Music stimulates brain pathways and synapses, making it an excellent way to learn a language. Spanish music genres are extremely popular and provide the chance to experience various styles, cultures and traditions from across Spain.
Traditional groups such as Los Tigres del Norte and Vicente Fernandez are rejuvenating corrido music while hip-hop has revolutionized Spain with artists like Tote King and Siempre Fuertes de Conciencia.
Corrido
Corrido is a Mexican music genre that has gained widespread recognition, thanks to chart-topping hits by Eslabon Armado and Bad Bunny. Its success can be attributed to catchy phrases, powerful metaphors, thought-provoking storytelling, societal themes that resonate with listeners as well as traditional elements mixed with innovative touches that set each corrido apart from others in its genre.
Corridos are narrative ballads that tell stories about borderlands and their inhabitants, often deriving from Spanish romance ballads or drawing inspiration from indigenous cultural forms such as Aztec itoloca poetry. Corridos first developed on the southwestern frontier around 1870-1830 before reaching their heyday during the Mexican War when all sides used them as an effective way of communicating and shaping public opinion; often depicting men with weapons in hand riding horses into danger!
Merengue
Merengue, the national dance and music of Dominican Republic, features an upbeat, lively rhythm perfect for dancing. Additionally, it makes a wonderful way to celebrate with friends and family alike! Easy to learn, its rhythm can even be performed in small groups using traditional instruments such as guiras, tamboras and bass drums!
Merengue wasn’t always perceived in such a positive light; indeed, its original reputation included rough neighborhoods and sexual themes. However, after numerous Dominicans immigrated to New York and were exposed to rock n’ roll music genres that later had an influence on merengue, its modern expression emerged as one of positivity and harmony.
Merengue can be broken down into three distinct styles today. Tipico merengue or “perico ripiao” (literally “ripped parrot”) is the oldest form, while orquesta merengue and guitar merengue have become increasingly popular across cities like New York and Miami. Many merengue accordionists also adapt songs from other styles such as bachata, bolero, Colombian vallenato and North American pop to create fusion merengues.
Salsa
Salsa, created in the 1920s, combines Cuban son and rumba music with other influences like jazz, rock and mambo. Salsa has since become one of the most beloved forms of Spanish music with an energetic beat; instruments often employed include bass guitar, keyboard, bongo & conga drums, maracas claves and even an occasional guiro or two.
Salseros from New York introduced salsa into mainstream society. Influencing Puerto Rican youth living in New York City, and making its popularity known through artists like Celia Cruz, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Johnny Pacheco.
Salsa emerged through recording technology, which allowed Latin rhythms and styles to meet. This also expanded its reach: Cuban son is perhaps its core influence, though there have also been notable influences from mambo, cha-cha-cha, guaracha bomba plena.
Hip-Hop
Latin America offers an abundance of musical genres that both celebrate life and mourn death, from widely popular ones such as salsa to obscure ones that remain little-known.
Reggaeton, an amalgamation of hip hop music and Caribbean rhythms, is a modern Latin music genre popularly known for incorporating rapping with rhythmic beats and lyrics often dealing with topics like sexual assault, drugs abuse and violence. Reggaeton also helped establish Latin trap as an independent subgenre which includes artists such as Bad Bunny, Ozuna De la Ghetto and Anuel AA as major artists in its ranks.
Flamenco music hails from Spain’s Andalusian region and combines singing, guitar playing and rhythmic handclaps (palmas) into an emotive style known for its expressive expression.