Fit Check, Food Check: Merienditas with FLVCKKA, Yendry, and More
The 2026 Latin Alternative Music Conference brought the industry’s best and brightest to New York City. We brought Fit Check, Food Check to LAMC through Merienditas, a series of bite-sized interviews with musicians from across Latin America and the Caribbean. As always, our chats centered fashion, food, and how heritage informs artists’ tastes in both.
We spoke to seven musicians for Fit Check, Food Check: Merienditas. First, Mexican hypercorridos artist FLVCKKA took us through her childhood along the Mexican-American border. Next, Dominican rapper J Noa explained why Dominicanos will always be the best-dressed people in the room. Miami-based singer Paula Arenas revealed her favorite dish from her native Bogotá. Mexico City-born Andrea Bejar laid out the fashion philosophy that brings her Julieta Venegas-meets-Fleetwood Mac vision to life. Singer Hamilton professed his love for his native city of Cartagena. Dominican-Italian artist YEИDRY fought through giggles to share what her two homelands have in common. Finally, singer Lasso of Caracas, Venezuela weighed in on the ever-present debate over Colombian vs. Venezuelan arepas.
Each artist holds a unique perspective within the Latino and Caribbean diaspora — and that’s their power. Outside of our interviews, we watched them get to know one another, exchange perspectives, and bond over their shared passion for creating music that resonates. Below, we’ve gathered the sweetest morsels from our conversations at LAMC. Read on to learn what makes all seven musicians tick, and add them to your playlist ASAP.
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FLVCKKA on Frontera Fashion
“A lot of it has to do with growing up on the border. Growing up in Chihuahua made my style a combination of two worlds with two very different aesthetics. I think those of us who grew up there take a lot of inspiration from both sides, from the United States and from Northern Mexico.”
J Noa on Dominican Style
“Being Dominican influences the entire flow and personality of my style. Even if I wore something ugly, I’d still be Dominican, and that’s all I need.”
Paula Arenas on Avena Colombiana vs. Chocolate Caliente
“I definitely prefer chocolate caliente, with queso y pan. I let the cheese melt, I let it flow. I let all the ingredients flow inside of there and then inside of me [laughs]. It’s awesome.”
Andrea Bejar on Handmade & Heirloom Pieces
“[Mexico City] is so ingrained in my sense of style. I love wearing hand-embroidered pieces. A lot of the rings I wear are my grandma’s. It’s a huge part of me and how I like to present myself.”
Hamilton on His “Afrorockstar” Look
“Growing up in Cartagena was incredible. My city is always a party, people are always on the beach. It completely influences my energy, my attitude, how I dress, everything.”
Yendry on Italian Bonet vs. Dominican Jalao
“A good bonet is perfect for a rainy, gray day. It gives me that Turino feeling. Jalao, I’d choose on a hot day. A day where you’re tired, it’s the first day of your period. You’re like, ‘You know what? Let me have a jalao.’”
Lasso on Venezuelan vs. Colombian Arepas
“They’re so different. I prefer Venezuelan arepas because we put things in the middle, but in general, arepas are super versatile. The different kinds can coexist.”