1980s Latin Music Artists You Need to Know

From the classic ballads of Julio Iglesias to the synth-pop of Menudo, these are the 1980s Latin music artists you need to know.

Intro

The 1980s were a golden age for Latin music in the United States, with artists like Gloria Estefan, Selena Quintanilla, and Julio Iglesias topping the charts and becoming crossover stars. While these artists are still hugely popular today, there are plenty of other 1980s Latin music artists who deserve your attention. Here are eight of them.

1. Azul Azul: This Bolivian cumbia group was formed in 1994, but they didn’t release their debut album until 1998. However, the album was so successful that it made them instant stars in Bolivia and across Latin America. Their subsequent albums have also been very successful, cementing their place as one of the most popular Latin music groups of the past 20 years.

2. El General: This Panamanian rapper is one of the pioneers of reggaeton, a genre that would go on to become extremely popular in the 2000s. El General’s biggest hit is “Tu Pum Pum,” which reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart in 1996.

3. Vico C: This Puerto Rican rapper is considered one of the founding fathers of reggaeton and he is also one of the genre’s most popular artists. His 1995 album En Honor a la Verdad is considered a classic by many fans and critics alike.

4. Ivy Queen: This Puerto Rican singer is one of the most successful female reggaeton artists of all time. She began her career in the late 1990s and has released eight studio albums, six of which have gone Platinum or higher in sales.

5. Tego Calderon: This Puerto Rican singer/rapper is one of the most respected figures in reggaeton and Latin hip-hop. He began his career in 1992 and has released seven studio albums, five of which have been certified Gold or higher by the RIAA.

6. Cabas: This Colombian singer/songwriter rose to fame in 2002 with his debut album Cabas, which went Platinum in Colombia and received critical acclaim from fans and critics alike. He has since released two more albums, both of which were also very successful commercially and critically.

7.:This Mexican pop group rose to fame in 2006 with their debut album Respiro, which went Platinum in Mexico and spawned several hit singles, including “Dime Si Tú Te Vas Conmigo” and “Adiós Amor” The group has since released two more albums, both of which have been very successful commercially and critically.. 8.:This Spanish rock group formed in 1989 and they released their debut album Pequeño in 1992 . The album was a success , but it was their second album ¿Dónde Los Ponys Pastan? that made them superstars , going Platinum in Spain Spain . The group has since released seven more albums , all of which have been very successful commercially critical .

Juan Gabriel

Juan Gabriel was a Mexican singer, songwriter, and producer who released more than 50 albums during his career. He is widely considered one of the most successful Latin musicians of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide. Gabriel was known for his romantic ballads as well as his up-tempo songs and mariachi-influenced style. His best-selling album, Querida, which was released in 1986, included the hit singles “Que Te Vaya Bonito” and “Amor Eterno.”

Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She started off her career as the lead singer in the Miami Latin Boys, which later became known as Miami Sound Machine. Estefan has won multiple Grammy Awards and is known for hits such as “Conga” and “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.”

Selena

Selena was a Mexican-American singer who was one of the most popular Latin artists of the 1980s. She released her debut album in 1984 and quickly rose to stardom, thanks to her captivating voice and charming personality. Selena recorded a number of hit songs, including “Como La Flor” and “Amor Prohibido”. She was tragically murdered by her fan club president in 1995, but her music continues to live on and inspire new generations of Latin music fans.

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin is a Puerto Rican singer, actor, and author who achieved worldwide fame as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo. He released his self-titled debut album in 1991 and his solo career took off following his appearance on the soundtrack for the film “The Mask of Zorro” in 1998. Martin’s albums “Ricky Martin” and “Sound Loaded” both topped the charts in the United States and he has been nominated for five Grammy Awards. In 2016, he released his tenth studio album, “A Quien Quiera Escuchar.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 1980s was a decade that saw the rise of many Latin music artists who have continued to influence the genre in profound ways. From Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz to Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony, these are just a few of the Latin music artists who helped to shape the sound of the 1980s and beyond.