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There would simply not be Latin music as we know it without the gift of music from Africa, and this week’s Beat Latino celebrates Black History Month with a special selection of songs. I chose songs that are not only by Afrolatin@ artists, but speak to the experience of being black and latino itself. Music from Perú, Uruguay, Mexico, Cuba and more, starting with the poem read by musician, poet and writer Nicomedes Santa Cruz that we use as the title – “Ritmos Negros” (Black Rhythms) and including songs such as Libertá!, a freedom song that predicts a black man will be president. Enjoy!

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