5 Famous Latin American Music Artists You Need to Know

From Selena to Gloria Estefan, these are five of the most iconic Latin American music artists that have made a significant impact on the music industry.

Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She started off her career as the lead singer in the group Miami Sound Machine and released a string of hit songs in the 1980s. Her popularity as a solo artist grew in the 1990s with hits such as “Conga” and “The Rhythm is Gonna Get You.” Gloria has won seven Grammy Awards and is one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time.

What are some of your favorite Gloria Estefan songs?

Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she began performing in school, demonstrating Latin American, Arabic, and rock and roll influences and belly dancing abilities. Shakira’s first studio albums, Magia and Peligro, failed to attain commercial success in the 1990s; however, she rose to prominence in Latin America with her major-label debut album Pies Descalzos (1996), and her fourth album Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998). Shakira entered the English-language market with her fifth album Laundry Service in 2001.

Shakira has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide as of 2019. She has won numerous awards including five MTV Video Music Awards, two Grammy Awards, eight Latin Grammy Awards—making her the only female artist to achieve that amount—twenty Billboard Latin Music Awards, thirty-eight Billboard Music Awards from a hundred nominations—including three for Top Female Artist of the Year—and has been nominated for an Academy Award.

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin is a Puerto Rican singer, actor, and author who achieved fame, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, and then as a solo artist with his 1995 debut album, A Medio Vivir. He has since released multiple albums throughout his career, including his 1999 self-titled Spanish-language album and his 2000 English-language debut album, Sound Loaded. Known for his unique blend of Latin pop and dance music, Martin has sold over 70 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammy Awards.

Martin began his career at the age of twelve with the all-boy pop group Menudo. He remained with the group until he was eighteen, when he left to pursue a solo career. His breakout moment came in 1999 with the release of his self-titled Spanish-language album Ricky Martin, which included the hit single “La Copa de la Vida.” This album propelled him to superstardom in the Latin world and earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. In 2000, Martin released his first English-language album, Sound Loaded, which featured the hit single “Livin’ la Vida Loca.” The album’s success made him an international star and helped him crossover into the mainstream pop market.

Martin has continued to enjoy success throughout his career with both his Spanish-language and English-language albums. He has also ventured into acting, appearing on such popular television shows as General Hospital and Glee. In addition to his musical and acting accomplishments, Martin is also an active philanthropist and advocate for social causes. He founded the Ricky Martin Foundation in 2000 to combat human trafficking and child prostitution.

J.Lo

Jennifer Lopez, also known as J.Lo, is a famous American singer, actress, and dancer. She is of Puerto Rican descent and first gained recognition for her role as a Fly Girl dancer on the television show In Living Color. She went on to star in a number of films, including Selena, Out of Sight, The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan, and Monster-in-Law. Lopez has also released several albums, including On the 6, J.Lo, This Is Me… Then, and Brave.

Selena

Selena Quintanilla was a Mexican-American singer who began her career in the 1980s. She released her debut album in 1987 and her second album in 1989. She rose to prominence in the early 1990s with her third album, entitled “Entre a Mi Mundo”, which became one of the best-selling Latin albums in history. Selena was known for her soulful and emotive singing style, as well as her fashion sense and outgoing personality. She was murdered by her fan club president in 1995, at the age of just 23.