Becoming An Icon

In today’s episode of Becoming an Icon, we kick off with Santana’s decisive performance at a generation-defining music festival, propelling him to the mountaintop of success. However soon after, Santana would find himself wandering the desert. ​​Join us as we ride the tidal wave of his triumphs, only to be met with rough waters and sinking tides.

Lilliana Vazquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts of Becoming An Icon with pro...

Get ready to groove as we take a deep dive into the extraordinary journey of Carlos Santana! His life and career embody the very essence of a '60s and '70s rock star, and today, we're diving headfirst into the legend's beginnings. Coming of age amidst the vibrant streets of San Francisco during the heyday of counterculture, Santana played legendary venues and witnessed legendary performances that would shape his destiny. Carlos was...

Today on Becoming an Icon… Get ready to relive Selena’s meteoric rise and untimely fall. During the early '90s, Selena was at the peak of her career: "Amor Prohibido" was her biggest hit yet, and fans were captivated by her powerful performances. But then, as you know, tragedy struck. Instead of dwelling on how Selena was taken from us, join us in this episode as we celebrate all that she gave us and the torchbearers who continue t...

Step into the world of Selena as we uncover the moments that shaped her legendary career. On today’s episode, we begin with her very first record deal, leading up to her legendary concert at the Astrodome in Houston. Join us as we deep dive into her romance with Chris Perez and the electrifying performances that solidified her status as a Tejano sensation. These were the years that cemented Selena as the star we all love and rememb...

Get ready to dive into the legacy of a brand new icon! Today, we shine the spotlight on none other than the queen of Tejano music... Selena! Join us as we embark on a journey through the early years of her career: from her upbringing in an artistic family to the challenges faced during the early days of the iconic Selena y los Dinos. Finally, witness the pivotal moment when Selena secured her first major record deal. This was just ...

Step into the spotlight with us for the grand finale of our Celia Cruz journey, where we delve into her twilight years: overflowing with awards, accolades, a fistful of Cuban soil, and even a poignant tribute. We'll uncover the profound impact of Celia's music, reflecting on how her voice transcended borders and touched souls worldwide. Whether she had even a glimmer of an idea of where her voice would lead her, Celia Cruz would le...

Today on Becoming an Icon: When Celia thrived, an entire groundbreaking musical scene thrived alongside her. Join us as we revisit Celia's stratospheric rise to fame, her journey as an immigrant in New York City, the global expansion of Salsa, and her unwavering advocacy for Black unity and Latino solidarity. We'll uncover how her invincible spirit and infectious energy continue to inspire generations, leaving an everlasting mark o...

Join us as we delve into the captivating legacy of a brand new icon! In this episode, we embark on a journey into the life of Celia Cruz. Starting from her humble beginnings in Cuba, we offer a glimpse of the island through Celia's unique perspective. And witness how pivotal moments of change in her homeland transformed Celia's life forever. This was merely the beginning of a remarkable journey for the singer who would introduce th...

Join us for the emotional finale of our Juan Gabriel journey as we pay tribute to the beloved icon's life and legacy. In this episode, as we mourn his passing, we revisit the touching moments of his funeral, where millions gathered to honor his memory and celebrate his extraordinary contributions to music and culture in that same place where he played and charmed thousands: Bellas Artes. As Juanga himself used to say: “As long as s...

Welcome to today's episode where we dive into Juan Gabriel's extensive influence! From crafting iconic tunes for telenovelas to reminiscing about some of the most celebrated covers of his classics. Juanga's impact transcends music. Join us as we explore his profound influence on queer culture, including that unforgettable "Don't question what you can see, mijo" moment from his Primer Impacto interview. And let's not forget his icon...

We’re back with an all new season of Becoming an Icon! To kick things off with a bang, our spotlight falls on none other than El Divo de Juárez, Juan Gabriel! Today, we delve into his humble beginnings, tracing his journey from growing up in an orphanage to performing at one of the most prestigious venues in all of Mexico, Bellas Artes! Come with us to uncover how Juan Gabriel went from a small town boy to the music legend and fash...

¡Hey, Familia! We still can't believe the final episode for our season is here, so we made sure it's extra special. Join Lilliana and Joseph as they spill all the tea of our Icons alongside accomplished music and celebrity journalist, Tomás Mier. This episode is all about the past, the present and a lot of what the future holds for our favourite stars as well as latinx musicians who are up and coming, ones that you might not have h...

Before we say goodbye to the Estefans we have a special treat for you. Joining us today is the remarkable musician hailing from Barranquilla and now a fellow Miamian, JK Jurado. Together, we'll delve into the enchanting universe of Gloria Estefan, the Miami Sound Machine, and, of course, indulge in an unplugged musical session you won’t want to miss!

Lilliana Vázquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts of Becoming an Icon with produ...

Gloria Estefan's career continued to thrive as she embarked on a successful solo career with albums like "Cuts Both Ways" and "Don't Wanna Lose You." A near-fatal bus accident threatened her career, but she made a remarkable recovery and returned to the stage, released multiple albums with chart-topping hits. Her contributions were recognized with various awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and induction into the So...

Despite her family's focus on her education, Gloria's musical career with the Miami Sound Machine took off. Their hit song "Dr. Beat" brought international success, and Emilio made the significant decision to step back from the band to support Gloria as her career soared. Their albums "Primitive Love" and "Let It Loose" marked a turning point, leading to Gloria's solo career and shaping the future of crossover Latin music.

Lillian...

In this episode, the focus is on Gloria and Emilio Estefan, who rose from humble beginnings to become music icons. Gloria, born in Cuba and raised in Miami, faced adversity, including her father's illness and discrimination. Despite this, she excelled in her studies and music. She met Emilio at the University of Miami, and together, they formed the one and only Miami Sound Machine. Join us as we take a deep dive in their remarkable...

Marc Anthony's success influences Puerto Rican culture and the world as the global Salsa ambassador. But it's not just his music that's on center stage; his personal life is under the intense media spotlight, especially his marriages, surrounded by rumors and scrutiny. His philanthropic endeavors, particularly his foundation's support for underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico show his unwavering dedicat...

Born and raised in New York to the rhythm of the trumpet, the double bass, and the congas, Marc Anthony is the Puerto Rican music sensation who revolutionized the salsa genre. From his beginnings as a backup vocalist to becoming a global icon, we uncover how he made salsa a universal sound and how all those Grammys would lead to love. 

Lilliana Vázquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts of Becoming an Icon with production support b...

The 2010's were rocked by Pop and Electronic Dance music, and there were two names that defined the decade: Bruno Mars and Selena Gómez. We're welcoming back the host of Estás Rica podcast Dani Sayan to celebrate their impact as well as speculate what the future has in store for these unapologetic stars.

Lilliana Vázquez and Joseph Carrillo are the hosts of Becoming an Icon with production support by Josie Meléndez, Daniela Sarqui...