Tuesday, April 15, 2008

iTunes album a mix of Spanish rock, latin, pop and civic duty

By Marisa Treviño of Latina Lista

Out of all the demographics in the country, the Latino population is by far the youngest. In fact, fifty thousand young Latinos turn 18 every month. While a good number of young Latinos have already gotten involved in this presidential election, the numbers are saying that there are 50,000 every 30 days who are not. What are they doing?

Well, for one thing, chances are that while they're going to school or to their jobs or just taking care of business, they're listening to their iPods. Are they thinking about registering to vote? Maybe. Likely not. But with only a dozen primaries left in the country, a lot of young Latinos who would have registered eagerly to cast their first vote in deciding who their party's nominee would be, or reinforcing their party's decision, aren't feeling the same momentum to get their voter's card since the only election for them to vote in still months away.

But the get-out-the-vote organization Voto Latino is trying to change all that. But how? Knowing that music is the quickest way to reach youth, Voto Latino has teamed up with iTunes and Nacional Records to create a special one-of-a-kind album by today's hottest Latin rappers and singers.

The Voto Latino album has 15 tracks of Spanish Rock, Pop and Latin music by such artists as Pitbull & Kurse, Don Omar, Ceci Bastida, David Garza, Hip Hop Hoodies and the list goes on. Each song was especially chosen for its politically-conscious theme. In one of the featured songs that can be heard at Voto Latino's MySpace page, Pitbull's song "Across the Waters" talks about immigration and Cubans risking their lives to get to the United States.

According to Maria Teresa Petersen, executive director of Voto Latino, the songs are supposed to be a "launch pad for conversations." Since conversations can lead to action, and the easiest action is registering to vote, the hope is that everyone who is not registered to vote will be inspired to do so after hearing the album.

But what is even more amazing about this album is that it only costs $3.99 and is available exclusively at iTunes starting today - April 15. And if you're already registered to vote - the album is a good reminder that there are a lot of issues that need our attention and a good way to start getting our voices heard is with a simple vote.

Pegasus News content partner - Latina Lista

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