BMI hosted its annual “Verano Alternativo” showcase in support of the LAMC conference on Tuesday, July 9, at Drom in New York City’s East Village. The showcase featured dynamic performances by some of the best Latin alternative songwriters from Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Colombia, with each of the rising stars paying tribute to their cultural roots.
Performing artist and activist Cable Head opened the show with a impactful electronic-dance set and used his performance to encourage attendees to “take care of Mother Earth.” The sultry singer/songwriter Cristna nailed a stripped-down followed by the urban beats of Sophy Mell, who added a dance flare to the evening. Afro-Caribbean rapper Sebastián Otero took to the stage accompanied by a full band. His performance flowed across various rhythmic elements ranging from rap to melancholic jazz beats. Columbian pop-rock singer/songwriter Jona Camacho brought flare and excitement to the stage with a spine-tingling vocal performance. Nohemy closed the evening with a flamboyant set where she performed new bilingual songs from her upcoming project.
The love for music, and the desire to be an informer brought us to the world of entertainment. We have gradually built on a mission that has been goal in life: bringing Latin music to US masses. In 1999 our editor, Kike Posada, was selected “an influential personality in the realm of music for the 21st century” by The Miami Herald. He also received the ASCAP Ampt award for his support to Latin music and the prestigious Orquidea Award as a Colombian talent. He has an extensive professional experience as a journalist, radio programmer, music critic, member of NARAS and LARAS (Grammy). BOOM created the first radio program specialized in Latin alternative music in the United States, (see Billboard magazine 11/14/93.)
Posada beginnings as a journalist took place in Bogota, at the Xavier University. There, he became the official voice of the station. Then became a record label executive. Managed the international market for Universal Music (formerly Polygram) Moving to the US in 1992, joined EMI-Capitol Records as South East Coast Promoter. But his dream of publishing a magazine, came true in 1996 (BOOM), and hasn’t stopped publishing ever since.
