Everyone loves to listen to music; it’s a very essential way for people to connect with each other just by listening to the same song. This is especially important when music can bring people of the same culture together by music being one of many ways that they can connect to their culture. During Hispanic Month, it would be the perfect time for people to make connections with people in their culture by listening to Hispanic artists to find an entertaining way to celebrate the cultures and traditions of Hispanic Month.
There are several genres and styles included in Hispanic Music, ranging from pop music to beloved classics by many Hispanics from many generations. It’s very meaningful for people of the Hispanic Culture to listen to this music and relate to some of the stories they tell because of a culture in common. Listening to these songs listed below is a way for anybody, not just Hispanic people, to find a way to celebrate and find connection during Hispanic Month.
1. “Como la flor” by selena
Selena is known for being one of the most influential Hispanic music artists, so this is a very well-known classic by many Hispanics. “Como La Flor” came out in 1992 and became loved by many people. Listeners of this song remember the opening of the chorus, “Como la flor, con tanto amor, me diste tĂş, se marchitó…,” which means “Like the flower, with so much love, that you gave me, it withered. This compares lost love to a flower that ends up withering, showing the emotional meaning that was so important to her listeners. This song became very popular because of its combination of cumbia rhythms and pop influences, making this a classic for many people.
2. “hips don’t lie” by shakira (ft. wyclef jean)
Shakira is known as the “Queen of Latin Music” for being one of the first Hispanic artists to break language and cultural barriers. “Hips Don’t Lie” became a very recognizable song because of the very unique sonic choices she used, like the opening trumpet used from Jerry Rivera’s salsa hit “Amores Como el Nuestro”, the famous catchphrase Shakira, Shakira!” said by Wyclef, and her iconic vocal delivery with Wyclef. One of the reasons people love this iconic Hispanic song is because of the genres and influences that inspired it, including Latin pop, salsa, and cumbia. This single by Shakira was number 1 in 18 countries in 2006 and continues to be a Hispanic song that people love to go back to enjoy.
3. “bachata rosa” by juan luis guerra
“Bachata Rosa” by Dominican musician Juan Luis Guerra was a title track to his album that came out in 1990, which made bachata music very popular around the world. This song ended up winning a Grammy in 1992, which brought a lot of popularity to music from the Dominican Republic, which was previously ignored. “Bachata Rosa” was such a popular song because of the mixed bachata, bolero rhythms, jazz harmony, pop melodies, and lastly the poetic lyrics that put it all together, making it so recognizable.
4. “Ojitos Lindos” by Bad Bunny & Bomba Estéreo
Bad Bunny is considered one of the most important figures in Latin music who has broken traditional barriers of music by addressing important social issues that affect Hispanic people that they can relate to when listening to his music. “Ojitos Lindos” by Bad Bunny & Bomba EstĂ©reo combines different Latin music styles to show how they can create something great together while also connecting with listeners about unexpected love. This song combines Bad Bunny and Bomba EstĂ©reo’s musical styles together to make a unique sound, making it a distinct sound that people want to keep coming back to.
5. “Propuesta indecente” by romeo santos
Romeo Santos is known as the “King of Bachata” in Dominican music for changing the traditional genre, making it a more modern sound for his listeners. The audience’s favorite line of “Propuesta Indecente” is “Una aventura es más divertida si huele a peligro,” meaning “An adventure is more fun if it smells like danger,” because it captures the theme of the song of a forbidden romance. “Propuesta Indecente” by Romeo Santos combined the sounds of Dominican bachata and Argentine tango, resonating with a lot of listeners by changing the way Latin music sounds. Bringing these Latin music influences together shows how original genres can be changed and make this genre more accessible for younger audiences.