Niko Eme – Traicionera

Niko Eme Traicionera

Nothing gets a the blood flowing hotter than a rapid mambo and tale of betrayal.  "Traicionera" ("Traitor") has us sitting on the edge of our seats, feet tapping and body swirling, as Niko Eme sings about a woman who thrives off of passion and apathy.  No matter how much love you give her, you'll only feel worse in the long-run ("Te Regale Mi Amor / Y Ya Nada Queda").  Few artists can infuse as much passion and meaning into an energetic dance or mambo track like the Twin Cities' Niko … [Read more...]

Villa Rosa (Maria Isa & Muja Messiah) – Street Luv

Villa Rosa Street Luv 2013 Maria Isa Mujja Messiah

My favorite Twin Cities HipHop duo Villa Rosa has been busy in California lately and the new video "Street Luv" is our fleeting glimpse into their adventures.  While rapper Muja Messiah playfully proclaims, "If only I spoke Spanish, I might control the planet," Maria Isa delivers a steady Spanglish tale of her infatuation with a gangsta caballero.  The track swirls with casinos, beaches, sex, and adventure as the self-serving forces of freedom float just beyond the law's iron grip.  This … [Read more...]

Sito Rocks Concert Review 4/19/13 @ Aqua Nightclub (Twin Cities)

Sito Rocks Concert Review Aqua Nightclub

Recently returned from the infamous Barcelona nightlife and the set for his new video "Party On My Level" with Sak Noel, the charismatic singer Sito Rocks found himself on a flight from the warmth of Miami to the April snow of Minneapolis.  A tweet from his hotel room exclaimed, "Feels like xmas" and the next few hours were presumably spent relaxing and testing out a local restaurant. I arrived at Aqua Nightclub around 11pm to find a few people getting a head start at the bar while DJs … [Read more...]

Niko Eme – Contigo

Niko Eme Contigo

Twin Cities singer Niko Eme has a hot merengue-electronico track to start off the week, which you can download below.  The song is called "Contigo" ("With You") and paints the story of being single while experiencing the early twangs of love.  At 20 years old, Niko never pretends to have the answers to love - who really does - but he excels at sharing his introspective thoughts through the lyrics. It is with great pride that I can also state that Niko Eme composed the beat to "Contigo."  I … [Read more...]

Rihanna Ft. Niko Eme – Diamonds (Latin Remix)

Rihanna Niko Eme Diamonds Remix

The Twin Cities’ 20-year-old Latin urban singer Niko Eme first caught our attention back in 2011, where his ability to write catchy and meaningful lyrics instantly earned our admiration.  While his mixtape The End of The Beginning 2.0 is filled with pop and dance tracks, he has recently been experimenting with merengue-electronico (clearly inspired by Maffio) and it'll be interesting to see which styles end up on the album he is in the process of completing.  Niko has always remained true to … [Read more...]

Maria Isa & Young Mennace – Latinization EP

Maria Isa Young Mennace Latinization

SotaRican emcee Maria Isa recently released a surprise collaboration with fellow Twin Cities rapper Young Mennace that is titled Latinization.  This project is surprising for the fact that Maria recorded an entire compilation that can easily be described as pop or dance club music, which is a vastly different sound from the socially-charged underground hip hop songs she is known for performing here in her hometown.  The result is 9 tracks that blend dance, pop, hiphop, reggaeton, and Latin for … [Read more...]

Maria Isa & Adriana Rimpel – Este Amor

Maria Isa & Adriana Rimpel

Maria Isa (right) is a smooth-flowing Spanglish MC from the Twin Cities who is joined today by Adriana Rimpel (left), lead singer of the Cuban-influenced band Malamanya (see our interview). The two ladies recently journeyed to Puerto Rico, where they were able to experience the culture and escape to reflect on their songwriting. Upon her return, Maria assembled a compilation album titled the “Latina Ritual Project” that presents a fusion and mix of artists from the Midwest to Puerto Rico. … [Read more...]

Niko Eme – Hasta Que Exploten

Niko Eme Hasta Que Exploten

Niko Eme is one of the most exciting and original Spanglish artists to arise from the Twin Cities and his final release of 2012 is a catchy mambo track titled "Hasta Que Exploten."  Lyrics are Niko's specialization and you can rest assured that any track he works with - whether it's his own song or somebody else's - will leave listeners dancing and singing along.  The talented young singer brings youthful energy to every performance and I'd bet my musical credibility that he can hold his own … [Read more...]

Niko Eme – Don’t I Deserve (MP3 Download)

Niko Eme MN

Disclaimer: The following song contains a few explicit words that some listeners may find offensive.  The song itself contains a positive message. Twin Cities singer Niko Eme searches for answers in today’s introspective hiphop track “Don’t I Deserve.”  While the nostalgic lyrics are focused on a crumbling relationship, when I hear this track the meaning goes much deeper.  What I hear is a young bilingual producer/artist who has an immense passion for music, but lives in a scene … [Read more...]

Trinity – With You (MP3 Download)

Trinity

I have a new premier for you all to check out tonight by a brand new artist named Trinity - she's only 14 years old!!  Born in Madrid, Spain, to Dominican Parents, and currently residing in the Twin Cities, attentive readers might notice that this young singer has a story that mirrors that of the talented Niko Eme.  If you did notice this similarity, then congratulations, because Trinity is in fact Niko's younger sister.  As the saying goes, family comes first, so Niko has been dedicating … [Read more...]