It starts with the beat. The pulsating rhythms have taken various forms — mambo, salsa, tango and muchos más — but one constant of Latin music is the sense of vibrancy. You can’t help but get up and move and feel alive. On today’s charts, Latin music’s influence shows up with frequency, built upon the foundation laid by talented, pioneering musicians who brought their cultural influences, and that rhythm in their souls to the masses.
A look at the guitar legend's magical, musical journey
A timeline of the origins and styles that comprise the genre
The Miami Sound Machine hitmaker recalls her influences and her and husband Emilio's fallback plan
Gloria Molina, Gabriel Abaroa, Jr. and Soledad O'Brien on how music shaped them
The Grammy-winner played guitar just for the love of it, and found a path to stardom
The actor discusses the unparalleled talent of the late Tejano singer
The prolific percussionist says being immersed in music from an early age helped define him
Music has always been a family affair for the goddaughter of Tito Puente
The multi-platinum recording artist on her pivot to Spanish language records
The Grammy-winning composer discusses the historic lack of Latino representation on Broadway
The Spanish heartthrob took an unusual path to stardom
The Grammy-winning musician reflects on the sensuality and sophistication of Brazilian music
Percussionist on what makes that fusion so exceptional
In Their Own Words
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