Latin music becoming mainstream is not a crossover, but rather an indication of the world we live in. Latin culture is American culture. Hispanic people are the largest minority in the United States]

What is the Oxford Companion to Latin American music?

Current entry from the electronic version of the Oxford Companion to Music, the briefest introduction to Latin American music arranged by region: Mexico and Central America, Spanish-speaking South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Online version requires a subscription.

What is Latin music and dance?

But, of course, we can’t talk about Latin music without also talking about dance. Dance is integral to Latin music and really the driving motivation behind it. Latin America is full of dances, from the rumba to salsa to cha-cha to samba.

What are the most important instruments in Latin music?

Again, percussion is pretty important to Latin music. Brass instruments, such as trumpets and tubas, are popular for the melodies and harmonies, as are guitars, which can play both melodies and rhythms. But, of course, we can’t talk about Latin music without also talking about dance.

Why are popular pop stars collaborating with Latin musicians?

Pop stars are working with Latin musicians, and unexpected pairings are churning out chart-topping hits. The music industry landscape has changed, and Spanish-language hits are gaining more and more attention thanks to artist collaborations that pool together multiple fan bases with one massive, viral hit.

Is Lou Bega Latino?

So much so, that I literally thought Lou Bega was Latino until I wiki’d him today and discovered that he is “a German musician of Italian and Ugandan descent.” The more you know. Without the music video and the random spoken interlude to provide contextual clues, there is pretty much no clear reason why part of this song’s chorus is in Spanish.

What is the origin of Latin American music?

The origins of Latin music in the U.S. can be dated back to the early 1930s and 1940s with the rhumba. In the thirties the rhumba became synonymous with Cuban-styled ballroom dance in the U.S., and then in the sixties salsa music, hailing primarily from Cuba and Puerto Rico, came to New York City.

How popular is Latin music on Spotify?

According to Rolling Stone, “on Spotify, global listening to Latin music grew 110 percent in 2017 (compare that to 74 percent growth in hip-hop), and 10 different Spanish-language singles made it onto the platform’s Global Top 50 chart, setting a new record.”