The 5 Most Famous Latin American Music Artists of All Time

Latin American music is renowned worldwide for its unique and vibrant sound. From Salsa to Reggaeton, Latin American music has become a global phenomenon.

Explore the five most famous Latin American music artists of all time and celebrate their tremendous impact on the world of music. These famous Latin American artists have created some of the most beloved music in the world, and their contributions to Latin American music genres will never be forgotten.

1) Celia Cruz

Known as the "Queen of Salsa Music," Celia Cruz is one of the most beloved Latin American artists ever. She was born in Cuba and rose to fame with her career in salsa, a Cuban musical style.

Cruz is known for her distinctively powerful voice and ability to infuse her music with her experiences. As a Cuban exile, she also symbolized freedom and the struggle for liberty throughout the Latin American world.

She released over 70 albums and won numerous awards, including two Grammys and five Latin Grammys.

Celia Cruz was born in 1925, and her music career began in 1950 when she joined a local band in Havana. She quickly gained recognition for her voice and soon began to tour Latin America, eventually gaining global recognition for her albums and songs.

Some of her most popular albums include:

• Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco (1973)
• Como Fue (1990)
• Siempre Vivire (1994)

Her top songs include:

• "La Vida Es un Carnaval"
• "Bemba Colora"
• "Azucar Negra"

Cruz's music has been so influential that it has left its mark on many Latin American music artists, making her a true icon of the Latin music world.

2) Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan is one of the most famous Latin American music artists ever. Born in 1957, Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García de Estefan is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, and actress.

Throughout her career, Gloria has released many hit songs and albums. Her top albums include:

• Cuts Both Ways (1989)
• Into The Light (1991)
• Unwrapped (2003)
• 90 Millas (2007)

Her top songs include:

• "Conga" (1985)
• "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" (1987)
• "Don't Wanna Lose You" (1989)
• "Coming Out of the Dark" (1991)
• "Mi Tierra" (1993)

Gloria Estefan's music is incredibly influential to Latin American culture. She has won seven Grammy Awards, sold over 100 million albums worldwide, and is credited with bringing the Latin pop style to the US.

She continues to be an iconic figure in Latin American music, inspiring generations of artists who look up to her.

3) Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, better known by her stage name Shakira, is a Colombian singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, she made her recording debut under Sony Music Colombia at the age of 13.

The Grammy Award-winning artist has since achieved global success with such chart-topping singles as "Whenever, Wherever," "Underneath Your Clothes," and "Hips Don't Lie."

Her most successful albums include her fourth and fifth studio albums Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, which spawned the hit singles "La Tortura," "Don't Bother," "How Do You Do?" and "Beautiful Liar."

Notable albums and songs from Shakira include:

• Magia (1991): "Magia", "Estoy Aquí"
• Peligro (1993): "Peligro", "Antología"
• Pies Descalzos (1995): "Un Poco de Amor", "Ciega, Sordomuda"
• Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998): "Ojos Así", "Ciega, Sordomuda"
• Laundry Service (2001): "Whenever, Wherever," "Underneath Your Clothes"
• Fijación Oral Vol. 1 (2005): "La Tortura", "Don't Bother"
• Oral Fixation Vol. 2 (2005): "How Do You Do?", "Beautiful Liar"

Shakira's music has resonated with audiences all over the world due to its diverse genres. From flamenco, Latin rock, pop, and reggaeton to Arabic, Middle Eastern, and Indian music, Shakira has incorporated many styles into her work.

As a result, she has become one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time and continues to influence generations of music fans across the globe.

4) Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin is one of the most well-known Latin American artists ever. He was born on December 24, 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His career began in the 1980s when he joined the popular Latin boy band Menudo. His solo career launched in 1991 with his debut album Ricky Martin, which included hits such as "María," "Fuego Contra Fuego," and "Vuelve."

Since then, Ricky Martin has released numerous albums and has achieved international success. Some of his most famous songs include "Livin' La Vida Loca," "She Bangs," and "The Cup of Life."

His albums have also been highly successful:

• Ricky Martin (1999); sold more than 15 million copies worldwide
• Vivir (1995)
• Vuelve (1998)

Ricky Martin's music is known for blending pop, Latin, and world music influences to create an energetic and unique sound. His lyrics often explore love, romance, and empowerment themes, making him an inspirational artist for many.

He is also credited with helping to bring Latin music into the mainstream, making it more accessible to people worldwide.

5) Selena Quintanilla

Selena Quintanilla was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. She was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter, and actress who earned the title "Queen of Tejano music." Sadly, she passed away at the young age of 23 on March 31, 1995, due to a fatal gunshot wound inflicted by the former president of her fan club.

Selena's career in music started when she was only nine years old, performing with her family's band "Selena y los Dinos." With her captivating voice and outstanding stage presence, she soon gained popularity and began to dominate the Tejano music scene.

Selena released six studio albums during her brief career, each certified Gold by the RIAA.

Here are some of her most popular tracks:

Selena's influence continues to be felt throughout Latin music today. Her ability to create music that crosses cultural and language barriers has allowed her music to reach a larger audience. She has embraced different styles of Latin music in her songs, including the cumbia music style. She served as a source of inspiration for many other Latin artists, and her legacy continues to shine brightly.

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Sources:

1. Billboard, The 5 Most Iconic Latin Music Artists of All Time, Article Referenced From:https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8533147/most-iconic-latin-music-artists-of-all-time
2. NPR, The 50 Greatest Latin American Musicians of All Time, Article Referenced From:https://www.npr.org/2013/09/17/219677705/the-50-greatest-latin-american-musicians-of-all-time
3. Rolling Stone, The 50 Greatest Latin Pop Songs https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-50-greatest-latin-pop-songs-695294/