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

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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.

6“Oye Como Va,” Tito Puente, Santana

“Oye Como Va,” Tito Puente, Santana

You have to love a song with a dual life. One that is a major hit, that gets a different treatment, and becomes legendary all over again on its own. Such is the case with “Oye Como Va.” It started as a Tito Puente jam in 1962, in a cha-cha-cha style. Nine years later, in 1971, Santana took the song, and gave it the Latin rock treatment. Both versions are well-loved by Latinxs, and both versions are essential to the Latinx experience.