Top Music Artists in Latin America
Looking for some new music to add to your playlist? Check out our list of the top music artists in Latin America! From reggaeton to cumbia, there’s something for everyone.
Shakira
Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, and philanthropist. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she began performing in school, demonstrating Latin American, Arabic, and rock and roll influences and belly dancing ability. Shakira’s chart-topping albums include Laundry Service and Oral Fixation, Volume 2. She has won numerous awards including two Grammy Awards, eight Latin Grammy Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards and has been inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has sold more than 140 million records worldwide, making her one of the world’s best-selling music artists. In 2020 Shakira was ranked as the 69th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin is a Puerto Rican singer, actor, and author. He is one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time. His music incorporates elements of Latin pop, balladry, and dance-pop. He has released several albums including Ricky Martin (1999), Sound Loaded (2000), Almas del Silencio (2003), Life (2005), Música + Alma + Sexo (2011), and A Quien Quiera Escuchar (2015). Ricky has also had a successful acting career, appearing in movies and TV shows such as General Hospital, TheMask of Zorro, soulfully Yours South Beach, Fast Food Nation, and Glee. In addition to his musical and acting careers, Ricky is also an author. He has written two memoirs, Me (2010) and Adventurous of My Soul (2012).
Gloria Estefan
Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman. A contralto, Estefan is one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time, with an estimated 100 million records sold worldwide. She has won seven Grammy Awards and is the most successful crossover performer in Latin music history.
Alejandro Fernandez
Alejandro Fernandez is a Mexican singer and songwriter who is one of the most popular and successful Latin artists of all time. His career spans over three decades and he has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. He is known for his traditional Mexican music as well as his crossover hits in the pop and rock genres. Alejandro has won multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards and he was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.
Mana
Mana is a Mexican rock group that formed in Guadalajara, Jalisco in 1986. They have sold over 40 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling Latin group of all time. Their sound is a blend of Latin, rock, and pop. They have won four Grammy Awards and six Latin Grammy Awards.
The band was originally formed by brothers Fher Olvera and Ulises Huerta, along with Juan Calleros and Alex González.Their first album, Falta Amor, was released in 1987. It did not gain much traction, but the follow-up album, Vivir Sin Aire, was a huge success, selling over three million copies. The album included the hits “Vuela Alto” and “Oye Mi Amor”.
Since then, Mana has released eight studio albums, including one live album and one greatest hits album. They have also released three DVDs. Their most recent studio album, Drama y Luz, was released in 2011 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
Jennifer Lopez
Amongst the Latina divas, Lopez is considered to be one of the most influential. She has broken barriers in the English-speaking world with a Hispanic twist. Whether its fashion, beauty, philanthropy or starring in blockbusters, Lopez continually strives to make her mark and inspire others.
