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Search Results for: Latin Music

Latin music Festival in Bulgaria August 2023

Summer Salsa Fest Varna

Aug 04 2023 – Aug 06 2023

http://www.summersalsafestvarna.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SummerSalsaFestVarna

Varna Free University (VFU)

Chayka 9007, Varna, Bulgaria, 9007

Description

The 12th edition of Summer Salsa Fest Varna offers 3 days of workshops, shows parties and 3 beach Latino fiestas with international instructors, performers and dj’s.

Cost from € 70

Latin music Festival in Portugal August 2023

Dmaes Summer Bootcamp

Aug 04 2023 – Aug 13 2023

https://bootcamp.dmaes.pt/ https://www.facebook.com/DMAES.Summer.Bootcamp

Muxima Bar

Rua Maurício Lourenço de Oliveira, No 206, Vila Nova de Gaia , Portugal, 4405-034

Description

Over the course of 10 days, the Summer Festival has dance as the common denominator for all activities taking place: workshops, dance performances, seminars, exhibitions, parties and beach activities.

Cost from € 130

 

The 5 most famous Latin music DJs in USA

Latin music is characterized by its incomparable rhythm. Those who have Latin blood vibrate when listening to songs that remind them of their roots. However, Latinos are not the only ones who enjoy them, audiences of all ages and nationalities end up trying to dance to the tune of salsa, merengue or bossa nova.

Its growth has been increasing over the years and more and more Latino artists are performing on large stages; Important events in the United States and become the favorites of non-Hispanic people.

For this reason, it is very common to listen to these types of songs in different bars and clubs. Some DJs based in the US have wanted to enhance their roots and, even when they dabble in other genres, they are still famous for their Latin mixes .

Famous DJs of Latin music

DJ Deorro

Erick Orrosquieta, is a DJ and music producer, born in California but to Mexican parents. It is characterized by its inclination towards electro house. However, it does not neglect the Latin music sets. To his credit he has pieces such as “Bailar” with Elvis Crespo, where he did not hesitate to place his personal stamp.

Dj Deorro
Dj Deorro

He is working on a new album where he plans to gather more Latin songs and songs in Spanish. Even when he tours different countries, he always plays in his native USA again.

“I want to grab the sounds we used to hear when we were little, cumbia, merengue, mariachi, everything, in order to give them new music”

DJ Louie Vega

Luis Ferdinand Vega Jr. is an American with Puerto Rican roots. His uncle was nothing more and nothing less than the famous singer Héctor Lavoe. Little Louie Vega, as he is also known, grew up surrounded by Latin music. For this reason, his training and his passion for music of this style have always been noticed.

Dj Louie Vega
Dj Louie Vega

He is one of those artists who enjoy each show and immerse themselves in what they do. Dj Louie had his beginnings at parties in the Bronx and has not neglected his Hispanic side. Making different Latin mixes that he does not stop taking advantage of in many of his presentations. One of his most requested songs is “My people by Héctor Lavoe”. He has also participated in songs with a tropical rhythm like “Starring” with Roberto Roena and performed live with the accompaniment of different percussionists.

“Music comes from our hearts and we try to express it. We don’t look at the others, we just follow what we think is our path, ”  he told ­estaybullshit.com.

DJ Buddha

Dj Buddha
Dj Buddha

Urals Vargas, born in the United States, is a renowned DJ, songwriter, producer and music publisher who has earned a good place in the industry. Recognized for including Latin music and dancehall among his mixes. He is one of the critics’ favorites and remains in constant innovation. DJ Buddha has an album called “Ultra Latino” that contains some of his most requested Latin tracks. In addition, it has countless tracks produced, remixed or written that today belong to renowned Latino artists.

“For me, success has been not putting myself alone in a genre because I make electronic music, … and yet, I have also made songs in the Latin market,” he said in an interview with Deyanira Martínez.

DJ Alex Sensation

Dj Alex Sensation
Dj Alex Sensation

He is a Colombian who grew up in the United States and from an early age began mixing at nightclubs. He also worked at the station La Mega 97.9 Fm, walking through different musical genres but not forgetting where he came from.

“I grew up listening to salsa and cumbia because of my roots. One of the fi­rst clubs where he played on the weekends was a Dominican club. There, I learned about the Dominican culture Bachata, Merengue, typical merengue when I was still very young. I made many Dominican friends and fell in love with their culture. I mix everything under that genre,” he commented for an interview.

He is considered a very valuable artist for music. In fact, he has participated in different festivals, parades in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and has been awarded the ACE, an award from the Association of American Entertainment Critics.

DJ Cristhian Terán

Dj Cristhian Terán
Dj Cristhian Terán

This is a Venezuelan who has positioned herself in the city of the sun. Its proposal is based on Latin rhythms and is the favorite of most nightclubs. He has a history that has accompanied her since its inception in Venezuela. Caramelos de Cianuro, Chyno, Nacho and Guaco are some of the artists from her country with whom she has shared the stage. However, he has also managed to rub shoulders with singers such as Maluma, Alexis and Fido and Arcangel. Cristhian is one of the DJs who has managed to get the most out of the Latin genres and keep them present in the United States. His music is usually heard in the different clubs in Miami.

” Latin music “, a legacy that does not go out

Musical genres have been part of the citizen’s common life for more than fifty years. In principle, it originated to differentiate religious music from other styles. Starting the great variety of musical genres that we know today. The term “Latin music” was born in the United States to refer to the rhythms from Latin America.

This is due to the large number of groups that emerged in the 1950s. It sought to differentiate African American music from Latin American ones. From now on, different rhythms belonging to this category have come off, such as: salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, bossa nova, among others.

Long live Latin music!

Salsa, merengue and bachata, to name just a few, have become the flag of most Latinos; inside and outside their borders they dance, sing and teach others to move with that particular “son”. It is a rhythm that prints passion and a lot of dedication. The music industry is part of the history of this genre. Those who have managed to belong to their ranks have been immortalized through their songs. This movement has been on the rise, making those who were born in Latin American lands proud and accommodating documentaries and movies. Everyone wants to tell a story around Latin music!

5 movies you can’t miss

Films have become a window into the past and what we do not live but would like to recreate. In the case of music, there have been many themes that have been exposed. For this reason, we wanted to compile some of the best ones. You will love their content and you will want to see them immediately. Make your notes!

El Cantante, 2006

Movie - The Singer, 2006

The Singer, 2006

Héctor Lavoe is a Puerto Rican legend. A singer, composer and musical producer with a voice and talent what catapulted him as the greatest salsa performer in history. The film starring the also Puerto Rican Marc Anthony describes Lavoe’s life from his teenage years. The singer, as he is fondly remembered, traveled to New York City at just 16 years old.

Against his father’s will, he decided to go after his dreams. In the scenes we can see how he is part of a musical group and perform in a bar, he meets Eddie (Manny Pérez), Willie Colón (John Ortiz) and gets his first contract with a record label.

However, you will also get to know the darker side of Héctor Lavoe who went through drug and alcohol problems. Héctor meets and falls in love with Puchi (Jennifer López), mother of his son and a very important character in the film. Puchi accompanies him on this path of constant ups and downs until little by little his life begins to change.

They lose their son Tito, as a result of an accident with Héctor’s weapon, and he is definitely not the same again. A story that shows us the success of an artist, his talent and dedication, without neglecting his bad habits that led to his death.

Dance with Me, 1998

Dance With me - Img

Dance With me – 1998

A film in which rhythm and romance will run through your veins. Chayanne and Vanessa Williams play a dance couple who meet in the middle of a great coincidence. Rafael Infante (Chayanne) loses his mother and decides to travel from Cuba to Texas to meet his father, the owner of a dance school.

When she gets to see him, she doesn’t know how to tell him the truth and prefers to apply for a job as a cleaning assistant. However, they realize how great a dancer he is and he begins to have participation in the academy. In the scenes we will be able to see how they get together through dance and enjoy the Latin rhythms. A fun film that should be among your weekend selection. Enjoy it!

Cuban Fury, 2014

Image of Cuban Fury 2014

Cuban Fury 2014

It tells us a story of love, self-improvement, improvement of self-esteem and, of course, salsa. Bruce Garrett (Nick Frost) is attracted to his boss Julia (Rashida Jones) and wants to conquer her through dancing. Garret had qualities for salsa but during his teens he was intimidated and put it aside.

Today, he wants to regain that rhythm, overcoming self-esteem issues and personal fears. For the character it is not easy to leave behind those events that marked his life. However, you must put aside self-pity and allow the dance to define everything. Will it have good results? Find out for yourself!

Ciudad Delirio, 2014

4- City of Delirium 2014

City of Delirium 2014

Cali, Colombia becomes the setting for an adventure full of dance and new experiences. Javier (Julian Villagrán) is a Spaniard who travels to Colombia for work and cannot help but fall in love with its people, customs and women. He meets Angie (Carolina Ramírez) a Colombian who owns a dance school. Their encounters are marked by the music and dancers that characterize this city. Javier ends up learning to dance salsa and guess what? Become an expert!

If you want to know more, find it now!

Shine, 2017

Shine 2017 - Latin music
Shine 2017 – Latin music

Shine tells us about two Puerto Rican brothers Ralphi Matas (Jorge Burgos) and Junior (Gilbert Saldivar) who have separated due to bad experiences and after a few years, they meet again. Between them, an even greater distance is created when they are on opposite sides of the fight for the gentrification of the area where they grew up.

The dance and cultural roots are present throughout the film, with Uncle Julio (Nelson Gonzales) trying to unite them again. Drama, dance and romance take sides in Shine, a very common story among Latinos in the United States who struggle not to let their principles die.

Latin music is life, it gives color, improves mood and is part of a cultural legacy that will continue to be maintained through the years. Every day new exponents of the genre appear and this will continue to happen over the years. So be it!

Influence of Latin Music in Europe and Vice Versa

 

European union 

 

When we refer to any Latin element that has been influential at the European continent or vice versa, it is almost inevitable that we think back to the Discovery of the Americas on the part of Christopher Columbus.

It was about this time when various instruments present in cumbia and salsa started to be used. No wonder we attach so much importance to this event, as this is how Spanish and the Portuguese arrived in the so-called New World. It is no coincidence that these languages are the protagonists of these rhythms at this time.

While it is true that Europe gave its languages to Latin music, we cannot fail to mention that the African slave trade played a major role in this context. Its beats and drums closely tied to religious ceremonies were inspirational for salsa, bachata and samba and African-American music, in which the famous Jazz may be included.

Neither can we leave out the fact that many pre-Colombian civilizations created many types of percussion music instruments, which are very present in Andean music and its very traditional flute-like sounds.

 What has led Latin American music to become so popular in recent times?

There is no denying that Latin music has achieved a tremendous global reach in recent years, but things were not always like this. In the past, it was ballads of love with heartbreaking lyrics that dominated this market and its primary target audience was female.

With the passing of years, this reality radically changed. We can see it in the emergence of an encouraging number of commercial songs and very simple to dance like La Macarena by Los Del Rio, Livin La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin, A Dios Le Pido by Juanes, among others. These pieces of theme music were the ones that broke the barrier of traditional radio in due course.

Later, hip hop and R&B gave origin to other urban rhythms that took hold of everyone’s attention

Bongos
Bongos

 

Latin music for some time now

That mode of nightclubs of Latin origin that have been inaugurated  the length and breadth of the old continent is nothing new. What is new though is the type of attendees received in these places in recent years. There’s a very large audience of all ages who show real interest in rhythms whose language they don’t even know, but they do not seem to care at all. In fact, this peculiarity seems to give an extra touch of excitement to the point. They see Latin music as an array of sounds and rhythms that may not understand, but that simply cannot stop dancing them.

When making a comparison of the monotonous pop style with this recent wave of Latino artists that have been conquering hearts throughout the world, it is evident that things are different now and did not seem to go back to the way they were. What is true is that traditional styles have been overthrown surprisingly.

It is not a secret that singers such as Shakira or Ricky Martin became immensely popular in the late nineties and the early 200All Posts0s, but now things go much further. We are saying that there is a very important number of musicians in these genres that have drawn the attention of all audiences of all ages and countries.

Further, there is a lot of Americans who have appropriated these styles and the Spanish language to give a lot of freshness to their musical projects. A telling example is the Canadian Justin Bieber who has worked with Luis Fonsi and other artists from Latin America, giving as a result a fan base that became interested in these genres and the Spanish language.

It looks like musical lyrics no longer need to be in English to reach all corners of the globe and make everyone dance. In fact, many people look for this type of music to enjoy it, even if they understand little to nothing about it.

Orchestra Latin music playing in the roads
Orchestra Latin music playing in the roads

What can we deduce from all this?

After having analysed all these data, we can say that Latin music is a very rich and intense mix of a cluster of cultures that were linked up between them until we find the heterogeneity that we see today. Undeniably, this whole process of miscegenation between so many rhythms would not have been possible under the influence of pre-Columbian, African and European culture. However, the same can be said in the opposite case.

Yes, this also occurs in the contrary case. Europeans’s musical tastes are no longer those of a few decades ago. Nowadays, there are many adults and young people who cannot stop dancing when they listen to certain salsa or merengue songs that have gone across all possible borders.

In short, we are talking about a continuous feedback loop between both cultures that keeps going until now. No musical rhythm is completely pure and Latin rhythms are the perfect example.

Image source 1: http://nuevacaravana.blogspot.com/2010/08/bongo.html

Image source 2: https://presencia.unah.edu.hn/noticias/los-origenes-de-la-musica-y-la-identidad-en-america-latina-4-de-4/

Image source 3: https://www.correo.ca/2015/07/willie-colon-la-clave-es-la-experimentacion/

Image source 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH_3h43nGf4

 

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.