We Like It Like That

We Like It Like That is a gripping 2015 documentary directed by Mathew Ramirez Warren. The movie offers a compelling journey into the heart of Latin boogaloo, a vibrant amalgam of Latin and African American music and dance that stormed the streets of New York in the '60s and stayed until the late '70s. The film is a showcase of joy, triumph, pain, and resilience, highlighting an important yet underrepresented chapter in American music history.

At its core, We Like It Like That is an exploration of the origins, development and legacy of Latin boogaloo, beyond its lasting cultural impacts. It examines how this musical phenomenon emerged from the very pulse of the New York inner-city neighborhoods, particularly the Puerto Rican and African American communities living in East and South Harlem and the South Bronx. Rooted in the interplay between cultures, boogaloo emerged as a rhythm that authentically represented the experience of urban life.

The documentary follows several boogaloo legends, like Joe Bataan, Johnny Colon, Pete Rodriguez, and Jimmy Sabater, among others, offering intimate insights into their lives, the music they created, and the cultural wave they rode. It investigates how this ultimately short-lived style acted as a powerful socio-cultural movement, giving voice to a marginalized community experiencing very turbulent times. It helped shape a critical part of modern Latin identity, paving the way for more well-known Latin music genres, like salsa.

One of the remarkable aspects of We Like It Like That is the film's unique perspective. Instead of merely summarizing the facts or offering a face-value chronicle of events, the documentary delves deeply into the socio-political climate that birthed Latin boogaloo. It exposes how this music was an escape from the harsh realities of prejudice and inequality, a soundtrack for resistance and change, a proud proclamation of identity, and an assertion of independence and self-expression.

We Like It Like That encapsulates the duality of the joy and struggle inherent in this period. Director Mathew Ramirez Warren seamlessly combines intimate interviews, animated sequences, and rare archival footage. The result is a nuanced narrative that manages to captivate, educate, and make your feet tap to the contagious rhythm of boogaloo. It pays homage to a cultural epoch and the vibrant characters who defined it, enriching the viewer's understanding of an era that has too often been overlooked in mainstream music history.

The documentary jumps back and forth between the times of boogaloo and the present day, showing not only the inception and golden age of the genre but also how its influence continues to echo through modern music. It also addresses the eventual decline and nearly total disappearance of boogaloo, due in part to commercial manipulation, and a focused effort by record companies to encourage the rise of other music genres.

Although filled with intriguing stories of iconic musicians and peppered with enticing musical performances, We Like It Like That maintains a clear focus on illustrating the broader impact of Latin boogaloo on society. Numerous academics and music writers also provide commentary and analysis, grounding the largely anecdotal accounts in solid socio-historical context. It masterfully conveys the profound imprints this hybrid music left on the racial and cultural landscape of America.

In the hands of director Mathew Ramirez Warren, We Like It Like That is not just a music documentary, but a rich tapestry of social, racial, economic, and cultural histories. Visually pleasing and narratively engaging, it's a film that transports the viewer to the heart of the pulsating streets of '60s and '70s New York City.

By the end of the film, the viewer will find it hard not to be inspired by the enduring power of music, the fortitude of the human spirit, and the resilience of culture in the face of adversity. We Like It Like That is a tribute to Latin boogaloo and the people that loved, lived, and created it. It's a vibrant celebration of a music genre that, despite nearly being erased from history, keeps bouncing back, refusing to be forgotten.

Whether you are a music aficionado or a history enthusiast, We Like It Like That leads on an engaging journey. Its introspective take on a profound musical era and the catalysts that cultivated its emergence make it a must-watch documentary for those interested in the intersections between music, culture, and social change.