The Encyclopedia of Latin American Popular Music

The Encyclopedia of Latin American Popular Music is a comprehensive reference work on the music of Latin America, edited by musicologist Chris Washburne.

Introduction

Latin American popular music, also known as Latin music or Latin pop, is a genre used by the music industry as a catch-all term for any style of music that comes from Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking areas of the world.

This includes countries in North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean. While “Latin music” is often used to describe specific genres such as salsa or merengue, it is also used as a catch-all term for anything that comes from this region of the world.

Due to the vast number of countries and cultures represented under the “Latin” umbrella, Latin American popular music is incredibly diverse. It includes styles such as ranchera and mariachi from Mexico, tango from Argentina, bossa nova from Brazil, cumbia from Colombia, and merengue and bachata from the Dominican Republic.

While some Latin American countries have long been associated with specific genres of music (such as Cuba and salsa), others (such as Brazil) have produced a wide variety of popular styles over the years. In recent decades, there has been a growing trend of Latin American musicians crossing over into the mainstream pop market in the United States and other countries. This has led to increased exposure for many different styles of Latin American popular music.

The Origins of Latin American Popular Music

Latin American popular music, also known as Latin music or Hispanic music, is a genre that is widely enjoyed by people all over the world. Latin American music has its roots in the music of the indigenous people of the Americas, as well as the music of the African slaves who were brought to the Americas by the Europeans. Latin American music is a blend of these two cultures, as well as the cultures of the Europeans who colonized the Americas.

The African Connection

Latin American popular music has its roots in the music of the African diaspora. The earliest music to come out of the region was a blend of African and European styles, played by slaves and free blacks who had been transported to the Americas during the colonial era. Over time, these musical traditions blended together to create new genres such as salsa, reggae, and merengue.

Today, African-derived musical styles can be found throughout Latin America, from the samba of Brazil to the cumbia of Colombia. Even in countries where the African diaspora is not as large, such as Peru and Chile, Afro-Latin American music has had a significant impact on the local cultures.

The European Connection

From the early days of European colonization to the present, the music of Latin America has been profoundly shaped by the continent’s ties to Europe. Latin America is home to a wide variety of musical styles, from the energetic samba of Brazil to the melancholy tango of Argentina, and each has its own unique history.

The earliest musical traditions in Latin America were brought over by the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors and settlers. These music traditions were then blended with local sounds and instruments, resulting in new styles like the mariachi and samba. African slaves also brought their own musical traditions to the continent, which further enriched the region’s musical melting pot.

In the 19th century, Latin American music began to develop its own distinct identity, thanks in part to the rise of nationalist movements throughout the continent. Composers like Mexico’s Manuel M. Ponce and Argentina’s Alberto Ginastera began to incorporate local themes and instrumentation into their music, creating a new Latin American sound. Today, Latin American music is more popular than ever, thanks in part to globalization and the rise of Latino artists in mainstream pop culture.

The Indigenous Connection

In addition to the African connection, there is also an indigenous connection to the origins of Latin American popular music. Indigenous people in Latin America have been playing music for centuries, and their music has had a significant influence on the development of popular music in the region.

Some of the most famous Latin American musicians have been of indigenous descent, including Paraguayan harpist and composer Paraguayan harpist Rafael Araneda, Mexican mariachi singer Lola Beltrán, and Ecuadorian salsa singer Hugo Blanco. But even if they are not famous musicians themselves, indigenous people have often been at the heart of Latin American popular music scenes, acting as healers, storytellers, and spiritual guides.

The indigenous connection to Latin American popular music is evident in the way that many of the region’s most popular genres have incorporated traditional instruments and melodies. For example, Andean flutes and panpipes are often used in Peruvian cumbia songs, while Brazilian samba often features drums and other instruments from Africa. Similarly, Mexican ranchera music frequently includes indigenous rhythms and melodies, and Cuban son often incorporates elements of Yoruba drumming.

The Development of Latin American Popular Music

Latin American popular music, also known as Latin music or Hispanic music, is a genre that incorporates various cultural and musical elements originating from countries in Latin America. This type of music has its roots in the region’s folkloric and indigenous music, but it has also been influenced by styles such as European, African, and North American music. Latin American popular music has played a significant role in the development of various genres such as rock, pop, and hip hop.

The Rise of Tango

The tango is a popular Latin American dance that originated in Argentina in the late 19th century. It is characterized by its dramatic, sensual movements and its passionate embrace. The tango quickly spread throughout Latin America and Europe, becoming one of the most popular dances of the early 20th century.

The tango first became popular in Argentina in the 1880s, where it was danced in the slums of Buenos Aires. It soon spread to the middle and upper classes, who embraced it as a stylish and sophisticated dance. By the early 1900s, tango was being performed in theaters and dance halls across Argentina.

The popularity of tango quickly spread to other countries in Latin America, such as Uruguay, Brazil, and Cuba. Tango also became popular in Europe, particularly in France and Italy. In the 1920s, tango became associated with criminals and prostitutes, which led to its decline in popularity. However, it soon regained its status as a fashionable dance, thanks to its inclusion in Hollywood films such as “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” (1921) and “The Merry Widow” (1925).

Today, tango is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds across the world. It remains one of the most popular Latin American dances.

The Rise of Bolero

Bolero is a genre of Latin American popular music that originated in Cuba in the late 19th century. It is typically a slow, sentimental ballad that is sung in Spanish. The genre arose from the fusion of several African, Cuban and European musical traditions, and bolero lyrics often deal with themes of love, loss and nostalgia.

The rise of bolero in the early 20th century coincided with the popularity of the tango in Europe and North America. Cuban composer Gerardo Hernández wrote some of the earliest boleros, including “Dos Gardenias” (1902) and “No Te Importe Saber” (1908). Bolero reached its height of popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, with artists such as Miguel Matamoros, Celia Cruz and Trinidad López. In recent years, bolero has experienced something of a revival thanks to singers like Buena Vista Social Club’s Ibrahim Ferrer and Rubén González.

The Rise of Salsa

In the late 1960s, salsa (a term meaning “sauce” or “spice” in Spanish) emerged as a new label for various popular music styles originating in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Though often seen as simply a marketing category, salsa encompassed a wide range of musical genres, including Puerto Rican bomba and plena, Cuban son montuno, guaguancó, and mambo, Colombian cumbia and vallenato, Dominican merengue and bachata, and Panamanian panameños. Salsa also absorbed other musical styles from around the world, including Brazilian samba and African rhythms. The rise of salsa was closely linked to the popularity of New York City’s Latino communities in the 1960s and 1970s.

Salsa soon became one of the most popular dance music genres in Latin America, North America, and Europe. Its popularity was further boosted by the rise of Latino-oriented television channels such as Univision in the United States. In the 21st century, salsa continued to be a major force in Latin American popular music, with artists such as Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, and Shakira achieving global success.

The Impact of Latin American Popular Music

Latin American popular music has had a significant impact on pop music around the world. The genre has its roots in the music of the African diaspora, which was brought to the Americas by slaves. Latin American music has been influenced by a variety of factors, including European, indigenous, and American music.

The Impact of Tango

Tango is a musical genre that originated in Argentina in the late 19th century. It was initially associated with the lower classes, but by the early 20th century it had become popular among all social strata. Tango was initially adopted by European and North American popular musicians in the early 20th century, and quickly became a global phenomenon.

In recent years, tango has undergone a renaissance, with a renewed interest in its traditional forms as well as its fusion with other genres. This has led to a renewed appreciation of the musical and cultural impact of tango both in Latin America and around the world.

The Impact of Bolero

Bolero is a genre of Latin American popular music that originated in Cuba in the late 19th century. It is traditionally sung in a 2/4 time signature with a simple melody and harmony accompanied by guitars, pianos, and sometimes violins. The lyrics are usually about love, loss, and yearning, and the songs are often played at slow speeds to create a sense of melancholia or nostalgia.

Bolero was initially popularized in Cuba by artists such as Miguel Matamoros and Sindulfo Castro, and it soon spread to other countries in Latin America, such as Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Venezuela. In the early 20th century, bolero became increasingly popular throughout Latin America and Spain, particularly among working-class people and immigrants. The genre experienced a decline in popularity in the mid-20th century but experienced a resurgence in the 1980s thanks to artists such as Lucía Méndez and Luis Miguel.

Today, bolero is enjoyed by people of all ages throughout Latin America and Spain, and it has also become popular among Latinos living in the United States. The genre has been Perez Prado’s “Mambo No. 5”, Santana’s “Oye Como Va”, Gloria Estefan’s “Conga”, Los Lobos’ “La Bamba”.

The Impact of Salsa

No discussion of Latin American popular music would be complete without examining the impact of salsa. This infectious genre is a blend of Cuban son, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and Dominican merengue, with influences from jazz, rock, and other styles. When salsa reached New York City in the 1960s, it quickly became popular among Latin American immigrants and eventually crossed over to the mainstream American audience.

Salsa gave rise to a new generation of Latin American performers who blended traditional sounds with contemporary beats. Among the most successful and influential artists of this era are Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, and Gloria Estefan. These artists helped bring Latin American music to a whole new level of popularity and acceptance.

In recent years, salsa has continued to evolve, incorporating elements from other genres such as hip hop and reggaeton. This has led to the creation of new subgenres such as Cuban hip hop and Dominican bachata-fusion. As Latin American music continues to grow in popularity around the world, it is clear that the impact of salsa will continue to be felt for many years to come.

Conclusion

The Latin American popular music of the past century has been shaped by a number of factors, including the region’s history, geography, and culture. From its African and European roots to its contemporary hybrid styles, Latin American music has had a profound impact on the world of popular music.