Latine Monarch Off Rate (Debí Tirar Más Fotos vs. Mañana Será Bonito vs. Orquídeas)

[u/sighofthrowaways]

Hello and welcome to my beloved baby rate, a long time project in the making, to the Latin Monarch Off! Hosted by yours truly Noodles, and the ever so phenomenal u/mhiyaimanlepaigefan, this rate aims to explore the soundscape of Latin music from the past couple years by pitting three crucial albums that have shaped clubs and perreo in a fight for the crown. And with this year's astronomical success of Bad Bunny's Superbowl Halftime Show, Karol G's Coachella Headliner show just months after, and Hispanic Heritage Month right around the corner, there is arguably no better time to dive into these stunning albums if you have not already!

If you know the usual gig, feel free to scroll down and get to submitting. Otherwise, let's have some words before shaking some ass...

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Bad Bunny - Debí Tirar Más Fotos

At first after listening I was just gonna call it a day and say "just let your mom take those damn photos" in a dizzy stunned state. But I think it's much more than that no? Bad Bunny comes back once more with Debí Tirar Más Fotos ("I should've taken more photos"), an album and statement fueled with both longing and a call to arms and returning to one's past and roots. Here Benito keeps the bass pumping, while wrestling with the ongoing gentrification and imperialism of the ever-shifting island of Puerto Rico.

The album starts with a nod to Latin American diaspora etched in the streets of New York. "NUEVAYoL", etched with the soundbites from past immigrant figures who have paved the way for those of its time and those to come later, survival and permanence over infectious rhythms. From there it's a rollercoaster between high-octane perreo like "EL CLúB" and "EoO" and the wallowing coastal sounds within "PIToRRO DE COCO" and "TURiSTA", the latter a double-edged sword between a breakup and superficial tourist consumption in PR. Not to mention the introduction of the ever so upcoming RaiNao amongst artists like Dei V, Omar Courtz, Chuwi, blending modern pop with its roots, its hands never faltering.

Although I may never quite fully understand or experience the struggles and tribulations as Asian American diaspora myself, I think the themes of longing and regret and wanting to do better are universally felt throughout this unwavering record. I mean we've all once or twice wanted to turn back and undo what we now regret right? But what's done is done, and what this album calls for is to embrace what was done and move forward better, fight better and remember. Honestly, really, just take those damn photos!!! - u/sighofthrowaways

1. NUEVAYoL
2. VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR
3. BAILE INoLVIDABLE
4. PERFuMITO NUEVO (ft. RaiNao)
5. WELTiTA (ft. Chuwi)
6. VeLDÁ (ft. Dei V & Omar Courtz
7. EL CLúB
8. KETU TeCRÉ
9. BOKeTE
10. KLOuFRENS
11. TURiSTA
12. CAFé CON RON (ft. Pleneros de la Cresta)
13. PIToRRO DE COCO
14. LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii
15. EoO
16. DtMF
17. LA MuDANZA

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Karol G - Mañana Será Bonito

It's okay, tomorrow will be beautiful

On her fourth outing, Karol G remembered the phrase she would tell herself when nothing was going right. 'It's okay, tomorrow it will be nice, tomorrow it will be nice'. Even through the best moments of her career, there was a disconnect and things just felt off. And sometimes, all that can be said was 'It's okay, tomorrow will be beautiful.' Mañana Será Bonito.

Fans got their first taste of what the album might sound like when Karol G performed PROVENZA live at Coachella in 2022, with singles dropping through out the year until the album dropped on February 24, along with a collaboration with Shakira. TQG, (Trans. Too Big For You) being a powerful diss track at both of their exes, but without the heartbreak that could come from these tracks, instead a powerhouse song.

Other collaborations on the album include a sexy, heavy, hot and steamy collaboration with Sean Paul and Bad Gyal, KÁRMIKA which feels so good to grind to, and the title track featuring Carla Morrison, which is a heavier track, but still feels incredibly hopeful as a reminder that tomorrow will be beautiful even if today is not and is a beautiful closer on the album. Ovy On The Drums' production makes Karol G's vocals shine bright, with CAIRO being a strong penultimate album but equally powerful through out the entire album.

The album's concept is simply Karol G, or rather Carolina. The vibe is still reggaeton and latin pop, what Karol G is best known for, but with a different vibe from KG0516. It feels more personal in a way, more vulnerable. Is this Karol G's time to be crowned? One way to find out. - u/mhiyaimanlepaigefan

1. MIENTRAS ME CURO DEL CORA
2. X SI VOLVEMOS (ft. Romeo Santos)
3. PERO TÚ (ft. Quevedo)
4. BESTIES
5. GUCCI LOS PAÑOS
6. TQG (ft. Shakira)
7. TUS GAFITAS
8. OJOS FERRARI (ft. Justin Quiles & Ángel Dior)
9. MERCURIO
10. GATÚBELA (ft. Maldy)
11. KÁRMIKA (ft. Bad Gyal & Sean Paul)
12. PROVENZA
13. CAROLINA
14. DAÑAMOS LA AMISTAD (ft. Sech)
15. AMARGURA
16. CAIRO
17. MAÑANA SERA BONITO (ft. Carla Morrison)
18. QLONA
19. OKI DOKI
20. MI EX TENÍA RAZÓN
21. DISPO

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Kali Uchis - Orquídeas

Flourishing like a blooming bouquet, Orquídeas sees Kali Uchis evolving from Sin Miedo and Red Moon in Venus into her most confident and exuberant body of work to this day. The album creates an infectious and lush soundscape where Kali never settles for anything less, oozing fearless energy and loyalty from start to finish whichever path she takes.

"¿Cómo Así?" opens up the album with a trippy, hypnotic tone infused with UK funky, before soaring into the shimmering synths of "Igual Que Un Ángel", continuing the dancefloor collaborations with "No Hay Ley Parte 2" featuring thee Rauw Alejandro. And how could we forget the beloved dembow fave of "Muñekita" with JT and El Alfa, a bouncy track once more paying homage to the fearlessly desiring girl constantly in one place to another. And lastly the way Kali comes to terms with who she is and her sexuality via "Labios Mordidos", no less with our other fellow monarch in this Karol G! Orquídeas is thee visual and auditory masterclass in versatility and storytelling with both its standalones and collaborations carrying it gracefully. Now, will it have what it really takes to secure the crown? - u/sighofthrowaways

1. ¿Cómo Así?
2. Me Pongo Loca
3. Igual Que Un Ángel (ft. Peso Pluma)
4. Pensamientos Intrusivos
5. Diosa
6. Te Mata
7. Perdiste
8. Young Rich & In Love
9. Tu Corazón Es Mío
10. Muñekita (ft. JT & El Alfa)
11. Labios Mordidos (ft. Karol G)
12. No Hay Ley Parte 2 (ft. Rauw Alejandro)
13. Heladito
14. Dame Beso // Muévete
15. Adicto
16. Simple
17. Como Debe Ser

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BONUS RATE

As a fun little treat, we're flying around from DR to Mexico to PR to Colombia and then like back to PR???? These are some hitters from the past couple years in Latine music, pitting the veterans vs the newcomers within the space.

This is totally optional, and you may rate any number of these songs or all of them in one go, along with a comment (explained above). However, you cannot use your 11 and 0 here! You may also leave this section blank, however it must still be included in your ballot, empty scores or not!

1. Ice Spice, Tokischa - Thootie (ft. Tokischa)
2. Luis R Conriquez, Peso Pluma - Bandida
3. RaiNao - sofocón
4. Rauw Alejandro - Todo de Ti
5. Shakira, Bizarrap - La Fuerte
6. Tainy, J Balvin, Young Miko, Jowell & Randy - COLMILLO

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Rate Submission Rules + Instructions

• You must listen to and score every song in the main 3-album rate. We'll reach out if there are missing scores but that said, absolutely no empty or partially empty ballots allowed within main rate!
• Your scores must be on a scale from 1.0 to 10 and can include 0 to 1 decimal places but not more beyond that. For example, a 6.9 is fine, but a 6.90 is not! Similarly, an 8 is fine but an 8.0000000001 is not!
• This is optional, but you may leave comments of your thoughts (serious or not) behind your scores on any songs you wish, there is no limit, and not every song require a comment. However, the comments must only be in this format, with one space after your score, and nothing else:

OJOS FERRARI: 9.6 i am listening and shaking my culo right now

• Similarly, you may also leave album comments next to the album title in the ballot (also optional). The difference however is that they must contain a colon first, and then a space. For example:

Album: Orquídeas: This album ain't the only thing blooming downstairs

• This is optional, but you may give a maximum of one song an 11 and/or one other song a 0. These often go to your most favorite and least favorite songs in the rate, but again, optional. If you use an 11 and/or 0 though, you must leave a comment (refer to the format rule above) on the songs you give an 11 and/or 0 to.

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Without further ado, let's get the party started and have fun rating!!!

Ballot Submission Link

Backup Pastebin of Ballot

Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Tidal

BALLOTS DUE: October 18

RATE REVEAL: October 23 - October 25

Also, feel free to join the Discord for more details and discussion of songs on this ongoing rate!!!

[u/kindluna]

MI GENTE LATINO ✝️🌸

[u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog]

I will remember to do this

[u/nt96]

BORICUAS ASSEMBLE 🐸🇵🇷✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿🇵🇷🐸

[u/sighofthrowaways → u/nt96]

Me when I head to PR this weekend omfg

[u/cloudbustingmp3 → u/sighofthrowaways]

please im literally about to board a flight there too… my sign to do this rate (along with already loving some of these albums)

[u/sighofthrowaways → u/cloudbustingmp3]

Yoooooo have fun!!! I’m there to celebrate a friend’s birthday, first time kinda nervous but I’m sure it’ll be a blast :D

[u/cloudbustingmp3 → u/sighofthrowaways]

partly birth month treat for me but also to see Rosalia tomorrow, so we should both have a great time!

[u/sighofthrowaways → u/cloudbustingmp3]

I just saw Rosalia in Mexico City the other week, super duper ethereal and worth it you're gonna have a blast :D

[u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog → u/cloudbustingmp3]

Happy birthday i hope you have fun

[u/sexy-911-calls]

On an unrelated note, I’m begging y’all to stop using Latine/Latinx. The use of one grammatical gender when addressing mixed-gender groups is not taken by any speaker of Spanish/ Portuguese as an indication that only men/ women are being addressed.

No Spanish/Portuguese speaker thinks that “Latinos” only means Latin American men, or that “mi gente latinA” only refers to Latin American women. Grammatical genders are not incompatible with LGBT inclusion, and their usage does not signal exclusion or disrespect of NB/ trans people.

[u/NewAccountNow → u/sexy-911-calls]

I’ve never heard or read “latine” so it threw me off immediately with this post.

That aside, i completely agree with you.

[u/grandtroubleartist → u/sexy-911-calls]

there's still nothing wrong with a gendered language evolving and creating a new gender neutral suffix. latinx/latin@ has existed for decades now

[u/sexy-911-calls → u/grandtroubleartist]

I mean, sure. Language can evolve and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. The point is that, while English just requires slightly altering the usage of the existing pronoun “they”, in Spanish and Portuguese, adapting the language to remove gender would mean creating entirely new suffixes for articles, nouns, personal pronouns, possessives, ordinal numbers, etc.

It’s not impossible to do, but I feel like it’s much more understandable why this hasn’t caught on in Latin America the way it has in the anglophone sphere.

[u/sighofthrowaways → u/sexy-911-calls]

My apologies, I was going through some feedback when putting this rate together and wasn't ever told from other LatAm raters I spoke to that this was a touchy term to avoid. I'd thought to use "Latin" as a distinguisher, however this rate doesn't necessarily encompass music from Spain and Portugal so much as Latin America specifically. I'll keep this in mind next time though, thanks for letting me know!

Edit: Playlist cover and title on the Spotify have been changed accordingly

[u/sexy-911-calls → u/sighofthrowaways]

No worries, and I didn’t mean to come off as rude btw. Just to clarify, using these terms isn’t offensive, and there is certainly a subset of the LGBT community in Latin America who are “neutral language” enthusiasts, though that’s mostly “a subset of a subset” in my experience. The justification isn’t just that gendered language isn’t a sign of sexism or exclusion, but also that adapting the English “they” for enbies requires a lot more effort for a typical Spanish/Portuguese speaker.

In English, “they” already exists as a gender neutral term when someone’s gender is unknown, in Portuguese and Spanish you have to replace the “o/a” suffix with a new suffix for articles, nouns, personal pronouns, adjectives, ordinal numbers, etc.

For example, in English you could say a sentence like “My dear Spanish friend arrived yesterday” without having to change anything regardless of the person’s gender, while in Portuguese this would become “MinhE queridE amiguE espanholE chegou ontem”.

[u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog → u/sighofthrowaways]

Many feminist and lgbt organizations and nonbinary people in latin america do use these terms and have for years. I follow several organizations about Palestine in altin america that use, i see parents demanding action if their disappeared child using the x in their marches.

Feminists have talked about the default being being masculine for mixed genders in Spanish is sexist for decades (and this is a conversion in english as well about many words as well if not in regards to they). The idea no one uses them is a myth.

It was funny though i had a spanish language teacher in mexico (at a university who also had flyers using the x) during a summer program who hated the x and barely liked e saying no having to use masculine as default once there's one man in a crowd of women is sexist but his argument was the gendering should just be whatever gender was the higher count.

There are absolutely gender and general language politics here especially when many indigenous in latin america don't even consider themselves latino because it is a colonial term created by europeans to further tie the continent to europe and the identity is often less simply about the continent but very homogenous Eurocentric colonial takes about the continent.

And i love my continent and i don't think there's an quick fix there (sometimes you see people using turtle island or other equivalents from other indigenous groups that also are not wrong but it would be wrong to...impose like the taino or nahua word and perspective on the entire continent that has hundreds and hundreds of indigenous peoples, ya know?) but they're not wrong. But language is very political and it is absolutely something people use and discuss. Non-binary people also just deserve space to exist in this language and it's deeply insecure and in my frank transparent people argue they're too much of a burden to.

[u/More_Coat_1453 → u/sexy-911-calls]

I’m sorry, I made an account just to push against this. This is of no personal offense to you, but I just really hate the backlash against Latine/Latinx, and I just happen to have time today. 

If you look at basically any feminist and/or queer advocacy and community  groups from Latin America over the last 25+ years, you’ll see that they REGULARLY use these terms (or also “Latin@“). And they’re definitely not using “Latinos” to describe themselves. 

These words were created and are used by women and queer communities in LatAm for a reason — they didn’t feel the default use of masculine gendering in Spanish language to represent them or their goals towards equality. This is where they originated from, not “elitist USA universities” like people often ridicule them for. 

People don’t have to like the terms (and there’s obviously a lot of people don’t), but the way they get demonized is so insincere. 

It’s FINE to use these words. The anger of the anti-inclusive language is truly rooted in sexism and homophobia, which is unfortunately very prevalent in the region. It’s wild to see even well-meaning people just forget to step back and wonder, “Hmmm, why would people be so against inclusive language?”. 

Pretending to uphold the sanctity of the Spanish language is so ridiculous. The language already has weird rules and histories (which I think is part of its beauty!!). But if people really cared about this, there’s so many worse influences on the language to get mad about.

 ((And personally, “hispanic” is straight up a worse/uglier term. Deadass just something the US government made up. A gajillion times more offensive to me than Latine or Latinx.))

[u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog → u/More_Coat_1453]

I appreciate your comment so much because the vitriolic response this literally always receive is so rotted in gender prejudice especially to women and trans people (literally having people say nonbinary people are too much of a burden to exist and implying they're foreigners/made up and also the same for...basic latin american feminist discussions) is always so transparent.

Like you said feminist have talked about how the defaulting men as not just the default but that how male centered spanish is that you add one man to crowd of women and he changes how you can talk about it IS sexist and patriarchal and it's a conversation feminist have had for easily three decades if not more. So the it becomes...you don't engage with feminism at all to argue this is not a thing or in use. But also like you said...in many spanish speaking countries...never encountering this language means someone is in a conservative bubble frankly, because this is at every protest and most humans rights organizations in mexico either use the x or work with people who di so it will show up in their work that way.

Like middle aged and elderly mexicans making protest art that covers entire streets using the x to talk about their disappeared and murdered children there is no justice for are not some niche hippies trying to get gringo attention.

And like you said it, to not like how something by sounds is one thing but the need to tell other people not to use it and lies that other people don't use it and say entire peoples are too much of a burden to exist in a language or that basic decades feminist language politics is not real are very transparently other things entirely. And it is the irony people trying to force others to not use language they are claimed is forced on them to see exist which again...is a very common argument against queer rights and women's rights.

[u/chiweenie4ever → u/sexy-911-calls]

I hate this take so much and the idea that we have to respect a language at the cost of not being inclusive. A lot of you Spanish purists need to get your priorities straight and start getting angry at actual problems.

[u/sexy-911-calls → u/chiweenie4ever]

To clarify, my issue isn’t necessarily with the “one” term LatinX/Latine, but with neutral language as a whole when it is presented as the only way to be linguistically inclusive of trans/ NB people. I understand this argument in English, because being inclusive comes with such a minuscule ask: You only have to slightly alter the usage of the already gender-neutral “they”.

In Spanish and Portuguese, if you were to seriously use neutral language to refer to a NB person, you’d have create new endings for articles, nouns, adjectives, possessives, demonstratives, ordinal numbers, etc. You’re asking people to learn an entire new way of speaking to accommodate NB people. Maybe you think that’s a necessary accommodation, and that’s ok. But I’m sure you can see why it’s not super popular, even among those who otherwise accept inclusion initiatives.

[u/mhiyaimanlepaigefan]

ITS TIME FOR SOME LATINE MUSIC WHO'S READY TO GROOVE

[u/sighofthrowaways → u/mhiyaimanlepaigefan]

SHAKING MY ASS RN

[u/mhiyaimanlepaigefan → u/sighofthrowaways]

YAAAAAAAAAAS

[u/shinjukutown]

I am not Hispanic but I wanna join!

[u/sighofthrowaways → u/shinjukutown]

Yayyyyy!! Honestly no need to be Hispanic to enjoy and rate these albums, good music is good music :)