Moenia may be considered one of the first modern, successful, experimental Mexican groups, finding commercial viability in a market normally dominated by old-style Latin crooners, Ranchera and Cumbia. Heavily influenced by ‘80s bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure, Moenia surged in ‘92 but fell out of public favor in the mid ‘90s when a key member quit. More recently, the reunited band has won over new fans with songs infused with ‘80s-style electronica.

Guatemalan crooner Ricardo Arjona sings a long list of things he wants in his song “Quiero.” This video for “Quiero” was shot in the Dominican Republic and features the stunning Miss D.R. 2007, Massiel Taveras.

Abraham Quintanilla, III (also known as the brother of late Tejano singer Selena) was one of the founding members of Los Kumbia Kings, a band he broke away from in early 2006 to form the Kumbia All-Starz, garnering many hits including "Speedy Gonzalez". The Kumbia All-Starz are from Texas.

19 year old Kat de Luna was born in the Bronx and raised in the Dominican Republic where she received operatic vocal training. Relocating to the States as a pre-teen, she entered and won a Karaoke contest where the legendary Cuban salsero Rey Ruiz gave Kat advice that she carries with her today, “nobody knows you better than you do, and no one can help you if you can’t help yourself.”

This Argentine hip hop artist reminds us of the artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince. Dante has been recording since he was 14, as part of the very successful duo known as Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas.

Italian pop star Eros Ramazzotti teams up with Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin in this duet, “No Estamos Solos” (“We are not alone”—or, “Non Siamo Soli” in its Italian version). Born in Rome, the 44-year-old Ramazzotti is no duet virgin: He’s recorded songs with the late Luciano Pavarotti, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Cher and Carlos Santana, to name a few.

Encarnita (Kany) García had her first brush with fame on the Puerto Rican talent-search show Objetivo Fama in 2004. But she had to pull out of the OF competition after a terrible car accident landed her in intensive care… Luckily, things have looked up since then. After writing songs for fellow OF alum Janina, singer/songwriter Kany released her own album, Cualquier Día, in 2007 to critical acclaim.

When one of their friends suggested that the band’s name should be Belafunk, just half of a bell rang for them. They wanted something more cosmic, stellar, and looking in the closest encyclopedia they ran into the word Nova. That’s how Belanova — a beautiful star — got its name.

For some people, the Menudo years stood as Ricky Martin’s best. Others might sing out Maria, Livin’ La Vida Loca or She Bangs to highlight the top of the pop singer’s ascent. It’s been a while since Ricky’s smiling face was everywhere and his name sat up high in the Billboard charts. Nowadays, he devotes much of his time to helping others as Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF and through the Ricky Martin Foundation.

We associate Cuban Music with powerful drums, breathtaking mujeres and a bunch of smiles flying across the dance floor. But every coin has two sides and Gardi, one of the newest voices of Cuban Pop, bring us this sad, soft and smoky song that’s ready to move our feelings instead of our bodies.

Angel Villalona, better known as “Andy Andy,” began his career singing merengue, but he is making his mark in bachata. Both are genres from his native Dominican Republic. The governor of New York proclaimed Andy a “stellar example” for young people and the governor of Connecticut declared April 17th “Andy Andy Day.” He’s got our vote too.

Born Reyli Barba Arrocha, this superstar used to sing on the streets of San Jose, Chiapas, before forming the popular group Elefante. In time Barba needed more creative freedom than Elefante could offer, so he struck out on his own to establish himself as a more emotive singer and songwriter.

Spanish musician Joaquin Sabina visits Mexico for this video set during the Mexican Revolution. Sabina, himself a former exile from Franco’s Spain, has released 17 albums over a 29 year career, as well as books of lyrics and poetry.

The Colombian Pacific coast is a forgotten paradise. Its habitants complain about the lack of attention from the rest of the country, but it might be this bit of isolation that helps them maintain their rich culture. ChocQuibTown comes from the world’s rainiest lowland, and it is there that they learned to mix African drums and Latin beats with hip-hop and funk, creating a totally new sound that’s firmly rooted in their tradition.

Belinda Peregrín Schull, was born in Madrid, but moved with her family at the age of four to Mexico City. At the age of 18 Belinda had already become an international superstar for both her albums and starring roles in various telenovelas as well as a role in the Disney Channel’s Cheetah Girls.