My New Obsession
An exciting genre of music
As I type this blog post, the gaudy and upbeat rhythms of Salsa music flow through my headphones. While I’m no stranger to the genre, I’ve recently taken a deep dive into the beautiful cornerstone of Latin American culture.
Why now, all of a sudden? One of my Spanish tutors gifted me a playlist on Spotify with over 238 songs of Salsa goodness. How blessed am I? Exceptionally, one could say.
A rocky reception
As much as I hate to say it, my initial exposure to Salsa was limited. For the few years I spent in California, I only encountered the genre sparingly. The prominent Hispanic culture I grew up around played Mariachi and Banda music. Most of the time, it was loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.
In my ignorance, I rolled these genres under “Salsa music.” Now that I look back, Salsa music, to me, meant Spanish music as a whole. I know what you’re thinking. I was ignorant.
It was only later when I would go out with my friends in search of a lively hip-hop club, I would pass by several Spanish clubs playing a curious collection of songs. I would later find out these collections, as I labeled them, to be Bachata and Salsa.
Fast forward a few years, I would make friends from a country in Latin America or had a strong and similar background in the United States. They would often play Salsa to pre-game if we were hanging around or getting ready to go out. The music was again, showing its face and inviting me into its world.
I shut the door, and it wasn’t to be opened for another few years.
It wasn’t until I worked with a Puerto-Rican co-worker that I would finally take that first step into Salsa.
The flare and attraction
It was the melody of the piano, ensnaring trumpets, and high-tempo of the percussion that almost forced you to tap your foot at a minimum that sucked me into its clutches and didn’t let me go.
I would later watch live performances on YouTube and observe how the crowd would dance and smile to the tune of the Salsa band. I noticed the band members and how they focused on crafting the perfect sound for everyone to enjoy. How could I not want to join in?
Little by little, I began to listen to it on my own time. These American hips would find some fluidity and begin to move, even if it were just a bit. I made sure to show no one the dance as I was certain I would embarrass myself.
Salsa’s educational value
As a Spanish learner, listening to the language is essential. While TV shows and movies are effective, I frequently listen to Salsa for my daily listening exercise. For what I don’t understand, I write down and translate and apply it to the song’s context.
On top of learning Spanish, the music offers a portal into Latin American culture. Songs of loneliness, love lost, and good friends are all too similar in my culture. Salsa has helped to create that bridge between their understanding and my understanding.
For this, I am forever grateful.
Recommendations
For those who have a little shred of interest in Salsa, I suggest you listen. You can still find value in it if you’re not a Spanish speaker or student. If nothing else, you can say you tried something new and expanded your knowledge.
Here are some of my favorite artists/bands and a favorite song by them :
- Roberta Roena Y Su Apollo Sound — Cui Cui
- LeBron Brothers — Sin Negro No Hay Guanganco
- Willie Colon — Sin Poderte Hablar
- Ray Barreto — Margie
- El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico — Arroz Con Habichuela
- Hansel y Raul — Maria Teresa y Danilo
- El Sabor de Nacho — Te Añoro
- Bobby Valetin — Cuando Te Veas
- Joe Arroyo — Rebelion (very popular)
- Eddie Santiago — Jamas
