September 25, 2014
Puente to Julio Iglesias to Ruben Blades, the music industry wouldn’t be what it is today without their contributions. Below is a list of some of our favorite Hispanic and Latin musicians, and a few of their greatest accomplishments:
- Tito Puente: This percussionist, bandleader and musical pioneer was known as the “Latin King of Jazz.” He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990, and was awarded the National Medal Of Arts in 1997.
- Placido Domingo: Respected singer, conductor and General Director of the Los Angeles Opera is the recipient of nine GRAMMY® Awards, three Latin GRAMMY®Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Julio Iglesias: This Spanish singer/songwriter has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. He’s the best-selling Latin music artist in history and one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time.
- Carlos Santana: Mexican-American artist who first became famous through his rock band Santana, Carlos won ten GRAMMY® Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
- Ruben Blades: Panamanian-born salsa singer, dancer and actor is winner of nine GRAMMY® Awards who has recorded more than twenty albums.
- Gloria Estefan: Cuban-born front woman of Miami Sound Machine and winner of seven GRAMMY®Awards and Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year in 2008. It is estimated that she has sold 90 million albums worldwide.
- Marc Anthony: This Nuyorican is the top-selling singer in the history of the salsa genre, winner of two GRAMMY® Awards in 1999 and 2005, 23 Billboard Latin Music Awards and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
- Jennifer Lopez: American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, producer and mother of twins, Lopez holds two GRAMMY®nominations and has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Is there anything J-Lo can’t do?
- Selena: GRAMMY®Award Winner, winner of 13 Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million albums worldwide.
- La Santa Cecilia: This Los Angeles-based Mexican-American band’s fourth full-length studio album, Trenta Días, won Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album at the 56th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. We love their take on The Beatles’ 1967 hit “Strawberry Fields Forever” (“Los Campos de Fresas”) from their new album, “Someday New.”
- Carla Morrison: This Mexican-born indie-pop singer and winner of two Latin GRAMMY®Awards for her album, Déjenme Llorar, is hot on our listen list right now.
- Ocho de Bastos: Our favorite Washington, DC-based Latin pop rock band.
Don’t forget to check out the 15th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards on November 20, 2014 but for now you can view the nominees here: http://www.latingrammy.com/es/nominees
