Latin Music Subgenres You Should Know About
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In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at some of the different subgenres of Latin music that you should know about. From cumbia and salsa to reggaeton and Bachata, there’s a lot of variety within Latin music. So whether you’re a fan of Latin music or just looking to expand your musical horizons, read on to learn about some of the different subgenres of Latin music!
Salsa
Salsa is a popular subgenre of Latin music that originated in Cuba in the 1940s. It is a mix of Cuban Son and Afro-Cuban music. The music is usually fast-paced and has a syncopated beat. The lyrics are usually about love or dancing.
Origins
Salsa is a popular genre of Latin American music that draws its roots from Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms. It is characterized by a lively, fast-paced sound that often features horns and percussion instruments.
Salsa music originated in the Cuban city of Santiago de Cuba in the early 1900s. The genre was initially populated by Afro-Cuban musicians who were influenced by both Cuban and African musical traditions. In the 1930s, salsa began to spread to other parts of Latin America, particularly Puerto Rico and Colombia.
Salsa underwent a major evolution in the 1960s and 1970s, when it developed into a more complex style that incorporated elements of jazz, rock, and other genres. This new style of salsa, known as salsa romantica or salsa romántica, became extremely popular in Latin America and among Latino communities in the United States.
Today, salsa is enjoyed by people all over the world and continues to evolve as a constantly evolving genre.
Characteristics
Salsa is a Latin American dance music genre that originated in the Cuban provinces of Oriente and Havana in the early 1950s. The style is a fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and Spanish guitar melodies, with elements of Caribbean and Latin American music. Salsa dancing is a popular form of social dancing that originated in New York City in the 1970s.
The music is characterized by fast-paced, syncopated rhythms with an emphasis on the off-beat. The lyrics are often written in Spanish or Spanglish and sung in a call-and-response style. The meter of salsa is usually 4/4 or 6/8, with a tempo range of 120 to 160 beats per minute.
The basic salsa step patterns include:
-the basic step
-the cross body lead
-the double back step
-the outside turn
-the inside turn
Bachata
Bachata is a subgenre of Latin music that originated in the Dominican Republic. The music is typically characterized by its slow tempo and passionate lyrics. Bachata has become one of the most popular genres of Latin music in recent years.
Origins
Bachata is a genre of Latin American music that originated in the Dominican Republic in the early 1960s. It is typically performed with guitars, bongos and claves.
The style is a mix of bolero, son, guaracha and cha cha chá. Bachata was traditionally seen as music for lower-class Dominicans, but it has become increasingly popular in recent years, both in the Dominican Republic and internationally.
Notable bachata artists include Romeo Santos, Juan Luis Guerra and Aventura.
Characteristics
Bachata, a genre of music that originated in the Dominican Republic in the early 1960s, is a Latin American dance music that is considered a classic genre in the Dominican Republic. It is also popular throughout Latin America and the Hispanic community in the United States. Bachata is typically played with two guitarists, a bassist, and a percussionist playing bongos. The music is characterized by its simple harmony and melody, as well as its use of off-beat guitar strums called “the clave.”
Merengue
Merengue is a type of Latin music that originated in the Dominican Republic. It is a fast-paced, upbeat music that is often played at parties and celebrations. Merengue is a very popular type of music in the Dominican Republic and is also popular in other parts of Latin America.
Origins
The origins of Merengue are much disputed. Some say that it started in the 1860s during the time of the Dominican Republic’s fight for independence from Haiti, and that Haitian slaves brought the music and dance over to Santo Domingo. Another story claims that a General who had a limp created the dance while leading his troops into battle. And yet another story attributes it to a mango farmer who had an injured leg.
Characteristics
Merengue is a type of music and dance from the Dominican Republic that has become popular throughout Latin America and the Hispanic community in the United States. The music is fast paced and lively, with a 2/4 beat that is easy to dance to. Merengue is usually performed with a accordion and tambora, a type of drum. The lyrics are often about love, dancing, and having a good time.
The dance itself is very simple: partners stand facing each other and hold both hands. They then step side to side, keeping their feet close to the ground and their knees bent. As they dance, they move their hips from side to side.
Cumbia
Cumbia is a subgenre of Latin music that originated in Colombia. It is a mix of African and indigenous music and has become popular in many countries in Latin America. Cumbia is usually played with a drum, bass, guitar, and percussion instruments. It is a very danceable genre of music and is often played at parties and festivals.
Origins
Cumbia began as a courtship dance of Colombia’s lower classes in the 16th century. The music and dance later spread to Mexico and Central America, where it evolved into different forms. In the 20th century, cumbia became popular throughout Latin America, especially among rural peasants and the working class.
The term cumbia comes from the African word for drum, kumba. Cumbia music originally featured only drums, guitars, and voices. But over time, it absorbed various influences from other genres, including European polkas and waltzes, Costa Rican bomba music, Cuban son montuno, and Venezuelan llanera music.
Cumbia is now considered a symbol of Colombian national identity, though it has also become popular in other parts of Latin America. In recent years, cumbia has even gained a following in the United States and Europe.
Characteristics
Cumbia is a music genre that became popular in Colombia during the 1940s. This genre is a blend of African and Native American music with Spanish influences.
The music is characterized by a heavy bass drumbeat, which is usually played on a drum set, as well as various percussion instruments such as bongos, claves, and maracas. The lyrics of cumbia songs often deal with topics such as love, heartbreak, and happiness.
Cumbia enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the early 21st century, thanks in part to bands such as Bomba Estéreo and Calle 13. If you’re looking to get into this genre of music, be sure to check out these artists!
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is a Spanish hip hop genre that originated in Puerto Rico in the early 1990s. It is a fusion of Latin American and Caribbean music with hip hop, rap, and reggae. The lyrics are often about parties, love, and graffiti.
Origins
Reggaeton is a musical subgenre that originated in Puerto Rico during the late 1990s. It is a amalgamation of Latin American and Caribbean music genres, including dancehall, hip hop, merengue and various electronic music styles. The lyrics are typically sung in Spanish and are often sexually explicit.
The first commercially successful reggaeton song was “Oye mi canto” by Daddy Yankee, which was released in 2004. The genre gained mainstream popularity outside of Puerto Rico in the mid-2000s, particularly in the United States, Latin America and Europe. By the 2010s, it had become one of the most popular genres of Latin American music.
In recent years, reggaeton has begun to fuse with other genres, such as trap and R&B. This has led to the rise of so-called “trap en español” or “Latino trap” artists such as Bad Bunny, Ozuna and J Balvin.
Characteristics
Reggaeton is a Latin music subgenre that originated in Puerto Rico in the early 1990s. It is a mix of Jamaican dancehall and reggae with Hip Hop, Latin American, and Caribbean rhythms. The lyrics are often about parties, love, and sex and are sung in Spanish. The music is usually fast-paced with a heavy beat. Reggaeton is popular in Latin American countries, the Caribbean, and the United States.
