Hispanic Representation in the American Music Industry

By Sarah Wallen

Being born and raised in New Jersey and upstate New York, music has never failed to be a big part of my life. From watching Pitbull perform and witnessing Bad Bunny killing the global charts, artists with a Latin background have always been prominent in the American music industry. The deeper question to ask is whether Americans are celebrating the authentic heritage of multicultural artists or creating a “trend" of them. This question truly is a deeper societal issue. We must celebrate the Latin and Hispanic voices in the American and global music industry and charts without fetishizing the culture. Music makes people feel good, alive, and brings us together. These beautiful artists such as Omar Apollo, Kali Uchis, Bad Bunny, and Pitbull, highlight their intersectionality have brought beautiful cultural representation along with some talented, iconic songs.

Omar Apollo

Omar apollo was born in Hobart, Indiana with his parents who immigrated from Guadalajara, Mexico. Most know him for his hit smog “Evergreen” that blew up on TikTok in 2022. This song prompted him to opening for SZA on her SOS tour, Which I saw in NYC's Madison Square Garden. He is an amazing live performer with an extremely pure voice. He has openly discussed his experience growing up as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Indiana with Mexican parents. He was resentful of his family due to the fact they had conservative, or "old-school" views due to their Mexican background. When he was 19, he lived in a friend’s attic after being shut out by his family. During this time, he began uploading his music to Spotify. Little did he know, in 2024 he would release an album God Said No and it would have millions of streams. Personally, God Said No is my favorite piece he has released thus far. The record shows raw, intimate feelings about his ex-relationship. During the album tour, he released an EP of live songs. It is beyond amazing to hear the talent he holds because not many artists can sound the same live. My favorite songs on the album are “Less of You”, “Empty”, and “Dispose of Me”. I recommend everyone to look at his discography because he is not talked about enough!

Kali Uchis

Karly (Kali) Loiza, was born in Virginia. Her father is Colombian while her mother is American. When Uchis was in high school, her father moved back to Colombia. Though she was born in the US, traveling back and forth to Colombia shaped her personal and musical identify. She openly talks about the cultural duality she faces, crediting her music to her Colombian roots. Her prominent genres are reggaetón, bossa nova, funk, and R&B. We see her appreciation for Latin style music in her emotional themes. In her 2020 Spanish album, Sin Meido, she has some beautiful songs I would argue are art. My favorites in the album are “Fue major”, and of course her biggest hit on the album “Telepathic”. Stepping back from her music, her fashion style incorporates traditional Colombian elements, allowing her roots to shine. Her talent in music and is not talked about enough. Her 2018 album Isolation is one of my personal favorites, with my number one song being "Flight 22." Although it is not a major mainstream hit, her skillful storytelling, paired with her dreamlike vocals makes it feel as if you are floating through her music.

Bad Bunny

Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known as Bad Bunny, is arguably the globe's top artist right now. In 2020-2022, he was the most streamed artist on Spotify. Evidently, Bad Bunny's Latin music has taken over the American music industry with his artistic expression. He was born on the island of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. From an early age he was a big fan of music especially salsa and reggaeton. He first began relapsing music on the platform SoundCloud. His identity as a proud Puerto Rican shapes his breathtaking sounds that is an absolute sensation - across not only Latin America, but the whole world. The music he grew up listening to has had an obvious impression his own, highlighting his cultural background in all his released tracks. My favorite songs of his are his most recent single, “Una Veleta”, “BABY NUEVA”, and of course a classic, “Titi Me Pregunto”.

Pitbull

Pitbull has been a prominent aspect of the American music scene everyone knows and loves his classic songs, “Fireball”, “DJ Got Us Falling in Love”, and many more classic party songs. Also known as Armando Pérez, Pitbull's parents fled Cuba during Castro’s rising. He was raised in a bilingual household which exposed him to endless genres of music. Miami’s environment provided him with ideas to blend Latin themes with pop and EDM. He embraces his heritage through his name “Mr. Worldwide”, reflecting his global reach. He incorporates Spanish in most of his most popular songs such as “Hotel Room Service”. I have seen Pitbull live twice, and both times he encapsulates a diverse crowd to come together, have a good time, feel the music, and most importantly dance!