The Grammy-winning Spanish artist mixed coffee with salsa to celebrate her latest EP, MALPORTADA.
There was no need for caffeine as fans anxiously waited around the block in the Lower East Side for Nathy Peluso’s newest event at Café Colmado. Still, the excitement inside the quaint shop was fueled by Colmado’s free coffee as the singer unveiled “Café Malpartada,” her limited pop-up on Nov. 3.
Following the Oct. 17 release of MALPORTADA, which roughly translates to “badly behaved” in English, the event perfectly captured the energy of the six new tracks — passionate, intense, and filled with nonstop movement. Before the singer arrived, guests sipped complimentary drinks while a live DJ remixed popular salsa hits. Tracks from Celia Cruz and Frankie Ruiz moved the store into a pre-party dance.
Upon Peluso’s arrival around 30 minutes in, the energy in the room erupted. After theatrically sauntering into a crowd of screaming fans, she made her way behind the coffee bar. The singer generously made her rounds to greet fans while signing coffee cups, taking selfies, and hugging emotional Nathkillas — her dubbed fan base name.
Perhaps the event’s most endearing feature was its ability to spark such a strong sense of cultural pride. Even with the diverse crowd at the pop-up, there was an undeniable sense of unity towards Peluso’s Argentine roots. Fans of similar backgrounds expressed gratitude for her outspoken cultural pride, especially on tracks like “BUENOS AIRES.” Meanwhile, her fusion of Afro-Caribbean styles drew in several Puerto Rican fans enthused over her appreciation for the island’s musical traditions.
Café Malportada truly earned its title once the DJ switched to tracks from the new EP. Peluso danced on tables and yelled out lyrics to her latest project, her energy equally matched by adoring fans. MALPORTADA lent itself perfectly to the hyped-up crowd, with the authentic modern salsa keeping guests dancing shoulder to shoulder. For a few short hours, the intimate café transformed into a vibrant Latin club pulsing with rhythm and movement.
As fans eventually spilled out of the store, they were given free GRASA t-shirts, celebrating Peluso’s 2024 record that earned her three Latin Grammys. When Peluso exited the event to echoing cheers, it was clear that even a cloudy Monday afternoon couldn’t dim the electric spirit of Café Malportada.
Feature Photo by Leandro Justen
