Latin Music has a huge following, which is not surprising, since it is the second most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese. Within this genre, there have been genre mixing influenced by the original forms of Latin music. Many of these types of bands aren’t marketed enough outside of spanish-speaking circles to be a viable force in the mainstream US, so their exposure is minimal. Latin alternative is a term that was coined by record executives in the 90’s as a way to sell Latin music that was both figuratively and literally all over the map. This eclectic range of sounds was stuck under this umbrella term and ranged in styles from rock to electronic musica. Spanish electro music is really popular in certain circles, but it’s hard to come by in the States.
This style of music was formed from young musicians and DJ’s that were raised with many different styles and genres of music. With roots in rock, hip-hop, and rap, electronica found its roots deep in a rich musical landscape. This was a huge drift away from the traditional Latin sound that dominated the industry for so long. Now there are some amazing acts that have just started to integrate the genres is a way that appealing to audiences.
María Daniela y su Sonido Lasser
is a Mexican electronic group. They’re one of the most popular groups in their genre and are managed by the music label Nuevos Ricos. The label specializes is Mexican electronic music, and they’ve been successful in promoting this group as it continues to explore the sounds of dance music. They’ve also done soundtrack work, among their other releases that have garnered a lot of attention.
Back in 2002, a five-member band called Kinky released their first self-titled album. It had some minor success in the US, but they’ve gotten a lot more attention in the Latin world. Although there are some cuts in English, the majority of their work is in Spanish. They’re an excellent example of dance music. They’re heavily influenced by rock, dance, and techno and are best known for their single, “Más”.
If you’re looking for Latin flavor to your music, I suggest looking at Nuevos Ricos’ website. This label hosts a lot of talent. From here you can look at their other artists and download some beats from their website. Even if you love traditional electronica and you’ve never really listened to this style before, consider giving it a try.
