Latin Pop Singer/Songwriters

Latin pop is a catch-all generic term that encompasses many popular (as opposed to regional) styles including pop ballads, singer-songwriters, dance tunes, rock, rap, teen pop, and more. One of the biggest genres within that field is the Latin singer/songwriter, also known as the international artist. First-tier pioneers and classic singers include Armando Manzanero ("Contigo Aprendi"), Roberto Carlos ("Que Sera de Ti"), and José Luis Rodríguez ("Voy a Perder la Cabeza por Tu Amor").

The Latin international ballad peaked in the late '70s and early '80s with such megastars and hits as Julio Iglesias' "Hey," Jose Jose's "Gavilan o Paloma," and Juan Gabriel's "No Tengo Dinero." The prototypical international or pop ballad featured complex, sometimes symphonic arrangements, anthemic lyrics and emotive singing. The songs captured fans with their descriptions of the unforgettable moments in romance, from despair and solitude to elation and inspiration.

Second generation singer/songwriters began to frequent the charts by the 1990's. These included Emmanuel with "Insoportablemente Bella," Braulio with "Pequeña Amante," and Ricardo Arjona with "Desnuda." Marco Antonio Solis left his group Los Bukis to launch a successful solo career which saw the hits "Celoso," while Venezuelan singer Ricardo Montaner came into his own with "La Cima de Cielo."

Latin pop tunes, sometimes called international ballads, became a successful tradition with pioneers like Armando Manzanero, Jose Jose, Jose Luis Perales, Julio Iglesias, Rafael and others. These beautifully melodic, sometimes haunting tunes were characterized by penetrating lyrics, soaring vocals and orchestral arrangements. The focus however, was on the catchphrase power of the lyrics in songs that typically described inspiring highs and harrowing lows in the game of romance. These were singers' songs, tunes best interpreted by artists, which could convincingly convey the pain, the fear, the hope and the longing. Later waves of this genre produced Jose Luis Rodriguez, Emmanuel, Braulio and Marco Antonio Solis. In the modern age, new players include Ricardo Arjona, Enrique Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz, and Ricardo Montaner.