That is what I love about Latin music.  There is always so much emotion and feeling in Latin music that you cannot help but notice when you listen to it.  Whether the song is in Spanish or not, you can really get into it and feel what the artist is singing about.  How can anyone not love something with such emotion?

If you are looking for music you can really feel, then Latin music is what you need.  For some of my favorite songs that make you feel I included some for you to have a listen to.

Shakira’s “Que Me Quedes Tu” is such a beautiful song. You do not even have to know the story behind the song or even understand Spanish to get that the song is so full of emotion.

They may not be a couple any longer, but Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez made some beautiful music together. Take for instance the above video of the two singing “Escapemonos” at the GRAMMYS a few years ago. Thoughtful and emotional are two words that truly capture the song.

                                      

I was a rebellious teenager, like most American girls.  My form of rebellion was to break away from the traditions of my heritage and take on those of the American pop scene.  I wanted to dress, speak, and eat like my Anglo friends at school.  When traditional dishes were served at home, I snubbed them, favoring American fast foods like burgers, fries, fried chicken and mashed potatoes, and lots of white bread.  As I drifted farther away from my own cultural identity, even the music I had grown up on became a source of consternation for me.  I was slightly ashamed each time I brought one of my friends over to spend a night at my home, because our house was full of enchiladas and Latino music, hot chili peppers drying on strings draped around the kitchen windows, and votive candles to various saints burning constantly around the house.  Now, I am embarrassed at my embarrassment.  We live, and learn.

So it was one weekend that my friend Brittney was spending the night, and she had never visited us before.  To her, my home was a beautiful, magical place.  She fell in love with the music and the food.  She said my family was exciting and my life colorful.  I began to rethink my opinions about my heritage, and to embrace it again.  Our prom was coming up soon, and I was overweight and worried I would not have a companion to bring.  My friend said, “With all of these dances and parties your family has on weekends, how can you be overweight?  If I were around this, I would be dancing a lot.”

So, I began to dance, and to enjoy my family meals again.  Months later, I was in love with everything about my culture as if it were all new to me, and in a way, it was.  The dancing had helped me to lose 30 lbs, and I felt beautiful and proud.  Then, I was invited to the prom by a boy I’d had a crush on for some time.  His name was Devon, and when he invited me, I was flattered.  But I had secretly come to notice my long time childhood friend Enrique had become a complete hunk.  I thanked Devon for inviting me, but I lied that I was going with Enrique.  Then, I asked Enrique!  And he said yes.

So the moral of this story is, no matter who you are, there is something wild and beautiful in Latino music, and it can change your life.  Dance, love, and live.

                                      

The music on Batanga is for the Latino audience in the United States.  I spent all day yesterday listening to my streaming radio stations with artists like Romeo Santos, Zacarias Ferreira, Prince Royce, and Ors Alfonsi.  If you are worried about there being too little options, then don’t be.  Like I said I have been tuning in for quite a while and there more choices than you would think.  Batanga even offers up the US Top 40 pop tracks for you to rock out to as well.

By far my favorite part of Batanga are the music videos.  Sometimes I miss out on new music videos because there are limited places that release them online to watch, but Batanga has all the new videos in one spot.  This week’s favorite video, thanks to Batanga, is Jenni Rivera’s “Basta Ya.”

                                      

In 1991 Shakira released her very first album.  It was titled Magia. The album was released when she was just 13 years old, and many of the songs on it were written when she was around eight years old.  This album was only available in her home country Colombia.

Fast forward four years after Magio to when Shakira was sixteen years old.  It was the year 1995.  That is when Sony Colombia released Peligro. This album had three songs that Shakira herself had written.

One year and a month later in 1996, Pies Descalzos was released.  This was the album that would help Shakira to reach new heights on her journey.  In eight countries the album reached the #1 spot.  Shakira even received three Billboard Latin Music Awards for different categories for this album.  This was only the beginning of her award winning tracks and records.

In the year 1998 ¿Dònde Estàn Los Ladrones? was released and Shakira went out to receive two Latin Grammys for the work.  The album sold 10 million copies worldwide which was double the sales over her last album.

Laundry Service was Shakira’s first album with both Spanish and English songs on it.  This was a challenge for the singer, but she nailed it.  Winning awards and selling 20 million copies were just some of the highlights from this album in 2001.

Since 2001 Shakira has released five additional albums and gone on major tours.  There is no wonder as to whether she has contributed to Latin music or not, Shakira helped to make it what it is today.

                                      

“I’m not suggesting I run the world, I just feel like I’ve built my own planet,” he said. “I’m catching a lot of people’s ears, whether it’s with my music or appearing on someone else’s track. I started traveling the world, and I saw the impact that a global hit can have — the way it brings people together. So now I’ve set my goals even higher. Going in to make Planet Pit, I said, ‘Okay, Pitbull was cool, Mr. 305 was great — now it’s time for Mr. Worldwide.”  You can see him on directv.

Here is the Pit himself, teaming up with J-lo for her new hit single “On the Floor.”

                                      

The album, titled Formula has already released to hit singles on the Hot Latin Songs chart and the Tropical Songs chart.  His first single, “You” was released in May, and the second single is helping Santos to reach new fans as Usher is featured on the track, “Promise.”  To get to this point, Santos has had quite a ride.  Let’s take a quick look at some facts about the singer Romeo Santos, and I’ll include his new single “Promise” too.

• Santos is from Dominican and Puerto Rican decent.  His father is from the  Dominican Republic and his mother from Puerto Rico.
• His birthday is July 21, 1981.
• Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Santos began singing in his church choir at 12 years old.
• It has been mentioned that in order to relax Santos prefers using incense like white rabbit incense.  This is said to calm him and even inspire when he is writing music.
• Not only is Santos a singer, but he is also a composer, and he was the former lead singer of Aventura.  His group was responsible for helping to make Bachata music and dance more popular.

The single “Promise” is beautiful with both the Spanish and English intertwined through the song. Hopefully Romeo will find great success with his new album!

                                      

• First things first, thank you to my friends who taught me about the best music ever, Latin music.  And with that music comes dancing.  Thank you for taking numerous hours to teach me how to dance.  I think after about twenty years I can kind of do it.  The Merengue, Bachata, and Salsa are staples in my home now just like they were in yours.
• Thank you for letting me eat delicious meals with you.  Who knew food could have such flavor?  In my house food was just not that tasty.
• One of my favorite things was celebrating with you all.  Wow, do you know how to celebrate.  I think I went to about fifteen quinceñeras when I was in high school, and they were so much fun.  Thank you for letting me be a part of that.
• Lastly, thank you for excepting me even though you had struggles of your own.  I have never witnessed a culture to be so amazing and understanding.  I will forever be grateful to all of my amazing friends, and I’m glad you made me and honorary Latina.

Viva Latino Cultura y Musica!

                                      

I wanted to give you a feel of what I am talking about so there are two videos below for you to enjoy.  One is Gloria Esefan’s “If We Were Lovers.”  Her voice is so pure and mesmerizing.  I love it.  The second video is Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor.”  Of course the song is obviously a dance song, but more pop stars, Latin ones included, are primarily doing dance songs.  What are your thoughts?

                                      

Jennifer Lopez was born in 1969 in the Bronx.  Both of her parents are of Puerto Rican descent.  They did not meet in Puerto Rico, but in America after moving here.  Lopez started her career in show business with “In Living Color” in the year 1990.  It was not until 1997 when she played the Latin sensation Selena that she became a huge hit.  Lopez is currently People magazine’s Most Beautiful Woman.

Marc Anthony, who is currently separated from Jennifer Lopez, is also born to Puerto Rican parents.  He was born Marco Antonio Muñiz also in New York.  He began working as a back up singer for acts like Menudo and Latin Rascals, and his first album was released in 1988.  It seems like now is the best time for Anthony as far as his career.  He currently has some top dance songs released and his own clothing line at Kohl’s.

Pitbull, or Armando Christian Perez, was born in 1981 to parents who were Cuban immigrants.  He grew up in Miami and faced much difficulties due to the fact that he was not only Cuban, but Cuban with blue eyes.  At sixteen he was kicked out of his mother’s house and became a drug dealer.  In 20o2 Pitbull got a break and was featured on Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz album.  Now he is a star all on his own.  His music still has Latin flair and it is fun to listen to and dance to.