitian people,” said Don Francisco. “Haiti is in desperate need of our help and our hope is that through this special program we are able to reach out to as many people as possible who want to bring much needed relief to the ravaged country”.- Don Francisco

Haiti Earthquake

Nacional Records Airs TV Commercials

Nacional Records: Conquering The Digital Domain

Innovative and Original

I recently came across the Nacional Records commercials, and I was very eager to share it with all of you.  As many of you already know, the industry has changed so much.

The way people are getting their music has affected the way people make, distribute, release, and market their music to the world. The digital domain is taking over and I’m very interested in seeing where things will turn out. Labels are crumbling, contracts are shifting into different directions and budgets are not what they once were.

In the midst of all the chaos, and commotion, there is one label that has managed to evolve with the times and use new creative and innovative ways to market and distribute their new music to fans. This Latin Alternative label is slowly becoming a model for how things will operate in the new digital era.

Nacional Records is the record label under Cookman International, a multi-faceted company that specializes in expanding the reach of Latin music and culture through artist management, special event marketing, the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) and the Latino Loop (a weekly industry newsletter emailed to over 100,000 Latin@ tastemakers).

Their music has appeared in many top movies and TV shows including Fast Food Nation, Entourage, CSI Miami and Ugly Betty. Most impressive however, is the fact that the label has the highest percentage digital sales out of any Latin record label in the market with over 10 #1 albums launched at iTunes Latino and over 15 #1 albums launched at emusic.

Keep an eye out for these guys because they’re adapting with modern times and getting results they need.

Visit www.nacionalrecords.com for more info!

Nacional Records TV Commercials

Interview // Ten Questions With Fitness Guru: Guillermo Gomez

With over 20 years of martial arts training, Sensei Guillermo Gomez holds a 3rd degree black belt in Aikido by Hombu Dojo (Tokyo, Japan), and has trained in numerous places around the globe, including China’s legendary Shaolin Temple.

Sensei Guillermo Gomez is the creator of Martial Fusion, a complete training system for the development and integration of body, mind and spirit. Based in Miami, Florida, he teaches numerous high profile clients, including police departments, private companies, and corporate groups and has taught at industry conventions worldwide. A featured consultant and industry expert, he has appeared on several television shows and in national publications including Univision, Telemundo, CNN, Fitness, and Balance Magazine.

Latin Media Gurus: Ten Questions

Sensei Guillermo Gomez

1. When did you develop a fascination with being fit, both mentally and physically? From Where did that evolve?

The fascination started with martial arts when I was 10 years old. There was something about the discipline, focus and ways that hooked me from within. I think that we value more those things that have been hard for us to get. We should always be grateful for our health.

2. Do you feel Latinos have a good fitness awareness??  How can we improve??

I don’t know. I guess all depends on the type of “Latinos” that you come across. One thing I can say is that we love to move, we love to dance, and we love expressing our emotions. The essence of martial arts practice is the expression of the self throughout the techniques and movements. There’s something about Latin culture that goes together with that essence. Can we do better? Regardless to the culture or race, we can all do better. Perfection is not a set goal, it is a way of living.

3. In the United States we struggle with both Childhood and Adult obesity, and this problem heavily affects our Latino community in the states. What can our teachers, parents and our community as a whole do to start solving the problem? Any recommendations?

Become aware! In order to solve the problem, we must understand it first. I think education is a real solid base for any society. We need to study more, learn more and educate our children and ourselves better. Not letting TV, Internet, media and video games raise our children is probably the right move at this time. We need to go back to family values and human interaction.

4. What is Martial Fusion?

Martial Fusion™ is a complete mind-body fitness program that fuses martial arts, dance and yoga. It is designed to develop a lean body and a focused mind, integrating body, mind, and spirit in a single class.

5. What does Sensei Gomez think about Zumba? Have you tried it? How does it compare to your methods in Martial Fusion?

Zumba is excellent! Beto is a great instructor and front man for this Latin dance fitness program that has grown into something that no other fitness program has done before. Martial Fusion is an evolution, a mix of many modern fitness programs, ancient philosophies and martial arts disciplines. Since I was very young, I always thought that we needed to be able to experience as much as we are able to in order to generate a real free choice. I like to pick the elements from different sources that worked for me and use them in my own development. That is what I teach my students to do. And that is what Martial Fusion is all about.

6. Who do you believe are the most fit people in the world?? Do you feel other communities have a more dynamic fitness culture?

I get asked a similar question about martial arts all the time. Which martial art is the best? And my answer is always the same, it is not the martial art, but the practitioner that makes the art come alive. Americans, Europeans, Asians, etc. I think the world has become a very small place today. We are too many, and generalizations are very hard to make these days. Whoever lives in a quiet place, surrounded by nature, feeling the sun on their skin, breathing clean air (If there’s any left) taking long walks daily, and are eating non-processed foods, in my opinion, are the healthiest people on the planet.

7. How about in Latin America, what country has the best Bodies?? Your Top 3.

Well, on this one I must go back to my roots. Venezuela, Venezuela, Venezuela of course! Look at their beautiful women. Beautiful fusion!

8. Who was your idol growing up???? How and why did he/she inspire you?

I’ve had a few, but since I was raised in an Aikido Dojo Culture, I have to say that back then Steven Seagal was the guy. I know that what we see today on “Lawman” is far from that “Above the Law” ideal. But 20 years ago, he inspired me to train in martial arts and to develop myself. I had the opportunity to train with him in Colorado about 10 years ago, and I have to say that it was a very powerful weekend – full of wisdom and new ideas to be explored. Regardless of what is presented to us today about Steven Seagal, the man is a master.

9. If you could be something other than what you currently do, what would it be? Why?

A singer, musician. They have the power to reach people in a very profound way.

10. Tu Cancion del momento..Whats on your I-Pod, right now?

A single song, not really, but the whole album by Stigmato Inc. (Reality Check) is a masterpiece for creating an ambiance of relaxation, I use it for my yoga segments of Martial Fusion.

For more information please visit: martialfusion.com

Haiti Earthquake Relief!

Mucho Music // Los Angeles’ Weekly Latin-Pop/Dance Party //

Mucho Wednesdays Rock LA!!

Mucho // Mas Que Música…

Mucho Wednesday’s is a weekly Latin-Pop/Dance Party located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles at the vibrant and historic Mexican Bar, La Cita. Mucho Wednesdays takes place every First and Third Wednesday of the month and is produced by Mucho Music.

Mucho accomplishes this by having their DJ’s strictly pump the dance floor with musical selections that bridge the classics they grew up listening to in their households, to the very latest sounds eminating from most interesting Latin recording artists they can find, locally, nationally or internationally, their one golden rule is strictly all Spanish, all night, every night, period.

The response has been overwhelming, confirming what they beleived to be true, that there was a huge need for a party like this. Mucho Wednesdays is growing in reputation and in scope, by inviting artists and guest DJ’s from across the Latin Pop world to come and join in the fun, the best part about all of it is that your invited too!

More Info:

myspace.com/muchoparty // twitter.com/muchoupdate

Mucho Wednesdays Photos

Good Times with Mucho…

Mun2 to Premiere New Fashion Project

“The Mun2 Look”

A New Fashion Project Geared towards Contemporary U.S. Latinos

Mun2 will be premiering its new fashion project, ‘The Mun2 Look’ in a few weeks on January 23rd. The show is said to be inspired by the unique U.S. Latino lifestyle and influencing today’s runways.

It seems like a promising project since each week , “The mun2 Look” will give a mun2 viewer a dramatic head-to-toe makeover and help them achieve The Look. What’s great is that you’ll be able to submit fashion questions, and dip into discussions that highlight the street look of both celebrities and the audience, and give fashion tips on where to get the hottest looks for less.

Actress Paula Garces is actually a fundamental part of making ‘The Mun2 Look’ happen. She is credited for being the co-creator, executive producer and host of the show. Paula won’t be alone as respected stylist Jorge Ramon also be featured on the new fashion program.  It’ll be interesting to see Paula and Jorge discuss the latest fashion trends and their relation to the young contemporary U.S. Latino. Making matters even more intriguing is the list of  special guests: Wisin y Yandel, 50 Cent, Wilmer Valderrama, Jenni Rivera and others.

So remember, ‘The mun2 Look’ will premiere Saturday January 23, 2010 at 3pm ET/PT. New episodes air Saturdays at 3pm ET/PT.

Executive Producers

Gloria Medel, Executive Producer for mun2

“Mun2 understands that the young contemporary U.S. Latino experience is about standing out and embracing a personal style,” says Gloria Medel, Executive Producer for mun2. “‘The mun2 Look’ celebrates our viewers’ uniquely American fashion and reflects the cultural creativity unique to the U.S. Latino lifestyle.”

Paula Garces, Executive Producer, Co-Creator

“I’m thrilled not only to partner with mun2 in creating a show for their bicultural audience whose style I find uniquely creative, but also to provide a platform where young up-and-coming talent can share with audiences their world of fashion, entertainment and music,” says Garces.

About mun2

mun2 (moon-dos) is the lifestyle cable network for today’s culture connectors (C2s) – bicultural Latinos 18-34. As the bilingual network that amplifies the Latinos experience, mun2 is culturally-grounded and reflects the best of both worlds – mun2 is uniquely American. From reality to music, on-air to digital, mun2 creates original content across a multi-screen platform. As the only nationally measured bilingual cable network by Nielsen NTI, mun2 has an increased distribution to over 33 million households, and is a part of the Telemundo Communications Group, a division of NBC Universal.

About holamun2.com:

holamun2 features exclusive interviews, original videos, entertainment news, interaction with other mun2 fans and ways to vote for what’s next on mun2. From politics and pop to videos and video games, holamun2.com is the online destination devoted to the lifestyles of bicultural Latinos.

TIGER WOODS – Yet Another “Hombre Necio”?

Written by Not So Ugly Betty

The first thing I come across as I log into my email: Tiger Woods and his alleged affair. Oh, yes, the latest in celebrity infidelity controversies. The guy gets caught cheating on his wife, Elin Nordegren (who, by the way, is a Swedish model), and he refuses to disclose any information. Of course, he doesn’t. Typical – should we even be surprised?

Add the fact that Tiger is ethnically mixed and this particular celebrity controversy thickens. Yes, we see infidelity among men in all genders and races, but thinking back to Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz’s “Hombres Necios” makes me wonder if the attack on the sexism of her time still speaks to the Latino community? I’ve got to say that infidelity, aside from excuses of unhappiness and sexual frustration, must be culturally-driven. As a woman of Latin background, I believe that the machismo and sexism that brands our culture, continues to exist today.  In fact, I received my first lesson in Latino relationships in my ninth grade Spanish class thanks to Sor Juana, “Hombres necios que acusais / a la mujer sin razon, / sin ver que sois la occasion / de lo mismo que culpais…”. In other words, men want a demur, obedient wife or girlfriend to stand as their companion while also having a sex goddess on the side from which they can gratify their sexual needs. It seems like the obvious answer would be to choose a wife or girlfriend that is companion-worthy and sexually attractive, right? Wrong! For the Latino male, this would mean his wife or girlfriend has jumped from one end of the Latina dichotomy to the other: virginal perfection to anti-Católica whore who is nothing like “mi mami”. Has anyone noticed that Latino men get away with cheating all the time? It’s almost expected for Latino men to cheat, but the second a Latina cheats and everyone knows, she better be ready to wear the Scarlett A.

Just the other day, I was talking to a guy friend of mine about this subject and he pointed out Wisin y Yandel’s “Gracias a Ti”.  Listen to this, “mi princesa sumisa me plancha la camisa.” What year are we in again? Last time I checked it wasn’t 1680…

As Latino men continue to think they can get away with anything, we must ask: is it because we, the helpless women of the world, allow them to? Instead, could it be that women are the same as men, but just smarter about hiding their extramarital escapades? Latino gentleman, take a step back and think, really think. We Latinas are intelligent, hard-working, independent, and sexy. Who can resist us? Do you really think you’re the only ones getting away with things?

Wisin y Yandel’s Gracias a Ti

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