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Salsa - LATIN HITS
Over that past couple of years, I’ve noted an increasing number of requests for Latin music at my events. With a growing Hispanic population and culture in America, it’s prudent for working DJs to be familiar with this gigantic genre of one of the most popular music forms in the world. Encompassing a huge universe of sounds, let’s begin this primer with an introduction to the most popular Latin music styles.
Number one is Salsa – the most popular Latin music genre. It’s addictive rhythm is the blending of several styles and influences, which include traditional beats from Cuba and Puerto Rico as well as other styles like mambo and Latin boogaloo. Although hotly debated, New York claims to be the birthplace of Salsa. Listen to Celia Cruz, Fania All Stars, Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe, Marc Anthony.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Bachata is high on the list of the most popular Latin music. Beginning in the 1960s with songs produced by Jose’ Manual Calderon, the rhythm was not able to compete with the then-popular Merengue. However, that all changed in the 1980s when Blas Duran reshaped the Bachata with more appealing lyrics and the electric guitar. In the 1990s, the sound took off when romanticism was woven into the music. Because of artists such as Hector Acosta, Aventura and Prince Royce, Bachata has become a mainstream world-wide audience-pleaser.
A gumbo of music styles, Regional Mexican Music is one of the most generic forms of Latin music. In it, you’ll find all kinds of popular and traditional expressions. In the U.S., Regional Mexican is one of the best-selling genres of Latin music. Important artist include Vicente Fernandez, Los Tigres del Norte, Banda El Limon and Banda El Recodo.
Known for its intensity and sensuality, the Tango has long been a favorite the world over. Originally from Argentina and Uruguay, the Tango evolved during the 1800s in the immigrant communities of Buenos Aires. In the 20th century, it moved into the mainstream thanks to the music of the King of Tango, Carlos Gardel. Later, a talented bandoneon player, Astor Piazzolla added elements of jazz and blues to the Tango, and today, the style remains one of the mainstays of Latin music.
Merengue is another of the musical gifts from the Dominican Republic. A favorite for any Latin music party, it is among the most exciting Latin dance music. Throughout its history, the form has been modified with the incorporation of a variety of instruments, and in the 1980s, Wilfrido Vargas changed the tempo of the traditional rhythm, creating the distinctive sound that has characterized Merengue since. (Juan Luis Guerra, Eddy Herrera, Elvis Crespo, Los Vecinos, etc.)
In my experience, Latin Pop gets the most requests, mainly due to the younger audience. Some of the biggest Latin music stars in the world belong to this category. However, before the arrival of such artists as Shakira and Ricky Martin, it was defined by the romantic 1970s music of legendary artists such as Julio Iglesias and Roberto Carlos.
Latin Urban and Reggaeton borrows from hip-hop, rap and reggae and continues to evolve from the original sounds of the Reggae fusion of the late 1990s. It has continued to become a complex genre that includes all kinds of tropical rhythms, pop and dance music. Some of the current best Latin urban acts are the most popular artists in the world. Listen to Daddy Yankee, Calle 13, Don Omar, Wisin y Yandel and Pitbull.
