Global Beat México: Foudeqush, Palmasur, Planeta Polar

Written by Marion Hodges

Chillin’ in all the regions with Palmasur, Planeta Polar and Foudeqush. Planeta Polar photo by Visvaldas Morkevicius and the others courtesy of Palmasur and Foudeqush.

KCRW’s Global Beat is a series highlighting emerging artists from around the world. Our second season takes us to México, hosted by KCRW DJ Raul Campos alongside our curators, México City DJ and music supervisor Junf, director of Festival NRMAL Moni Saldaña, and NPR’s Betto Arcos.

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Foudeqush – “Daydreaming” 

For those who saw Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and couldn’t wait to Google the artist behind that Spanish pop ballad playing over the opening scene of the underwater world Talokan — this one’s for you. Despite sounding like a marquee moment for an established star, that song — “Con La Brisa” — is actually the debut single of Foudeqush, a very young artist out of the very small Mexican town of Monclova.

Her follow up, “Daydreaming,” picks up the pace a bit with her hyper-luxe vocals floating atop a drum ‘n’ bass beat. Whatever mode she’s playing in, Foudeqush is an artist to lock onto your radar. 


Palmasur – “Aquí Seguimos” (Feat. George Rhoads)  

From the central Mexican state of Puebla, Palmasur elevates the art of the lo-fi, slow waltz with this subtle stunner featuring an assist from fellow indie rocker George Rhoads. Find “Aquí Seguimos” as part of his exquisitely titled new LP, Regional Chill. Pro tip: A deeper dive into the full album will reveal Palmasur’s finely-honed skill for incorporating Mexican street sounds into his laid back compositions.


Planeta Polar – “Gusto (Feat. Coco Maria)” 

Originally from Lithuania and now based in Mexico City, Planeta Polar treats us to “Gusto,” which sounds, on paper, like the world’s coolest foreign exchange program. Joining the band on this modern cumbia romp is Coco Maria, an artist born in Torreón Coahuila and now an Amsterdam-based vinyl collector, DJ, and musician. This is the dream of transatlanticism.  

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Playlist

[PLAYLIST GOES HERE]