Latin american dances… More than 400 million people throughout the world speak Spanish. After Mandarin and Hindi, Spanish has more native speakers than any other language. It is not surprising, then, that many people are familiar with the music of Latin America. People the world over have enjoyed listening or dancing to the rhythm of mambo, cha cha slide, merengue, or salsa dance.
Why is this music so popular? Partly because of its lively, happy character. Many Latin Americans like fast, tropical rhythms. Some of these rhythmic beats were introduced to Latin America by West African slaves hundreds of years ago. Admittedly, some non-Latinos find it difficult to appreciate some of the faster tunes with their repetitive drumbeats.
Latin music can also be slow, romantic, and even melancholy. For example, the Latin-American bolero has always been well liked in many countries. The bolero was usually performed by trios and was characterized by its romantic and poetic nature. Very popular during the ’40′s and ’50′s, the bolero has been making a comeback recently in the vocal music of young artists. Mexico’s mariachis, with their attractive suits, big sombreros, and unique music, are also recognized worldwide.
Merengue, Salsa, and Tex-Mex
Merengue and salsa have become very popular in many countries. These rhythms are not new. The merengue originated in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It has been described as ‘incredibly fast, repetitive, infectious, and delicious.’ The Spanish word merengue simply means meringue, the confection made by vigorously beating sugar and egg whites. After watching the vigorous movements of some merengue dancers, an observer can easily see that the name fits.
Within the musical genre of salsa, there are a variety of rhythms, mostly of Cuban and Puerto Rican origins. The Spanish word salsa means “sauce.” According to some, salsa is the result of a musical fusion that took place in New York City, where a mixture of performers from all over the Caribbean mingled. From there it spread throughout the world.
The 1995 assassination of Selena, a Hispanic singer in the United States, made her songs even more popular than when she was alive. She was known as the queen of Tex-Mex music, which has been described as a combination of American country music and norteño (northern Mexican) rhythms. These melodies are sung in English, Spanish, or Spanglish, a mixture of Spanish and English. This music has become very popular with Latinos in the United States and Latin America.
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