The Best of Latin Music
Contents
Find the best of Latin music right here! From the latest hits to classic favourites, we’ve got it all.
Intro to Latin Music
Origins
The beautiful thing about Latin music is its diversity. It is a genre that is constantly evolving, fusing elements of African, European, and indigenous sounds and cultures. It is impossible to pinpoint the exact origins of Latin music, but we can trace its roots back to the early days of the African slave trade.
Africans were brought to the Americas to work on plantations, and they brought their musical traditions with them. These musical traditions would eventually fuse with those of the Europeans and Native Americans, giving birth to a new genre of music: Latin music.
Latin music has come to be defined as any music that has been influenced by Latin American culture. This includes a wide range of genres, from salsa and merengue to bachata and reggaeton. No matter what style of Latin music you enjoy, you can trace its origins back to the early days of the African slave trade.
Popularity
Since the 1950s, Latin music has been extremely popular in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that about one out of every four popular songs played on American radio today has a Latin influence. This popularity is due in part to the large number of Latino immigrants who have come to the United States in recent decades, as well as to the growing number of Americans of Latino descent.
There are many different styles of Latin music, including salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and Bachata. While each of these genres has its own unique sound and flavor, they all share a common roots in Afro-Cuban music. In addition to being popular in the United States, Latin music is also huge in Latin America, where it often topped the charts.
One of the most influential Latin musicians of all time is Celia Cruz, a Cuban singer who rose to fame in the 1950s. Cruz was known for her powerful voice and energetic stage presence, and she went on to release dozens of successful albums throughout her career. She also helped to popularize Cuban music internationally, and her influence can still be heard in today’s Latin music scene.
Best Latin Albums of All Time
Latin music has been around for centuries and has influences from a variety of cultures. The best Latin albums of all time reflect this diversity, from early Cuban records to contemporary pop hits. In this list, we’ll be taking a look at ten of the best Latin albums of all time.
Buena Vista Social Club
Considered by many to be one of the best Latin albums of all time, Buena Vista Social Club was released in 1997 by Cuban bandleader Juan de Marcos González and American guitarist Ry Cooder. The album features performances by some of the most legendary Cuban musicians, including Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Eliades Ochoa, and Omara Portuondo.
Amor Prohibido
Amor Prohibido was the fourth studio album recorded by American singers Selena and Chris Pérez, and was released on April 12, 1994 by EMI Latin. It was posthumously released after Selena’s murder on March 31, 1995.
The album sold 175,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number one on the United States Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, becoming the first album by a female artist to do so. As of February 2015, Amor Prohibido has sold over 4 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling Latin albums of all time.
Amor Prohibido was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards (1995), but lost to Mariachi El Bronx by Mariachi El Bronx.
La Bamba
La Bamba is a 1987 American biographical musical drama film directed by Luis Valdez that depicts the life of Mexican-American rock and roll star Ritchie Valens. The film stars Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens, Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, Elizabeth Peña, Danielle von Zerneck, and Joe Pantoliano. The film dramatizes the events leading up to and including Valens’ fatal plane crash in 1959.
The film is based on Valens’ brief but influential career in the rock and roll scene, as well as his relationship with his half-brother Bob Morales (played by Morales), their father Manuel Morales (played by Peña), and his girlfriend Donna Ludwig (played by Von Zerneck). The film also features an appearance by Marshall Crenshaw as Buddy Holly. Crenshaw had previously played Holly in the 1987 film Buddy Holly Story.
La Bamba achieved only moderate success at the box office but was well received by critics. Philippines-born Lou Diamond Phillips was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance as Valens.
Best Latin Songs of All Time
“Besame Mucho”
“Besame Mucho” is a song written in 1928 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez. The song’s original Spanish-language title is “Bésame mucho”, and it has been covered many times.
The first English-language version was recorded by English singer Anne Shelton in 1955. The best-known English-language version was recorded by American singer Andy Williams in 1963.
The song has been used in many movies, including “Love in the Time of Cholera”, “The Untouchables”, “Ocean’s Eleven”, and “The Spy Who Loved Me”.
“Guantanamera”
“Guantanamera” is a Cuban folk song that has been performed by many artists over the years. It was first popularized by singer-songwriter Joseíto Fernández in the 1940s, and has since been covered by artists from all over the world. The song’s lyrics are based on a poem by Cuban poet José Martí, and tell the story of a young woman named Guantanamera (meaning “girl from Guantánamo”).
The original version of “Guantanamera” was very different from the version we know today. Fernández’s version was slower and more ballad-like, and Martí’s poem was adapted to fit the melody. over the years, the song has been performed in a variety of different styles, ranging from traditional Cuban to Latin pop.
No matter what style it’s performed in, “Guantanamera” is always sure to get people dancing. It’s a feel-good song that celebrates life, love, and freedom, and its message is one that resonates with people all over the world.
“Oye Como Va”
“Oye Como Va” is a light, peppy song with a catchy melody that has become one of the most well-known Latin songs of all time. Although it was originally a salsa song, it has been covered by many artists in a variety of genres, including these 10 versions that span the last 50 years.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the best of Latin music. Whether you’re a fan of salsa, merengue, bachata, or anything in between, there’s something here for everyone. So get out there and start exploring the amazing world of Latin music!
