Posts

Manu Chao

Image
 I wanted to save Manu Chao for last because while he was not as big as other multilingual writers such as Kali Uchis, Romeo Santos, Prince Royce, Shakira, and more, I believe he is probably the most unique.  Born in Paris in 1961 after his parents, both Spanish, escaped Spain to avoid dictator Francisco Franco, Manu Chao is a musical artist that has been in multiple groups throughout his life before becoming a solo artist in 1995 after his band Mano Negra split. Soon after, and since then, Manu Chao tours with his live band Radio Bemba.  Like many artists, and as mentioned a couple times in other blogs, Manu Chao helped bridge multiple cultures and connects fans across the world. However, what makes Manu Chao so special is that he incorporates lyrics in, but not limited to, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic, Catalan, Greek, and many more. His music also reflects a wide range of influences, including punk, reggae, salsa, and Middle Eastern music.  Chao's m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Romeo Santos

Image
 Romeo Santos, also known as the King of Bachata, is a global sensation. Born in the Bronx, New York, born to Dominican Parents, Romeo is the king of blending elements of traditional bachata with R&B, hip-hop, and pop, creating a sound that has garnered him millions of fans worldwide.  Just like Kali Uchis, Romeo Santos is a master at blending Spanish and English lyrics. His music is known for its romantic themes. Santos' lyrics often explore the themes of love, heartbreak, and relationships, and are delivered with his signature smooth and sultry voice. The mixture of R&B, bachata, and being bilingual created an opportunity for Romeo to collaborate with top artists such as Usher, Drake, and Nicki Minaj. Without sounding like too much of a broken record, we have probably the highest and best example of a bilingual artist that has bridged different cultures and musical genres.  While he was definitely not the first, many today consider the King of Bachata to have ha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kali Uchis

Image
 Kali Uchis is a Colombian-American singer who has gained recognition for her unique sound, which blends elements of R&B, soul, and pop music. One of the standout features of her music is her multilingualism, as she often incorporates Spanish and English lyrics into her songs.  In her debut album, "Isolation", Kali seamlessly blends Spanish and English lyrics to create a sound that is both unique and accessible. The album includes other multilingual artists, such as Jorja Smith and Reykon, which further highlights Kali's ability to bridge different cultures through music. Nuestro Planeta, the most popular track in the album, is one of the songs that features a mix of Spanish and English. The song is a celebration of Latin culture, more specifically Kali Uchis celebrating her Colombian roots, and features a reggaeton beat that is impossible not to dance to. 
Post a Comment
Read more

The Importance of Latin Bilingual Artists

 Okay, so let's get this right. ANY and ALL bilingual artists worldwide are so significant to their respective cultures. The beauty of mixing languages, such as the ever-so-popular Jackson Wang (Hong Kong Rapper) does, brings together a community of different people that would otherwise not ever interact because of the differences in musical approach. I'll get into this point more later, but I wanted to note this before I started because while I talk about Latin Artists that have built bridges in my life as a Mexican born in America, it's so important to acknowledge the thousands of others who have had the same effect.  Now, without further ado,  Latin bilingual artists, such as Kali Uchis, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin, have become increasingly important in the music industry in recent years. These artists are part of a growing movement toward embracing linguistic and cultural diversity in music. By incorporating both English and Spanish into their music, Latin bilingual artis...
Post a Comment
Read more