What is Latin music? With 8 main examples and history: how-to's from the music industry (2023)

While Latin music encompasses many different styles, it is generally defined as music with a Portuguese or Spanish flavor, with a catchy beat sung in those languages. Latin American music can originate from virtually anywhere, although it is most prevalent in Spain, the Caribbean, and the Americas.

The lyrics and tone of Latin music tend to be relatively robust and passionate, dealing with emotional themes and captivating audiences.

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Definition What is Latin music?

Latin music is classified as world music and much of it has its roots in ancient civilizations. In fact, there is a great influence of the Incas and the pre-Columbian civilization in modern Latin music. He also draws inspiration from the Caribbean and parts of South America, and is especially fond of new variations of Latin music.Reggaeton, which shaped the club scene in South, Central and North America.

There is also a lot of African inspiration in Latin American music, as well as some aspects of southern European music trends. It's fair to say that Latin music is a huge melting pot of different genres and styles, all coupled with a catchy beat and lyrics that everyone can relate to.

Characteristics of Latin American music

While Latin music comes in many different ways, it shares some common traits depending on where you are in the world and what style you listen to. These characteristics define the genre and make you understand that what you are listening to is decidedly Latin American music.

percussion instruments

This type of music tends to play a lot on percussion instruments. Various drums, maracas and tambourines give Latin American music its characteristic touch and style and set the rhythm of the music. The use of heavy drums in Latin music is exactly what makes it so exciting and easy to dance to.

Also, Latino musicians can enhance new and existing music by adding more percussion elements. In addition to percussion, you'll likely hear a lot of wind instruments in Latin music. Depending on the style, you might hear some very beefy horns, trumpets, or even lower wind instruments like the tuba.

Certain styles of Latin American music are mixed with electronic music or other dance elements. Chances are, no matter which one you're listening to, there's a rock beat to kick or clap to.

Language mainly Spanish and Portuguese

The languages ​​of choice for Latin American music are usually Portuguese or Spanish. While you might hear a few English words scattered throughout the mix, they won't stand out. Sometimes other languages ​​or dialects appear, particularly Creole or various mixtures of Spanish and English.

A great example of this type of fusion is Despacito, made popular by Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee. Although some of the texts ofThisare in English, the song is mostly sung or rapped in Spanish.Thisit was extremely popular on the Latin and pop music charts, bringing that style of music into the mainstream.

unique rhythm

Latin music is nothing more than rhythmic. In addition to percussion instruments, Latin American music adopts rhythmic patterns from a variety of sources. You will find Caribbean and African rhythms in all your favorite Latin songs. These rhythmic patterns form the backbone of the song, creating predictable rhythm patterns that you can dance to.

Rhythm is one of the reasons why Latin music is so easy to dance to and so catchy. Although all songs are different, many Latin American songs use a two or three bar rhythm that is very easy to learn and dance to. When you combine that with identifiable lyrics and other instruments, you have an exceptional style that is unique in its own right.

9 examples of Latin American music

While there are many great examples of Latin music, some songs really define the style. These are timeless songs that are loved almost everywhere. If you're interested in Latin music, there's a good chance you have one or more of these in your rotation.

If you're just starting to appreciate Latin music, add these songs to your next playlist ASAP. They are an excellent backbone for the genre and give you energy no matter what you are doing.

Your Pum Pum from El General

tu pum pumby El General is one of the best Latin music songs in the world and has infiltrated almost every club in the United States. You only have to listen to it once to understand its appeal. Not onlytu pum pumIt's got a fantastic beat, but the lyrics are also endlessly relatable. It's essentially a sultry love letter with a catchy chorus.

tu pum pumhe begins by assuring the object of El General's affections that his adoration is true, before asking him to return it. The chorus of "tu pum pum mami mami" repeats multiple times throughout the song, tying all the different verses together and making it an all-time epic Latin song.

Gasoline from Daddy Yankee

If you've ever been to a club down south, downtown, or in major North American cities, chances are you've heard this classic Latin music song by Daddy Yankee. While Daddy Yankee is a perennial Latin music favorite, he recently burst onto the pop music scene through his collaboration with Justin Bieber.This🇧🇷 So if you love this song and want more Daddy Yankee give it a tryGasolinea try

It cannot be said otherwise; the chorus ofGasolineIt's downright contagious. Daddy Yankee begins by praising the object of his affection. The first few verses talk about how much he loves to have fun and he always gets the party started before jumping into the chorus of "Give Me More Gas." If you're in the club when this song comes out, you'll know it right away because the crowd will go wild.

Shakira's hips don't lie

Colombian sensation Shakira is no stranger to chart-topping pop and crossover success.Hips do not lieIt is an exceptional example of art and craft. Like many classics of Latin American musicHips do not lieis a love letter to having fun on the dance floor. In this song, Shakira celebrates her own hips and dance moves and fully embraces her sexuality in a fun and close way.

Hips do not lieit was Shakira's first US number-one debut. She went on to have several more big hits along with well-known artists such as Wyclef Jean. While the entire Shakira back catalog is amazing,Hips do not lieit is one of the best examples of Latin music merging easily and effectively with pop.

Let's Make Noise by Jennifer Lopez

JLo is another crossover artist with strong Latin roots who knows how to bring good club music.let's make some noiseis the club's definitive anthem. Although he debuted in 1999, he can still be heard playing clubs around the world today. This song has a very simple message; It's a call to start the party on the dance floor.

Although most people associate Jennifer Lopez with this epic track, another Latin music great, Gloria Estefan, actually co-wrote it. Lopez took the song and made it her own, adding powerful vocals and a rocking beat. Since then,let's make some noiseit has been covered by numerous Latin and pop artists, but will always be associated with Jennifer Lopez.

this man from india

While much of Latin music revolves around men singing about the objects of their affections, there are some genuinely feminine anthems in the mix as well.This manIndia is a shining example. La India's work is heavily influenced by Latin and Latin.Salsa music, and Ese Hombre is a nice fusion of the two, sung in Spanish about an arrogant, belligerent guy La India doesn't have time for.

It's basically the response of Latin music.no scrubs,Best TLC diss for kids, not worth it. La India's interpretation shares "that man" or "that guy" as someone who is simply not worthy of your love or affection. While not as popular as some of the other songs on our list, she still put La India on the map, earning her the title of Princess of Salsa.

Gloria Estefans Conga ist die Miami Sound Machine

Before Jennifer Lopez, there was Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. Gloria Estefan really popularized the Latin sound in English-speaking circles, andWith gasis one of the best known and most popular Jameses of the 1980s, although you may not hear itWith gasPlayed regularly in clubs, rest assured that when this song starts, the house will burn down.

The premise of the song is simple which makes it so catchy and catchy. Essentially,With gasis Estefan's plea for the club to appreciate Cuban music and "do the conga." It introduced Americans to Latin music and climbed the Billboard charts upon its release. The combination of classic Cuban rhythms with English lyrics made it relatable and relatable at the time.

Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine may have opened the door for other Latin music artists like Daddy Yankee and Shakira to make their mark decades later.With gasIt was something completely new and it transformed the music in the club scene back then.

Hey, how is Santana?

Although Tito Puente wroteHi how are you?, Santana's version is easily the best known. As with many Latin American music favorites, the lyrics are fromHi how are you?they are relatable and easy to sing. The chorus is "oye come va, mi ritmo", which translates directly to "listen to how you go, my rhythm". This chorus is repeated over and over again throughout the song, and even if you don't know Spanish you can sing it.

While Tito Puente's version is extraordinary, Santana's hard rock anthem is nothing short of legendary. The Latin Grammy Hall of Fame recognized him as a cornerstone of Latin music in 2001, and many music lovers regularly laud him as a cross-genre powerhouse.

Although Santana released his version years ago, it can still be heard on the radio, in clubs, and sampled all the time. Even people who are not familiar with Latin American music know and appreciate it.Hi how are things.If you are interested in this style, add this song to your playlist and use it as a springboard to explore some of the other work of Santana and Tito Puente.

The Bamba by Ritchie Valens

Ritchie Valenso bambaIt is probably the best known, most covered, and most popular example of early Latin music. While it doesn't have the strong reggaeton rhythms of today's modern Latin music, it still has plenty of classical guitar and an easy-singing chorus. Although Ritchie Valens is famouso bambaHe didn't actually write it. It originates from the Veracruz region of Mexico and is considered primarily traditional music. Valens has just hit the mainstream.

o bambaIt's important because it first introduced Latin and Mexican music into the rock canon. In 1958, American rock and folk music wasn't very diverse, but Ritchie Valens changed all that by putting his own spin on a Mexican folk song no one had ever heard of before. So today everyone knows the opening bars ofo bambaand can probably sing most of it.

best latin musicians

There are a lot of great Latino musicians out there, but some of them shaped the genre and brought it into the mainstream. Without these opening numbers, you wouldn't hear amazing Latin rhythms in the club or experience the fusion between rap, reggae and Latin styles.

It is surprising that much of this music still survives today. Many of these famous artists have huge catalogs of works, and their songs are covered, distorted, and adapted by today's modern artists.

If you have a good understanding of Latin music and really want to understand the roots of today's version, take a look at some of these top musicians. These are the artists who helped take Latin music to the next level, or just brought it into the mainstream.

Titus bridge

Before there was Santana, there was Tito Puente. Tito Puente wrote Santana's classic hitHi how are you?, and his version is just as catchy as the original. Tito Puente was a man of many talents who wrote sheet music and hosted big bands in New York City. We can give him credit for bringing Latin jazz to the forefront of American culture and also for setting the stage for the many people who followed it.

Tito Puente specialized in mambo music and was often called the "King of Mambo." Also, he was a very talented musician, he perfected instruments likePiano, drums and saxophone. Although Tito attended Puente Julliard, he was also very inspired by Latin American culture, experimentation and the fusion of different styles.

Carlos Gardel

Carlos Gardel was an early influence on Latin music, bringing tango to the masses in the early 1900s. Like Tito Puente, Gardel specialized in fusing Latin and world music with more contemporary American styles. Although French by birth, Gardel was of Argentine descent and drew heavily on that influence for his world.

He had a beautiful baritone voice and quickly made a name for himself as a very popular and well-respected tango singer. Gardel's music had flowery, passionate lyrics and catchy melodies that easily appealed to American audiences. While Tito Puente was called the "King of Mambo", Carlos Gardel became the "King of Tango".

Although tango is very popular today and is considered by most to be one of the main styles of Latin music, this was not always the case. We can credit Carlos Gardel for bringing it to the fore and giving us beautiful tango music long before many people explored the Latin music genre.

selena

A more modern influence on Latin music, Selena was a Mexican-American powerhouse who tragically died at the age of 20. Like Carlos Gardel and Tito Puente, Selena had her own nickname; the "queen of Tejano music". In addition to her talent on stage, Selena had a unique, often copied fashion sense and an infectious and charismatic personality.

During her heyday, Selena was often compared to 1980s superstar Madonna, and there's no doubt she would have gone on to even better things if her life hadn't been cut short so quickly. Still, Selena has accomplished a lot of her own in her relatively few years on the planet.

His 1992 albumcome into my worldHe hits the Billboard charts and many of his singles likeas the flower, became national hits. In 1995, at the height of her career, Yolanda Saldivar, an ex-girlfriend of hers, shot and killed Selena. She is still loved and remembered in her home state.Texas, Nevertheless. April 16 is officially Selena Day and her small but impressive catalog of works lives on.

Carmen Miranda

Carmen Miranda is an icon and performer of Latin music. She is credited with bringing Brazilian and Portuguese talent into the mainstream. Like many of the top artists on our list, Carmen Miranda had her own nickname, the "Brazilian Bomshell." One thing that made Carmen Miranda so iconic was her fashion style. She often wore unique and wacky hats, including a hat filled with tropical fruits.

Even if you don't know Carmen Miranda's music, chances are you will recognize her photos. She has acted in many classic American movies likeargentinian way🇧🇷 It also popularized Brazilian music long before anyone in the United States had even heard of Rio Carnival.

Carmen Miranda came to Casa Branca and performed for Franklin Roosevelt with his Bando da Lua band.

Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz was one of the biggest salsa stars in the United States, honing the genre throughout her long career. The so-called "Queen of Salsa Music" made Latin American music relatable and palatable to American audiences as early as the 1950s.o bambacame out later, you can understand the strength of Celia Cruz.

Celia Cruz sang with big bands and orchestral groups in the 1950s and led influential companies such as La Sonora Matancera.

These Latin music heavyweights helped shape a genre and made all the different styles of Latin music acceptable and acceptable to the American public. Without them, we would not have or enjoy the diverse and new styles of Latin music that we have today.

The history of Latin American music

(Video) 8 Types of Latin dance

Latin music is incredibly diverse and has many different origins. Still, most music experts agree that it derives from the originally indigenous populations of the Caribbean and South America, as well as Portuguese and Spanish influences. The fusion of all these different things, plus African rhythms and a touch of French flair, is what makes Latin music what it is today.

It's a complete mix of styles and influences that have made it something unique that dates back to a very specific time.

One of the most beautiful things about Latin music is that it is always evolving. While we can still appreciate older styles like tangos and salsa, we can also find great beauty in newer forms. For example, reggaeton is an inspired fusion of Latin American and Caribbean styles that incorporates reggae rhythms along with Latin American club music. It's a fresh new genre that grew out of two previous ones.

how it started

The roots of Latin American music go back to the ancient cultures of South and Central America. The Incas, Mayans and Aztecs had their own culture and style of music. Although the music varied from region to region, many ancient musicians used a great deal of flute and percussion in their tunes. Today you can see his influence in Latin music, particularly with rhythm patterns and inspired use of drums and other percussion instruments.

Although the flute is not commonly used in Latin music today, there are some crossovers with wind instruments that are prevalent in some Latin song styles. Also, very old Latin American music, like old Quechua or Andean music, still contains a lot of flute.

When the Spanish and Portuguese invaded South and Central America, they brought their own brand of music with them. This was mixed with the existing song and added more elements to it. For example, much of Spanish and Portuguese music has strong Arabic roots, adding another layer of richness to Latin music and setting the stage for new versions of it.

Spanish and Portuguese also introduced new instruments such as guitars. As a result, guitar music has become an integral part of salsa and tango.

How popular is Latin music?

According to Billboard, Latin music is widespread and its popularity doesn't seem to be waning. This could be because there are a lot of fusion songs likeContemptwho use English to address the American public. It could also be due to the popularity of subgenres like reggaeton.

As Latin music evolves and changes, we can expect more crossovers and new takes on classic styles.

How is the Latin American music scene today?

The Latin music scene today is very robust and powerful. Despicito from 2017 became a mega hit and topped the charts along with Mi Gente. With two songs in other languages ​​topping the Billboard charts, it was clear that Latin music had a bright future in the world of pop.

Reggaeton is also a huge influence on modern Latin music. Daddy Yankee is the unofficial king of reggaeton, but there are also lesser-known artists like Nicky Jam and Melymel. It's practically impossible to walk into a club these days without listening to reggaeton.

Older or older Latin American artists also have a lot of fun. When people begin to appreciate the new forms of Latin music and fusion music, they look to the past. Tito Fuente, Selena, and Gloria Estefan are becoming a bit more popular as people search for the roots of their new favorite songs.

One thing is correct; If these trends continue, we can only hope that Latin music will continue to grow in popularity over the years.

What is Latin music? final thoughts

Latin music is a fusion ofdifferent types and styles of music🇧🇷 It is part Inca, Mayan and Aztec, part African and part Spanish. Latin American music is very rhythmic, with catchy choruses and verses that you can sing along to even if you don't speak Spanish. It is also rapidly evolving and includes many other styles such as reggaeton.

So come on in and continue to familiarize yourself with what Latin American music has to offer. From here his influence could only grow and continue to shape pop music.

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