Latin Music in the USA: Where to Find It and How to Get It

If you’re a fan of Latin music, you might be wondering where to find it in the United States. While it’s not as prevalent as other genres, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Latin music in the US. In this blog post, we’ll show you where to find Latin music in the US and how to get your hands on it.

The History of Latin Music in the USA

The history of Latin music in the United States is a long and complex one. Latin music encompasses a wide range of genres and styles, from the traditional sounds of Mexico and Brazil to the more modern pop and rock styles of Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Latin music has been a part of the US musical landscape for centuries, but it was not until the early 20th century that it began to gain widespread popularity. In the 1920s, several Latin bands began to gain notoriety in the US, including Xavier Cugat and his orchestra, which became known for their spirited renditions of popular songs.

Cugat’s popularity coincided with a growing interest in Latin dance styles, such as the rumba and tango. This trend was fuelled by Hollywood films such as 1942’s “Casablanca,” which featured a memorable scene of Cugat performing the rumba. In the 1950s, mambo and cha-cha-cha became popular dance crazes in the US, further increasing interest in Latin music.

During this period, a number of Latin musicians achieved crossover success with American audiences. One of the most famous was Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz, who starred on the popular sitcom “I Love Lucy” with his wife Lucille Ball. Arnaz is credited with popularizing Cuban music in the US with his catchy tunes and infectious rhythms.

In the 1960s, salsa emerged as a new style of Latin music that blended elements of Afro-Cuban rhythms with more traditional Colombian and Puerto Rican sounds. Salsa quickly gained popularity both in Latino communities in the US and with mainstream audiences. In the 1970s and 1980s, a number of salsa stars emerged, including Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, and Marc Anthony.

Today, Latin music is more popular than ever in the United States. It can be heard on radio stations across the country and is often played at clubs, parties, and festivals.

The Different Genres of Latin Music

There are many different genres of Latin music, each with its own unique history, sound, and style. Here is a quick overview of some of the most popular types of Latin music:

Salsa: A high-energy genre that originated in Cuba and Puerto Rico, salsa is perfect for dancing. It often features horns and percussion instruments, and is characterized by its fast tempo and repetitive rhythms.

Merengue: Another lively genre that is popular for dancing, merengue originated in the Dominican Republic. It is characterized by its fast pace and simple dance steps. Merengue often features horns, accordions, and percussion instruments.

Reggaeton: A relatively new genre that combines aspects of hip-hop, reggae, and Latin music, reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico in the 1990s. It is characterized by its catchy beats, often featuring electronic instrumentation.

Bachata: A slow and sensual genre originating from the Dominican Republic, bachata is typically sung in Spanish or Dominican Creole. It often features acoustic guitars and romantic lyrics.

The Popularity of Latin Music in the USA

There is no doubt that Latin music is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. According to a recent report by the Nielsen Company, Latin music accounted for 5.8% of all music consumed in the U.S. in 2017, up from 5.3% in 2016.

This increase in popularity is being driven by a number of factors, including the growing Hispanic population in the U.S., the increasing popularity of streaming services like Spotify and Pandora, and the success of crossover artists like Luis Fonsi, Ozuna, and Bad Bunny.

If you’re looking to get into Latin music, there are a few things you should know. In this article, we’ll take a look at where to find Latin music in the USA and how to get it.

Latin music can be divided into several different genres, including salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton, and cumbia. While all of these genres are popular in Latin America, they have each become firmly entrenched in the American mainstream as well.

For example, salsa’s popularity can be traced back to New York City’s Puerto Rican community in the 1960s and 1970s; merengue was popularized by Dominican immigrants in the 1980s; bachata rose to prominence in the 1990s thanks to artists like Romeo Santos; and reggaeton exploded onto the scene in the early 2000s with artists like Daddy Yankee and Wisin & Yandel.

Cumbia, meanwhile, has long been popular among Latino immigrants living onjofre (‘cumbe’ being an African word for ‘dance’) were heavily influenced by both Cuban son and Spanish guitar music.”>

Where to Find Latin Music in the USA

Latin music is hugely popular in the United States, with a wide range of styles and genres to choose from. If you’re looking for Latin music in the USA, there are a few different places you can look.

You can find Latin music on the radio, on TV, and online. You can also find it in clubs and concerts, and at festivals and other events.

If you want to buy Latin music, you can find it in record stores, online, and in some stores that sell DVDs and CDs. You can also buy it from websites that specialize in Latin music.

How to Get Latin Music in the USA

If you want to get your hands on some Latin music in the USA, there are a few ways to go about it. You can find it in record stores, online, or on the radio.

Record Stores:
There are many Latinos in the USA, so finding a Latin music section in a regular record store should not be too difficult. If you live in a big city, there is likely to be a store that specializes in Latin music.

Online:
If you cannot find what you are looking for in a record store, the next best place to look is online. There are many websites that sell Latin music, and you should be able to find whatever you are looking for with a little bit of searching.

Radio:
Listening to the radio is a great way to discover new music, and there are many stations that play Latin music in the USA. You can find them by searching online or by using a radio directory.