Icons of Latin music: Shakira, Celia Cruz, Daddy Yankee, Juan Gabriel and more

Celia Cruz was an Afro-Latina singer who popularized salsa music in the United States and even became known as the "Queen of Salsa." During her career, spanning more than 60 years, Cruz also worked as a lead singer of the Cuban orchestra La Sonora Matancera. The iconic singer was also known for her glamorous and vibrant fashion looks. Cruz died at age 77 in 2003.

Vicente "Chente" Fernández, the legendary Mexican singer known for his signature charro suit and sombrero, died Dec. 12, 2021, but his legacy will live on. Known for hit songs such as "El Rey," "Entre Nos" and "Por Tu Maldito Amor," Fernández is a cultural icon who helped popularize ranchera music.

Vicente Fernández’s legacy lives on through his son Alejandro and grandson Alex (pictured alongside him here at the 20th annual Latin Grammys). The singer, who first performed with his father in 1976 when he was about 5 years old, continues the father-son tradition with his son Alex, who has often joined him on tour. Alejandro is known for hits such as “Me Dediqué a Perderte,” “Nube viajera,” "Necesito olvidarla,” and many more. Nicknamed “El Potrillo” by fans, he has sold over 20 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists.

Pepe Aguilar also comes from Mexican music royalty as the son of the late ranchera and corrido music titan Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, a singer and veteran of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema in the 1950s. The four-time Grammy winner continues to carry on traditions his parents instilled in him, performing with his own children, Ángela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar. Aguilar has sold over 13 million albums worldwide, and is known for hits including “Por Mujeres como Tú,” “Miedo,” and Perdóname,” among others.

Antonio Aguilar, born José Pascual Antonio Aguilar Márquez Barraza, is where the Dinastía Aguilar first took root. The Mexican mariachi singer was a jack of all trades — he was an actor, songwriter, equestrian, film producer and screenwriter but his career in music is where he focused most of his time. He recorded more than 150 albums and acted in more than 120 films. In life, he was fondly referred to as “El Charro de México” because he’s credited with popularizing the Mexican equestrian sport, or la charrería, to international audiences.

Flor Silvestre, born Guillermina Jiménez Chabolla, was became as one of the most prominent and successful performers of Mexican and Latin American music alongside her husband Antonio. Her career boomed during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and her career spanned more than 70 years. Known for her unique and evocative singing style, Silvestre was a notable interpreter of the ranchera, bolero and huapango genres. Silvestre died at age 90 on Nov. 20, 2020 in Zacatecas, Mexico.

Colombian pop icon Shakira is known for her infectious dance-rock anthems and sensual belly dancing style. Born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll in Barranquilla, Colombia, the singer signed her first record deal at age 13 and released the albums “Magia” and “Peligro” in her teens. Her third album, 1995’s “Pies Descalzos,” made her a household name with a pair of No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart. Starting with 2001’s “Laundry Service,” the Grammy-winning songstress has released a series of crossover hits including “Whenever, Wherever,” “Hips Don’t Lie” and “She Wolf.” Shakira has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide, including 10 multiplatinum albums.

Paquita la del Barrio started her career in Mexico City in the '70s performing at local bars and restaurants. The Grammy-nominated Mexican singer is best known for unmercifully calling out machismo and her distaste for men through her music. Throughout the span of her 50-year career, Paquita has released more than 30 albums with sales of over 30 million copies and at age 75, she shows no signs of stopping. On Sept. 23, 2021, the legend was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

From the blocks of the Bronx to the world, Jennifer Lopez has electrified pop music with her Nuyorican flair. Following her breakout role portraying Latin icon Selena Quintanilla in the biopic “Selena,” the Puerto Rican singer launched a music career with the release of her debut album “On the 6” in 1999. The triple-platinum album earned Lopez a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with the Marc Anthony duet “No Me Ames,” plus a pair of Grammy nominations for best dance recording. Lopez released her first full-length Spanish album, “Como Ama una Mujer,” in 2007 and scored a No. 1 hit with the Latin rock banger “Qué Hiciste.” J.Lo solidified her place in the pantheon of Latin icons with her performance at the 2020 Super Bowl Halftime Show, which she co-headlined with Colombian popstar Shakira.

Bad Bunny went from working as a bagger at a supermarket to becoming an international superstar. The Puerto Rican reggaeton star gained popularity on SoundCloud before signing to a record label. Now, six studio albums later — 2018's "X 100pre," 2019's "Oasis" with J Balvin, 2020's "YHLQMDLG" and "El Último Tour Del Mundo," 2022's "Un Verano Sin Ti" and 2023's "Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana" —Bad Bunny has taken the music world by storm.

Known as the Queen of Tejano music, Mexican American singer Selena Quintanilla got her musical start as the lead singer of her family’s band Selena y Los Dinos. After recording several albums with the group, Quintanilla branched out with the release of her solo debut album “Selena” in 1989, which earned her a top 10 entry on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart. Her third album, 1992’s “Entre a Mi Mundo,” solidified her signature Tejano cumbia sound while 1994’s “Amor Prohibido” earned her four No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and a Grammy nomination for best Mexican American performance.

Quintanilla died at the age of 23 after the “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” singer was murdered by her fan club’s president and business associate in March 1995. Her final album, 1995’s “Dreaming of You,” was released posthumously and became the first predominantly Spanish-language album to top the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Latin jazz king Tito Puente rode to fame on the heels of the 1950s mambo craze and recorded over 100 albums in his 63-year music career. Puente’s music has been featured in films including “The Mambo Kings” and Fernando Trueba’s “Calle 54.” The Grammy winner also starred on television shows including “Sesame Street” and “The Simpsons” two-part episode “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” He died June 1, 2000 at 77.

With more than 20 years in the music industry, Ana Bárbara, also known as "La reina grupera," has dabbled in many genres, including mariachi, pop, banda sinaloense and romantic ballads. Her hits include "Bandido," "La trampa," "Quise olvidar," "Me asusta pero me gusta," and her discography includes 11 albums.

Salsa icon Marc Anthony has made a name for himself with his soulful tenor range and musical tales of romance and heartache. Born Marco Antonio Muñiz in New York City, the Puerto Rican singer got his start in the dance music scene as a session vocalist for acts such as Menudo and the Latin Rascals. Anthony made his first foray into the salsa genre with the release of his debut album “Otra Nota” in 1993. In addition to his Spanish-language hits, which include 55 Top 10 entries on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart, Anthony has scored crossover smashes with “I Need to Know” and “You Sang to Me.” Anthony’s latest album, 2022’s “Pa'llá Voy,” earned him a Grammy award for best tropical Latin album.

Romeo Santos is the king of bachata pop. Born Anthony Santos in The Bronx, New York City, Santos made his musical debut as frontman of the bachata group Aventura with 1999’s “Generation Next.” Aventura became a bona fide Latin pop sensation in the 2000s, racking up 10 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart and a Latin Grammy nomination for best contemporary tropical album. Following the group’s hiatus in 2011, Santos embarked on a solo career with the release of his debut album “Formula, Vol. 1,” which earned him a Grammy nomination for best tropical Latin album. As a solo act, Santos has garnered a whopping 22 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Latin airplay chart.

Born Ariadna Thalía Sodi Miranda in Mexico City, Thalía cut her teeth as a budding pop star in the ‘80s as a member of the children’s groups Din Din and Timbiriche. The singer then launched her solo career in 1990 with the release of her self-titled debut album. Thalía went on to release 19 studio albums, seven of which have been certified platinum or multiplatinum in the U.S. The “Amor a la Mexicana” songstress has scored 15 Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart and been nominated for six Latin Grammy awards.

Born Juan Luis Guerra Seijas in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Juan Luis Guerra has been charming listeners for decades with his heartfelt folk lyricism, which he infuses with the warm Caribbean rhythms of merengue and bachata. Following his graduation from the Berklee College of Music in 1982, Guerra released his debut album “Soplando” in 1984 with his band 440. Guerra went on to release 14 studio albums, four of which have been certified platinum in the U.S. His latest album, 2019’s “Literal,” earned Guerra a Grammy nomination for best tropical Latin album.

After nearly four decades of hits – including "Rayando el Sol," "Oye Mi Amor," "Mariposa Traicionera," "Labios Compartidos" and "Bendita Tu Luz" – the band, composed of lead vocalist Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bass player Juan Calleros, has no plans to stop performing. Since its 1986 start, the band has released 11 albums, including their 1992 album "¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?" which became the best-selling Spanish-language rock album of all time. In 2019, Maná began re-recording some of their greatest hits with Latin music acts including Christian Nodal ("Te Llore Un Rio"), Sebastián Yatra ("No Ha Parado de Llover"), Joy Huerta ("Eres Mi Religion") and Alejandro Fernández ("Mariposa Traicionera"). 

Born Enrique Jose Martin Morales IV in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ricky Martin got his first big break as a member of the Puerto Rican boyband Menudo in the ‘80s. Following his departure from the group, Martin released his self-titled debut album in 1991, which earned him a top 5 album on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart and a trio of top 20 hits. Martin’s career soared to new heights with 1998’s “Vuelve” and its samba-infused hit “La Copa de la Vida,” which he sang at high-profile performances at the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final and the 1999 Grammy Awards. Martin helped usher in an era of Latin crossover stars with his English-language debut “Ricky Martin” in 1999, which featured the bilingual smash hit “Livin' la Vida Loca.” Martin has amassed 43 Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart and won two Grammy awards.

Born Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez, Ivy Queen began her career in the '90s as a member of the then all-male collective The Noise in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For nearly three decades, she's shattered glass ceiling after glass ceiling to cement her place as a pioneer of an otherwise male-dominated genre. The Puerto Rican singer, rapper and songwriter — often referred to as the “Queen of Reggaeton” — has made an impact with her unique and rebellious point of view. Her lyrics touch on themes of love and heartbreak as well as female empowerment and sexual agency.

Since going solo in 1997 with the release of her debut studio album, "En Mi Imperio" or "In My Empire" in English, Ivy Queen has released nine more studio albums, boasts 20 entries on Billboard's Latin Rhythm Airplay, the third-most among Latin female artists (behind Dominican singer Natti Natasha with 25, and Colombian star Karol G with 24).

Renowned Mexican luminary and five-time Grammy laureate Marco Antonio Solís began his musical career at the age of six, performing with his brother Joel Solís as Los Hermanitos Solís. In 1975, he co-founded Los Bukis and served as lead vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. The band split up after nearly two decades of success with hits including “Tu Cárcel,” “A Donde Vayas,” “Accept Mi Derrota,” “Como Fui A Enamorarme De Ti,” among others. Solís then embarked on a solo career and released his debut solo album in 1996 with “En Pleno Vuelo.”

Born Gloria de los Ángeles Treviño Ruiz, the Mexican singer-songwriter is known for her outgoing personality and untamed spirit. Gloria Trevi, who established herself as Latin music’s first female rock star, is known for hits such as “Dr. Psiquiatra,” “El Último Beso,” “Pelo Suelto” and “Con Los Ojos Cerrados.”

Gloria Estefan transformed pop music with her infectious Latin grooves. The Cuban-born singer began her musical career in 1975 as lead singer of the Latin group Miami Sound Machine after meeting keyboardist Emilio Estefan, whom she would later marry. After building a following in Latin America with a string of albums throughout the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Miami Sound Machine released its debut English-language album, 1984’s “Eyes of Innocence,” which earned the group a gold-certified album and a dance hit with “Dr. Beat.” Following the multiplatinum success of 1985’s “Primitive Love” and 1987’s “Let It Loose,” Estefan embarked on a solo career with the release of “Cuts Both Ways” in 1989. As a solo artist, Estefan has won three Grammy awards and became the first Hispanic woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023.

Following a career as a professional soccer player, Madrid-born singer Julio Iglesias pivoted to music when he won the Benidorm International Song Festival in 1968 with his original song “La vida sigue igual.” The victory set the stage for the release of Iglesias’ debut album “Yo Canto” the following year. Iglesias’ 1984 album “1100 Bel Air Place” signaled the singer’s breakthrough as a crossover star. The multiplatinum album, which featured collaborations with Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys and Diana Ross, earned Iglesias a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with the Nelson-assisted “To All the Girls I've Loved Before.” Over the course of his career, Iglesias has amassed 11 Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and sold more than 300 million albums worldwide.

Following in the musical footsteps of his father Julio Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias made a splash with his self-titled debut album in 1995, which scored the Spanish-born singer five No. 1s on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and a Grammy award for best Latin pop performance. Iglesias went on to become a crossover pop star in the late ‘90s and early 2000s with a string of English-language hits that include “Bailamos,” “Be with You,” “Escape” and “Hero.” With eight multi-platinum albums under his belt, Iglesias has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Born William Omar Landrón Rivera, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Don Omar is considered one of the forefathers of modern-day reggaeton. Don made his debut with 2003’s “The Last Don,” which was certified double platinum in the U.S. and earned the Latin emcee a Top 40 hit on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart with “Dile.” Don’s follow-up, 2006’s “King of Kings,” was certified quadruple platinum and gave the reggaetonero a No. 1 hit with “Angelito.” Don paid tribute to his reggaeton roots and topped the charts with 2015’s “The Last Don II,” a sequel to his debut album that featured collaborations with Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderón and Wisin & Yandel. The rapper has won two Latin Grammy awards.

A pioneer in the Mexican-derived style of rock known as Chicano rock, Ritchie Valens fused his Latin heritage with a rock ‘n’ roll sensibility. Following the release of his first single “Come On, Let's Go,” Valens (real name: Richard Steven Valenzuela) released a two-sided single featuring the songs “La Bamba” and “Donna,” the latter of which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it was “La Bamba” – a revamp of a Mexican folk tune – that cemented Valens’ status as a Latin trailblazer in rock. Valens died in February 1959 at the age of 17 – six months into his music career – in a plane crash along with musicians Buddy Holly and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. The Mexican American star was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.