20 Iconic Songs that are Built Into the Fabric of Latino Culture

Credit: BELatina/BrandStar

Music is a part of a culture’s identity. It plays during gatherings, becomes tied to several memories, and unites people who don’t know each other personally, but perhaps share a common ethnicity. The Latinx culture does not compromise when it comes to music. There are songs that, no matter how old, fill us with emotion, and make us dance. We have them memorized word for word, beat-by-beat, our mothers, tias and best friends always sing along.

7“El Triste,” Jose Jose

“El Triste,” Jose Jose Belatina

When you watch the YouTube video of Jose Jose’s live performance of “El Triste” in 1970, where “El Principe de la Cancion” introduces the song (and makes himself a star in the process), you will see one of the best live performances of all time. There is so much talent and emotion in the song, that you get why it was one of the classics that mamas and abuelitas knew, loved, and played on repeat.