Salsa is a music genre known in Japan as one of the mainstays of the dance scene.
I think it’s a genre everyone has heard at least once.
However, surprisingly few people have seriously listened to salsa as music.
This time, we’ve picked out some classic salsa tracks.
We’ve selected not only older songs but also relatively new tracks from the 2010s.
If you’d like to experience the history and charm of salsa, please relax and enjoy until the very end.
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Salsa masterpieces: recommended popular songs (1–10)
La Vida Es Un CarnavalCelia Cruz
In the 20th century, when it comes to the most prominent salsa singers, the name that undoubtedly comes up is Celia Cruz.
A Cuban-born artist, she won Gold Records 23 times and received the National Medal of Arts in the United States—achievements befitting her title as the Queen of Salsa.
One of her famous songs is La Vida Es Un Carnaval.
Although it’s an older track, its arrangement feels akin to modern Afro-Cuban or neo-salsa styles.
Vivir Mi VidaMarc Anthony
Marc Anthony is a salsa singer from the United States.
He is a Puerto Rican–American and one of the few salsa singers prominent in the English-speaking world.
Among artists who specialize in salsa, it’s no exaggeration to say he is one of the most famous, enjoying popularity not only in English-speaking countries but also across the Spanish-speaking world.
One of his signature songs is Vivir Mi Vida.
It’s a pop-leaning salsa with a hint of alternative rock, making it a great recommendation for beginners.
LlorarasOscar D’León
The musician Oscar D’León, known by nicknames like the Lion of Salsa and the Pharaoh of Salsa, is one of the foremost composers representing salsa and is also active as a singer.
He is, of course, an outstanding vocalist, but he is also an exceptionally skilled bassist, and because he originally played percussion, he has an extraordinary sense of rhythm.
His song “Llorarás” showcases his musicality, delivering a work with the light, glamorous melody that is the hallmark of salsa.
Periodico De AyerHector Lavoe
Puerto Rico is known as one of the countries with the most salsa singers in the world.
In Puerto Rico, there is a figure who is respected as a legend by many listeners and artists alike: the salsa singer Héctor Lavoe.
He passed away at the age of 46, but the salsa and bolero songs he left behind are still loved today.
If you want to start with the classics, we recommend beginning your deep dive with Héctor Lavoe.
Fuego En El 23Sonora Ponceña
La Sonora Ponceña, a band that has been popular for many years in Puerto Rico—one of salsa’s hotbeds—has been active since 1954 and continues to perform today.
Interestingly, it’s a multi-generational group: the current bandleader is the son of a former member.
It may well keep going like a hereditary succession, changing hands across generations.
Their song “Fuego En El 23” is one of La Sonora Ponceña’s classics, showcasing the lively, entertainment-rich style of brisk salsa they’ve excelled at for decades.
Tu CariñitoPuerto Rican Power
Puerto Rican Power is a very popular band in Puerto Rico.
Centered around Tito Rojas, this salsa band was hugely active from the 1980s through the 1990s.
One of their famous songs is “Puerto Rican Power.” It’s crafted in classic salsa style, with a lively melody that stands out throughout.
If you want to get a feel for what salsa sounds like as a genre, why not give this track a listen?
El PresoFruko y Sus Tesos
Fruko y Sus Tesos is a salsa group from Colombia that has gained popularity in Latin America and the United States.
Formed in 1969, the group has released as many as 42 albums.
Among them, a particularly recommended work is El Preso.
Released in 1975, it features the Latin singer Wilson Saoko.
In Colombia, it’s known as a quintessential classic of salsa.