The 25 Greatest Afro-Latino Musicians of All Time!

Celia Cruz, 1925 - 2003

Cruz’s profoundly soulful signature voice and colorful presence revolutionized Latin music for nearly six decades. Her powerful vocals were often featured alongside infectious piano cords and conga beats, and won her countless of accolades including three Grammys, four Latin Grammys, and twenty-three gold albums. The Queen of Salsa lost her battle against cancer in 2003, but her artistic soul will live on forever. 

Compay El Segundo, 1907 – 2003

Born Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz, the Cuban singer and composer was the front man for the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. Known for his charisma personality and love for cigars, Compay was known for leading hits like, “Chan Chan” and “Las Flores de la Vida.” He died of kidney failure at 96. The king of el són will never be forgotten

Ibrahim Ferrer, 1927 - 2005

Known for his boleros and guarachas, Ibrahim helped transform Cuban jazz and made it recognized on a global scale thanks to his collaboration in The Buena Vista Social Club. In 2000, the artist won a Latin Grammy for “Best New Artist” and also won a Grammy four years later. 

Romeo Santos, 31

The Bronx native has tapped into the ultimate formula for chart-topping success in his debut album “Formula, Vol. 1,” which features addictive bachata hooks and lyrics that leave you hooked on his every word. Aventura’s former front man has proved that he is The King of Kings thanks to his multiple wins at the Latin Grammys and Latin Billboard Awards. He is also currently nominated for a 2013 Grammy for “Best Tropical Album of the Year.”

Don Omar, 34

This Church boy turned reggaetonero first started producing music with Héctor El Bambino back in 2002. Since then he has dominated the charts as The King of Kings in the genre. His album named after his nickname, sold over 4 million copies back in 2007.

In 2012, he also celebrated the international success of his hit song featuring Natti Natasha, “Dutty Love.” While he has been keeping a low profile since his mega-win at the Latin Billboards, with a total of eight wins, Don Omar plans on going on tour later on this year for his latest album, MTO2: New Generation.

El General, 43

Before Sean Paul was the master of dance hall, there was El General. The Panamanian artist ((real name Edgardo Franco) ruled the 1990s with curve-swaying hits like, “Tu Pum Pum” and “Muevelo.” After hitting gold and platinum success, he officially retired from the music business in 2004. 

La Lupe, 1939 – 1992

Her voice redefined Latin soul thanks to her immense vocal talent and energetic performances. The Cuban singer was one of the first Latinas to perform live at Carnegie Hall with Tito Puente after producing hits for over a decade. She later became a controversial star due to her religious beliefs and stage antics. La Lupe died of a heart attack in 1992. Lauren Velez will star in a bio-flick based on the star’s life titled, They Call Me La Lupe.

Prince Royce, 23

The bilingual bachatero stole our hearts when he first hit the charts with his self-titled album in 2010. Since then the Dominican singer from the Bronx has ruled the charts with his sophomore album Phase II, which produced hits including, “Incondicional.” Earlier this year, Royce took home eight awards and beat the King of Bachata, Romeo Santos, in the “Album of the Year” category for his self-titled album. We have a feeling this is only the beginning! 

Sheila E., 54

Born Sheila Escovedo, the Mexican and Creole drummer and percussionist dropped the extra syllables once she met Prince in the 1970s. The musician was greatly inspired by her godfather Tito Puente, who she would watch perform as a little girl. She has had collaborations with everyone from Gloria Estefan to Juan Luis Guerra. Sheila also prides herself as a philanthropist and started the Elevate Hope Foundation, which helps abused children receive therapy through music. 

Mariah Carey, 42

Known for her soprano vocals and diva attitude, Mariah has sold more than 200 million albums in the span of her 22-year career. The new American Idol judge has also won five Grammy Awards and a record breaking 31 Billboard Awards. In 2007, the half-Venezuelan pop star was named the fifth richest woman in entertainment with an estimated worth of $270 million. We are sure that number has only multiplied! 

Tego Calderon, 40

Known for his multi-cultural influences and hybrid reggaeton sound, Tego (born Tegui Calderon Rosario) revolutionized the genre as we know it today. His debut album El Abayarde solidified him as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. He is known for hits like, “Metele Sazon” and “Elegante de Boutique.”

Maxwell, 39

Who doesn’t have a crush on this R&B singer? We have been in love with the half-Puerto Rican musician’s neo-soul vibe since his debut album, Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite. His latest album, Blacksummers’night was nominated for a total of six Grammys in 2010. He walked away with the “Best R&B Song” and “Best R&B Album” awards that year. We can’t wait for him to serenade us with new music (hopefully) soon. 

Esperanza Spalding, 28

The singer and jazz bassist leaves us transfixed whenever she takes the stage. Earlier this year, she performed Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" during the In Memoriam tribute at the Academy Awards, which left the rest of America amazed and in love. She has won a total of three Grammys so far and is currently nominated for another three including “Best Jazz Vocal Album” for the upcoming 2013 Grammy Awards. 

Bebo Valdez, 94

This talented Cuban was known as a creative force during Cuba’s golden age in music. As a composer, pianist, and bandleader, he worked at the island’s famous Tropicana Club before exiling to Mexico in the 1960s. He most recently composed the hit musical animation, Chico & Rita. 

Jairo Varela, 62 (December 9, 1949 – August 8 2012)

This salsa song maker made quite an impact on the music scene in Colombia. Varela was one of the two founding members of one of the most widely recognized groups in all of Latin America, Grupo Niche. They have had hits such as “Cali Pachanguero”, “Sin Sentimientos”, and “Canoa Rancha”. Throughout the years the talented Varela wore many hats as a producer, a director, a vocalist, a guiro player, and a songwriter, staying with the group he built from the ground up until his death. 

Susana Baca, 68

Native Peruvian Baca has long been credited with inspiring the resurgence of Afro-Peruvian music. She’s been cranking out the hits since the late 1980s, and she uses a mix of classic Peruvian instruments, Cuban and Brazilian music, and soulful lyrics to create albums that speak to listeners all around the world. Baca has even more to be proud of than her two Latin Grammys, though. In 2011 she became the second ever Afro-Peruvian cabinet minister in Peru after being named the Minister of Culture.     

Orishas

This hip hop group was just the thing the urban youth in Cuba were craving when Orishas hit the scene in 1999. Yotuel Romero, Ruzzo Medina, and Roldán González are the members of the group who created a connection to the young black movement during that time period which a lot of their fans clung to.. The group released four studio albums that mix Latin rhythms and hip hop. The Orishas have collaborated with groups like The Black Eyed Peas and Calle 13, and their success has earned them two Grammys as well as a Latin Grammy for Best Urban Song.  

Los Rakas

Panamanian cousins Raka Dun and Raka Rich make up this duo that spouts an eclectic mix of bilingual, reggae, hip hop, dance music. The two have performed at SummerStage, X-Fest, and Snoop Dogg’s Smoke Out Festival, and they were the first urban group to emerge as winners of the Latin Alternative Music Conference’s Discovery Artist Prize. Fans can begin gearing up for the release of their next album which is set to drop in 2013!

Kelis, 33

If you’ve ever had “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard” stuck in your head, chances are you know Kelis. The R&B artist has toured with the likes of U2, Britney Spears, Moby, and she even headlined her own tour with Robyn in 2010. Kelis may still be waiting for that Grammy, though she has been nominated twice, her tenacity has helped her become a monumental success earning her Brit Awards, Q Awards, and NME Awards. 

Sabi, 25

Sabi began her career taking acting jobs in commercials and an independent short, but her heart was always with the music. The part-Salvadoran, part-African American was approached to be a part of a female hip-hop duo, and thus Bangz was born releasing several singles, “Boys With Tattoos (We Jerkin’)” and “Found My Swag”. In a terrible and unexpected twist of fate, Sabi was forced to continue on her music career as a solo artist. She has risen from the ashes collaborating with popular artists to be featured on tracks like Cobra Starship’s Platinum selling “You Make Me Feel…” Sabi’s certainly dangled the bait, now fans just have to wait with bated breath for the release of her debut solo album!     

Javier Colon, 34

When viewers tuned in to check out the first season of a little show called The Voice, they had no idea that they were about to be introduced to a soulful singer they could put on their iPods and listen to for days. The eventual winner of the singing competition began his career as a member of EmcQ and then The Derek Trucks Band before heading out on his own to try for a solo career. Since winning the $100,000 prize, Colon has released a fourth album, Come Through For You.  

Luny Tunes, Francisco Saldaña (Luny), 33 and Victor Cabrera (Tunes), 31

Luny Tunes are a top reggaeton production team famous for churning out a lot of the vibrant, must-dance rhythms that make your body move. These Domincans first hit it huge with Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” and have produced literally hundreds of songs since then while working to raise up-and-coming producers in the genre that owes them a great deal.   

Miguel, 26

After a tumultuous start in the music business including lawsuits and shelved album debuts, R&B artist Miguel was finally able to release his first album, All I Want Is You, in 2010. Though it did not skyrocket him to stardom straight out of the gate, the album eventually became a sleeper hit. Just a few months ago on October 2, 2012, the part-Mexican released his second album, Kaleidoscope, which has not only turned the heads of fans, but it has the critics buzzing as well. For those who follow Miguel it comes as no surprise that the album has earned him five nominations for the 2013 Grammy Awards. 

Wilfrido Vargas, 63

This Dominican came from a musical family and has been making records since his first album was released in 1972. Four decades later and Vargas has released more than a handful of successful albums, been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Tropical Latin Performance category, and received the Order of Christopher Columbus from Dominican president Joaquín Balaguer for his countless contributions to the national music scene. Some of Vargas’ most popular hits include “El Africano”, “Abusadora”, and “Volveré”. 

Sergio Vargas, 49

Vargas lends his melodious vocal talents to meringue music as a member of two bands, La Banda Brava and Los Hijos del Rey. As one of the Dominican Republic’s most iconic artists, he has attained both gold and platinum status through the widespread popularity of his records