Hola Latinopians! Great fun this week. We have two kinds of Latino music to share with you. First, there is Cihuatl Song, a collective of Chicana women who sing not only in Spanish but also in Nahuatl, the original language of the Azteca people. Hay, esta hermanas are so firme! You’re probably wondering what the term “Cihuatl” means. Well, it’s Nahuatl for “woman,” so the group’s name translates “Woman’s Song.”
And you are probably asking yourself, how does Tia know so much about Nahuatl? What is she, a Nahuatl scholar now? Well, listen to this, mijos, your Tia is not an expert in Nahuatl, but she did audit the Nauhatl 101 course taught by learned professor Dr. Fermín Herrera at Cal-State University at Northridge. Its an amazing course and I totally recommend it to any Northridge students. The song the group is singing is taken from Aztec poetry and is titled Tezcatlipocatl. Pay attention to the lyrics, especially at the end where the song states, “I am my own worst enemy and I must overcome myself.” How’s that for a 700-year-old insight into the human condition? Our Azteca ancestors were deep!
For something completely different, as they say, but also righteously special and cool check out the new music from Joey’s Chemistry. This is a group made up of young musicians Raul Callejo and Daniel Alvarado Jr. They’re from El Paso, Tejas. Apart for coming up with one of the coolest band names I’ve heard, these young chavalos know their music. Raul has written a really catchy tune. Heck, I’ve been singing “I Wonder” all day long!
And to complete this week’s postings, we have Los Angeles photorealistic artist John Valadez, In His Own Words. John tells us that his early start in art was inspired by a visit to downtown Los Angeles where he saw the mural América Tropical painted by David Alfaro Siquieros in 1932. John is currently finishing a major mural commissioned by the City of Long Beach. Latinopia will be bringing you an update on this work when it is completed. Enjoy these week’s videos! Abrazos from your ever buoyant and effervescent Tia Tenopia!