Difficulty: Intermediate
Spain
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.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Dominican Republic
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.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuba
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.
Difficulty: Beginner
Puerto Rico
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.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
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.
Difficulty: Beginner
Puerto Rico
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.
Difficulty: Beginner
Puerto Rico
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.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Argentina
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.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Dominican Republic
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.”
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
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.
Difficulty: Beginner
Guatemala
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.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
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.
Difficulty: Beginner
Aruba
Landa Henriquez is a mother of three, Business Sciences graduate, entrepreneur, songwriter and singer. She’s also owner of a cute red descapotable and leader of the band. Not bad for a woman of 40.
Difficulty: Beginner
Mexico
Here’s an emotional song to make quinceañeras scribble endlessly in their diaries and polish off entire Kleenex packets. Camila is a Mexican band that’s been touching sensitive teen souls since 2006—yet Mario Domm (the lead singer and brain behind the project) has been around longer than that, producing songs for artists as Alejandra Guzmán and Kalimba.
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