Stevie Wonder once said, “Music is a world within itself. It is a language we all understand.” John Frusciante referred to music as “the great communicator.” Music is such a paramount part of all cultures, and even more paramount in uniting them. You don’t have to speak the same language, come from the same place, or have the same beliefs to connect with a song.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate many different cultures, traditions, and voices within the Hispanic community, and what better way than to do it through music? The thing that is so special about Latin music is that the variation between genres ensures that there is a group or artist for everyone to enjoy. From Latin rock to reggaeton, these five artists have brought their own culture and sound to people from all around the world.
Santana- Latin Rock
My personal favorite. Led by Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana, the band Santana became known for blending rock, blues, jazz, and Latin rhythms. The band was founded in 1966 in San Francisco, California, and they rose to major fame after playing at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. They released their first album (self-titled, ‘Santana’) in August of 1969 and are still together writing songs to date. Some of their top notable tracks include “Black Magic Woman,” “Espinado Corazon,” and the most recognizable, “Smooth.” The 1970 studio album that “Black Magic Woman” is on, Abraxas, is certified 5x multi-platinum. The 1999 Collaboration Album Supernatural featured popular artists such as Wiz Khalifa (Project G&B), Lauryn Hill, Eric Clapton, and Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas. Needless to say, Santana is the perfect go-to band if you’re searching for a timeless and versatile group that dabbles in many different styles of music. Santana is a great representation of how Latin influence in American music isn’t a recent phenomenon, it has been shaping music for decades.
Shakira- Colombian Pop
What more can I say here? When it comes to Shakira, the hips don’t lie, and neither does her impact on Latin Music. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira wrote her first song “Tus Gafas Oscuras” at only eight years old! Her name stems from an Arabic word meaning “thankful,” reflecting her Lebanese heritage from her father’s side. Her music style speaks for itself; it’s a vibrant fusion of traditional Colombian folk rhythms, global pop-rock, and Middle Eastern influences. Her deep connection to her roots shapes her distinct sound and has left us with bangers such as “Whenever, Wherever,” “She Wolf,” and “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”. Whether you’re about to hit leg day and need a quick boost, or you’re vibing in the car with friends, Shakira sure is dependable to boost your mood and spark some nostalgia.
Pitbull- Dance-Pop, Reggaetón
Absolute no-brainer. From the dance clubs of Miami to the locker rooms of amateur sports teams, Mr. Worldwide lives up to the name. Pitbull first rose to mainstream attention with his 2004 breakout hit single “Culo” featuring Lil Jon, which served as the lead single from his debut album M.I.A.M.I. Since then, we’ve all danced to some of his best hits, such as “Hotel Room Service,” “Give me Everything” with Ne-Yo, and his collab with Enrique Iglesias, “I like it.” His laundry list of well-recognized songs goes on and on, and he has collaborated with many more popular artists such as Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez, and Usher. If you grew up in the 2000s, chances are Pitbull made his way onto at least one of your playlists. Thanks to TikTok, Pitbull saw a major resurgence with his 2025 single “Damn I Love Miami”. He’s definitely going to be your pick-me-up artist, and chances are if you listen to any music at all, you have already gotten familiar with multiple of his tracks.
Jennifer Lopez- Dance-Pop, Contemporary R&B, Pop, Hip hop soul
More popularly known as J-Lo, Jennifer Lopez is a jack of all trades. Besides a messy relationship with Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, she is credited with over 100 million global record sales, multiple Grammy nominations, and redefining the presence of Latina artists in mainstream global pop. As previously mentioned, she released what I believe to be one of the best songs of all time, “On the Floor” with Pitbull, but you already knew that. Her solo career is far more impressive, with hits like “If you Had my Love” and “Jenny From the Block.” She made her way into the soundtrack of the film “Home” with “Feel the Light.” She also shared the Super Bowl LIV halftime stage with Shakira in 2020, marking a major moment for Latina representation on one of the world’s largest entertainment stages. If you’re looking for a Latina who does it all, J-Lo’s your girl.
Bad Bunny- more than a trend
Now that Super Bowl LX is well done and the “larp crowd” has well passed, I feel as though Bad Bunny does not get nearly as much notoriety as he should. Born in Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny has completely changed the way the world listens to Spanish-language music. His music is deeply rooted in reggaeton and Puerto Rican culture, but his influence has stretched far beyond the Latin Music scene. His provocative Super Bowl performance displayed deep-rooted references to Puerto Rican history, daily culture, and political resilience. The sugarcane fields and iconic casita (pink and yellow house) gave millions of viewers a glimpse of the origins of Puerto Rico and left many with a hunger to learn more about Hispanic culture. His performance also served as a campaign for love, cultural pride, and unity. Now that he has established that, his music will always have that connection and deeper meaning. Moreover, have you heard some of his top hits? From “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” to “MONACO”, and of course, “TitĂ Me PreguntĂł”, the guy knows how to craft a total bop.
At the end of the day, music really is a language that is comprehensible to all. Let Hispanic Heritage be the perfect excuse to turn up the volume, explore an artist you’ve never listened to before, or expand your knowledge of an artist that you already know and love. After all, you never know when your next favorite song is waiting to be listened to. ¡Feliz escucha!