
C u r a t e d b y C u l t u r a
Founded in 2020, Cultura is Universal Music Group’s first Latinx/Hispanic Employee Resource Group (ERG) based in Los Angeles, but representing Latinx/Hispanic employees globally and across all labels and business units. Cultura celebrates diversity and unity by promoting cultural awareness, supporting Latinx/Hispanic communities, and empowering current and future Latinx/Hispanic leaders at UMG. The group strives to implement impactful change in key areas of its members’ career development through initiatives focused on community building, mentorship, and advancement.

Submitted by: Armando Rodriguez
ARTURO SANDOVAL
ULTIMATE DUETS
Arturo Sandoval's 'Ultimate Duets' is truly a work of art. Most of the songs are new recordings of old songs; however, in working on this project, Pharrell was so inspired that he produced a track titled "Arturo Sandoval," adding his essence to Arturo's style alongside Ariana Grande. This album features collaborations with Stevie Wonder, ABBA’s Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Josh Groban, Al Jarreau, Plácido Domingo, Juan Luis Guerra, Celia Cruz, Alejandro Sanz, and more.

Submitted by: Daniel Rojas
LA SANTA CECILIA
AMAR Y VIVIR
As a longtime La Santa Cecilia fan and first-generation Mexican-American, this album was very special to me. It can be difficult to balance the traditions and expectations that come with being Mexican while still integrating and expressing everything that you experience growing up in the United States. This is something that I think La Santa Cecilia has done incredibly well throughout their career. It was very powerful for them to be able to release an album that honors traditional Mexican songs while still being true to themselves and what they represent as a band.

Submitted by: Carlos Monnaco
TIMBIRICHE
EL CONCIERTO
Timbiriche has some very strong historical roots and is a band that has transcended many generations. Its original form, La Banda Timbiriche, started in the '80s as a kids band. Some of the band members who have gone 'through' Timbiriche have had successful solo careers (e.g., Paulina Rubio, Thalia, and Benny Ibarra). In short, Timibirche is the Mexican pop version of 'The Beatles' (i.e., started as a band many years ago, many of the band members went on to have solo careers, they are still liked today and selling a good number of units).

Submitted by: Carolina Rosas
TIMBIRICHE
TIMBIRICHE XII
"Murriendo Lento" is the anthem I sang again and again until I had no voice. I close my eyes, and I see each of the members that formed the band Timbiriche with their rocker and invincible attitude. The keystrokes alone of the guitar and electric battery made you feel like you could overcome and achieve anything. This album transmits the pure glory of the '90s with universal melodies and lyrics.

Submitted by: Luz Down
MON LAFERTE
ANTES DE TI
Mon Laferte has been able to blend the vibe of the '90s alternative rock of my youth with the music of my cultural heritage in a fresh and exciting way. This, coupled with representing herself as a strong, confident woman, has empowered me to embrace both my Latin and American sides. VIVA LA MUJER!

Submitted by: Susana Ledezma
TIMBIRICHE
TIMBIRICHE CLÁSICO
Timbiriche was and continues to be one of my favorite groups. When they went their separate ways, I followed the careers of Benny and Sasha. They are great artists and musicians. They marked their own fashion and way of life. I would buy a ticket to watch them in concert to this day.

Submitted by: Kristina Waters
SELENA GOMEZ
REVIVAL ANNIVERSARY DELUXE BOX SET
Selena Gomez’s ‘Revival’ marked a true rebirth for the artist as she evolved from a child star to an adult artist with more creative control of her own work. On ‘Revival,’ Selena embraced her Latinx heritage with several high-energy tracks laced with Latin beats; the album featured some of her biggest singles of all time and cemented Selena as one of this generation’s biggest pop stars. In a space where most stars seeing her level of success were white, Selena took center stage and has continued to see success with smash singles from her latest album ‘Rare’ and her newest Spanish-language EP, ‘Revalación.’

Submitted by: Angel Kaminsky
ALEJANDRO SANZ
#ELDISCO
'#ElDisco' gathers a collection of nine new compositions, varied songs connected by Sanz's art and voice - indisputably one of the most personal and recognizable of the Latin American music scene in the last 30 years. It is a work that arouses fascination from the first listen. Its undoubted beauty offers space for intimate bursts ("Yo No Tengo Nada"), atmospheres of stark depth ("El Trato," "Los lugares"), cuts of luminous pop ("Mi Persona Favorita"), or unleashed Latin fusion ("Back in the City," "Te canto un son").

Submitted by: Daniel Rojas
LA SANTA CECILIA
LA SANTA CECILIA
La Santa Cecilia’s self-titled and first all-English album was something special to see as a long-time fan. Watching them bring audiences together from both sides of the border throughout their career has been very refreshing as someone who grew up listening to both Mexican and American music. This album shows how a little band from East LA can conquer various music genres and reach new English-speaking fans along the way.

Submitted by: Armando Rodriguez
Arturo Sandoval
Ultimate Duets
Arturo Sandoval's 'Ultimate Duets' is truly a work of art. Most of the songs are new recordings of old songs; however, in working on this project, Pharrell was so inspired that he produced a track titled "Arturo Sandoval," adding his essence to Arturo's style alongside Ariana Grande. This album features collaborations with Stevie Wonder, ABBA’s Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Josh Groban, Al Jarreau, Plácido Domingo, Juan Luis Guerra, Celia Cruz, Alejandro Sanz, and more.

Submitted by: Daniel Rojas
La Santa Cecilia
Amar Y Vivir
As a longtime La Santa Cecilia fan and first-generation Mexican-American, this album was very special to me. It can be difficult to balance the traditions and expectations that come with being Mexican while still integrating and expressing everything that you experience growing up in the United States. This is something that I think La Santa Cecilia has done incredibly well throughout their career. It was very powerful for them to be able to release an album that honors traditional Mexican songs while still being true to themselves and what they represent as a band.

Submitted by: Luz Down
Mon Laferte
Antes De Ti
Mon Laferte has been able to blend the vibe of the '90s alternative rock of my youth with the music of my cultural heritage in a fresh and exciting way. This, coupled with representing herself as a strong, confident woman, has empowered me to embrace both my Latin and American sides. VIVA LA MUJER!

Submitted by: Carolina Rosas
Timbiriche
Timbiriche XII
"Murriendo Lento" is the anthem I sang again and again until I had no voice. I close my eyes, and I see each of the members that formed the band Timbiriche with their rocker and invincible attitude. The keystrokes alone of the guitar and electric battery made you feel like you could overcome and achieve anything. This album transmits the pure glory of the '90s with universal melodies and lyrics.

Submitted by: Carlos Monnaco
Timbiriche
El Concierto
Timbiriche has some very strong historical roots and is a band that has transcended many generations. Its original form, La Banda Timbiriche, started in the '80s as a kids band. Some of the band members who have gone 'through' Timbiriche have had successful solo careers (e.g., Paulina Rubio, Thalia, and Benny Ibarra). In short, Timibirche is the Mexican pop version of 'The Beatles' (i.e., started as a band many years ago, many of the band members went on to have solo careers, they are still liked today and selling a good number of units).
KACEY MUSGRAVES
GOLDEN HOUR
After winning Album Of The Year at the Grammy’s, Kacey Musgraves really won the heart of America with her fourth studio album, Golden Hour and witty personality. The lyricism of each track ranges from being by yourself and content with “Lonely Weekend” to a lovely, sweet homage in the track “Mother.” Kacey’s soft, sultry voice along with her divine, genuine lyricism will have you putting this album on repeat over and over again.
GWEN STEFANI
LOVE ANGEL MUSIC BABY
Love Angel Music Baby by Gwen Stefani is the first studio, breakaway album since her departure from No Doubt. This album resonates as a coming of age release with tracks like “Bubble Pop Electric” and “Cool.” The album does an exquisite job of marrying many genres together like electro-pop, R&B, and alternative. Love Angel Music Baby is a testament that Gwen Stefani was capable of standing on her own with her solo-project and have it succeed with such abundance. We owe a lot to Gwen for coining the term “Hollaback Girl” and teaching us the correct, perhaps difficult, spelling of bananas.
YEAH YEAH YEAHS
FEVER TO TELL
A quick, fast-paced punk revival – Karen O in Fever To Tell is the front woman we’ve been so thirstily craving for so long. I remember seeing them perform at FYF in 2013 and she was wearing a sparkle suit; her energy was electric and bright like a punk rock Jesus. Fever To Tell is rebellious and empowering in every facet, every guitar chord. Her spunky dynamism, melodramatic voice along with the electronic sound of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will have you moshing and air-guitaring in general admission.

Submitted by: Susana Ledezma
Timbiriche
Timbiriche Clásico
Timbiriche was and continues to be one of my favorite groups. When they went their separate ways, I followed the careers of Benny and Sasha. They are great artists and musicians. They marked their own fashion and way of life. I would buy a ticket to watch them in concert to this day.

Submitted by: Kristina Waters
Selena Gomez
Revival Anniversary Deluxe Box Set
Selena Gomez’s ‘Revival’ marked a true rebirth for the artist as she evolved from a child star to an adult artist with more creative control of her own work. On ‘Revival,’ Selena embraced her Latinx heritage with several high-energy tracks laced with Latin beats; the album featured some of her biggest singles of all time and cemented Selena as one of this generation’s biggest pop stars. In a space where most stars seeing her level of success were white, Selena took center stage and has continued to see success with smash singles from her latest album ‘Rare’ and her newest Spanish-language EP, ‘Revalación.’


Submitted by: Daniel Rojas
La Santa Cecilia
La Santa Cecilia
La Santa Cecilia’s self-titled and first all-English album was something special to see as a long-time fan. Watching them bring audiences together from both sides of the border throughout their career has been very refreshing as someone who grew up listening to both Mexican and American music. This album shows how a little band from East LA can conquer various music genres and reach new English-speaking fans along the way.

Submitted by: Angel Kaminsky
Alejandro Sanz
#ELDISCO
'#ElDisco' gathers a collection of nine new compositions, varied songs connected by Sanz's art and voice - indisputably one of the most personal and recognizable of the Latin American music scene in the last 30 years. It is a work that arouses fascination from the first listen. Its undoubted beauty offers space for intimate bursts ("Yo No Tengo Nada"), atmospheres of stark depth ("El Trato," "Los lugares"), cuts of luminous pop ("Mi Persona Favorita"), or unleashed Latin fusion ("Back in the City," "Te canto un son").
KACEY MUSGRAVES
GOLDEN HOUR
After winning Album Of The Year at the Grammy’s, Kacey Musgraves really won the heart of America with her fourth studio album, Golden Hour and witty personality. The lyricism of each track ranges from being by yourself and content with “Lonely Weekend” to a lovely, sweet homage in the track “Mother.” Kacey’s soft, sultry voice along with her divine, genuine lyricism will have you putting this album on repeat over and over again.
GWEN STEFANI
LOVE ANGEL MUSIC BABY
Love Angel Music Baby by Gwen Stefani is the first studio, breakaway album since her departure from No Doubt. This album resonates as a coming of age release with tracks like “Bubble Pop Electric” and “Cool.” The album does an exquisite job of marrying many genres together like electro-pop, R&B, and alternative. Love Angel Music Baby is a testament that Gwen Stefani was capable of standing on her own with her solo-project and have it succeed with such abundance. We owe a lot to Gwen for coining the term “Hollaback Girl” and teaching us the correct, perhaps difficult, spelling of bananas.
YEAH YEAH YEAHS
FEVER TO TELL
A quick, fast-paced punk revival – Karen O in Fever To Tell is the front woman we’ve been so thirstily craving for so long. I remember seeing them perform at FYF in 2013 and she was wearing a sparkle suit; her energy was electric and bright like a punk rock Jesus. Fever To Tell is rebellious and empowering in every facet, every guitar chord. Her spunky dynamism, melodramatic voice along with the electronic sound of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will have you moshing and air-guitaring in general admission.