Leila Cobo, a music industry insider, has put together a fascinating overview of songs that represent important moments in Latin music (which the industry defines as music primarily in Spanish) from the past few decades. I found out about the book through The Current's Rock and Roll Book Club. The prologue mentions a Pérez Prado mambo as one such moment, but the book itself begins with José Feliciano's 'Feliz Navidad' as an example of a crossover hit that had lyrics in both English and Spanish. The format of the book is drawn from her interviews with the musical artists, producers, label executives, video directors, and others involved in the process of turning a song into a crossover hit. The songs include hits by José Feliciano • Los Tigres Del Norte • Julio Iglesias • Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine • Willie Colón • Juan Luis Guerra • Selena • Los Del Río • Carlos Vives • Elvis Crespo • Ricky Martin • Santana • Shakira • Daddy Yankee • Marc Anthony • Enrique Iglesias with Descemer Bueno and Gente De Zona • Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee • J Balvin with Willy William • Rosalía
While I'm not a fan of the Julio Iglesias song and I left Feliz Navidad out of the Spotify playlist I made from the book, I really enjoyed the trip down memory lane with some of these songs.
Los Tigres del Norte, 'Contrabando y traición' --the bass is badass:
If this was their breakout hit, it's worth listening to "Somos Mas Americanos" for the full effect.
J Balvin and Willy William, "Mi gente":
Rosalía, 'Malamente' (tra tra):
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