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Latin Music Revolution in United States: Record labels that bet on producing Latino Artists

North America / United States

Record labels that bet on the first Latin singers in the United States

Currently, visiting a nightclub in the US and listening to a bachata or merengue song is totally normal. The assistants, regardless of their nationality, will end up dancing and chanting the melodies. However, a few years ago it was not this way. Find out which labels made this a reality.

Latin music came to the United States around 1930 thanks to the bolero. Its growth continued to rise within its borders passing through salsa, chachachá and merengue; until genres such as bachata and Latin jazz became popular in order to position themselves as they are today. To a large extent, social networks have contributed to the projection of today’s artists. For the most part, they create strategies that increase their reach by improving their sales and reproductions. In 2019, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which measures the most popular songs in the United States, there were more Latin songs than ever. A true historical record!

Record Labels in Latin Music — Record Labels of Latin Music

These data were revealed by Leila Cobo, Billboard’s vice president for the Latin market.

In 2018, Latin music rose to the fifth place with the highest demand in the United States, according to the music statistics firm BuzzAngle, in charge of rankings for Rolling Stone magazine.

For many, it is a cause for astonishment and they cannot imagine what the previous story is. The first Latin singers had to go a long way, being rejected in some opportunities but, finally, achieving success on American soil. There is a long list of characters who paved the way for other Latin musicians such as: Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, among others.

Another curious fact worthy of consideration corresponds to the companies that were behind these releases: the record companies. Those record labels that dared to try a foreigner with a proposal in a language other than the United States; They trusted and believed in his talent. Part of this musical revolution, it is thanks to them and their directors.

Record labels that bet on the first Latin singers in the United States

Fania Records

In 1964 this project was born in New York City. It was founded by the American businessman, producer and promoter, Jerry Masucci and the Dominican musician Johnny Pacheco.

Pacheco is one of the most influential figures in Caribbean and Latin music. He is a composer, director, arranger; he specializes in Cuban and Caribbean music such as salsa. This singer also had to go step by step within the US market, train in its streets and go after recognition. In 1960 Pacheco y su Charanga was created, a band that reached more than 100,000 copies on its first album. Alegre Records was the label they signed with. His fame led him to visit countless countries. His experience in the industry made his wish he could help others. After creating Fania Records, he was recognized for promoting the careers of many young artists.

The name of Fania Records was taken from a Cuban song by Reinaldo Bolaño. In part, their great popularity was due to their promotion of salsa. The label supported the greats of the show such as: Rubén Blandes, Willie Colón, Tito Puente, Bobby Valentin, Ray Barretto and Héctor Lavoe, among others.

Alegre Records

It was founded in 1956 by Al Santiago, the owner of a record store in the Bronx. It specialized in products born in the 1950s.

Alegre Records represented, for the most part, Latin music singers. In addition, opening its doors to greats such as Tito Puentes, Johnny Pacheco, founder of Fania Records, Eddie Palmieri. In 1975 it was acquired by Fania Records.

Capitol Records (EMI Latin)

It is an American record company that opened its doors in 1942. Its founders were Johnny Mercer and Buddy DeSyIva, American singers. Today it is owned by Universal Music Group, one of the world’s leading record labels. In most cases, it focused on genres typical of its borders. However, they gave their support to the American with Mexican roots, Selena and the Dominican Juan Luis Guerra.

Discos CBS International

CBS Record Label — Record Label of Latin Music

At first it was located in Coral Globes and then it was transferred to the city of Miami. Discos CBS supported bands like Miami Sound Machine, in which the renowned singer and songwriter Emilio Estefan participated. In 1991, it was acquired by Sony. It is one of the best known for being part of the CBS television network (Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc). It was founded in 1962 by Harvey Schein. Discos CBS is active despite the number of years since its inception. He is dedicated to different genres, without neglecting music in Spanish.

Warner Music Latina (WEA Latina)

It is a label belonging to Warner Music Group, one of the world powers in the field. Warner Music Latina emerged in 1987 and focused on Latin productions, giving the opportunity to artists such as the Puerto Rican, Olga Tañón. It was the label that gave her her first opportunity as a solo artist with the album Sola (1992), making her a Platinum Record recipient. At present, it has branches in different countries of the world. It has production and publication of music, recorded music and services for artists.

RMM Records

It was an independent record company that operated in New York City until the late 1990s. It focused on salsa, merengue, and Latin jazz productions. He worked with artists such as Marc Anthony, Tito Puente, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Nieves, Celia Cruz, Óscar D´León, among others. RMM Records went bankrupt due to legal problems with artists and a millionaire lawsuit filed by singer Glenn Monroig. In 2001 Universal Music acquired the RMM records catalog. A lot of

Over the years, the American music industry was increasingly influenced by songs in Spanish. Those who do not speak the language have commented that they are attracted to the catchy rhythm and do not hesitate to dance them non-stop. The US public has become less skeptical of Latin rhythms. Recording industry experts say it is due to the rhythms and their proximity to the songs in English.

The creation of platforms such as YouTube and the appearance of streaming platforms has given greater openness to the market. More and more Latinos are succeeding in the US and record companies are deciding to finance their projects.

Merlin, a specialized agency, has been in charge of bringing together different independent record companies and managing the collection of income derived from streaming platforms. Half of the record labels associated with Merlin are American. On the other hand, the number of clicks and visits obtained by Latin songs on video platforms such as YouTube and Vevo are increasing, especially in the case of audiences in the US The number of new immigrants and young people must also be considered. Born to Latino or Latin American parents.

The market continues to bet on Latin music. In fact, in the United States there are a large number of stations focused on this type of music. Users can request the songs of their choice and enjoy them at any time of the day.

What will be the next step for songs in Spanish within the United States?

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Los Angeles salsa and its origins

Salsa and its origins

Salsa is a musical genre of Latino origin that has become very popular around the world thanks to the enormous number of artists who have been responsible for spreading it far and wide. Neither salsa or any of the other genre remains static in time and this is because all the transformations and combinations suffered at the years begin to pass. This has given rise to a number of new styles that have also been spreading to many countries thanks to those interested in learning to dance them.

How Los Angeles Salsa Originated

Los Angeles salsa and how to dance it — Two people dancing Los Angeles salsa

One of those styles is Los Angeles salsa, which is named after the city where it was born. In Los Angeles, United States, a family of Mexican origin was directly involved in the origins of this style of salsa. Francisco Vásquez, who spent a significant part of his life in Los Angeles, was delighted with the way many of the greatest dancers of those years danced in nightclubs.

Around this time, this man began to mimic the movements made by these dancers, to perfect them and to add other Hollywood dance steps. After all this process experienced by Francisco, he gave rise to what would later be known as On1. Sometime later, Francisco would teach his brothers what he learned in these clubs, which gave origin to what would become a family business known as Los Rumberos. These brothers were real important in the expansion of this salsa style, but there were many other professional dancers and lovers of Latin culture who have created other companies focused on promoting many musical styles from Latin America.

A very important thing to say about this salsa style is that it was neither the only nor the first salsa rhythm to become famous around the world, as New York salsa has also become very popular in recent years and includes some of the sounds present in tango, jazz, among others.

The presence of Los Angeles salsa in Europe

A type of salsa that only emerged at the local level has become one of the most sought-after musical styles by European music festivals to give them a privileged place in their respective programs, which implies that Latin music has already expanded in its multiple variants to every corner of the Old Continent.

One of the most important reasons why this style has become so famous is the richness of its steps and the varied movements in relation to other typical dance forms of salsa. If Europeans were already very interested in Latin rhythms, such a diversity of rhythms and styles makes them even more curious about our musical culture.

These competitions and festivals held around Europe are very striking and prestigious, as they invite locals to learn to dance different rhythms in order to be eligible for one of the luxurious prizes offered therein. The best of all this is that these competitions include all levels, so you don’t have to be a professional dancer to have a good time and gain one or another recognition.

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Role of the Triangle Trade in the birth of Cuban rumba

What Cuban rumba is

As we all know, Latin music is a very diverse mix of a series of rhythms and musical styles from all over the world. What we know today as Latin music was the result of a whole concoction of historical facts that must come first in any story that seeks to explain the origins of any Latin rhythm that wants to be studied.

A good example of this that we have just said is the Cuban rumba, which is part of a set of cultural concepts that can be found in many parts of the world. There are certain musical rhythms that have allowed us to see that some seemingly alien places have made us discover each and every one of the common points they have, both historically and culturally.

How Cuban rumba starts

Cuban rumba and the Triangle Trade — Some people dancing rumba and and playing drums

One of the most important historical events that marked the birth of the Cuban rumba was the triangular trade carried out between Africa, America and Europe. This fact was the emergence of a large number of musical genres that were resulting from the mixture of rhythms and styles from all the aforementioned continents.

After the Discovery of America, Europe saw in the New World a useful territory for many of the economic activities that were not possible in their respective countries. In the case of labor, many African chiefdoms offered for sale to part of their inhabitants, something that was seen with very good eyes by the powerful Europeans of the time. This is how what historically would be known as triangular trade began.

This activity consisted of sending low-quality materials to be exchanged by African slaves to work with African and American resources in terrible living conditions. Once in America, some African ethnic groups were in charge of introducing the rumba in the Antilles, although the origins of the groups that brought these rhythms continue to be controversial among many scholars of the subject.

Although the slaves worked very hard during the day, they continued to practice their traditional rituals and rites at night. These practices were entirely based on their traditional music and religious customs to stay united with their Mother Earth despite the remoteness and the circumstances. Over time, these rites and percussion instruments were banned, so the new inhabitants of America had to adapt to the instruments allowed by the Spanish Crown. This made these sounds unknown to the Africans together with their forbidden dances in this land were merging until resulting in what we know today as rumba.

Rumba today

Cuban rumba and the role of the slaves — People dressed in white to enjoy Cuban Rumba on the streets

The characteristics of the rumba vary enormously from one place to another, since there are many variations and changes from one continent to another. In Africa, many see this genre as similar to zouk or benga, while Europeans refer to it as flamenco or Catalan rumba. There have been many artists who have taken on the task of making this genre their own and making it evolve to unsuspected levels to make it what it is today.

Today, we can appreciate a good number of subgenres that have their origin in the same parrones rhythms from which rumba derives in its different versions.

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Camilo and El Alfa release “Bebé”, a bachata song

Listen to BEBÉ the new song from Camilo and El Alfa

The Colombian singer Camilo, winner of a Latin Grammy in this year’s ceremony, joined forces with the Dominican El Alfa to surprise everybody with a bachata full of feelings.

El Alfa is a Dominican rapper that, with lots of professionalism, joined him in this adventure. Camilo has triumphed in the musical industry, and has left more than one surprised with this song in the bachata genre, after all it’s his first experience with it.

My approach to music is always from the illusion, from what my heart asked me, and in this moment it wants to dance pegaito (close)”, expressed Camilo. “It’s a tribute to Dominican Republic, a country that I love with all my heart”, he added.

Camilo and El Alfa — Colombia and Dominican Republic reunite with this song.

Within hours of its release, the song has more than four million views on YouTube, and keeps rising. Camilo looked very pleased with the final result and commented on YouTube:

ALL THE TRIBE DANCING PEGAITO (CLOSE)!!!! Thanks Alfa, you are an incredible human being, very unique! Colombia and Dominican Republic dancing together!!!”; he expressed.

Beside, he announced the release through his Instagram profile:

BEBÉ is released with @elalfaeljefe. This is going to be the soundtrack of my end of the year holidays!!! LET’S DANCE!!! Cheers. THE TRIBEEEE”, he said. The post was ended with emojis of the Colombian and Dominican flags.

Emanuel Herrera Batista, better known as El Alfa also took advantage of his social media profiles to share BEBÉ.

I thought that my first bachata would be with “THE KING” Romero Santos!! But it was my turn to work with the most worldwide mentioned artist, thanks @camilo for this chance! I have so much respect and affection for him”, El Alfa commented with two pictures together with the Colombian singer.

The music video was filmed in Samaná, a seaside city from Dominican Republic, and it was directed by Eva Luna, Camilo’s wife. It shows images from different parts of the island, and it’s focused on a couple’s love, and reflects couples dancing to the song rhythm. The production is under Sony Music Label.

Camilo is very excited about this song and working with El Alfa

It’s the first time that both artists share melodies, and they have been very pleased with the experience, and the final result. In fact, on a recent interview Camilo has given some words about the collaboration:

We met at an award show. I’ve always shown a curiosity for his identity. I think that he is a unique human being and I celebrate that identity, and the honesty above all. I celebrate his honesty in what he does, without asking anybody, without asking permission. He follows his hearts and wrote the songs that it dictates, for me that is something worthy to learn from him. It’s a tribute to the Dominican sound which is a second home for me, because it’s my parents’ home where they live, and each time I visit it, I fall in love more with a country that touches the heart from the first day that you land. I feel that I’m going to have the opportunity to enter the houses of many families with this song”, he commented to Diario Libre.

Could be the beginning of a new chapter for the Colombian singer’s career? Let’s wait and see!

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Rueda de Salsa Casino – Vzla

Venezuela land of the “Rueda de Salsa Casino”

Venezuela could be known as the country with the largest number of Cuban-style Salsa Schools (the so-called Salsa Casino) in the world.
In its territorial division, more than 18 states of the country register a hundred schools dedicated to the teaching of the “Rueda de Salsa Casino” as an elementary basis for the diffusion of dance. Fashion came to us in the 90s and to date it has been maintained, having a huge boom in children, youth and adults, some by training, others by distraction, registering to date more than 160 formal academies established throughout the world. national territory, for this element, could be counted more than three thousand people dedicated to this discipline.

The development of the Casino has reached a very professional level, to its credit Venezuela has high-level dancers, some who have managed to bring to this area of the Caribbean prizes from other latitudes, not in a round but in pairs and soloists, the first obtained in 2007 by Ana de la Torre and Leonel Villarreal at the Miami Rueda Congress in 2007 as a couple, in 2009 by Nathaly Navarro and José Manuel Pérez from 1st place as a couple and 1st in the GandPrix of the winners in Primavera Salsa Open in Wroclaw – Poland where Sandra Batista and José Castro also obtained the 2nd place, that is to say Creole sweep, closing in 2014 with the 2nd place obtained by Raimond Madrid in the Columbia competition and the 4th place of María Alejandra and Arturo Reyes in They are Cuban, both from the Guaguancó Festival in Barcelona.

Competencia de Casino - Venezuela — Practicing Salsa Casino

On May 15, 2016, a national Casino Rueda proposal was carried out, in which 16 states were able to participate, including the Capital District, Miranda, Aragua, Anzoátegui, Nueva Esparta, Lara, among others. We can highlight the best participation in the Carabobo state, achieving a national record of 1480 dancers with only 23 academies or schools in the state, among which stand out, Saoco Latino, Ashe roots and culture, Kimbara, Es Latino, passion and rhythm among others, unofficial record for record, but boy, how intimidating.

In the same order, there are already formal institutions that join forces to make improvements in the cooperative work of schools in Venezuela, there have already been about 6 associations or unions formed in some states of the country, this is the case of the newly born Federation Venezolana de Salsa Casino FEVESALCA, an entity that among its projects seeks to project the work of the Venezuelan Casino Wheel to the whole world, an example of them is one of the many articles that we will be reading about this great project.

Venezuelans are going for more and for 2017 they have prepared something very big, in November they were for the Guinness Record attempt for the longest Casino Wheel in the world, they have relied on their record of the largest and longest cable car to back this attempt, soon the state of Mérida could register a second Guinness, we will be closely monitoring this event, for the date the organizing academy could not be contacted, you are invited to be part of this attempt, do not stop writing to josemanuelperezchavez @ gmail .com and we will keep you informed.

Rueda Casino Elegant Competition Academies — Rueda de Casino

Due to the above, Venezuela seems to be the country with the greatest diffusion of this genre, everyone is invited to join this trend, a Casino Rueda in Venezuela is tempting, we all go together to dance to the sound of Venezuela.

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