Legends of Latin American Music

Discover the stories and sounds of Latin America’s most legendary musicians. From the heart-wrenching ballads of Latin America’s golden era to the catchy cumbias of today, this blog has it all.

Latin American Music

Many different styles of music have emerged from Latin America. These include but are not limited to: salsa, merengue, rumba, bachata, and cumbia. Each style of music has its own unique history and sound.

Defining the genre

Latin American music is a broad term that covers a wide range of genres and styles, originating from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The term “Latin American music” is often used interchangeably with “Latino music,” but there is a distinction between the two. Latino music refers to any music made by people of Latin American descent, regardless of where they live. Latin American music, on the other hand, refers specifically to music originating from Latin America.

Latin American music encompasses a wide range of styles, from the traditional folk sounds of countries like Mexico and Cuba to the modern pop and rock of Brazil and Argentina. The genre is also heavily influenced by African rhythms and melodies, as well as by the indigenous sounds of the region.

Some of the most famous and influential musicians in Latin American music history include Brazil’s Tom Zé and Caetano Veloso, Mexico’s Lila Downs and Juan Gabriel, Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club and Celia Cruz, and Argentina’s Soda Stereo and Gustavo Cerati.

Origins

Latin American music or Latin music, is a genre that is used by the musical industries of Latin America. It shares many similarities with Afro-Caribbean music; both genres have African and European influences, and both are syncretic in nature (drawing on multiple traditions). However, there are significant differences between the two: Latin American music is generally more closely associated with European Argentine tango, Brazilian samba, choro and milonga) and North American jazz, while Afro-Caribbean music is more closely associated with African rhythms. In addition, Latin American music has been significantly influenced by indigenous peoples

Popularity

In the United States, Latin American music became popular in the 1940s with bandleaders such as Xavier Cugat and Machito, who introduced Afro-Cuban rhythms to American audiences. In the 1950s, mambo and cha-cha became popular, followed by salsa in the 1970s.

In Latin America itself, different styles of music are popular in different countries. For example, Cuban music is popular in Cuba and throughout the Caribbean, while Argentine tango is popular in Argentina and Uruguay. Brazilian bossa nova and samba are popular throughout Brazil, while Colombia has its own style of music called vallenato.

Some Latin American musicians have become very famous internationally, such as Colombian singer Shakira, Cuban singer Gloria Estefan, and Mexican-American singer Selena.

Legends of Latin American Music

Latin American music has always had a rich history. From the early days of salsa and rumba, to the more modern pop and rock of today, the music of Latin America has always had a special place in the hearts of its people. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the legends of Latin American music, and see what made them so special.

Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz is one of the most celebrated and well-known Afro-Cuban singers of the 20th century. She is known for her Cuban salsa music and her flamboyant stage presence. Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1925, Cruz began her musical career in the 1940s singing with the group La Sonora Matancera. She left Cuba in the early 1960s after Fidel Castro came to power and made her home in New York City, where she became a star of Latin music.Cruz recorded more than 70 albums during her career and won numerous awards, including Grammys, Latin Grammys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She died in 2003 at the age of 77.

Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman. She started off her career as the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine and went on to have a hugely successful solo career. She has won seven Grammy Awards and is one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time.

Selena

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was a Mexican-American singer who became one of the most popular Latin artists of the late 20th century. She was born in Texas in 1971 and began her musical career in the early 1980s as a member of the family group Selena y Los Dinos. Her first solo album, Selena, was released in 1989 and she subsequently achieved mainstream success with a series of albums that helped to revitalize interest in traditional Tejano music. Selena’s prominence continued to grow after her tragic death in 1995, and she is now considered one of the most influential Latin musicians of all time.

The Future of Latin American Music

In a recent interview, the president of Sony Music Latin Iberia said “There’s a new movement happening in Latin music, and it’s being led by a new generation of artists who are fearlessly experimenting with different sounds and styles.” This new generation of artists is quickly gaining popularity not just in Latin America, but all over the world. Thanks to the internet, Latin American music is more accessible than ever before. Let’s take a look at some of the artists who are leading this new movement.

New artists

With the popularity of Latin trap and reggaeton music on the rise in recent years, a new generation of artists is emerging and breaking through to the mainstream. These artists are making waves not only in their native countries, but around the world. Here are some of the most promising new talents from Latin America.

From Argentina, meet trap singer-songwriter Lido Pimienta. Pimienta first gained attention with her 2016 album La Papessa, which won the Polaris Music Prize, and she has since released the critically acclaimed album Miss Colombia. Her music blends elements of cumbia, hip hop, and electronic music, resulting in a unique and fresh sound.

From Brazil, we have rapper MC Kevinho.Kevinho rose to fame with his hit single “Olha a Explosão”, which has been viewed over 100 million times on YouTube. He has collaborated with some of Brazil’s biggest names in music, including MCs Loden and Luccas Neto.

Chilean artist Ana Tijoux is a hip hop artist who first gained popularity in France with her album 1977. She has since released several more albums and won multiple awards, including two Latin Grammy Awards. Her music blends elements of Latin American folk music with socially conscious lyrics that deal with topics such as political corruption and inequality.

Colombian artist J Balvin is one of the biggest names in reggaeton right now. He has collaborated with artists such as Justin Bieber, Cardi B, and Lil Pump. His latest album Vibras debuted at number one on the Billboard Latin Albums chart and has been certified double platinum by the RIAA.

Mexican band Zoé is an alternative rock band that formed in the early 1990s. They have released six studio albums and have won multiple awards, including two Latin Grammy Awards

Crossover appeal

Though most contemporary Latin American music still largely exists within its regional markets, a number of artists have manages to find crossover success in recent years. Most notably, cartel-funded narcocorridos have found an unlikely audience among English-speaking listeners in the United States, while Brazilian pop has had a significant impact on the charts in Europe.

With the continued globalization of the music industry, it seems likely that we will see even more Latin American artists making a name for themselves on an international stage in the years to come. Who knows – perhaps the next big thing in pop music will come from south of the border!