Difficulty: Intermediate
Colombia
ChocQuibTown is the most important Colombian hip-hop band of the moment and they have been pretty busy exporting their music around the world. From Argentina to Texas, people are dancing to their rhythms. But even as the band travel, ChocQuibTown hasn’t forgotten where they all come from. On the contrary, they are inspired by their Colombian roots.
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
Isa, short for Isabella, seems to be one optimistic and happy girl. This song is an invitation to teens and pre-teens to come dance and enjoy her TV show Isa TKM. BTW: In Spanish, TKM means te quiero mucho (I love you), in texting-style.
Difficulty: Beginner
Argentina
Talk about a life turnaround! Fidel Nadal, an Afro-Argentine Reggae musician, sings about his happy embrace of life while walking, skipping and dancing through a forest and the famous Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires. And to think he used to fritter away his time, feeling down.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Back in 1990, just breaking out, Gloria Trevi sang “Quiero llevar el pelo suelto” – a pop song that rang out like an anthem for the young and the restless. These days, after many years of success and many self-transformations, Trevi’s still singing about strength, independence, and she’s still belting it out near the top of the charts.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Have you ever thought how things would be if you could go back and undo some of your mistakes? Well, that’s what "Volver a comenzar" is about, this song by the Mexican band Café Tacuba dwells in the deepest corners of philosophy and human condition. But don’t worry, it never stops being a nice and catchy song!
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
Venezuelan legend Franco de Vita has been a fixture on the pop charts since his debut album in 1984. His extremely romantic tunes made him a star in a country renowned for its telenovela industry. “Mi sueño” is one of de Vita’s most recent hits, and a great showcase of his talent.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Brazil
Surprised to find two Brazilian singers on this site? Native Portuguese speakers Victor & Leo compose, play, arrange and produce their own music in Spanish, too. They’re multi-talented—and they’re not the first Brazilians to jump into their neighbors’ language and market.
Difficulty: Beginner
Panama
Cienfue is a charismatic Panamanian singer. He manages to have a rock star attitude and still be a nice guy. We know: we had a chance to meet him. Make sure to visit his webpage.
Difficulty: Beginner
Mexico
Former lead singer of Elefante, Reyli Barba is also a well respected songwriter. He has written songs for the likes of Latin Grammy winner Alejandro Fernández. "¿Qué nos pasó?" is his very emotional song about being dumped, replaced and wanting to hear the truth about it.
Difficulty: Beginner
Colombia
The old saying goes “Hijo de tigre, sale pintado”. Literally, it means the baby tiger is going to bear the same marks as his father. But it also means that there are some things we inherit and carry with us. Here, Aterciopelados is singing about leaving some inherited, violent habits behind.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
This video is about all those things that make us different—they are many! But it doesn’t matter how different we are, Mexican band Café Tacuba has been around long enough to have a song for every taste! Artists of self-invention, they rock the house from Mexico City to Japan!
Difficulty: Intermediate
Argentina
Argentinian born and Mexico-based, Noel Schajris is better known as half of the sensational duet “Sin Bandera.” Since 2000, Noel, along with Leonel Garcia, has composed, played and sung hit after hit after hit. But in 2007, Noel and Leonel decided to part ways. Lucky for us, we still can listen to their emotive songs!
Difficulty: Beginner
Colombia
Shakira certainly knows something of the change-up life. A Colombian, she lives in the Bahamas, dates an Argentinian, switched to English, was a brunette, is now a blonde. In this video for “Gitana” (Gypsy), watch her flirt with Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal as she tells us what fans already know.
Difficulty: Beginner
Colombia
Guess who was voted the best new band in the world in 2009? Drum-roll, please… Our friends Bomba Estéreo! Yabla met them back when they were the opening act of (the also great and friendly) ChocQuibTown. Since then, Bomba Estéreo have been spreading like fire all over America and Europe.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Mmmm. A feast of flowers. Literally. This music video features lovely ladies in flowing dresses stuffing their faces with petals, stems and pollen. We can’t tell whether it’s right or wrong, but it’s fun to watch.
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