Spanish music offers something for every listener – from flamenco’s energetic rhythms to reggaeton’s infectious beats and beyond. No matter if you prefer relaxing or dancing the night away, Spanish music has something special in store for everyone!
Urban Latin music, more commonly referred to as Reggaeton or Dembow, draws influences from Dancehall and Bomb music with Puerto Rican and Latin American culture. This genre experienced rapid growth throughout 2010s and has now become an international trend.
Corridos
Corridos are songs that tell a narrative. Typically they address social issues and celebrate hard-working commoners; occasionally war heroes or criminals may appear; some artists use narcocorridos to address drug trafficking issues.
Genre that originated on the Texas Mexican border and enjoyed its greatest popularity from 1870 to 1930. Descended from Spanish romance ballads, as well as indigenous forms such as Aztec itoloca poetry.
A typical song consists of four to six octosyllabic lines arranged in an abcb rhyme pattern and is sung first-person from the protagonist’s perspective. Trovadores (wandering singers) once performed at public gatherings such as plazas and markets; now musicians offer corridos at private events and clubs.
Salsa
Salsa is an exciting Latin dance genre, and can help get your blood pumping while enjoying fantastic Spanish music. Salsa draws its foundation from Cuban son but incorporates elements from mambo, Latin jazz, guaracha plena and bomba dances as well.
During the 1960s and ’70s, salsa emerged in New York City as the musical heartbeat of Puerto Rican culture. Hector Lavoe’s “Mi Gente” quickly became an unofficial national anthem for those who enjoyed salsa – giving New York’s Spanish-speaking population a sense of identity and belonging.
Salsa quickly rose in popularity due to its incorporation of various styles and rhythms from Latin America and beyond, as it combined various Caribbean, Latin American and other influences into one genre of music. Its signature sound has since become a hallmark of Latin American music; instrumentation includes bongos and congas percussion instruments as well as piano and brass sections.
Merengue
Since it first emerged from Dominicans living in New York in the 1970s, merengue has had an immense impact on Latin America. Utilizing brass instruments such as trumpet and saxophone as well as elements from other musical styles like bachata, colada, merengue bomba and North American rock music styles; merengue is known for its upbeat rhythm with short lyrics featuring memorable melodies that make singing along easy; its danceable beat also allows people of all ages to get involved. One traditional (some say fundamental) signature rhythm figure is quintillo.
Merengue can be traced back to sugar-beet plantations of Dominican Republic. With its lively beat and close-partner dance moves, its lively beat captivates audiences worldwide. Merengue experienced an explosion in its popularity during Rafael Trujillo’s three-decade dictatorship from 1930 – 1961; many songs then were composed specifically to praise him and his achievements.
Ranchera
Ranchera (musica llanera) is the traditional folk music of Venezuela’s plains cowboys (llaneros). Its fast rhythms evoke horse gallop speeds while lyrics may express romantic sentiments or patriotism.
Mariachi music is generally performed by one vocalist accompanied by either guitar and mariachi ensemble, and has grown immensely popular since the Mexican Revolution, becoming a symbol of national pride and drama with dramatic and passionate songs that often reflect themes such as love, betrayal, nature and humanity.
Ranchera artists such as Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Cuco Sanchez, Lola Beltran and Chavela Vargas have become iconic in this genre. Additionally, ranchera is responsible for inspiring Texas-Mexican musicians combining cultures to form Tejano music which became increasingly popular around 1900.
Danzonete
Musica Llanera, or Llanera as it’s more commonly known in Venezuela and Colombia, is the traditional folk music of Venezuelan and Colombian Llaneros (cowboys). This genre celebrates rural life, love and daily experiences of Llaneros. Traditional instruments used include the harp, cuatro and maracas to perform this genre whose rhythm mimics horse gallops across wide plains.
Contrary to salsa or Latin jazz, which developed as an instrumental form, danzon has always featured vocal elements. Miguel Failde is widely recognized as being the father of danzon and for adding its unique swinging feel.
The danzon originated in Cuba during the late 19th century, first being introduced as an orchestral instrument with “Las alturas de Simpson.” Its slow dance tempo and unique mix of cinquillo and tresillo rhythmic patterns set it apart from other genres.