Highly Relevant With Jack Rico

On the podcast this week, we talk MTV's TRL reboot and how they need to seize the Latino music opportunity to be successful, plus, we discuss HBO and it’s controversial new slave series CONFEDERATE with the creator of the #OscarSoWhite April Reign. She and four women have now created the #NoConfederate campaign to boycott the show. Will HBO succumb to social media pressure?Also, Venezuela has spun into utter chaos and the US has imposed financial sanctions that could cripple it for good. Rafael Bernal, reporter for The Hill Latino, joins me to discuss how these sanctions will affect gas prices in the US and if Venezuela will ever regain its prosperity. And if you’re interested in knowing what to watch this month, I had a chance to visit the TODAY Show with my August Preview of what to see in theaters and on TV. EPISODE SUMMARYMTV's TRL reboot and the Latino opportunity :15The Hill Latino's Rafael Bernal on Venezuela and its murky future 4:33JackedIN (recap of pop culture stories) - 22:11April Reign discusses

On this episode, we talk J Balvin's 'Mi Gente'. Many people are already calling it the next 'Despacito' phenomenon for its potential to become #1 on the HOT 100. So... can it make it to #1? We also review Romeo Santos' new album 'Golden' with Isabela Raygoza, Rolling Stone Magazine’s Latina music critic, who also discusses with us her Q&A with Romeo and whether he can make Bachata mainstream in America. And, how is the Prince Royce tour going? I speak with singer and good friend, Cáthia, who is currently touring with him as his back-up singer, on an impromptu phone call where she tells me the inside details of her sexy solos she performs with Royce every night, how she got the gig and how she felt to sing in her front of her hometown NY at MSG.EPISODE SUMMARYCan J Balvin's 'Mi Gente' Become #1 on Billboard's HOT 100? :28Rolling Stone Magazine's Isabela Raygoza reviews Romeo Santo's new album "Golden" 4:33Lack of Latina music critics 4:58How did she started writing for Rolling Stone Magazine 7:02The busine

On episode 41, we talk Despacito with Senior Media Reporter from the NY POST, Claire Atkinson, to breakdown for me how the song became that big and how much $$ she thinks Justin Bieber made from this summer hit. Also, Colombian director Tomas Reyes, who did an English language documentary about healthy living called BEYOND FOOD, stops by to discuss how you can improve your health by making more educated decisions.

On today’s episode 40, all our guests are once again diverse and we pride ourselves in that. We talk to Wilson Morales, Editor-in-Chief of Blackfilm.com to discuss the Best Movies of 2017... So Far. Did Wonder Woman make our cut?Then, we talk War For Planet of the Apes. I sat down with American-Honduran actor Gabriel Chavarria, who plays the Preacher in the film, to talk his emotional reaction of being cast in the film, the time he quit acting, what it means to be an American Latino and where he gets his confidence when dealing with rejection.And finally, it’s been a crazy week in sports. We had MLB’s HomeRun Derby and All-Star Game, the ESPY’S, The Gold Cup and the rumors about the Knicks Puerto Rican star, Carmelo Anthony, being traded to the Houston Rockets. ESPN’s Cristian Moreno recaps everything you need to know.EPISODE SUMMARYTakeaways from HBO's 'The Defiant Ones' Documentary :471. Absurd work ethic: Bruce Springsteen and Bono took Jimmy Iovine to his physical limits and that’s where he learned that t

On today’s episode 39, we talk Spider-Man Homecoming with Grae Drake, Senior Editor of Rottentomatoes.com, who joins us to review and dissect the new reboot. We think its better than Wonder Woman.We also chat with Angelica Celaya, the star of Telemundo’s new Jenni Rivera biopic, Mariposa del Barrio, about the challenges in becoming Jenni, handling the love and hate from Rivera’s fanbase and how bilingual latino actors still have a hard time not being seen as real Latinos.And finally, the New York Latino Film Festival is back from the dead and Dennis Williams, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Social Responsibility at HBO, joins us to talk about why they brought back the festival, what’s in it for HBO and can this Latino festival ever become as big as Sundance? EPISODE SUMMARYGrae Drake, Senior Editor of Rottentomatoes.com, on 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' - 3:35 Is 'Spider-Man Homecoming' the best Spider-Man movie ever made? 6:49 How 'Spider-Man Homecoming' is really a coming-of-age Peter Parker actio

Thank you for listening to episode 38 of the Highly Relevant podcast. This week we’re focusing on Spider-Man: Homecoming and how everyone has been raving about how diverse it is. We’ll talk to our intern Andrea Huswan, who attended the press conference in NYC on our behalf and set off a chain of diversity questions that ultimately got us covered by NewYorkMagazine.com!We also preview Univision’s Premios Juventud with Hilda Garcia, VP of Digital Entertainment at Univision.com the new innovative elements that are establishing the event as the most modern award show in Spanish language TV. But we begin with an interview with Puerto Rican director Miguel Arteta, who filmed Salma Hayek’s Beatriz at Dinner. It is considered “the first movie of the Trump era”, and we discuss the difficulties of directing movies starring Latinas, the single reason Latinas are connecting with the film, and his explanation on its controversial ending that has angered and even baffled moviegoers.That plus all the top headlines in US Lat

Thanks for listening to episode 37 of the Highly Relevant podcast. This week we’re talking Latino MMA with former WWE Champion Alberto del Rio, who is now the President of Combate Americas, one of the biggest rivals of the UFC. They’re doing a huge fight event in Miami on July 27th around the Real Madrid/Barcelona soccer classico and its a game-changer for the company. Alberto will tell us all about it.And we also tackle the new Transformers: The Last Knight movie. Is it so bad that its good or is it so bad that it’s… well, bad! That and a recap of the top headlines in US Latino pop culture happening this week!EPISODE SUMMARY:Alberto El Patrón, former WWE Champion and now President of Combate Americas, talks Latin MMA Combate Clasico event in Miami on July 27th: 1:09JackedIN: 8:31Mike Sargent, Chief FIlm Critic of WBAI Radio, discusses why Transformers 5 was so bad: 10:50Playlist songs: 20:30-Feels - Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Big Sean-Películas - Cohetes-Perfect Places - LordeWould you lik

Thank you for listening to episode 36 of the Highly Relevant podcast. It’s soccer week and between World Cup Qualifiers and International Friendlies, soccer fans are getting ready for this weekend’s CONFEDERATIONS CUP, a precursor tournament before the WORLD CUP 2018. We talk to Luis Miguel Echegaray, Head of Latino Content at Sports Illustrated about why we should watch it, Mexico’s clash vs. Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Colombia’s superstar James Rodriguez, what is his future, what team will he eventually play for, will Mexico and Colombia make it to the World Cup? In addition to fútbol, we talk comedy. HBO Latino is presenting their first Latino stand-up comedy special Friday June 16th and we chat with Mexican comedians Esewey and Monica Escobedo about how they’re universalizing Mexican comedy for all Latinos. That and a recap of the top headlines in US Latino pop culture this week! EPISODE SUMMARY Confederations Cup 2017 with Luis Miguel Echegaray 1:15 Vision for Sports Illustrated's Latino

On episode 35 this week, we focus on Tom Cruise’s 'The Mummy' reboot which is out this weekend. I’ll be talking to Mike Sargent, Chief Film Critic of WBAI Radio who also contributes film reviews nationally on the FOX Business Network with Maria Bartiromo, on what went wrong and what it means for Universal Pictures Dark Universe. We also tackle Pixar’s new Latino movie 'Coco'. The trailer and cast announcements were released this week and we talk to Kellvin Chavez, former owner of LatinoReview.com and now Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of SplashReport.com to discuss if white audiences will go out in droves to watch a Mexican Pixar movie. That and a recap of the top headlines in US Latino pop culture this week! EPISODE SUMMARY 'The Mummy' review with Mike Sargent 1:14 (@Mikeonscreen) JackedIN (Pop culture recap) 26:56 Latino film critic Kellvin Chavez discusses Pixar's 'Coco' 29:34 (@Kellvin_Chavez) What I'm listening to this week 47:11 Everything Now - Arcade Fire 2U - David Guetta feat. Justin Bieber Pendulum -

Thank you for listening to episode 34 of the Highly Relevant podcast. On this week’s episode, I have an in-depth discussion on 'Wonder Woman' with the editor-in-chief of RottenTomatoes - Matt Atchity. We also discuss the future of movie critics and what RottenTomatoes.com is doing about the lack of Spanish movie reviews on the site. Hispanic actress Alexa PeñaVega, you know her from the very successful Spy Kids franchise films from Robert Rodriguez, this time around she’s starring in a new TV movie on the Hallmark channel called Destination Wedding and we talked about everything from why she got sick of the LA scene and moved to Hawaii, the ambiguity of non-ethnic looking Latina actresses, and her opinions on today’s use of social media and her place in it. And we finish by chatting with October Gonzalez, the co-host DJ of FOX’s new game show “BEAT SHAZAM” hosted by Jamie Foxx. She tells me how she landed her new gig, her first encounter with Jamie Foxx and if she could take on SHAZAM and win. EPISODE SU

Welcome to episode 33 of the Highly Relevant podcast. On this week’s episode, we’ve dedicated it to NYC Spanish-language radio. We interview the controversial Dominican radio star “El Pacha” and ask him about why he’s such a lighting rod for controversy, the surprising reason he left Telemundo’s Acceso Total and his blunt and truthful opinions on Luis Jimenez’s new radio show on Univision. Also, we chat with NY radio royalty - Carolina Cadillo Skywalker. We discuss how she got her big break in radio, the creation of the Skywalker last name, criticisms of her Spanish, and her first encounter with radio fame. It’s an interview not to be missed. That, plus a review of “Pirates of the Caribbean 5” and a recap of the top stories in US Latino pop culture this week! EPISODE SUMMARY Frederick Martínez “El Pachá” interview 1:11 Crazy fans 3:15 His English 4:24 How he began in radio 5:20 From Univision Radio to "Al Despertar" 7:56 Why morning newscasts are so boring today 8:41 Personality conflicts lead

Welcome to episode 32 of the Highly Relevant podcast. This is the show for those of you who love to live on the intersection of American and Latino pop culture. We talk to Colombian superstar JUANES about some important questions such as why he hasn’t ever collaborated with his Colombian counterpart Shakira, why he will never ever sing reggaeton and why it’s not in him to do a English-language crossover. Also, I talk to Hugo Balta, the senior director of Hispanic Initiatives for ESPN, who is one of the executives responsible for Hispanicizing ESPN. We discuss everything from Latino accents to bilingual sports shows and everything in between. Plus, we listen to the top new songs from Latino artists and a recap of the most highly relevant US Latino stories of the week! EPISODE SUMMARY Juanes interview :47 Why he hasn’t ever collaborated with his Colombian counterpart Shakira Why he will never sing reggaeton Why it’s not in him to do a English-language crossover JackedIN (Pop culture recap) 5:24 ESPN Exe

Thank you for listening to episode 31 of the Highly Relevant podcast. It’s testosterone week! On this episode we get some LOWRIDER culture! Theo Rossi, known for his work as “Juice” Ortiz in Sons of Anarchy, joins me to talk about his new role in the Latino film LOWRIDERS! We also go one on one with two of the toughest men in MMA - the CEO and President of Combate Americas - Campbell McClaren and Alberto “El Patron” Rodriguez, formerly known to many WWE fans as Alberto Del Rio, in what I can only describe as an uncensored, candid and entertaining interview with two men in search of becoming the #1 MMA federation in the world. And we also review Charlie Hunnam’s new action adventure film - KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD, plus, a listen at my week’s favorite music playlist and a recap of the top stories in US Latino pop culture this week! EPISODE SUMMARY: Theo Rossi interview 1:12 Who do you play and why did you choose to be part of Lowriders? How much of the lowrider culture did you know before you st

Thank you for downloading episode 30 of the Highly Relevant podcast. On this week’s episode, we talk with the creator of the most anticipated show in Spanish language TV right now, Univision’s EL CHAPO. We get to the moral and ethical controversies of getting the show done, the fascination of cartel tv shows and if actors Kate del Castillo and Sean Penn will be making cameos. Also urban millennial network VICELAND has a new show called JUNGLETOWN that takes place in Panama. Why are they there and why should we care? I talk to Jimmy Stice, the man behind it all. That, plus highlights of The Premios Billboard, reviews of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Broadway’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. EPISODE SUMMARY: Univision's Silvana Aguirre, creator of 'EL CHAPO' :57 Who approached her about creating the series El Chapo? How she got actors to commit to the show given their moral dilemmas. What factors convinced her that Marco de la O could play El Chapo? Why viewers are fascinated with drug cartel villains

This might actually be the best show we’ve done. We break down the new Justin Bieber “Despacito” Remix with well known Radio DJ and performer Diamond Boy Luis. We didn’t like it and we’ll explain why. Also, Ulises Bella from the popular LA band Ozomatli joins us to talk about their NYC concert in Brooklyn, the electricity of their live-performances, plus their collaboration with Juanes and Gaby Moreno on their new album “NONSTOP-LA→MEXICO→KINGSTON”. And then to cap it off, we welcome Latin music’s most respected voice, Billboard’s Leila Cobo to discuss her exclusive interview with J Balvin and Nicky Jam on this week’s Latin Billboard Magazine. EPISODE SUMMARY: Jack and Diamond Boy Luis discuss Justin Bieber's Despacito Remix 1:12 JackedIN 9:33 Ozomatli Interview 11:06 What I'm listening to this week 21:59 There’s Nothing Holding Me Back - Shawn Mendes Lost In Your Light - Dua Lipa (feat. Miguel) Que Me Has Hecho - Chayanne (feat. Wisin) Billboard's Leila Cobo discusses her exclusive interview with J B

Thank you for downloading episode 28 of the Highly Relevant podcast. On today’s episode, we welcome GOTHAM’s Jessica Lucas who plays the villain Tigress and she discuss her thoughts on women in superhero movies plus working with Uruguayan director Fede Alvarez. Plus, my review of the highly anticipated Fate of the Furious and a recap of all the top music, tv and movie news you’ve missed this week! EPISODE SUMMARY: Jack discusses how television sets are becoming obsolete: :49 Gotham's Jessica Lucas: 3:13 First time viewers to GOTHAM. Will they like it? 3:40 Diversity and how that dynamic has played out in the show: 5:02 Are female superheroes oversexualized? 5:42 Thoughts on upcoming Wonder Woman movie: 6:23 Working with Uruguayan director Fede Alvarez in Evil Dead: 6:53 JackedIN 8:49 What I'm listening to this week 10:28 Vicio - Camilo Septimo Turn Out The Light - Cris Cab (feat. J Balvin) Cama de Calvos - Teleradio Donoso Movie review of 'Fate of the Furious': 11:18 TODAY Show/Ricky Martin: 12:26

Thank you for downloading episode 27 of the Highly Relevant podcast. io9/Gizmodo's Beth Elderkin talks diversity in comic books, plus, a chat on the three key problems affecting its industry. Also, we welcome one of the youngest business owners in America, Megan Grassell, to talk to us about how at 17 she came up with an idea that changed the course of her life. EPISODE SUMMARY: A discussion on diversity in comic books :54 JackedIN 14:46 Megan Grassell on starting a business at seventeen - 16:18 How idea for Yellowberry came to be, making a business of it 17:12 Financial resources. How did she find it and who managed it: 23:47 Yellowberry challenges and how they were overcome: 25:18 Moment Yellowberry took off: 27:25 Yellowberry social media strategy: 29:59 Yellowberry outreach for young Hispanic and African-American girls: 31:26 Advice for teenagers who want to start their own company: 32:19 What I'm listening to this week 33:48 Angel - Juanes Ganas de verte - Humbe Azul - Mahmundi Broadway review

Welcome everyone to the Highly Relevant Podcast and thank you for downloading episode 26. This week we talk Netflix's Ingobernable, our intern attends FOX's Gotham cast party and ask Ben McKenzie on 'Justice League,' plus, we review the Broadway revival of 'Miss Saigon' and we give you our six spring TV shows you must see now! EPISODE SUMMARY: A discussion on Netflix's #Ingobernable. The good and the bad :10 JackedIN 3:39 Intern Andrea Huswan on Gotham, Ben McKenzie, Justice League: 4:57 What I'm listening to this week 8:23 En Direccion Contraria - Natalia y La Forquetina Nada Que Perder - Juan Pablo Vega Heatstroke - Calvin Harris, Young Thug, Pharell Williams and Ariana Grande Broadway review of Miss Saigon 9:27 Our TODAY Show appearance, 6 Must-See TV Shows for Spring 11:03 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a

Thank you for downloading episode 25 of the Highly Relevant podcast, which you can now subscribe to via the reVolver Podcast network. This is the show for those who love to have their finger on the pulse of English and Spanish language pop culture in the US. And one person who embodies that description faithfully is my really good friend, Shalim Ortiz, who was just cast as a regular on ABC’s new Latin drama LAS REINAS. He gives me all the details about the show, his cast-mates, which include John Corbett and Sonia Braga, plus, info on his new novela on UNIVISION called LA PILOTO and his opinion on the new television trend - the narconovela. Episode Summary: Shalim Ortiz :57 Shalim (Part 2) 18:32 JackedIN 16:50 What I'm listening to this week 30:36 Nuestra Canción - Monsieur Periné Don’t Fight It - Gavin Turek Mar (Lo Que Siento) - Bomba Estereo Broadway review of Arthur Miller's "The Price" 31:30 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.

Thank you for downloading episode 24 of the 'Highly Relevant Podcast' which you can now subscribe to via the Revolver Podcast network. This week, an important new documentary called "Betting On Zero" hits theaters and it centers on the alleged pyramid scheming of the nutrition company Herbalife. It also chronicles in detail how Latinos have been exploited by Herbalife as well. Ted Braun, the director of the film and Latina activist Julie Contreras also a part of the film, join me to discuss the film’s central premise and the financial ramifications Herbalife’s sketchy business dealings have had on the Hispanic community. Episode Summary: Ted Braun :48 JackedIN (news recap) 11:50 Julie Contreras 13:38 What I'm listening to this week 27:52 Pasos de Cero - Pablo Alboran Breakfast In Bed - Mayer Hawthorne Mas Que Suerte - Beatriz Luengo feat. Jesus Navarro from Reik My NY1 Movie Review of "20 Feet Stardom" 29:01 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyre