Spanning over the massive mainlands of Mexico and Southern and Central America, Latin Americans are recognized globally for their exuberant culture. They closely cultivate every aspect of their culture with an element of passion – from their romantic literature, to their vibrant art and style, to their zesty gastronomy. Life in Latin America is studded with festivities, each with a distinct history and tradition of celebration. They do, however, share one notable facet – loud, lively music.
Although often generalized as bass-heavy and upbeat, Latin American music embraces a multitude of genres. The popular and staple styles usually vary with geography. The African diaspora has also played an essential role in making Latin music and dance culture what it is today. Salsa and Bachata are quintessential Afro-Latin styles of dance music that have been renowned historically and internationally. The rhythm, riffs, basslines, and tempo of Salsa have primarily Cuban roots.
Another imperative style of dance music is Tango, which is native to Argentina. Typically, the melodies of Tango are guitar-centric or played by an ensemble. It has adapted to the trends of different epochs throughout history. The timeline of Tango is intricate, ranging from the birth and golden age to Tango Nuevo and Neotango. Astor Piazzolla, who is regarded as the face of tango, dominated the era of Tango Nuevo.
Though the lingua franca of Latin America is Spanish in its various dialects, A veritable segment of the music is in Portuguese. Brazil is home to a majority of Latin American music in Portuguese, which is the tongue of its citizens. Samba and Bossa Nova are the defining styles, with composer Caetano Veloso as the Brazilian music messiah.
Some frequently overlapping genres such as Reggaeton and Latin trap were born under the influence of American culture. Reggaeton is the blend of Reggae and hip-hop that emerged from Puerto Rico and consequently conquered the global Latino charts. Much of the success of this genre can be accredited to Daddy Yankee. The ‘King of Reggaeton’ has numerous Reggaeton chartbusters to his name, from Gasolina to Despacito. The genre has also had substantial influence over Latin Trap, which comes from the lineage of southern hip-hop and is signature to Colombia. Latin trap is lyrically closer to authentic hip-hop, which distinguishes it from Reggaeton.
Now the iconic, unforgettable genre, to the beats of which all heads sway in unison today. The Kingdom reigned by Shakira and Ricky Martin, the grandstand upon which Enrique Iglesias performs. Latin Pop, the fusion of American pop with Latin Music. The genre has taken the world by storm; its infectious beats are record-breaking. It has paved the way for individuals all over the world to explore the depths of Latino Music.
The music of Latin America, in all its glory, encapsulates innumerable genres. A mere taste is bound to leave any listener with an earworm at the least. Possibly even an entire genre, tweaked to their liking.
Written by Ananya Gupta
Image credits: Lilian Pacce
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