The Best Latin American Music of 2014
It’s no secret that Latin American music is some of the best in the world. From samba to cumbia, there’s a wealth of great music to be discovered south of the border.
So, what were some of the best Latin American tunes of 2014? Here’s a list of our favorites:
– “El Perdon” by Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
– “Bailar” by Deorro feat. Chris Brown
–
Introduction
There’s no question that 2014 was a huge year for Latin American music. With breakout hits from artists like Shakira, J. Balvin, and Exitos del Mes, the past twelve months have seen a renaissance in the popularity of Latin American music both inside and outside of the region.
And with such a wide variety of sounds and styles coming out of Latin America, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a fan of reggaeton, cumbia, or anything in between, there’s sure to be a Latin American artist that you’ll love.
To help you sort through all the great music that came out this year, we’ve put together a list of our favorite Latin American albums and songs of 2014. From established stars like Shakira and Gloria Estefan to up-and-comers like Maluma and J. Balvin, these are the artists that we think made the past year so special.
Best Albums
It’s been a great year for Latin American music, with some excellent albums being released across a variety of genres. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best Latin American albums of 2014. Whether you’re a fan of reggaeton, cumbia, salsa, or any other Latin American genre, there’s sure to be something here for you. Let’s take a look at the best of what 2014 had to offer.
Album of the Year: “Magia” by Malu
It’s been a great year for Latin American music, with a bountiful crop of new albums crossing genres and borders. Here are our picks for the best of the bunch.
Album of the Year: “Magia” by Malu
This Spanish pop singer returned with her first album in six years, and it was worth the wait. “Magia” is an intimate, introspective record that explores love, loss and hope with gorgeous results. Malu’s voice is in top form throughout, and she proves that she’s one of the most underrated singers in pop music today.
Best Rock Album: “NoHayLugarMasLejos” by Zoé
This Mexican rock band released their fifth studio album this year, and it’s one of their strongest yet. “NoHayLugarMasLejos” is a tight collection of guitar-driven songs that explore love, loss and identity with honesty and insight. If you’re looking for a great new rock band to check out, Zoé should be at the top of your list.
Best Male Artist: Jesse & Joy
Jesse & Joy is a Mexican pop duo formed in 2005 by brother and sister Jesse Huerta and Joy Huerta. They are songwriters, guitarists, and vocalists. They have released three studio albums, one live album, and eleven singles. They won 3 Latin Grammy Awards in 2013 and another 2 in 2015. Their hits include “Espacio Sideral,” “¿Quién?” “Llorar,” “Me Voy,” and “No Soy Una de Esas.”
Best Female Artist: Gloria Trevi
One of the most successful and controversial Mexican singers of all time, Gloria Trevi is also known as the “Supreme Diva of the Mexican pop.” Born in 1971 in Monterrey, Natalio TreviñoGil took an early interest in music and started singing at age four. When she was 12, she ran away from home to join a traveling circus, where she worked as a clown and acrobat. She eventually made her way to Mexico City, where she became part of a female pop group called Boquitas Pintadas. The group toured Mexico and recorded two albums before breaking up in 1984.
Trevi embarked on a solo career soon after, releasing her debut album …Y Rai! in 1989. It was a major success, spawning the hit single “Dr. Psiquiatra.” She followed it with the even more successful album Tu ángel de la guarda, which featured the hits “Por amor” and “Zapatos viejos.” In 1992, Trevi married her producer Armando Lozano; their daughter Erica was born that same year.
The following year, Trevi released what would become her signature song, “Pelo suelto.” It was an instant hit, and its accompanying video was famously banned by the Mexican government for being too suggestive. Undeterred, Trevi released another provocatively titled album, De niña a mujer (1994), which featured the hits “No querías lastimarme” and “Vestida de azúcar.”
Best Group: Calle 13
Calle 13 topped our list of the best Latin American music of 2014 with their album Entren Los Que Quieran. The Puerto Rican duo, made up of brothers René Pérez Joglar and Eduardo Cabra, are known for their socially conscious and often irreverent lyrics, and they didn’t hold back on this album. With tracks like “El Aguante” and “Calma Pueblo,” they tackled issues like corruption and political violence with wit and charm. And though they may be controversial, there’s no denying that Calle 13 are one of the most innovative and exciting groups in Latin music today.
Best New Artist: J Balvin
From Colombia comes J Balvin, who is taking the Latin American music scene by storm. His album “La Familia” was one of the most popular albums of 2014, and his hit single “Yo Te Lo Dije” was one of the most played songs on Latin American radio. J Balvin is a fresh new voice in Latin music, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.
Best Songs
2014 was a big year in Latin American music. We saw the rise of reggaeton, the continued popularity of cumbia, and the rise of bachata. There were so many great songs that it was hard to narrow it down to just 10, but we did it. Here are the 10 best Latin American songs of 2014.
“Cuando Me Enamoro” by Enrique Iglesias
“Cuando Me Enamoro” is a ballad by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias. It was released in May 2010 as the lead single from his tenth studio album, Euphoria. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in the United States.
“Hasta Que Te Conocí” by Juan Gabriel
This past year has seen a surge in popularity of Latin American music, with many artists crossing over into the mainstream. Juan Gabriel’s “Hasta Que Te Conocí” was one of the biggest hits of the year, and is a perfect example of the catchy, yet soulful style that has made Latin American music so popular.
Born in Mexico City, Juan Gabriel began his career as a songwriter, penning hits for some of the biggest names in Mexican music. He eventually began recording his own music, and “Hasta Que Te Conocí” is from his 1984 album “Recuerdos II.” The song became an instant classic, and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
Juan Gabriel’s style is a unique blend of traditional Mexican sounds and more modern pop sensibilities. His lyrics are often poignant and reflective, as he often sings about love and loss. “Hasta Que Te Conocí” is no exception, with its tale of a man looking back on his life and realizing that he was never truly happy until he met the love of his life.
With its beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics, “Hasta Que Te Conocí” is a perfect example of why Latin American music has become so popular in recent years. Juan Gabriel is a true master of the craft, and this song is one of his many timeless classics.
“Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias
“Bailando” is a song by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias. The original version of the song features the Cuban artists Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona. The song was written by all three artists, and produced by Luis Fonsi and Marty Kudelka. It was released by Universal Republic Records as the lead single from Iglesias’s first bilingual studio album, Sex and Love (2014).
“Bailando” peaked at number twelve on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming his highest-charting single in the United States since his featuring on Daddy Yankee’s “Lovumba” in 2012. “Bailando” also peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs and Tropical Songs charts simultaneously. The song has sold over 5 million copies in the US as of November 2014. In Europe, “Bailando” became Iglesias’ seventh consecutive number-one single (sixth as a solo artist), while it topped the charts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Poland. Additionally, Iglesias became the first ever non-Latin artist to reach 200 number-one positions on any Billboard music chart with “Bailando”.
The accompanying music video for “Bailando” was directed by Alejandro Pérez and features both Iglesias and Bueno dancing in a warehouse while Gente de Zona perform their parts in front of a wall. The video was filmed in Miami, Florida and Ibiza, Spain during July 2014.
“La La La” by Shakira
Shakira’s “La La La” was released in early 2014 as part of the FIFA World Cup official soundtrack. The song quickly became a anthem for the World Cup, with its catchy chorus and infectiously positive message. “La La La” is a collaboration between Shakira and Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown, and it features a mix of traditional Brazilian rhythms and instruments with Shakira’s signature pop sound. The track is sure to get your toes tapping and put a smile on your face.
“Mi Verdad” by Mana
“Mi Verdad” is a song by the Mexican rock band Mana. It was released in 2014 as the first single from their album Cama Incendiada. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Latin Songs chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best Latin American music of 2014 includes a variety of genres from a variety of countries. From Mexico to Argentina, there is sure to be something for everyone on this list. So get out your dancing shoes and enjoy!
