NPR

Two Artists, Two Different Paths In Exploring The Indigenous Roots Of Latinx Music

The histories and sounds of Mexico's Comcaac and Canada's First Nation peoples inspire and drive the new work of Hector Guerra and Akawui.
Simuchi Xeenoj (Princess of the Comcáac Nation) and Zoraida Romero.

Over the centuries, the mestizo music of Latinx culture emerged from the collisions — by choice, chance or force — of Africans, Europeans and indigenous peoples. Today, we highlight two different artists' paths in exploring the First Nations and pueblo originario roots of Latinx music.

In a, Bolivian-Spanish rapper Hector Guerra describes how before he first travelled to from Spain to Mexico about six years ago, he sensed, during a -led meditation, that he should travel to Mexico, in order to meet another elderthere who could guide him towards a new path. Fast forward to 2018 — after spending time with indigenous peoples in several areas of Mexico — Guerra's debut of the video for "Vida" is the fulfillment of following that vision.

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