The Best Afro Latin Music Documentaries on Netflix
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Looking for some great Afro Latin music documentaries to watch on Netflix? We’ve got you covered with our list of the best ones out there!
What is Afro Latin Music?
Afro Latin music is a genre that encompasses a wide range of music styles from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that have been influenced by African music.
The genres vary widely, from the lively salsa and merengue of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico to the more traditional Afro-Peruvian music of Peru, and everything in between.
What all these genres have in common is their African roots. The enslaved Africans who were brought to Latin America and the Caribbean brought with them their music, which has been passed down through the generations and has been influence by the various cultures of the region.
If you’re curious to learn more about Afro Latin music, Netflix has a few good documentaries that are worth checking out.
The Evolution of Afro Latin Music
Afro Latin music has been growing in popularity in recent years, and there are now a number of documentaries about the genre on Netflix. These films explore the history and evolution of Afro Latin music, and they offer a glimpse into the lives of the people who create and perform this type of music.
The African Diaspora
The African diaspora is the movement of African people away from their homeland. This diaspora has taken many forms throughout history, but the most well-known is the transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly brought millions of Africans to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Today, the African diaspora is estimated to number around 200 million people, with significant populations in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. While the diaspora is often thought of as being primarily descended from slaves, it also includes voluntary migrants and descendants of other historical groups, such as traders, soldiers, and political refugees.
The term “Afro-Latin” refers to people of African descent living in Latin America. This includes countries in Central and South America where Spanish or Portuguese is spoken, as well as Brazil, which has a large population of Afro-Brazilians.
The music of the Afro-Latin diaspora is incredibly diverse, drawing on both African and European musical traditions. From Reggaeton to Bachata to Bossa Nova, Afro-Latin music has something for everyone.
If you’re interested in learning more about this rich musical tradition, check out some of the best Afro-Latin music documentaries currently streaming on Netflix.
The Birth of Afro Latin Music
From the earliest days of slavery in the Americas, music has been an important part of the culture of African-descended peoples. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, various genres of music with African influences, such as the habanera, mambo and son, became popular in Latin America. These genres would later be fused with African American music to create Afro-Latin music genres such as salsa and merengue.
The Birth of Afro Latin Music is a 2006 documentary that explores the origins of Afro-Latin music. The film features interviews with some of the most important figures in the history of the genre, including Celia Cruz, Mongo Santamaria and Tito Puente. The documentary also features performances by contemporary Afro-Latin musicians such as Ozomatli and Johnny Pacheco.
If you’re a fan of Afro-Latin music or are simply interested in learning more about its history, The Birth of Afro Latin Music is a must-watch.
The Golden Age of Afro Latin Music
From the 1920s to the 1950s, an explosion of creativity in Afro Latin music came to be known as the Golden Age. This was a time when Latin American and Caribbean artists began to fuse African rhythms with traditional Spanish and European musical styles, giving birth to new genres like salsa, merengue, and rumba.
During the Golden Age, many Afro Latin American artists found success in Cuba, which was then a thriving center for musical innovation. Cuban musicians such as Arsenio Rodríguez and Miguel Matamoros were particularly influential in shaping the sound of Afro Latin music during this period.
Other important figures from the Golden Age include Puerto Rican singer Ruth Fernández and Ecuadorian singer-songwriter Chispa de Mayo. Fernández popularized bolero music in the 1940s, while Chispa de Mayo helped bring Afro Ecuadorian rhythms like bomba and plena to a wider audience.
The Golden Age of Afro Latin music came to an end with the rise of Fidel Castro’s communist regime in Cuba during the late 1950s. Many of the most gifted musicians of this era were forced into exile, significantly weakening the Afro Latin music scene.
Despite this setback, the legacy of the Golden Age has endured, inspiring subsequent generations of Afro Latin musicians to keep pushing boundaries and experimenting with new sounds.
Contemporary Afro Latin Music
From the Congo to Cuba, Bomba to Bachata, these documentaries offer a fascinating look at the evolution of Afro Latin music and dance.
From the perspective of both scholars and music lovers, these docs explore the historical roots of Afro Latin music and its contemporary manifestations. They trace the influence of African rhythms on Latin American music, from the days of slavery to the present day. And they showcase the incredible talent of today’s Afro Latin musicians, who are keeping these traditions alive.
Whether you’re a fan of salsa, merengue, cumbia, or any other genre of Afro Latin music, you’ll find something to enjoy in these documentaries.
The Best Afro Latin Music Documentaries on Netflix
If you’re a fan of Afro Latin music, then you’re in for a treat. Netflix has a great selection of Afro Latin music documentaries that are sure to get you groove. From the history of Afro Latin music to the rise of contemporary artists, these documentaries offer a great insight into the culture and music of this diverse genre.
Calle 54
Calle 54 is a documentary that captures the Afro-Latin music scene in New York City. The film features some of the biggest names in Latin music, including Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Andy Garcia.
The Latin Explosion
In the late 1990s, a new genre of music began to take over the airwaves, Afro-Latino music. This new sound was a fusion of traditional Latin music with African rhythms and melodies, and it quickly became hugely popular. Today, Afro-Latin music is still going strong, and there are some great documentaries out there that explore its history and culture. Here are some of the best Afro Latin music documentaries on Netflix:
“The Latin Explosion” is a documentary that explores the rise of Afro-Latin music in the United States. It features interviews with some of the biggest names in the genre, including Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, and Tito Puente. “The Latin Explosion” is a must-watch for any fan of Afro-Latin music.
“rhythm & flow: cuba” is a documentary that takes a look at Cuba’s rich musical history and its influence on the world of Afro-Latin music. The film features interviews with some of Cuba’s most famous musicians, including Buena Vista Social Club founder Ibrahim Ferrer. “rhythm & flow: cuba” is a must-see for any fan of Cuban music or Afro-Latin music in general.
“Havana Jam ’79” is a documentary that captures a legendary concert that took place in Havana, Cuba in 1979. The concert featured performances by some of the biggest names in Cuban music, including Celia Cruz and Pablo Milanés. “Havana Jam ’79” is a must-watch for any fan of Cuban music or live concerts in general.
Buena Vista Social Club
If you’re looking for a great Afro Latin music documentary to watch on Netflix, you should definitely check out Buena Vista Social Club. This film tells the story of Cuban music and its influence on the world. It features some of the most famous Cuban musicians, including Ruben Gonzalez, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Omara Portuondo.
Havana Jam ’79
Havana Jam ’79 is one of the best Afro Latin music documentaries on Netflix. The film chronicles the historic concert that took place in Havana, Cuba in 1979. Some of the world’s greatest musicians, including Carlos Santana, Billy Joel, and The Grateful Dead, performed at the event.
The Last Song of the Nightingale
Set in Cuba during the late 1950s, The Last Song of the Nightingale is a beautiful and heart-wrenching documentary about the challenges faced by Cuban musicians under the communist regime. Filmed over a period of four years, the film follows the story of acclaimed Cuban singer Celia Cruz as she suffers through censorship and intimidation from the government. Despite the obstacles, Cruz continues to perform and record music, eventually going on to become one of the most successful Afro-Latin musicians of all time.
