Spain’s pop music is world renowned, from Luis Miguel’s hit single Macarena to its equally legendary predecessors like Shakira. Additionally, talented Spanish musicians have embraced flamenco and reggaeton genres as part of their repertoires.
Merengue’s lively rhythm and fast footwork have long made it a beloved dance style. Commonly played on nylon stringed Spanish guitars, merengue is also supported by accordions and tambourines for an exciting performance.
Corridos
Corridos are a genre with both Spanish romance and Mexican songform roots that made its mark during the revolution and along the U.S.-Mexico border, recounting frontier conflicts and local heroes. Characteristic of Iberian poetry, corridos often incorporate octosyllabic verse and narrative focus for their literary qualities while their musical gait often incorporates polka and waltz rhythms for added zest.
Today, narcocorridos and other popular sierreno subgenres such as corridos tumbados and belicos are at the centre of much debate in Mexico as its citizens grapple with violent drug cartels and poverty. Yet some cultural experts contend that attempts at banning this music are futile; their purpose lies instead in raising awareness of important social issues highlighted by this genre of songs.
Natanael Cano and Yahritza y su Esencia are two well-known artists that are currently taking advantage of trap corridos, an emerging genre which mixes traditional sierreno and norteno music with contemporary trap drums and 808s to appeal to younger audiences.
Salsa
Salsa, one of the most beloved Latin music genres, draws its inspiration from dance rhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean nations. The genre is distinguished by the use of brass instruments and call-and-response vocal patterns; its popularity was further expanded when Buena Vista Social Club held their performance at Carnegie Hall (documented in an iconic documentary) which exposed this style worldwide audiences.
Spain is famous for its passionate lyrics and graceful movements of tango dancing, flamenco from medieval Spanish culture and predominantly performed in Madrid; Catalonia for choral and instrumental music while popular singer Rosalia incorporates reggaeton into her music; Los Planetas and Dover are rock bands who push beyond the boundaries of traditional Spanish-style rock while other genres such as ska and punk have gained prominence within Spain’s borders.
Musica Llaneera
Spain’s music spans the spectrum of flamenco guitar strums to infectious reggaeton rhythms. Each genre offers insight into Spain’s diverse cultural heritage and evolving identity.
Latin-fused salsa and reggaeton has gained global notoriety, with artists such as J Balvin and Rosalia dominating Spanish charts. Characterized by its signature “dembow” rhythm and urban-themed lyrics, this genre incorporates elements from both mainstream musical genres as well as avant-garde ones and urban cultural movements.
Basque culture features the traditional form of ye-ye, inspired by Latin American dance styles like tango. Navarre is home to an intricate folk music tradition, including the use of tabor pipes (txistu) and dulzaina ensembles at local celebrations.
Tango
Argentine tango is widely recognized for its improvisational qualities. While initially performed only at dancehalls or bars, today it can also be heard in concert halls as music to listen to as well as dance to. Legendary composers such as Astor Piazzolla have made Argentine tango an international phenomenon.
Son cubano blends African rhythms, Spanish guitar traditions and call-response vocal patterns into one dynamic performance style. Buena Vista Social Club’s famous performance at Carnegie Hall in 1998 (and subsequent documentary) introduced global audiences to this form of music.
Ranchera music hails from rural and agricultural regions across Mexico. This genre blends African, Indigenous and Spanish influences with lyrics telling tales of love and folklore – its use of minor keys adds an emotionally melancholic tone that gives this style its characteristic sound.