Ani Cordero And JOATA To Perform At Lincoln Center

When it comes to artistry, passion, resilience, and audacity, Ani Cordero and JOATA are two kindred spirits. Both are Puerto Rican independent singers, songwriters, and activists bound by their desire to create music that, not only shines a light on the everyday struggles for a more just society, but also envisions a hopeful future for all. Starting 2019 with a bang, Cordero and JOATA will bring their powerful anthems of love, hope, and resistance to Lincoln Center's renowned Atrium 360 concert series on January 31, 2019.

The event will not only mark the first concert of the year for both artists, but will also usher in a fresh artistic phase for Cordero and JOATA, as they present new material from their upcoming releases, El Machete and C mo se dice? respectively.

Atrium 360 Presents: Ani Cordero and JOATA will take place on January 31st in the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center. Doors will open at 6:30pm, and the show will begin at 7:30pm with JOATA opening the program. All Ages. Free admission.

I've been exploring new emotional territory in my life, and it's coming out in the songs, explains Cordero about her new sound for El Machete. While attendees to the David Rubenstein Atrium will be able to recognize Cordero's unique approach to lyricism and strong, determined vocal chops, they will also be able to get a taste of El Machete's modern shift towards pop melodies. One of the tracks Cordero will be debuting live is Pan Pan , a song full of double meanings and playful melodies. It's like a choose-your- own-adventure political anthem, she says. The song talks about government dysfunction and corruption. Pan Pan sin mantequilla means 'bread without butter' in Spanish or, in old Puerto Rican slang, a beat down. But the song is playful and stays joyful despite the serious message.

Opening the show with unrivaled lyrical energy and joie de vivre is JOATA, known for his brazen, indie-pop-meets-Caribbean rhythms. Performing for the first time on the Lincoln Center stage, he will be presenting New York City audiences with the first taste of his new record, C mo se dice?, slated to be released in the Summer 2019. I have been working with Pablo San Martin of Esoteric Studio to create a new, bigger sound without compromising the energy JOATA is known for, he says. I'm getting older and beginning to find my place in this world, so this album is a sort of evolution.

This show not only signals a new direction for both Cordero and JOATA's musical careers, it solidifies their commitment to creating a music that wakes up the senses and stimulates audiences to believe that another world is possible. It also reasserts their dedication to fostering a strong, independent community of artists and musicians that support each other and build each other up. We came together after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and ever since then it has been a consistent conversation on how we can make the world a better place, JOATA explains. Though we make different music I feel like if you were to make us like a Venn diagram all the things we fight for would be in the middle.