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30. Jennifer Lopez - 'Waiting for Tonight' (1999) -

Jennifer Lopez is known for creating catchy pop hits. 'Waiting for Tonight' is arguably one of her best.

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29. Elvis Crespo - 'Suavemente' (1998) -

Elvis Crespo is an award-winning singer who was born in The Bronx, New York. After going solo in 1998, he released the huge hit 'Suavemente.'

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28. Los Ángeles Azules - 'Cómo Te Voy A Olvidar' (1996) -

In the early 1980s, three siblings from Mexico created the group Los Ángeles Azules. Today they are known for popularizing cumbia sonidera, a variation of the cumbia genre.

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27. Ricky Martin - 'María (Pablo Flores Remix)' (1995) -

Ricky Martin decided to try his hand at a solo career after leaving the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, and has since released numerous crowd favorites.

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26. La India - 'Ese Hombre' (1994) -

La India’s rendition of Rocío Jurado’s 'Ese Hombre' became an anthem for women everywhere. The track helped earn her the title of the "Princess of Salsa."

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25. Carlos Vives - 'La Gota Fría' (1995) -

The Colombian 80’s soap opera star had a passion for singing rock long before his first major hit. Diving into his Caribbean roots, he tried his hand at his own version of vallenato, a regional folk genre.

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24. Proyecto Uno - 'El Tiburón' (1994) -

The group was originally composed of Nelson Zapata and Rick Echavarría, two Dominicans from the Lower East Side of New York. They mixed American hip hop with Latin flavors and created their smash hit 'El Tiburón.' Pictured is their current lineup.

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23. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs - 'El Matador' (1993) -

This Argentine musical group had their first hit with 'El Matador,' which was a critique during a time of rampant authoritarianism across Latin America. They cleverly disguised it as a Carnival-style party anthem.

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22. Maná - 'Oye Mi Amor' (1992) -

The Mexican rock band released their third album in 1992, with 'Oye Mi Amor' showcasing 1980's-style guitar riffs combined with new wave and reggae beats.

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21. Juan Luis Guerra - 'Burbujas de Amor' (1990) -

Before becoming the "Godfather of Bachata," Juan Luis Guerra's song 'Burbujas de Amor' pushed boundaries with suggestive lyrics that ultimately sparked controversy but propelled bachata into the mainstream.

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20. El General - 'Tu Pum Pum' (1991) -

Reggaeton's roots lie in Panama's reggae en español scene of the 1980s, which blended Jamaican dancehall with Spanish lyrics and Latin sounds. The success of 'Tu Pum Pum' on US radio is seen as a crucial moment that opened the door for reggaeton's global rise.

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19. Selena - 'Como la Flor' (1989) -

This song tells the story of a woman abandoned by her lover, symbolized by a withered flower. It became iconic in Selena's career, culminating in a memorable performance at the Houston Astrodome shortly before her tragic death.

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18. Los Prisioneros - 'Tren al Sur' (1990) -

Los Prisioneros, formed in 1979 during Chile's military dictatorship, pioneered the Nuevo Pop Chileno movement. Despite government censorship, their protest rock gained popularity through underground cassette tape distribution.

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17. Kaoma - 'Lambada' (1989) -

Kaoma's 'Lambada' became a huge global dance craze despite being revealed as a plagiarized version of a Bolivian song. Controversy aside, the song inspired countless covers and remains a classic.

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16. Gloria Trevi - 'Dr. Psiquiatra' (1989) -

Depicting themes of rebellion and female empowerment, Gloria Trevi's controversial debut of 'Dr. Psiquiatra' on a Mexican TV show marked her emergence as a rebellious pop icon challenging societal norms.

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15. Timbiriche - 'Tu Y Yo Somos Uno Mismo' (1988) -

'Tu y Yo Somos Uno Mismo' showcased Timbiriche's front man Diego Schoening and depicted themes of lost love.

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14. Luis Miguel - 'La Incondicional' (1988) -

With its emotionally charged lyrics, 'La Incondicional' revived the Latin American balada genre and drew inspiration from 1970's-era crooners like José José and Camilo Sesto.

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13. Caifanes - 'La Negra Tomasa' (1988) -

Caifanes' interpretation of 'La Negra Tomasa' revitalized Mexican rock and infused goth-pop, reminiscent of The Cure, into the traditional song.

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12. Ana Gabriel - 'Ay Amor' (1987) -

After performing 'Ay Amor' at the 1987 OTI Festival, Ana Gabriel went from local to global fame. The song solidified her status as one of the greatest female artists in Latin music history.

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11. Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine - 'Conga' (1985) -

'Conga' played a key role in bringing Latin rhythms into mainstream American pop music, marking a significant cultural crossover. It established a signature sound that blended Cuban conga music with English lyrics, synths, and drum machines.

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10. Los Tigres del Norte - 'La Jaula de Oro' (1984) -

Los Tigres del Norte are known for their norteño music, often telling stories of brave figures. This song, however,  portrays a sense of uncertainty and fear, highlighting the challenges faced by immigrants.

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9. Daniela Romo - 'Yo No Te Pido la Luna' (1984) -

'Yo No Te Pido la Luna' is an anthem for the gay Latinx community. It symbolizes seizing the night and embracing its uncertainties.

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8. Rocío Dúrcal - 'Amor Eterno' (1984) -

'Amor Eterno' is an emotional ranchera song that pays tribute to Dúrcal’s late mother. Today, the song is still widely performed at funerals and cherished as a Mother's Day anthem.

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7. Juan Gabriel - 'Querida' (1984) -

'Querida' showcases Juan Gabriel’s unique style, ultimately blending vulnerability with masculinity, as well as flamboyance with crudeness. The song combines orchestral pop with a backbeat, creating a fiery feeling of desperation.

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6. Willie Colón & Rubén Blades - 'Plástico' (1978) -

'Plástico' showcases salsa's confrontational spirit and criticizes assimilation and materialism among immigrants, emphasizing the disparity between appearances and true intentions.

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5. Héctor Lavoe - 'El Periódico de Ayer' (1976) -

A classic and heartbreaking ballad about lost love, 'El Periódico de Ayer' was the product of legendary salsa singer Héctor Lavoe. In later years, Lavoe helped record hits like 'Mi Gente' and 'El Cantante.'

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4. Santana - 'Oye Como Va' (1970) -

Originally a Latin jazz song by Tito Puente, 'Oye Como Va' became a rock hit thanks to Santana's electric rendition in 1970. The iconic guitar and organ helped define the Latin rock genre.

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3. Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - 'Mas Que Nada' (1966) -

Sérgio Mendes was a Brazilian artist whose hit song 'Mas Que Nada' was originally performed by Jorge Ben. The song became a hit in the US despite political changes in Brazil that were rejecting Western influence.

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2. Ritchie Valens - 'La Bamba' (1958) -

Originally a traditional Mexican wedding song, 'La Bamba' was turned into rock-and-roll hit by Ritchie Valens and became a huge hit in 1958.

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1. Benny Moré - 'Bonito y Sabroso' (1951) - Finally, the top spot goes to 'Bonito y Sabroso,' the quintessential song of the Golden Age of Latin Pop. It combines Afro-Latin percussion with American big band elements.

Sources: (Rolling Stone)

See also: The surprising origins of famous band names

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