Sample Latin American Music

Merengue 

This song Fukuoka by Juan Luis Guerra is merengue style. This song is interesting because it contains a combination of lyrics in Spanish and Japanese. Fukuoka is a perfect example of how Latin American music has spread world wide.

Salsa

Marc Anthony has become one of the most successful Salsa singers from America. He has created songs that vary from ballads to steamy Salsa songs.This song Valio la Pena is just one of his many famous Salsa songs.

Vallenato

Carlos Vives is an important Colombian singer well known for this Vallenato style. This song is perhaps his most popular song. His songs have powerful messages that portray the uniqueness of the Colombian culture.

Cumbia

Si tu te vas, by Jennifer Pena has the typical rhythm and tune of Cumbia. This song is about how she would not be able to support the loss of her life. Cumbia songs consist of a variety of instruments and are great dancing songs.

Bolero

Bolero's are typically very romantic songs. A stigma that exists with bolero's is that it is heard in cantinas after a heart break, usually heard by only the adults. Los Panchos were a popular trio at the time with plenty of songs internationally known.

Tango

Carlos Gardel is often called the father of tango who made himself a figure in history. This song Por Una Cabeza generates many emotions and is often companied by dancing. The tango dance is a sensual, passionate dance, thrilling to watch. 

Rancheras

Rancheras are extremely popular in Mexico where it originated. These songs are very passionate, patriotic and romantic. Rancheras are very popular for serenades, often used to win over someones heart.

Mariachi

Mariachi's are very popular in Mexico! In Mexico City there is a plaza where hundreds of Mariachi groups wait every night to get a gig. This style is mostly sung by men but recently there are women groups emerging but it is much more difficult for the women.

Reggeaton

I thought it would be important to include genres of songs that the youth in Latin America have helped grow and become popular. Reggeaton style became popular only a few years ago with big artists such as Don Omar or Daddy Yankee. Reggeaton songs often portray anger from poverty, drugs and violence. Although the popularity of Reggeaton songs have fallen, the youth still recalls this style of music as an important representation. 

Bachata

Another important style enjoyed by the youth in Latin America is the Bachata. These are very romantic songs are accompanied with dancing that requires a lot of hip movement. In Latin America such songs are danced by people of ALL ages. 

Lambada

Lambada originating from Brazil is a style of music that had been adopted by all of Latin America and the Caribbean. This song called Lambada and its official video is an excellent example of Brazilian culture during the 1980's. The rhythm of this song continues to be popular and has been used in the remix sung by Jennifer Lopez.

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I think that with music comes dance. Dancing is expressive of the cultures, traditions, the customs and the emotions, which is why I thought it would be important to include dances that have been passed down for generations!

Salsa

Palo De Mayo

Reggaeton Dance