Iconic Female Hispanic Artists You Need to Know About
Image Courtesy: Strike Magazine Tallahassee
In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, it only felt right to write about some of the most influential Hispanic female musicians. These women not only created iconic songs but also changed the music industry for Latin music.
1. Selena Quintanilla Perez
Image Courtesy: Youtube
Selena Quintanilla Perez, also known as Selena, was a Mexican American singer born in Texas who became famous for singing Tejano music. Tejano music is a popular music style that has Mexican and United States influences. Selena sang in both Spanish and English, which helped bring her music to a much broader audience and brought attention to Tejano music which blended two cultures into music. Selena was referred to as the “Queen of Tejano music” and the “Tejano Madonna” since contributed to both the music and fashion industry. She was one of the most influential Latin artists of all time, and in 2020 Billboard Magazine placed her on the list of “Greatest Latino Artists of All Time.” Sadly, in 1995 Selena was murdered by a close friend and former manager. Her tragic death gained international attention due to her large fanbase, and in 2020 a Netflix film was released in her honor. Selena sold over eighteen million records during her career which made her one of the most popular Mexican American artists of all time.
2. Celia Cruz
Image Courtesy: Westbury Arts
Celia Cruz was a singer from Havana, Cuba, who was one of the most popular Latin artists in the twentieth century. She started off her career singing in small nightclubs and was a vocalist in the popular group Sonora Matancera. Salsa music broke the mold for women singing salsa music and was internationally known as the “Queen of Salsa,” and “La Reina Rumba.” Celia was an Afro-Cuban musician who helped Afro-Latinos embrace their heritage. She created music with a variety of Afro-Latin music styles such as rumba, guaracha, and bolero. In 1960 during the Cuban Revolution, Celia left her native country and became an advocate and a symbol of hope for the Cuban citizens in exile. She continued her career outside of the United States in Mexico and was one of the first women signed with Fania Records. Celia was awarded the National Medal of Arts, three Grammy awards, and four Latin Grammy awards. Celia Cruz’s iconic songs outlived her, and she is still a symbol to the Latino and Hispanic communities to embrace their cultures and express their authentic selves.
3. Olga Tañón
Image Courtesy: Le High Valley Live
Olga Tañón is a singer from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is internationally known as the “Queen of Merengue.” Although Merengue is originally the music of the Dominican Republic when Olga Tañón began creating music Merengue quickly became a sensation in Puerto Rico. She started off her career in the 1980s singing in an all-female band called “Las Nenas de Ringo y Jossie,” and later in her career she joined the singing group named “Chantelle.” While being a part of Chantelle, the group created one of the biggest songs in Latin music which sparked her career. She decided to start her solo career and her first album was an instant hit and went platinum. She has won countless awards throughout her career and holds the record for winning the most “Premio Lo Nuestro Awards” after winning 29. In her current life, she has turned to social activism and speaks out about peace, immigration reform, and the path to citizenship, as well as advocating for her home of Puerto Rico.
Strike Out,
Writer: Meagan Planas
Editor: Racquel Gluckstern
Graphic Designer: Luis Arriaga
Tallahassee