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De La Calle (English: From the Streets) is a documentary television series created, hosted, and executive produced by Argentine-American journalist Nick Barili. The series delves into the evolution of urbano music and its cultural origins across the Americas and Spain. It premiered on Paramount+ on November 7, 2023.

Premise

The series explores the socio-cultural history of urbano music genres, including hip hop, reggaeton, Latin trap, cumbia, flamenco, and others. By featuring pioneers and key contributors to these genres, De La Calle highlights the creativity, resilience, and cultural richness of marginalized communities.

Through exclusive interviews with artists such as Fat Joe, N.O.R.E., Residente, Mala Rodriguez, Nicky Jam, Nicki Nicole, Villano Antillano, Sech, Nathy Peluso, Jessie Reyez, Feid and Gente de Zona, the series provides an in-depth look at the roots and modern expressions of urbano music. De La Calle takes viewers through cities and regions influential in the genre's development.

Episodes

The following episodes comprise season 1 of De La Calle, each focusing on a specific region or theme to highlight unique musical and cultural narratives

1. New York: Explores the birthplace of hip hop and examines the role of Latinos as co-founders of the genre.
2. Panama: Investigates the origins of reggae en español, a direct ancestor to reggaeton, and includes a spotlight on international superstar Sech.
3. Puerto Rico: Examines reggaeton's evolution from an underground, criminalized movement to a mainstream global phenomenon.
4. Cuba: Chronicles the development of rap Cubano on an island isolated from global influences, where hip-hop was once viewed as a cultural invasion.
5. Spain: Highlights Spain's hip hop scene post-fascism and its fusion with flamenco and other traditional music styles.
6. Colombia: Covers Medellín's emergence as a Reggaetón hub and Cartagena's Afro-Colombian champeta music.
7. Argentina: Explores Argentina's independent urbano music scene, driven by rap battles and genre fusions.
8. Mexico: Investigates how youth culture in Mexico blends traditional music with rap and reggaeton.

Production

Nick Barili developed the series over 15 years through his production company, Hard Knock TV. The project was greenlit by MTV Entertainment Studios and produced in collaboration with ZPZ Productions.

Barili wanted to explore the Latin and Hispanic cultures through the lens of music while showing the stories behind the musicians and the things that inspired them.

Release and reception

De La Calle premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) and the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023. The series received widespread praise for its storytelling, cultural exploration, and unique focus on the interconnectedness of Latino and Black musical traditions.

Hola Magazine stated: "As the music industry's next big hit, De La Calle offers a fascinating and in-depth exploration of urbano music and its profound cultural roots."

Awards

De La Calle and Nick Barili won the 2024 Imagen Award for Best Variety or Reality Show. The series was also nominated for a 2025 Cinema Eye Honors Award for Outstanding Anthology Series.

References

1. Cordero, Rosy (October 5, 2023). "Nick Barili's Music Docuseries 'De La Calle' Sets Paramount+ Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
2. ^ Ferreira, Johanna (November 13, 2023). ""De la Calle" Explores Latin Music's Roots, Evolution, and Connection to Hip-Hop 1 City at a Time". Popsugar. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
3. DIDYME-DÔME, ANDRÉ (April 5, 2024). "Freestyle de la calle con Nick Barili". Rolling Stone en Español (in Spanish). Retrieved November 17, 2024.
4. Ferreira, Johanna (June 8, 2022). "Nick Barili's New Docuseries "De La Calle" Explores the Origins of Latinx Music". Popsugar. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
5. "Upcoming docu-series 'De La Calle' will explore Latino music". HOLA! USA. May 23, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
6. ""De la Calle", la docuserie de MTV de Nick Barili que explora los cimientos de la música latina". Diario Libre (in Spanish). April 17, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
7. ""El hip hop es un punto de vista": la interesante investigación de Nick Barili sobre el género urbano en América". Todo Noticias (in Spanish). November 18, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
8. Cordero, Rosy (May 19, 2022). "MTV Entertainment Studios Greenlights Music & Culture Docuseries 'De La Calle' From Nick Barili". Deadline. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
9. "'De La Calle' docuseries explores the evolution of Latin music and its connection to hip-hop". Los Angeles Times. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
10. Eric. "LOS ANGELES LATINO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2023 LINEUP | LALIFF". Retrieved November 17, 2024.
11. "De La Calle | 2023 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
12. Ruiz, Nadia (June 11, 2023). "Learning About The Evolution of Urbano Music and Culture Through the Docuseries 'De La Calle'". Todo Wafi. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
13. "'De la Calle' explores if Latinos were co-founders of Hip Hop". HOLA! USA. October 23, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
14. Foundation, Imagen (September 9, 2024). "Winners of the 39th Annual Imagen Awards Announced". Imagen Foundation. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
15. "Cinema Eye Honors Announces 2025 Nominees". Cinema Eye Honors. Retrieved November 17, 2024.

• 2020s American documentary television series
• 2023 American television series debuts
• 2023 American television series endings
• Paramount+ original programming