Top Bachata Artists: A Selection of Top Singers from Traditional & Urban Bachata

During the last years, Bachata music has gained enourmous popularity all over the place. In fact, some of today's top Bachata artists are also some of the most influential Latin musicstars in the world. From Bachata pioneers such as Anthony Santos and Raulin Rodriguez to Urban Bachata stars like Romeo Santos and Prince Royce, the following singers are responsible for transforming this Dominican rhythm into one of the most popular Latin music genres. 

Anthony Santos is one of the first artists who was able to expose Bachata to a mainstream audience. Considered by many one of the most influential Bachata artists of all time, he changed this genre by adding romantic lyrics into his music. Some of his most famous hits include songs like "Corazon Culpable," "Voy Pa'lla" and the popular Bachata version of Los Tigres del Norte's single "Golpes En El Corazon". 

During the last decade, Joe Veras has been defining the sounds of modern Bachata. In 2004, he was honored by the Billboard Latin Music Awards with the Tropical Airplay Track Of The YearAward. Some of his most popular hits include songs like "Intentalo Tu" and "La Pared". He recently released a nice Bachata version of Lionel Richie's classic hit "Hello". 

This popular boy band opened the field for a new sound that ended up defining the roots of Urban Bachata. Aventura was, in fact, the first band to include Hip-Hop and R&B influences into their music. The band became a worldwide phenomenon thanks to the hit track "Obsesion". 

This duo from The Bronx is another popular name of today's Urban Bachata movement. The group was formed by singers Danny Mejia and Steven Tejada. Top songs by Xtreme include hits like "Te Extrano" and "Shorty Shorty". 

Hector 'El Torito' Acosta is one of the most popular Bachata artists. Besides Bachata he is also a talented singer in the fields of Merengue and Bolero. Some of his best Bachata songs include titles like "Me Voy" and "Sin Perdon". 

This Dominican artist is an important player of the group of pioneers who exposed Bachata to new audiences. A talented guitarist, Luis Vargas was one of the first Bachata artists to incorporate electric guitar into this genre. Some of his best songs include "Con Los Crespos Hechos" and "Loco De Amor". 

Alongside Romeo Santos, this singer from The Bronx is one of today's most popular Bachata stars. Thanks to his debut album and the recently released production Phase II, Prince Royce has captured audiences all over the world. Top hits include "Stand By Me," "Corazon Sin Cara" and "Las Cosas Pequenas". 

Yoskar Sarante has been a leading figure of modern Bachata. His music has been shaped around his romantic songs and style. Titles such as "La Noche" and "No Tengo Suerte En El Amor" are some of the most popular Bachata songs recorded by this popular Dominican artist. 

Originally from The Bronx, this duo was formed by Carlos Vargas Franco Jr. and Bianca Alejandra Feliz. Just like all the other stars coming from The Bronx, their music belongs to the Urban Bachata style. Top hits include singles such as "Cuanto Duele" and "Melodia De Amor". 

Although Juan Luis Guerra, one of the living legends of Latin music, is mostly known for his Merengue repertoire, this Dominican artist has also produced outstanding Bachata songs. Some of his most popular Bachata hits include tracks like "Bachata Rosa" and "Bachata En Fukuoka". 

Bachata Heightz is one of the pioneering groups of the Urban Bachata style. The name of this popular band comes from the neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City where this group was formed. Their music and style is heavily defined by Hip-Hop and R&B influences. Top bachata songs from this band include "Me Puedo Matar" and "No Sabes Del Amor". 

Just like Anthony 'El Mayimbe' Santos, this Dominican artist is one of the figures responsible for exposing Bachata music to new audiences. A big chunk of his popularity was the result of his ability to incorporate romantic lyrics into his music. He is widely considered one of the most essential Bachata artists in history. 

One of the most popular stars of traditional Bachata, Frank Reyes is usually referred to as The Prince of Bachata. A prolific songwriter, Frank Reyes's repertoire includes hits such as "Amor Desperdiciado," "Princesa" and "Tu Eres Ajena". 

Before moving into a successful solo career, this singer from The Bronx was a backup singer for the popular Bachata band Aventura. Toby Love has been acknowledged as the artist responsible for combining Crunk music with Bachata. Some of his most famous tracks include "Tengo Un Amor" and "Te Parece Poco". 

Elvis Martinez has been producing Bachata music since the late 1990s. Some of the most popular songs recorded by this Domnican singer include titles like "Asi Te Amo" and "Tu Traicion". 

Since 1997, this Dominican singer has built a reputation as one of the best Bachata artists out there. He has produced an extensive repertoire of popular Bachata songs including titles like "Me Sobran Las Palabras" and "Quedate Conmigo". If you are just getting into Bachata music, Zacarias Ferreira is definitely an artist you need to listen to. 

A leading figure of the Urban Bachata field, Romeo Santos is at the top of any list dealing with Bachata artists. He became a star as a lead singer for the sensation boy band Aventura. After that, he has continued to nurture a succesful solo career with his unique style. Some of his most popular hits include singles like "Obsesion," "Promise" and "You". 

Juan Luis Guerra - Best Songs

A Selection of Merengue and Bachata Hits from The Dominican Artist

I have selected the following Juan Luis Guerra songs to give you an overall idea of the sound that this Dominican artist has forged throughout his prolific music career. Being one of themost influential Latin music artists in history, Juan Luis Guerra has extensively shaped with his music different Tropical genres such as Merengue, Bachata and Salsa. The following tracks are some of the best songs ever produced by the Dominican icon.

10. "Como Abeja Al Panal"...
"Como Abeja Al Panal" is a hit song that belongs to the early repertoire of Juan Luis Guerra. This track offers a nice combination of Bachata, Bolero and Salsa. Juan Luis Guerra recorded this with his legendary group 440.

9. "Mi Bendicion"...
"Mi Bendicion" is one of the best tracks included in the 2010 album A Son De Guerra. The song, which is defined by the melody of a very romantic Bachata, includes beautiful lyrics. This single is a good sample to fully appreciate the poetic style that Juan Luis Guerra has consolidated throughout his career.

8. "Buscando Visa Para Un Sueño"...
This track is one of the most popular songs ever produced by Juan Luis Guerra. "Buscando Visa Para Un Sueño" is a single defined by a very uplifting Merengue beat. A good song to dance to but also a single whose lyrics are reflective about the desire to move away from a context where opportunities are scarce. The songs deals with the desire that many people have of getting a US visa so they can move north and dream with better future.

7. "Woman Del Callao"...
Another great Merengue track, "Woman Del Callao" is one of the best Juan Luis Guerra songs to play in a Latin party. This single offers a very nice percussion and brass sections. Juan Luis Guerra added a nice touch to this song by singing it in English and Spanish.

6. "El Costo De La Vida"...
"El Costo De la Vida" is one of the best parodies that Juan Luis Guerra has ever written. Because of its fast Merengue beat, this single is an ideal song to dance to. However, "El Costo De La Vida" is also a reflection about the cost of living and the struggles that regular people have to deal with. In other words, this song offers a critical picture of Latin American society.

5. "Bachata Rosa"...
If not the most romantic tune, "Bachata Rosa" is definitely at the top of the most romantic Juan Luis Guerra songs. The melody is marked by the typical Bachata-Bolero sound that Juan Luis Guerra has established as one of his most distinctive musical features. The poetic lyrics are about expressing one's love.

4. "Ojala Que Llueva"...
"Ojala Que Llueva" is one of the most popular and beautiful songs ever written by Juan Luis Guerra. Besides the pleasant Merengue beat that defines the whole melody, the lyrics of this song are a poem that describes the beautiful and lively natural landscape of the Dominican Republic. I think this is one of the best pieces ever produced in Latin music.

3. "Burbujas De Amor"...
Just like "Bachata Rosa," this song is also at the top of the most romantic Juan Luis Guerra songs. "Burbujas De Amor," which is also defined by the Bachata-Bolero style we previously mentioned, is an essential track of the early repertoire produced by the Dominican superstar. This song is also one of the most influential tracks in the long and successful career of Juan Luis Guerra.

2. "Bachata En Fukuoka"...
"Bachata En Fukuoka" is the biggest hit included in the album A Son De Guerra. The melody is shaped by a nice Bachata beat and the lyrics, which include some Japanese words, provide Bachata with a sort of global appeal. Musically speaking, this is one of the best Juan Luis Guerra songs. There is also a nice Salsa segment that adds a nice flavor to this song.

1. "La Bilirrubina"...
Another track from his early repertoire, "La Bilirrubina" is one of the most enduring Juan Luis Guerra songs. Its fast Merengue beat makes of this track another ideal song for a night of dancing. Because of its picturesque lyrics, "La Bilirubina" is one of the most peculiar love songs ever written. In a funny way, it describes the symptoms related to being in love, which includes a high level of bilirubin.