Latin pop

Latin pop is a term applied to the different styles of Pop music influenced by Latin American traditions. It often blends pop song structures with modern and traditional genres of Hispanic origin such as Salsa, Cumbia, Mariachi, Flamenco, Bolero and Merengue. Lyrics often use tropes associated with Latin culture, mainly through the use of Spanish and themes related to romance, local traditions and partying. Prototypes of the style date back to the 1950s when Traditional Pop musicians became influenced by Cuban Music styles; hits such as "Sway" and "Papa Loves Mambo" reflected Mambo rhythms in relation to its popularity during that time. In the 1960s the format of Canción melódica became highly popular among Hispanics, performed mostly by crooners that incorporated light instrumentation. Latin pop however didn't properly emerge until the 1970s when artists like José Feliciano and Juan Gabriel started embracing traditional elements further, respectively with José Feliciano's Puerto Rican folk elements and Juan Gabriel's incorporation of mariachi ensembles. The 1980s saw the popularity of Miami Sound Machine, which played a form of latin-infused Freestyle. They were fronted by singer Gloria Estefan, which would then initiate her solo career in the 1990s and become one of the first Latin crossover stars. Other developments were continued by singers like Chayanne who further incorporated danceable Latin rhythms. The 1990s saw more musicians mixing these elements further including Selena's infusion of cumbia and Tejano Music music and Juan Luis Guerra's Dominican merengue and Bachata. At the time, this wave would greatly influence the development of a light, melodic form of salsa called Salsa romántica. Another parallel development would emerge in Colombia known as Tropipop which originated from Vallenato tradition.