Cuban music is rich, energetic and full of history, from the infectious rhythms of salsa to the poetic lyrics of trova. With a mix of African, Spanish and American influences, Cuba has produced exceptional artists who have taken their music to international stages.
Here we present ten of the most searched Cuban artists on the internet, who have left their mark on Cuban and global music.
1. Gloria Estefan
Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García, known asGloria Estefan, is a Cuban-American singer, actress and businesswoman. He was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1957 and emigrated to the United States with his family after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution.
Gloria's music is a fusion of pop and Latin rhythms, with strong elements of traditional Cuban music. She became well known as the band's lead vocalist.Miami Sound Machine, which had a series of hits such as "Conga", "Rhythm is Gonna Get You" and "Mi tierra". In addition to his musical career, he has acted in films, on television and has written two children's books.
2. Celia Cruz
Known as the "Queen of Salsa",Celia Cruz She is one of the most influential artists in Latin music. She was born in Havana in 1925. Her career spanned six decades, during which she recorded 23 gold albums and was awarded the United States National Medal of Arts.
Cruz was an iconic figure with his powerful voice and vibrant lifestyle. Their hits include "La Negra Hace Tumbao", "Quimbara", "La vida es un carnaval" and "Bemba Colorá". He passed away in 2003, but his music remains very popular and continues to influence Latin culture.
3. Silvio Rodríguez
Silvio Rodriguez He is one of the most recognized voices of theNew Trova, a musical movement that began after the Cuban Revolution and is characterized by its lyrical poetry and its social commitment.
Silvio was born in 1946, in San Antonio de los Baños. In his discography he has more than twenty albums. He is well known for his introspective and reflective lyrics. His songs such as "ojala", "La Maza" and "Unicornio" are famous throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
4. Omara Portuondo
Born in Havana, in 1930,Omara Portuondo She is one of the most beloved female voices in Cuba. Known as the "Novia del Filin", Portuondo began her career in the 1950s with the female vocal group Cuarteto d'Aida.
However, his greatest international fame came with the projectBuena Vista Social Club in the 1990s. Her unique and emotive voice, along with her passionate performance of boleros and Cuban sones, has established her as one of the most important Cuban artists.
5. Pablo Milanés
Another pillar of Nueva Trova,Pablo Milanés is a singer-songwriter who has deeply influenced Cuban and Latin American music. Born in 1943 in Bayamo, Cuba, Milanés is known for his poetic and often critical lyrics.
Their music encompasses a variety of styles, from traditional trova to jazz and pop. Some of her most popular songs include "Yolanda", "Para Vivir" and "Yo Me Quedo". In his professional career he received numerous awards and recognitions, including a Latin Grammy. He died in November 2022.
6. Chucho Valdes
Jesus "Chucho" Valdes is a Cuban jazz pianist and composer, considered one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He was born in 1941 in Quivicán, Cuba. He is the founder of the Afro-Cuban jazz band Irakere, which has been one of the most innovative groups since its creation in the 1970s.
In addition to his work with Irakere, Valdés has had a successful solo career, winning numerous Grammy and Latin Grammy awards. His compositions often mix traditional Cuban rhythms with elements of jazz and classical music.
7. Ibrahim Ferrer
Ibrahim Ferrer, born in 1927 in San Luis, Cuba, is one of the most memorable voices of theBuena Vista Social Club. Ferrer had a great musical career in the 1950s, but then fell into oblivion until the 1990s, when he was rediscovered by American musicianRy Cooder and the British producerNick Gold.
Ferrer's warm, soulful voice shines on songs like "Dos Gardenias" and "Chan Chan." He passed away in 2005, but his music remains very popular and his legacy lives on.
8. Compay Segundo
Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz Telles, better known asCompay Segundo, is a legendary figure in Cuban music. Born in 1907 in Siboney, Santiago de Cuba. He is known for his rich, deep voice and his ability to play the harmonica, a seven-string guitar that he designed himself.
Compay Segundo He achieved international fame with his participation in the projectBuena Vista Social Club in the 1990s. His song "Chan Chan" has become an anthem of Cuban music. He died in 2003, his music remains influential.
9. Willy Chirino
Wilfredo José Chirino, known asWilly Chirino, is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter and music producer who has had a great impact on Latin music. He was born in 1947 in Consolación del Sur and emigrated to the United States in 1961, as part of theOperation Pedro Pan.
Chirino is very popular for his salsa music, but he has also explored other genres such as pop and tropical music. Among his hits are "Medias Negras", "Yavie Coming" and "Soy Guajiro". Chirino has won important awards in his professional career and remains very active as a reference in Cuban music.
10. Local People
Local People is an urban music duo founded by the musicianAlexander Delgado in 2000. It combines reggaeton rhythms with the most traditional forms of Cuban music. The group had its first great international success after collaborating with Descemer Bueno and Enrique Iglesias in 2014 with "Bailando".
Alexander Delgado and Randy Malcom have achieved numerous successes and have won several Latin Grammy Awards. Some of his best-known songs are "Piensas (Dile La Verdad)" in collaboration with Pitbull and "La gozadera" in collaboration with Marc Anthony.
These 10 Cuban artists who appear on the list have left a mark on global music, bringing the sounds, rhythms and lyrics of Cuban music to the world stage. Their styles are different, but their voices are unique and their talent is undeniable. They have contributed to the richness and diversity of Cuban culture.
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