Spanish music goes far beyond the Macarena. From Shakira’s captivating vocals to Flamenco, its appealing genre has undergone an intriguing amalgamation with different cultures and customs around the globe.
Reggaeton, once an obscure musical genre, has since seen global adoption via YouTube. Other musical forms like Bachata combine traditional Dominican son with Latin influences for an energetic dance style and vibrant cultural expression.
Merengue
Merengue is an engaging dance music genre with its own rhythmic and syncopated beat. The relaxed and unhurried step movements allow couples to make walking turns and pretzel-like hand movements which would otherwise be difficult in Salsa or Swing.
Classic merengue patterns may be too intricate for modern tempos, but learning the basic patterns is an excellent way to develop finger dexterity and an understanding of clave rhythm.
Conjunto Tipico, or typical merengue ensemble, typically comprises an accordion, tambora held on lap, and guira (home-made percussion instrument). Juan Luis Guerra has made it his mission to blend merengue with outside influences such as rock, salsa, R&B and reggae music for maximum global acclaim and popularity.
Norteno
Norteno, also referred to as Tex-Mex, is a form of musica Tejana that originated with Mexican Texans, conjunto tejano. This style can be distinguished by rural roots, the use of accordion and bajo sexto instruments and an enthusiastic approach.
Norteo artists perform a wide range of styles, such as polkas and valses rancheras (Mexican country music with romantic lyrics). A typical Norteo ensemble consists of accordion, bajo sexto (a six string guitar), bass, drums and one or more expressive vocalists.
Norteo bands often utilize musical interludes called adornos that range from fluttering scales to descending ones; each band in this genre has their own special sound. Norteo is not heavily commercialized like other genres and its artists have built strong fan bases both in Mexico and America.
Salsa
Salsa is a genre of Latin music and dance that originated in New York City before quickly spreading throughout Puerto Rico, Cuba, many Caribbean islands, Colombia and Venezuela. The style can be identified by its fast, upbeat rhythm with emphasis placed on both first and fifth beats of an eight-beat cycle; also usually featuring melodic instruments or percussion accompaniment.
Music from this genre tends to include lyrics exhorting audiences to dance and references to Afro-Catholic religions; however, its tradition includes experimentation in its lyrics; performers like Ruben Blades use their music to make political statements regarding social and economic problems.
Visual art plays an integral part of salsa culture, including album cover art and promotional event flyers. These artworks provide documentation of its music while simultaneously communicating larger messages about culture and identity.
Corrido
Corrido is a musical genre known for its narrative storytelling through verse and music. Renowned for its emotive quality, corrido often captures the experiences of oppressed individuals. Corrido originated among Mexicans and Mexican Americans from southwestern United States and Mexico during Mexican Revolution events; nowadays it is often performed alongside guitar or other melodic instruments as a popular form of expression.
Corrido music has drawn scholars from a wide variety of disciplines, such as history, folklore, sociology, musicology and Chicana/o studies. Additionally, its use as a political tool increased in the 1970s with drug trafficking cartels coming onto the scene; with narcocorridos as its subgenre being widely criticized as glorifying violence and criminal lifestyles.
Ye-ye
Ye-ye was one of Western Europe’s most beloved music scenes during its mid to late 1960s heydays, popular among youth. A genre that combined rock, pop, baroque and exotica into an accessible form with youthful appeal; artists in this scene cultivated an image of subtly subversive restraint that allowed their songs to glide between innocence and sensuality with ease.
Many ye-ye girls were young (France Gall recorded her debut LP at 14) and appeared harmless, yet the genre included subtle references to sexuality.
Ria Bartok’s song “Ye-ye” serves as an ideal example of modern ye-ye at its finest and most seductive. Boasting an irresistibly sensual melody accompanied by weightless string arrangements, this track subverts contemporary pop in favor of something timeless and classic.