Tonight, Latin music superstar Marc Anthony will be taking the stage at the Billboard Latin Music Awards with "Vivir Mi Vida," the first single to hit the market from his upcoming album due in July. The new track, which is an adaptation of Cheb Khaled's hit song "C'est La Vie," will be available on iTunes just one day after the award ceremony, which is also the closing act of the Billboard Latin Music Conference and Awards.

With the upcoming album, Marc Anthony is going back to the Salsa music realm after almost 10 years since the release of his last tropical album Valio La Pena. In the making of this production, the popular Latino artist worked with producer Sergio George. Vivir La Vida has been introduced as a celebration of life featuring the unique style of Marc Anthony.

Latin Music Songs for A Christmas Party
A Compilation of Tropical Hits for A Night of Dancing during Christmas Time

"Farolito" - Gloria Estefan
This track is one of the best singles from the album Abriendo Puertas by Gloria Estefan. The song encompasses the traditional sounds of Currulao, a traditional music style from the Pacific Coast of Colombia. Its sound, in fact, has the signature of the famous Colombian songwriter Kike Santander. Gloria Estefan proves with "Farolito" her enormous talent singing music in Spanish.

"Parranda De Navidad" - Tania
"Parranda De Navidad" is one of the most popular singles of this Venezuelan singer. The song is about a Christmas party and being happy during this time of the year. This single offers very nice string sessions and a wonderful voice by an artist who enjoyed most of her popularity in Colombia.

"Bomba En Navidad" - Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz
Back in the old good times of Salsa, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz were among the most influential artists of this genre. They produced various hits including different Latin music songs for Christmas. "Bomba En Navidad," which is defined by Puerto Rican Bomba beats, is one of the most enduring Christmas-related singles produced by this duo. Additional Christmas tracks include other titles such as "Aguinaldo Navideño" and "Navidad".

"Pascua De Navidad" - Nelson y sus Estrellas
Nelson y sus Estrellas is one of the most famous Tropical bands from Venezuela. For generations, their music has captured audiences throughout Latin America. "Pascua De Navidad" is the most famous Christmas song this band has produced. This is a very nice tune to add in a playlist for a Christmas party.

"En La Noche Buena" - La Sonora Matancera
From one of the most influential bands in the history of Latin music, "En La Noche Buena" is probably the best Christmas song La Sonora Matancera produced during its golden years. The single features the distinct sound of the band's trumpets and the unforgettable voices of the Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz and the singer Celio Gonzalez.

"Cantares De Navidad" - Billo's Caracas Boys
The Billos Caracas Boys, is Venezuela's most legendary Tropical orchestra. Several generations grew up with the festive sounds of this famous band. For the past decades, "Cantares De Navidad" has been one of the most popular Latin music songs for Christmas. This single is an ideal track not only for Christmas but also for a New Year's Eve party.

"Sabor Navideño" - Afrosound
"Sabor Navideño" offers a very nice sound defined by the beats of Colombian Cumbia. As far as dancing goes, this track is as good as it gets for a Christmas party celebration. This single is very instrumental and because of that it offers an elegant sound that enhances the appealing of its melody. This is definitely one of my favorite Latin music songs for Christmas.

"No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente" - El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
From one of the best Salsa bands in the history of Latin music, "No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente" is one of the most popular Christmas songs produced by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. This track belong to the album Nuestra Musica, which also includes other Christmas-related tracks such as "La Fiesta de Pilito" and "El Arbolito". Besides bein a Christmas hit, "No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente" is also one of the best songs El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico has ever produced.

Vallenatos are among the most popular songs in Colombia. Although the world has been exposed to Vallenato only recently thanks to the music of Carlos Vives, Colombians have embraced this genre for generations. From "Los Caminos De La Vida" by Los Diablitos to Carlos Vives's "La Gota Fria," the following are some of most popular Vallenato songs ever produced.

10. “Los Caminos De La Vida” – Los Diablitos
The song "Los Caminos De La Vida" is a Vallenato song that belongs to the modern romantic style of this genre. Since its inception in 1983, the group Los Diablitos has been one of the most important names of romantic Vallenato in Colombia. This track has been one of the most popular vallenatos ever produced by this group.

9. “La Espinita” – Los Hermanos Zuleta
Los Hermanos Zuleta (The Zuleta brothers) have been producing vallenatos since 1969. Their father was the famous Vallenato composer Emiliano Zuleta who wrote the single "La Gota Fria," the most popular Vallenato song in the world. "La Espinita," which is one of their most enduring songs, moves between the classic and modern versions of Vallenato. The solo of accordion is plain fantastic and creates a very nice transition between the different segments of this song. This is one of my favorite vallenatos of all time.

8. “El Santo Cachon” – Los Embajadores Vallenatos
This has been one of the most popular Vallenato songs ever produced. To a big extent, the lyrics of this song are responsible for this popularity. "El Santo Cachon" is a hillarious song that deals with the story of someone who has been cheated on. This is by far the most popular single ever produced by Los Embajadores Vallenatos.

7. “El Mochuelo” – Otto Serge y Rafael Ricardo
Otto Serge and Rafael Ricardo were among the pioneers of romantic Vallenato. Their elegant style allowed this legendary duo to capture audiences all over Colombia helping to introduce Vallenato to the interior part of the country. Although "El Mochuelo" is not the typical romantic Vallenato song, this single offers all the unique style that defined the career of the legendary Vallenato duo.

6. “Dime Pajarito” – El Binomio de Oro
El Binomio de Oro is an authentic legend in Vallenato music. The original group was formed in 1976 by Rafael Orozco (lead singer) and Ismael Romero (accordionist). El Binomio de Oro played an important role in the transformation of Vallenato into a mainstream phenomenon in Colombia. After the assassination of Rafael Orozco, the group changed its name to El Binomio de Oro de America. From the 1980 album Clase Aparte, "Dime Pajarito" is one of the most beautiful vallenatos ever written.

5. “Tarde Lo Conoci” – Patricia Teheran y sus Diosas del Vallenato
Patricia Teheran's tragic death when she was only 25 years of age, elevated this Colombian singer to the status of Goddess of Vallenato. Besides her very nice voice, Patricia was also a talented musician who knew how to play clarinet and accordion. "Tarde Lo Conoci" (I Met You Late) is a timeless Vallenato song that tells the story of a woman who falls in love with the wrong man.

4. “Esta Vida” – Jorge Celedon and Jimmy Zambrano
Jorge Celedon is one of today's most popular Vallenato artists. He was a lead singer of the Binomio de Oro after the death of Rafael Orozco. After spending some time with this group, he moved with success into a solo career. With "Esta Vida," a very uplifting song that talks about the good things in life, Jorge Celedon became a huge star not only for Vallenato but for Colombian music as a whole.

3. “Sin Medir Distancias” – Diomedes Diaz
Although Carlos Vives is the most popular Vallenato singer in the world, the true king of this genre is Diomedes Diaz. This singer represents everything Vallenato is all about. If you want to get a feeling for real Vallenato, you have to listen to the songs of Diomedes Diaz. "Sin Medir Distancias" is one of the best vallenatos in history… if not the best one.

2. “El Testamento” – Rafael Escalona
Rafael Escalona is usually considered the father of Vallenato and one of the best songwriters in the history of the rhythm. He is the author of some of the most popular vallenatos in history including songs like "La Casa En El Aire," "La Custodia de Badillo" and "El Testamento". If you want to discover the original sound of Vallenato, which was softer than later expressions of the rhythm, you have to get your hands on the stuff that produced Rafael Escalona.

1. “La Gota Fria” – Carlos Vives
Thanks to Carlos Vives, Vallenato music moved beyond the Colombian borders. Without sacrificing the original sound of Vallenato, this charismatic singer and actor added a new sound to this rhythm transforming it into an authentic mainstream phenomenon. If we could define Colombia by one song, the answer will probably be "La Gota Fria". Because of his contribution to Vallenato and Colombian folklore, Carlos Vives is one of the most influential Colombian artists in history.

Latin Party Music - A Selection of 50 Latin Songs for A Night of Dancing...

In terms of dancing and having fun, I do not think there is anything that can beat a good Latin party. Using my DJ experience, I am going to lead you through the following playlist as if I were playing music in front of a crowd. This selection features 50 classic and contemporary songs from various genres such as Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton, Latin Rock and Brazilian music. Whether you are planning to have a Latin party or need some music you can dance to, the following playlist will provide you with a good spectrum of the amazing sounds that Latin music is able to offer. 

1. "Congo Mulence" - Machito: When playing Latin music, the first thing I like to do is creating the mood. People like to chat or have some drinks before hitting the dance floor so it is important to set up the mood first. A Latin Jazz track will do the trick. This classic song by Machito is an ideal way to start your Latin party. "Congo Mulence" is also featured in a very nice Latin Jazz album produced by Putumayo Records.

2. "Menina Moca" - Stan Getz: We will continue to set up the mood by bringing more 'sophisticated' music with a Latin flavor to it. Another jazzy track will help us to carry out the mood of the previous song. However, this time we are going to move from the vibes of Afro-Cuban Jazz to the realm of Brazilian Jazz. Out of the many songs produced by the legendary Jazz musician Stan Getz, during the time he played alongside Bossa Nova icon Joao Gilberto, "Menina Moca" is definitely one of the best songs to get into the mood for a Latin party. With this transition, we are also introducing the crowd to a large variety of sounds.

3. "Marianao Social Club" - Cachao: We will continue with our previous jazzy mood. However, this time we are ready to turn this Latin party up a notch. "Marianao Social Club," a wonderful song included in the album Master Sessions Volume 1 by Cachao, will allow us to do that. This song offers a perfect 'bridge' to move from the sounds of Latin Jazz into something a bit spicier.

4. "Sou Negrao" - Rappin Hood: Now it is time to move into a different field. From the sounds of traditional Cuban music and Latin Jazz we are jumping into the vibrant flavors of Brazilian Urban music. One of the biggest stars in this field is Rappin Hood. In "Sou Negrao" this rapper mixes in a very fun and creative way traditional Pagode with the Urban sounds of Sao Paulo, one of the biggest metropolis in the world. Now, it is definitely the time to start heating up this Latin party.

5. "Lo Que Paso Paso" - Daddy Yankee: We will stay in the Urban field with this hit of Daddy Yankee's breakthrough album Barrio Fino. This time we are moving from the Brazilian beats of Rapin Hood's "Sou Negrao" to one of the best Reggaeton songs by the Puerto Rican superstar. "Lo Que Paso Paso" will definitely bring people into the dancing floor of this Latin party.

6. "A Lo Cubano" - Orishas: We will stay in the Urban side with this fantastic song from one of the most influential groups that Latin Urban music has ever seen. "A Lo Cubano" is one of the best tracks included in Orishas's album Antidiotico. The song offers a nice combination of rap with a background sound of traditional Cuban Danzon. This song is perfect to move into a Salsa or Timba track, something that I will do with the next song of this Latin party playlist.

7. "Tributo al Niño Rivera" - Afro Cuban All Stars: Now that you got some people on the dance floor, it is time to hit them with a nice Salsa song. "Tributo al Niño Rivera" is a fantastic song from beginning to end. It offers a very elegant sound defined by amazing musical arrangements. You gotta love the flute and the tres playing in this song. This single offers six solid minutes of pure good music.

8. "Mujer Celosa" - El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico: We are going to stay in the Salsa field. This time, however, we will switch vibes a bit. From Cuba we are moving into the sounds of Puerto Rican Salsa with this track of one of the best groups in the history of this genre. "Mujer Celosa" is one of the best songs by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. A very nice song that will keep your crowd dancing.

9. "Canto Al Amor" - Sonora Ponceña: I am going to close this Salsa set with a track from another of the most influential Salsa bands from Puerto Rico. "Canto Al Amor" offers the typical sound that La Sonora Poncena has forged throughout a long and successful musical career. The piano in the intro part, the brass sections, the chorus, and the hard melody of the second half of this track are just plain fantastic. Because of all this, "Canto Al Amor" remains as one of the most popular songs ever produced by La Poncena.

10. "Dulces Sueños" - Rita Indiana: Now, it is time for a little break and switch gears. To accomplish that, I am bringing the track "Dulces Sueños" by Latin Alternative artist Rita Indiana. This is a funky bilingual version of the legendary song "Sweet Dreams" by Eurythmics. This single offers the so-called Techno-Merengue (literally a combination of Techno music with Merengue) that Rita Indiana usually incorporates into her productions. This song is a nice bridge to jump into a Merengue track.

11. "Llueve El Amor" - Tito El Bambino: Now, we are going to move from Rita Indiana's funky Merengue style into the classic beats of this Dominican genre. Although "Llueve El Amor" is not the typical track from Tito El Bambino, one of today's top Latin Urban artists, this song is one of the most popular tracks that this singer has produced in recent years. "Llueve El Amor" is an ideal song to add a romantic touch to this Latin Party playlist. Lovers will surely hit the floor with this one.

2. "Tu Eres Ajena" - Eddy Herrera: Now that we have entered into the world of Merengue, it is time to bring a good track for dancing. Eddy Herrera is one of today's most popular Merengue stars. His repertoire is an ideal option to consider if you want to spice up your Latin party. "Tu Eres Ajena" is just one of the many Merengue hits this Dominican artist has produced throughout his successful career.

13. "Procura" - Chichi Peralta: Now, we are going to move to a different style without leaving the sounds of Dominican music. In order to maintain the energy of the previous song, here there is another great track for dancing. "Procura" is a fantastic song from beginning to end. It offers an intoxicating fusion of Tropical sounds that will keep people on the dance floor. This is one of the most popular singles included in Chichi Peralta's breakthrough album Pa Otro Lao.

14. "Corazon Sin Cara" - Prince Royce: After listening to some Merengue songs and the Tropical fusion of Chichi Peralta, it is time to bring a good Bachata track into this Latin Party. "Corazon Sin Cara" is one of the songs that transformed Prince Royce into one of today's most popular Bachata artists. This is also one of the best songs included in the album Prince Royce.

15. "Oye Mi Canto" - N.O.R.E.: After traveling through the sounds of Dominican music, it is time for a change of style. We will do it aggressively by bringing one classic Reggaeton hit. My choice to accomplish this is "Oye Mi Canto," a nice track by N.O.R.E. featuring different Reggaeton stars. Latin Urban music fans will definitely hit the floor with this one.

16. "I Know You Want Me" - Pitbull: With "I Know You Want Me," we will move from the classic beats of Reggaeton to the unique Urban style of Pitbull. This song is defined by Pitbull's traditional combination of Rap and Hip-Hop with Dance music. People who like this kind of Disco stuff will definitely love this one.

17. "Bossa 31" - Rosalia De Souza: We are about to switch the dancing style now. An eclectic mix of electronic sounds with Brazilian music will add something really cool to this Latin party playlist. "Bossa 31" is one of my favorite tracks from Brazilian artist Rosalia De Souza. This song provides an intoxicating sound that will keep your feet moving.

18. "Tic Tic Tac" - Carrapicho: To continue with the vibes of Brazilian music, I bring now "Tic Tic Tac," the most famous single ever produced by the Brazilian group Carrapicho. Back in the time when I used to be a DJ, people always went crazy about this track. Everytime I played this song, I had the dance floor packed. I do not know if this song still delivers the same effect but I still think it is a nice track to include in a Latin party.

19. "1, 2, 3" - El Simbolo: Time to bring this Latin party up a notch. Just like "Tic Tic Tac", this track is also one of those songs where people usually dance in groups. I prefer to stay away from very commercial stuff like the annoying "Macarena" and similar songs. However, I think "1, 2, 3" can bring a good energy to the dance floor. Once, I listened to this track in a Latin bar in Tokyo, Japan, and people just loved it. This Tropical song has definitely a global appeal.

20. "Guallando" - Fulanito: To keep the dancing mood in the right place, I bring a classic Merengue hit from Fulanito. Because of the energy it has, "Guallando" is a timeless track for any Latin party. This song offers an intoxicating sound defined by a fast Merengue beat and the nice touch provided by the notes of the accordion in the background. A fantastic track for any Latin party.

21. "Woman Del Callao" - Juan Luis Guerra: I think any good Latin party should play at least one track from Merengue and Bachata icon Juan Luis Guerra. To keep the party going, I am adding to this playlist one of my favorite songs by Juan Luis Guerra. "Woman Del Callao" is a nice Merengue song that will keep people moving their feet on the dance floor.

22. "Sin Perdon" - Hector Acosta: After listening to some Merengue, it is time again to bring another Bachata song. This time, I have selected a track from Hector 'El Torito' Acosta, one of the most popular stars of Bachata music. "Sin Perdon" is a very nice song and people who are into Bachata music will love to dance to this track.

23. "Te Amo Y Te Amo" - La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas: We will carry out the feeling of the previous song with something totally different: Banda music. Since its release, "Te Amo Y Te Amo" has been one of the most popular hits in this genre. A romantic song, "Te Amo Y Te Amo" offers a pleasant sound shaped by the beats of Cumbia and nice brass sections. Being one of the most popular Latin music rhythms in the US, a Regional Mexican music track is an nice addition to include into this Latin party playlist.

24. "La Camisa Negra" - Juanes: This playlist is now changing gears. It is time for some Latin Rock. In order to move into that field, I am using "La Camisa Negra," one of the best songs by Juanes included in his album Mi Sangre. Considering the sound of this track, which fusions Rock with traditional rhythms, "La Camisa Negra" is a good piece to use here. Thanks to this song, Juanes became a worldwide sensation. I have introduced this song to friends all over the world and everybody just loves this. Definitely a good track for any Latin party.

25. "Todo Tenemos Un Amor" - La Mosca Tse-Tse: Now, it is time to bring something funky. "Todos Tenemos Un Amor" is one of the most popular tracks produced by the Argentinian band La Mosca Tse-Tse. This single features the typical style of the band, which is dominated by the sounds of Ska and the tropical flavors provided by their brass sections. The electric guitar playing throughout the songs is great. Depending on your mood, and your company, you can either jump with this song or have a nice dance with your loved one.

26. "Tunupa" - Kali Mutsa: One of my favorite things to do when I was playing music in front of a crowd was challenging people with new sounds. This song by the Chilean group Kali Mutsa fits that idea. This Latin Alternative track provides an interesting mix that combines Bollywwod music with the sounds of traditional Andean music. "Tunupa" adds something different to this Latin party playlist.

27. "La Flores" - Cafe Tacvba: After the psychedelic music of Kali Mutsa, I am bringing a classic song by Cafe Tacvba, one of the pioneers of Latin Rock and Latin Alternative music. Since this is a compilation of songs for a Latin party, I have chosen one of the funnest singles ever produced by this Mexican band. "Las Flores" has the distinctive flavor that Cafe Tacvba has nurtured with music influenced by Ska, Punk and Rock sounds. This is definitely a nice song to jump around.

28. "La Gota Fria" - Carlos Vives: From the Alternative sounds of Cafe Tacvba we are moving now into the Caribbean vibes of Vallenato. We are going to do that with the track that gave Vallenato its international fame. "La Gota Fria" was, in fact, the song that transformed Carlos Vives into the most popular Vallenato artist in the planet. This is another song with a global appeal that fits perfectly this Latin party playlist.

29. "Ai Se Eu Te Pego" - Michel Telo: After listening to the sounds of the accordion playing Vallenato, we are going to listen the notes of the same instrument playing Brazilian Sertaneja music. This time, I bring one of the hottest hits of 2011. "Ai Se Eu Te Pego" by Michel Telo is a catchy song that took the world by storm when Cristiano Ronaldo danced to it after scoring one goal. Maybe this is a bit too commercial but you always have to play this kind of stuff in a Latin party. People just love it.

30. "Grades Do Coracao" - Grupo Revelacao: More Brazilian music. This time, I am featuring the amazing beats of Grupo Revelacao, one of the most popular bands in the fields of Samba and Pagode. "Grades Do Meu Coracao" is one of the most famous songs ever produced by this Brazilian group. You gotta love the percussion on this song.

31. "Mississippi Mambo" - Noro Morales: After playing around with Latin Alternative and Brazilian music, it is time to go back to the sounds of what people usually expects to listen to in a Latin party: Salsa. To open the next set of Salsa I would like to start with this very classic track by the legendary pianist Noro Morales. The song is entirely instrumental and provides an amazing melody for all of those who like to dance Salsa in an elegant way. This is a nice song to introduce the 'hard Salsa' (Salsa dura) I am playing afterwards.

32. "I Like It Like That" - Pete Rodriguez: I can't play a good set of Salsa without bringing back the vibrant sounds of Latin Boogaloo. Before Salsa became Salsa, Latin Boogaloo was the big thing during the 1960s. Some of the biggest stars of this movement included artists like the legendary Joe Cuba, Pete Rodriguez and Joe Bataan. Pete Rodriguez's "I Like It Like That" is my favorite Latin Boogaloo song. This single has an energy that is just amazing.

33. "Siguelo" - Javier Vazquez: After moving through the sounds of Mambo and Latin Boogaloo with Noro Morales and Pete Rodriguez, I am closing this set with one of the best tracks in the history of hard Salsa/Salsa dura. If you want to dance to a good Salsa song, "Siguelo" is an ideal track to consider. This song offers the original and best sound of Salsa music. I have been listening to Salsa music for years and this track is definitely on top of my Salsa dura ranking.

34. "Caraluna" - Bacilos: Now, it is time to move from the rich beats of hard Salsa to something a little bit softer. I am going to deliver this transition by adding to this Latin party playlist one of the best songs produced by the group Bacilos. "Caraluna" is a great song to dance to, especially if you are next to your loved one. The melody is defined by the popular combination of Vallenato with Tropical sounds that several Colombian artists have been forging in recent years. With this break, we are ready to explore more Tropical and Caribbean beats.

35. "Pintame De Colores" - Gloria Estefan: "Pintame De Colores" is one of the best songs Gloria Estefan included in her album 90 Millas. This track brings a nice sound shaped around traditional Cuban music. In particular, the sounds of the tres and clave provide this song with a very nice Caribbean flavor. "Pintame De Colores" is definitely a nice song to include in this Latin party playlist.

36. "La Gran Manzana" - Orquesta Frenesi: Now, it is time to introduce another interesting 'hybrid' song. "La Gran Manzana" is a single that achieved success thanks to the nice combination of Rap and Hip-Hop with Merengue. Besides being a nice song to dance to, this track opens the field for additional Merengue into this playlist.

37. "Loca Conmigo" - Los Toros Band: "Loca Conmigo" is one of the most popular Merengue songs produced by Los Toros Band. The melody, which is easy to follow, is adorned with nice brass sections and solid percussion. Because of the way it combines romantic and danceable segments, this is one of those songs that are good for 'flirting'.

38. "Nuestra Cancion" - Elvis Crespo: Following the vibes of the previous song, here there is another Merengue track by the popular Puerto Rican artist Elvis Crespo. "Nuestra Cancion" is a Merengue song that falls into the romantic side of the genre. In spite of this, the melody is also quite nice for dancing. Lovers will love to dance to it.

39. "Bachata En Fukuoka" - Juan Luis Guerra: To continue with the Dominican flavor, we are closing this set with another song by Juan Luis Guerra. This time, however, I am playing one of the most famous Bachata songs produced by the iconic Dominican artist. "Bachata En Fukuoka" will give lovers an additional reason to stay on the dance floor. This song offers a nice melody and the usual poetic lyrics Juan Luis Guerra always add to his songs. Make sure you don't miss the Salsa segment towards the end!

40. "Atrevete te te" - Calle 13: Time to spice up this Latin party with a little bit of Reggaeton and Cumbia. I could not leave out of this playlist one of the biggest names in Latin music. "Atrevete te te" is the song that transformed this Puerto Rican band into a Latin Urban music phenomenon. This classic song from Calle 13's repertoire features a nice combination of Reggaeton, Rap and Cumbia.

41. "Fuego" - Bomba Estereo: We are going to extend the sound of the previous song with this contemporary track produced by Bomba Estereo, one of Colombia's most interesting Latin Alternative bands. Besides Cumbia and Rap, "Fuego" also includes a nice touch of electronic music that enhances the eclectic appeal of this song. This is another cool song to challenge your crowd with.

42. "Bam Bam" - Rabanes: This song is another track charged with lots of good energy. In terms of its music, it is kind of a Tropical fusion that borrows elements from different kinds of genres. To place this track into some sort of label, I would call this 'Tropical Rock'. "Bam Bam" is one of the most popular tracks produced by the Panamanian band Rabanes. A full explosion from beginning to end.

43. "Pasarela" - Dalmata: Now to the last Reggaeton song of this Latin party playlist. This is a smooth song that offers a great beat. An interesting element added to this track is the Mariachi background that goes along with the whole melody. This is one of the best singles of the collaboration work between Reggaeton artists Dalmata and Ñejo.

44. "Le Gustan Los Artistas" - Gente de Zona: After the last Reggaeton song, it is time to feature a Cubaton track. While Reggaeton has been a genre developed in Puerto Rico, Cubaton is the Urban music equivalent that has been developed in Cuba. For newcomers, both genres may sound almost identical. However, Cubaton has a sound that is clearly defined by the beats of Cuban music. One of the biggest names of Cubaton is Gente de Zona. Their hit "Le Gustan Los Artistas" is a great song for a Latin dance party.

45. "No Podras Escapar De Mi" - Willie Gonzalez: After so many intense songs, it is time to start preparing the end of this Latin party by turning the level a bit down. In order to achieve this, a romantic Salsa song is a good option here. I am introducing now one of the most famous hits of the popular romantic Salsa singer Willie Gonzalez. "No Podras Escapar De Mi" combines very lyrics full of romanticism with a soft melody that lovers will enjoy to dance to.

46. "Te Conozco Bien" - Marc Anthony: I am going to keep the mood of the previous song by bringing another romantic Salsa song into this playlist. This time, I am playing "Te Conozco Bien," one of the most famous Salsa hits by Latin music superstar Marc Anthony. Although this is a romantic track, the second half of this song offers a nice musical segment to dance to.

47. "Promise" - Romeo Santos: I will continue to give couples a good reason to stay on the dance floor. This time, I am featuring the last Bachata song on this playlist. "Promise" is a hit song included in Romeo Santos's album Formula Vol. 1, one of the best Latin albums of 2011. This Bachata song has a nice touch of R&B thanks to the singing that Usher provides here.

48. "Golpes En El Corazon" - Los Tigres del Norte: I would like to end this Latin party playlist with three romantic tracks. By now people have danced a lot and it is time to enjoy some smooth melodies you can either sing or dance to. Now, I am bringing the Norteno music hit "Golpes En El Corazon" by Los Tigres del Norte. This version, which features Latin Pop star Paulina Rubio, is one of the best tracks included in the popular album MTV Unplugged: Los Tigres del Norte and Friends.

49. "Embrujo" - Andres Cepeda: Andres Cepeda is one of the most charismatic artists from Colombia. His music offers a nice fusion of Tropical rhythms with Bolero and a bit of Pop. "Embrujo" is another nice romantic song to play here. The melody, which sounds almost like a Ranchera song, leaves the field open for the last song of this playlist.

50. "Por Tu Maldito Amor" - Vicente Fernandez: Very often, a Latin party ends with a selection of heartbreaking songs that people like to sing together while drinking the last shots of the night. Classic Bolero, Ranchera or Vallenato songs are some of the favorite styles featuring these kinds of tracks. Because of this, the last song on this playlist is "Por Tu maldito Amor," one of the best songs by Vicente Fernandez.

In less than one week, the Latin music world has lost another of its most iconic artists. After the death of the Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, Salsa music mourns Jairo Varela, the prolific songwriter and founder of the legendary Colombian band Grupo Niche. The artist, who was 62, passed away in his home in Cali, Colombia.

Jairo Varela is easily one of the best songwriters Salsa music has ever produced. After founding Grupo Niche in 1978, this talented musician wrote some of the most memorable Salsa songs ever recorded including tracks such as "Buenaventura Y Caney," "Cali Pachanguero," "Una Aventura," and "Gotas De Lluvia," among many, many more.

Musically speaking, Jairo Varela and his Grupo Niche created a new school of Salsa whose sound was defined by its fast beats, solid percussion and vibrant brass sessions. Thanks to Jairo Varela, Colombian Salsa found its own place in a genre that was largely dominated by the music of bands from New York and Puerto Rico.

Jairo Varela, in fact, injected a sense of pride among Colombians about the music they were able to produce. I grew up in Colombia listening to the music of Grupo Niche and I was lucky enough to witness their transformation into one of the best bands in Salsa music. I still remember the words that proud caleños (the inhabitants from Cali) expressed after a face-off against El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico back in the early 1980s: "We went to see El Gran Combo and we ended up seeing Grupo Niche."

Besides putting Colombian music on the spotlight, Jairo Varela created a rich repertoire of Salsa dura and romantic tracks that touched every corner of the human condition. He wrote songs about love (e.g. "Nuestro Sueno," "Busca Por Dentro"), traditional culture (e.g. "Canoa Rancha," "Mi Mama Me Ha Dicho") and even social issues (e.g. "Ana Mile," "Etnia").

Above all, however, Jairo Varela exalted Afro-Colombian culture and his beloved Cali through songs such as "Del Puente Pa'lla," "Mi Valle Del Cauca" and "Cali Aji." His hit song "Cali Pachanguero" has been the city's unofficial anthem since 1984, when the song was released with Niche's breakthrough album No Hay Quinto Malo.

The Latin music world has lost one of its most creative minds. Jairo Varela who found most of his inspiration in Cali, a city called by its inhabitants La Sucursal del Cielo (The Branch of Heaven) has just moved to the headquarters. His music, however, will remain with us forever. R.I.P.

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.

Shakira's Biggest Hits on the Mainstream Pop Charts...

Shakira was already a huge Latin star when she crossed over into the US mainstream pop charts. Most of her biggest hits on the US pop singles charts were recorded in English. This is a list of the ten biggest of those songs. Highest chart ranking on the Billboard Hot 100 is included.

1. "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean - 2006 - #1
"Hips Don't Lie" begins with Wyclef Jean's 2004 release "Dance Like This." Shakira wrote new segments and the song was re-christened "Hips Don't Lie" fusing reggaeton with salsa and Cumbia dance styles. The result was a worldwide smash hit single. The song became Shakira's first #1 pop hit in both the US and the UK. That made her the first South American artist to hit #1 in the US. "Hips Don't Lie" was a #1 hit in dozens of countries around the world and was performed for a worldwide television audience at the 2006 World Cup Final in Berlin, Germany.

2. "Beautiful Liar" with Beyonce - 2007 - #3
Beyonce has stated in interviews that she and Shakira met at various awards shows through the year and expressed the desire to create a musical collaboration. The opportunity presented itself in recording a new song for the re-issue of Beyonce's hit album B'Day. The result was a top three hit single that was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and an MTV Video Music Awards citation for Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration. The song was recorded in both English and Spanish versions.

3. "Whenever, Wherever" - 2001 - #6
"Whenever Wherever" was released as the first single from Shakira'sfirst English language album Laundry Service. It became her breakthrough single in English language markets around the world reaching #2 in the UK and the top 10 in the US. The song hit #1 in 29 different countries. A Spanish language version titled "Suerte" (meaning "lucky") was recorded as well.

4. "Underneath Your Clothes" - 2002 - #9
"Underneath Your Clothes" was the second single from Shakira's albumLaundry Service. The video accompanying the song was directed by fashion photographer Herb Ritts. The video poignantly depicts Shakira's loneliness as a recording artist on tour.

5. "She Wolf" - 2009 - #11
"She Wolf" is the first single and title song from Shakira's third English language studio album. The song uses strong influences from classic disco to depict the sexual animal lurking inside a woman. "She Wolf" debuted at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest debut for Shakira thus far in her career.

6. "La Tortura" featuring Alejandro Sanz - 2005 - #23
Shakira's "La Tortura" is the biggest selling Spanish language single in the US. It has sold over a million digital copies in the US alone. The song spent a phenomenal 25 weeks at the top of the Hot Latin Songs chart. "La Tortura" was nominated at the Latin Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. It was also the first Spanish language song to receive nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards. "La Tortura" was the first single from the album Fijacion Oral, Volume 1.

7. "Give It Up To Me" featuring Lil Wayne - 2009 - #29
Shakira turned in a hip hop direction for this song. Timbaland produced the recording, and, in a surprise to the music executives, Lil Wayne asked to perform the rap on the song. There were mixed reviews about Shakira shifting away from her usual Latin style. "Give It Up To Me" was certified gold for over 500,000 digital downloads.

8. "Loca" featuring Dizzee Rascal - 2010 - #32
"Loca" was released as the lead single from Shakira's bilingual albumSale el Sol. There is a Spanish version that features vocals from El Cata and the English version that features vocals from the UK's Dizzee Rascal. The song is an interpretation of El Cata's "Loca Con Su Tiguere." The merengue beats signaled a strong return to Latin sounds for Shakira. "Loca" became her ninth top 40 pop hit in the US. It hit #1 in at least 10 countries around the world.

9. "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" featuring Freshlyground - 2010 - #38
Shakira was enlisted to put together the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" was based on a song titled "Zangalewa" that was a 1986 hit for the Cameroonian group Golden Sounds. Shakira's recording combined Latin and African sounds. The result was a massive worldwide hit. It went to #1 across Europe and was the biggest hit of the year in many European countries. Shakira performed "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" live at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Cup, and, with worldwide sales over four million, the song is considered the biggest World Cup related hit of all time.

10. "Don't Bother" - 2005 - #42
"Don't Bother" was released as the first single from Shakira's English language album Oral Fixation, Volume 2. It became particularly notable for the steamy accompanying music video. Although "Don't Bother" failed to reach the top 40 in the US, it was a top 10 smash in many countries around the world.

The popular Reggaeton duo Wisin y Yandel is back with one of the most anticipated Latin music albums of 2012. The following is an overview of Lideres, a 15-track CD that consolidates the unique combination of Reggaeton and Dance music that the Puerto Rican duo has been building during the last years.

A Modern Latin Urban Work Lideres represents a good example of what we can consider a modern Latin Urban music album. This production offers a good balance between the original flavors of Reggaeton and a sound shaped by defined Dance beats that can be heard throughout the whole album.

The different artists featured in this work respond to that idea. They include Pop diva Jennifer Lopez, Hip-Hop artist Chris Brown, fellow Reggaeton and Latin Urban artists O'Neill and Franco 'El Gorila,' and the famous rapper and producer T-Pain.

Besides the already popular hit "Follow The Leader," featuring J.Lo, other dancing tracks include titles like "Tu Nombre," "Algo Me Gusta De Ti," featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain, "No Te Detengas," and "Una Bendicion," among others.

On the Reggaeton side, there are singles clearly defined by this style including "Hipnotizame," "Peligro," "Prende," featuring Franco 'El Gorila' and O'Neill, and "Musica Buena". I personally like better the Reggaeton tracks on this album but that is just my own preference. I think this album pleases both Reggaeton and Latin Pop fans.


Closer to Latin PopLideres is also an album that closes the gap between Latin Urban music and Latin Pop. In fact, several of the tracks on this work can be easily placed among top 40 hits. An example of this is "Follow The Leader," a track that has enjoyed enormous popularity as a top hit in the Latin Pop category.

Another song that places this album closer to the Latin Pop realm is the romantic single "Perdon." This track, which is definitely a Pop song, allows Wisin y Yandel to bring a new musical dimension to this album. The single "Un Beso" is another track that allows the idea to further explore this dimension.

Overall, Lideres is an album that offers a good mix of a little bit of Reggaeton, Dance music and Latin Pop. Considering this mix is what is making Latin Urban music so popular today, Lideresdoes a good job in delivering just what the people want.


'Lideres' - Bottom LineThe first thing to say about Lideres is that this is a very commercial, mainstream album. If you are into this kind of music, you are going to like this album. If you are not, you better stay away from this work.

That said, I believe Wisin y Yandel delivered a solid work. Lideres could be anything but boring. In fact, time flies when you are listening to this CD, which I think is a good sign of its general appeal. The exhilarating combination of sounds that Lideres offers will force you to move your body at some point even if you do not feel like it. In other words, this is a fun album to listen and dance to. I expect to see several of these tracks moving up to the top of the music charts.

'Lideres' - Best Tracks

• "Hipnotizame"
• "Algo Me Gusta De Ti"
• "Peligro"
• "Follow The Leader"
• "Rumba"
• "Prende"
• "Musica Buena"
• "Un Beso"
• "Vengo Acabando"