This year, our city mourned punk and sonidero greats, stood up against the uncaring officials governing our lives, and reflected on the community wins that comprise L.A.'s undying soul.
1. Mexico City's Sonidero Cumbia Titan, Ángel Pedraza of Grupo Kual?, Dies at 48 by Javier Cabral
Ángel Pedraza, the unabashed and charismatic leader of Grupo Kual? and a legendary figure in the world of cumbia sonidero, died on Sunday, February 23. As sonidero grew in countercultures and vinyl-rooted Latin dancing meetups worldwide, so did the rise of Grupo Kual? He was a beloved figure within the Latin music community and a true ambassador of street-level Mexican culture.