Ferrer en Fuego

Ibrahim Ferrer

Like his hermano en musica Compay Segundo, Ferrer was born and raised in Cuba. This Afro-Cuban singer began crooning around the island to make money at an early age. With decades of practice singing traditional Cuban music, Ferrer had no trouble finding work in post-revolutionary Cuba.

The Afro-Cuban All Stars picked up Ferrer in 1996 to sing on their Grammy nominated album A Toda Cuba le Gusta. He sang a variety of songs like "Amor Verdadero" and "Pio Mentiroso," a track fronted by the late Pio Leyva, who would later reunite with his fellow Cuban Ferrer in Buena Vista Social Club.

Buena Vista Bolero

With the Cuban supergroup Buena Vista Social Club, Ferrer sang "Y Tu Has Hecho," a duet with Compay Segundo. But the one type of song that Ferrer enjoyed singing more than any other was the slow and sultry bolero. He finally had the opportunity with Buena Vista Social Club track "Dos Gardenias," and Ferrer sings it con todo su alma.

Grammys

After Buena Vista Social Club showed the beauty of Cuban music to the world, Ferrer began some solo work. His 1998 debut Tierra Caliente earned the 71-year-old vocalist a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist!

Ferrer continued to woo critics with his smooth voice. He won a Grammy in 2004, but was not able to accept it. The 76-year-old's attendance had nothing to do with his age. Instead, the U.S. government would not allow Ferrer into the U.S. because he was considered a security threat. Ay caray!

Collaborations

Before this humble Cuban was banned from the United States, he worked with some musicians across the pond. But what English acts would want a traditional Cuban singer on their track? Easy -- the Gorillaz. The mysterious, two-dimensional artists included Ferrer on their song "Latin Simone."

He later added his voice to the collaborative album Rhythms del Mundo: Cuba. His recording of "As Time Goes By" joins the likes of Quincy Jones, Kaiser Chiefs and Coldplay. Not bad for a guy who sang on the streets of pre-revolutionary Cuba for money.

Tracks

Ferrer's last album, Mi Sueño, was a posthumous release and a tribute to the bolero. If boleros aren't your style, then check out these tunes instead.

1. "La Musica Cubana"

2. "Boliviana"

3. "Marieta"

Gracias, Buena Vista Social Club

This concludes my overview on the band that reintroduced traditional Cuban music to the world. The band is full of talented musicians, and I apologize for only writing about two of them. I briefly mentioned Pio Leyva and never acknowledged Eliades Ochoa's guitarra. Before I return to these greats, feel free to check them out on your own.

Nuestro Compay

Compay Segundo

The name translates to "Second Comrade," which came from his baritone voice that came second in most songs. But don't let the name fool you, because Segundo is the first member of Buena Vista Social Club anybody should know about.

This composer / guitarrista is to traditional Cuban music as Jimi Hendrix is to rock n' roll. Segundo's playing style was so unique that he created his own instrument, a seven-string fusion of the Spanish guitar and Cuban tres known as an armonico.

Long before Fidel Castro came to power, Compay Segundo was strumming sones and danzones throughout Cuba. While Castro was studying at law school, this music legend was recording albums with Los Compadres. But it was his participation in Buena Vista Social Club that brought Segundo international success.

El sueño

"Chan Chan" is the opening track to Buena Vista Social Club. Segundo composed the four-note son, but said that it came to him in a dream. He even performed his masterpiece at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. Instantly recognized around the world, artists' covers from Gypsy Kings to this Swiss comedy trio will ensure that this song never dies.

Fidel Castro once invited the then ninety-year old musician to perform at a fiesta. With his trademark Cuban fedora on his head and Cuban cigar in his mouth, Segundo played for the dictator whom he knew as "the new guy." Castro later took Segundo's pulse and joked about his vitality.

Vaya con Dios

Segundo eventually died in 2003 at the age of 95. Gone, but not forgotten, he was honored in 2007 with a "100 Years of Compay" celebration in Havana. So check out these videos to see how this old man plays Cuban favorites like a true guitar hero.

1. "Chan Chan"

2. "Guantanamera"

3. "Orgullecida"

Los Cubanos Clasicos

Buena Vista Social Club

What happens when American guitarist Ry Cooder travels to Cuba for a collaborative effort with the country's most popular, traditional efforts? Buena Vista Social Club.

Named for an actual club in Havana from the 50s, Buena Vista Social Club received international attention for their self-titled studio album, which Rolling Stone named number 260 of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

The band consisted of musicians of varied nationalities and ages, but that did not hinder their cooperation. Basically, Cooper recruited these legends, locked them in a Cuban studio and let them recreate the traditional sounds of their homeland.

A friend of mine who doesn't speak Spanish once told me, "Buena Vista is so good, you don't need to know Spanish to enjoy it. It's the perfect driving around music." He's right, their traditional Cuban music makes anyone want to light up a Cohiba. The song "El Cuarto de Tula" can be heard in the movie Training Day.

This band is too iconic to cover in one post, so I'll be splitting up the members into a couple. It's the least I can do for Cuban musicians who recorded a Spanish equivalent of Dark Side of the Moon. So give these songs from the album a listen.

1. "Candela"

2. "De Camino a la Vereda"

3. "El Carretero"

Regresa pronto!

Manu...Marley?

Manu Chao is considered the Bob Marley of the new millennium. This musical chameleon now carries the torch that was left behind by the late, great dread locked rasta. Manu took off like a phoenix out of the remains of Mano Negra, and now unites listeners around the world.

When I studied abroad in Mexico, I saw his tour t-shirts everywhere I went. He even attracts crowds in the United States. A buddy of mine saw Manu at Lollapalooza in 2006. Though he didn't know who the performer was, my friend says that women lined the front row with beads and trinkets crying when he hit the stage.

Clandestino

With Mano Negra gone, Manu traveled the world making music everywhere he went. As he soaked up the different cultures, he worked to recreate local street sounds. This guy actually sustained a living by doing what we all dream of. He's what all those beach bums playing guitar on the boardwalk aspire to be.

The result was Clandestino -- a hodgepodge recording of deep meanings and mere nonsense in several languages mashed together. From "Lagrimas de Oro" to "La Vie a 2," this album defined Manu's diverse, unifying sound. Even if you don't speak every language in a song, the parts you understand are enough to keep you listening.

The track "Bongo Bong" is a remix of the Mano Negra song "King of Bongo." This reinvention is what keeps Manu Chao so fresh. He's so influential, British pop star Robbie Williams covered the song with Lilly Allen. Que divertido!

Proxima

Manu continued to remold his music style with his next album, ...Proxima Estacion...Esperanza. From start to finish, this album flows together like one long track narrated in a common language. Songs like "Merry Blues" and "Promiscuity" are reason enough for English speakers to give Manu a try. He even honors his legendary predecessor with the tune "Mr. Bobby."

Not only does Manu successfully reproduce the sounds of the regions he visits, but he even captures the people and culture in his music videos. Low budget but effectual, videos like "Me Llaman Calle" reinforce his presence among people of the world. Originally a Mano Negra song, Manu remixed it and Time named it the #8 song of 2007.

Concluding Argument

I've said about all I can about this amazing man. Manu Chao's music does not conform to national boundaries. He unites people from areas of the world who speak different languages. Like Bob Marley before him, Manu seeks to unite the world through music. If you still don't give him a listen, then this blog entry was a failure.

Lista Part Dos

Ending on a happy note, here are a few more Manu songs to check out. I already mentioned most of his hits, but be sure to watch "Me Gustas Tu" and "La Chinita." The songs are easy Spanish and the videos are great!

5. "Me Gustas Tu"

6. "La Chinita"

7. "Denia"

8. "La Despedida"

Manu el Magnifico

Manu Chao is the musician known as el pirata. No, he doesn't commandeer other artists' songs. This musical nomad is known for swashbuckling around the globe to the tune of his own inexplicable style. He's such a force in the international circuit, I have to dedicate two entries to the man.

El Pirata

How many languages does your favorite musician speak? One? Two if you're a hipster, three if you're an elitist. Well, Manu sings in five, fluently... seven if you count Gaelician and Wolof. I can honestly say that I had to Google that language just to see where it's spoken. Yeah, his music is like nothing you've ever heard before.

Disclaimer

Since I started writing this blog, I've always mentioned an artist's major fanbase in the Spanish-speaking world. Just to emphasize, Manu Chao's reach extends throughout Europe and into Africa, as well. But how did this Spanish vagabond start?

Mano Negra

His first band's name translates to "Black Fist," the name of a resistance movement in Andalucia. The 19th century rebels are not well documented, and neither is the band. Their music video for King of Bongo shows just how far music videos have come since the late 80s. Yikes.

So maybe music videos ruin this band's image, but maybe that's why Mano Negra never caught on in the United States. Their live performances won over audiences everywhere else though. I guess performing on your tour boat will do that. Imagine seeing an international group at your nearest port city. If that's not enough, how about traveling around Columbia via retired passenger train?

As inventive and intriguing as Mano Negra was, the nearly 10-member band soon ran out of steam. I guess some success in the U.S. market is necessary to remain relevant in the music scene. That's alright, Manu persevered and is now a world icon.

Cumbia del Tiempo

In honor of Manu's individuality, I'm going to break up the lista between posts. Here's a couple Mano Negra tracks to hold you over. I skipped videos though, because these songs are too good to be brought down by cheesy visuals.

1. "Long Long Nite"

2. "Mala Vida"

3. "Noche de Accion"

4. "Out of Time Man"

Se continua...

Una lista de música

Escucha!

Well there you have it. Pop is everywhere, so you might as well get a head start on people in the states and start listening to these artists. Hey, if you learn about these pop artists before they're big in the U.S., that would make you a pop-hipster(?). So here's some more éxitos to try.

1. Enrique Iglesias - "No Llores Por Mi"

2. Enrique Iglesias - "Nunca te Olvidare"

3. Belanova - "Aun"

4. Belanova - "Cada Que"

5. Belanova - "Dulce Fantasia"

Baila mi corazon,

DJ Gringuito

Belanova, muy bonita

Belanova

American crossover Spanish Pop is all well n' good, but there are other bands out there that make Enrique's music seem like Megadeth. The synth-pop music of Belanova does so without missing a beat. This Mexican trio of vocals, keyboard and bass are guilty pleasures for music lovers all over the world.

The closest comparison to Belanova is Aqua. Aqua might not be American, but their songs have certainly killed enough brain cells on this side of the pond. Don't worry, Belanova is much better and big names have requested their services. The band has worked with Disney Latin America (apparently everything in the U.S. exists in Latin America too as long as the words Latin America are slapped onto the end). The band even promoted for Pizza Hut, how cheesy is that!

Bad puns aside, Belanova has had a lot of commercial success. Their single "Por Ti" reigned at number 1 on MTV Mexico's show "Top 20" for 29 weeks. And you thought BSB had a stronghold on TRL back in the day. Even better, their third album, Fantasia Pop went Gold in three days. Oro en tres dias!

Give the album a listen and you'll see why. The lead singer's smooth, cutesy voice takes listeners to another planet, a pop world full of sunshine and rainbows. The aptly named album plays like a soundtrack to a dream.

It's a good thing I don't own a convertible, because songs like "Baila Mi Corazaon" ("My Heart Dances") would drive me to blast the speakers and sing my little, poppy heart out. By the time "Vestida de Azul" ("Blue Dress") came on, I would be stepping on the gas to avoid an ass kicking.

The band is so overly fabulous that you almost have to embrace it. If your friends catch you jamming out to "Por Esta Vez," enjoy it too much to seem sincere. While you're lost in a world of fluffy clouds and happiness, they'll think you're being funny. You could never get away with this with Hannah Montana songs.

Ándale, Enrique!

Enrique Iglesias

As the son of Spanish music royalty, Enrique has earned enough success to rightfully usurp the throne. Before he moved stateside, Enrique dominated the Spanish language scene. A few Latin Grammy Awards and a couple world tours grabbed the attention of music labels in the U.S. Enrique is not just a pop star, he's an international superstar!

When he invaded the English market, there was a surplus of Latin crossover artists like Marc Anthony, Shakira and Gloria Estefan. With all the competition, Enrique quickly distanced himself from the rest. Everyone and their mother rocked sus cuerpos to "Bailamos." Like most pop hits, kids grew tired of the song much quicker than their hip madres.

In case you haven't caught on, I'm the guy who defends Enrique Iglesias at parties. I'm not much of a fan anymore, but the guy served as a bridge into the vast world of Spanish music. That might not be the reason why I learned to play "Hero" on the guitar, but then again, I really don't have a good explanation for that.

His next two hits solidified his spot in my -- and the rest of America's -- heart. "Escape" and "Don't Turn Off the Lights" made me want to learn Spanish. No, not because the corny lyrics made me swoon. I was more interested in landing a babe like Anna Kournikova. The guy is badass, regardless of how fun and sappy his music might be.

Respéte el POP!

People seem to have a love/hate relationship with pop music. The looping beats and catchy refrains are infectious enough to lodge their way into our brains for days. We publicly badmouth that hot, new single until we're safe at home to blast it through our speakers.

If you think American pop music is trouble, check out these Spanish artists that will make your orejas perk up and your friends judge you. Chances are, you've already had a love affair with one of them, so don't think you're above Spanish pop.

Quieres hip hop? Mira aqui!

As reggaeton continues to monopolize the Spanish-language music scene, there are artists out there reclassifying the genre. In fact, these musicians are making a style all of their own. Hip hop has an immense following in the United States, but it is usually overshadowed in Spanish speaking countries because of reggaeton. These artists are making a statement by not following the worn, reggaeton path and people are noticing.

Calle 13

This duo of half-brothers from San Juan, Puerto Rico defy classification ...literally. They vehemently refuse to be labeled as reggaeton. They do, however, accept the categorization of hip hop.

Calle 13 is the Spanish equivalent of Slim Shady (no, not the minority-bashing Eminem, there's a difference). Their cheeky songs are full of parodies and jokes that parents disapprove of and teenagers idolize. The Intro track to their Residente o Visitante album warns listeners with a choir singing the type of Spanish slang that will be used in the disc, like jackass, little boy b!#^$ and a phrase involving male genitalia.

Whether that offends anybody doesn't seem to matter to award committees, because the duo leads the Latin Grammys with five nominations for this year's event. Their nominations include Album of the Year and Best Urban Music Album.

But these rabble rousers are not all jokes and shenanigans. They've made political statements that resulted in cancelled shows. A clever T-shirt commenting on a Colombian mayor's involvement in controversial military bases kept Calle 13 out of the country. These guys can't even find asylum in their own country. Comments about laid off government workers halted a performance in their hometown of San Juan. Ay caray!

These thick-skinned entertainers do have a soft side. Their song "Un Beso de Desayuno"make the sexually charged lyrics of Marvin Gaye fame seem like a nursery rhyme. If the Spanish is too much, look up a translation and try to disagree.

Calle 13 is clearly a talented pair, and their musical diversity supports their refusal to be classified. Their song "La Era de la Copiera" is a taunt to those artists trying to be like them, but they can relax because no one is coming close.

La Mala Rodriguez

Though she may not be Calle 13, Mala Rodriguez is doing her own thing and doing a damn fine job of it. Straight out of Spain, Mala adds more to Spanish hip hop than her smoking good looks.

Mala is the strong, sexy woman that every music genre needs (imagine Lil' Kim without the jail time). Her song "Nanai" includes the lyrics "look me in the eyes / you want to kill me / I'm not going down." Rhymes like those make her a hip hop artist, but Mala can sing like any other cantante out there.

"Volvere," the first song off her album Malamarismo showcases this feisty songbird's multiple skills. Her gentle coos lull listeners until she starts to rhyme. Before the song ends, she belts out "Yo soy / un mundo enterno." Goosebumps.

She's likely given the same feeling to stupefied listeners around the world. Songs like "Toca Toca" let listeners know that Mala is a strong woman in charge of her life even though she's surrounded by clowns like Calle 13. She knows the capability of her prowess when she rhymes "Besarme / Caida libre." Chances are, most do.

Calle 13 survived their interaction with the songstress and their product was magical. "Mala Suerta con el 13" is a sensual combination of Calle 13's macho tom foolery and Mala's gorgeous voice narrating the track. Their other collaboration, "Pal Norte," is a more upbeat and dance-inducing, but no less impressive.

Al Resto

Alright, that should be enough insight into the world of Spanish hip hop. These musicians are not the only artists on the scene, but a great place to start. Even though there are plenty of songs listed above, I had to leave you with my five extras.

1. Calle 13 - Cumbia de los Aburridos

2. Calle 13 - La Fokin Moda

3. Calle 13 - Uiyi Guaye

4. La Mala Rodriguez - Por la Noche

5. La Mala Rodriguez - La Loca

Salud,

DJ Gringuito

Let's Rock! / Vamos a Roquear!

Rock and roll is as American as apple pie. Too bad someone forgot to tell the world-renowned rockers of the Spanish-language world. These artists can do everything that their U.S. counterparts can, and even add a little Hispanic flare to it. While our rock stars make headlines for their raucous partying, these musicians are receiving international awards and causing international incidents.**

Maná

The kings of Spanish rock music are los miembros of Maná. These hombres have rocked Spanish mundo for 30 years. 30 years! They're the Mexican equivalent of U2, and they have the fan base to prove it. If millions of fans worldwide are not reason enough to give these guys a listen, consider their 50+ awards from Billboard, the Grammys and MTV.

The band even traveled to Miami, Florida in 1999 to perform an acoustic set for MTV Unplugged. Although the performance's CD only reached 83 on the Billboard Top 100, it dominated the Latin Billboard charts at number 1 for weeks.

Enough flattery, let's get back to the music. Maná does an excellent job of mixing essential base lines, guitar riffs and drum solos with indigenous Spanish music from both Latin and South America. And the lyrics are just as eclectic. The band sings of everything from faith and revolution to love and heartbreak.

One listen to the band's hit "Justicia, Tierra y Libertad" (Justice, Land and Liberty) could incite a revolution in anyone. An electric guitar drives the song while chorus chants that demand basic human necessities speak for all the unheard indios of the world. The same fervor can be heard in songs like "Nada Que Perder" (Nothing to Lose) and "Fe" (Faith).

Juanes

Now these musician / revolutionaries are not alone. Colombian-born Juanes is changing the world, raking in the records and swooning the mujeres all in a day's work. The man is a handsome diablo who could be considered the primary masculine sex symbol in the Spanish music world. If his looks and humanitarian work aren't enough, ladies, he was also honored by the government of France as a Knight of Arts and Letters.

Musically, he's just as diversely attractive and his lyrics are laden with tempting innuendos. The Dominican Republic banned his hit "La Camisa Negra" (The Black Shirt) because of its sexually suggestive themes. As offensive as that might seem, Juanes and his black shirt caused even more trouble in Italy. In 2005, los italianos suspected Juanes of fascist ties with his Nazi-rallying song supporting Mussolini followers who wore black shirts. Yikes!

Understandably, this grave misunderstanding did not affect Juanes' image at all. This human rights advocate has earned numerous awards for his coordinating international music festivals. His most recent festival, "Peace Without Borders," received major media attention and plenty of criticism when it was held in (still communist) Cuba. He explained that the controversial nation is a symbol of change and that people of the world need to change as well.

Escucha!

Out of all the of Spanish-language music out right now, Maná and Juanes are two of the easiest bands to enjoy. From light, poppy dance tunes to loud, fast jams, these musicians have something for everyone. If you're learning Spanish, this is the music you should be listening to for help. The best was to learn any language is full immersion into the culture, and the slow, enunciated lyrics of Maná and Juanes practically invite aspiring Hispano hablantes. Adding to the songs mentioned earlier, here are some great places to start your lesson.

1. Maná - Angel de Amor

2. Maná - No Voy a Ser Tu Esclavo

3. Maná - Labios Compartidos

4. Juanes - Es Por Ti

5. Juanes - Para Ser Eterno

Diviertate,

DJ Gringuito

**Disclaimer - There will be no embarrassing anecdotes this week.

Salsa

Salso: no, not the condiment, idiota.

Salsa is the term used for a wide variety of Spanish music. As a rhythm-less white guy from Southwestern Pennsylvania, I can say that this is the most exciting music that the Spanish mundo has to offer. But before I disclose all the embarrassing anecdotes of my attempts to enjoy salsa socially, a brief history lesson.

Salsa was not always known as salsa. In the revolutionary land of Cuba, salsa's precursor, son, was fused from African and Caribbean roots. I can easily say that two better music styles could not have been picked. No, not even Limp Bizkit's infamous Rap / Rock nonsense can top the upbeat tempos and audience participation that make salsa so fun. Sorry, Fred, your TRL fame cannot compete with decades of tradition.

Salsa bands are the equivalent of the big band orchestras that rocked the 30s and 40s of the Swing Era. Granted, cornerstones of the salsa band like claves and timbales had no place in the Glenn Miller Orchestra, but the two styles are quite similar in live performances. Both fill the stage with instruments to enliven the crowd onto the dance floor, and both rely on a lead vocalist to interact with the crowd.

Dayron y el Boom at Mambo Café in Mérida, Mexico showcase what to expect from the salsa experience: a full horn section, choreographed dance moves and, of course, a waterfall cascading in the background. Okay, maybe that last part is unique to Mambo Café, but you get the idea.

The major difference between these two genres is that Swing music faded into U.S. history, while Salsa continues to thrive in all areas of the Hispano hablante world. The music and dancing are embedded into Latin American culture. Everybody dances! The old couple in matching yellow outfits still move like they did when they were courting. The tough guys at the bar move their body in a dark club more than at the local gym. Back in the good ol' U.S. of A, most clubs are full of inebriated individuals trying their darnedest to practically fornicate on the dance floor. Where's the style, passion and culture in that?

Studying in México, I witnessed the craze that is salsa. From the gorgeous señorita to the lanky, ñoño,everyone knows how to dance. The innate ability to move their bodies so effortlessly is admirable. But rather than idly admire, I decided to join in the reverie.

Strike one.

My shoulder bobbing and foot stomping immediately attracted stares (as if being a half foot taller than everyone else on the dance floor wasn't enough).

In an effort to turn my luck around, I decided to approach girls asking "puedes enseñarme?" (can you teach me?).

Strike two.

If you're going to impress a member of the opposite sex on the dance floor, asking for a lesson is not the way. Embarrassment aside, failing at salsa was muchisimo more enjoyable than the classless bump and grind typical of dance clubs in the United States. Skill is required!

So I left México without any stories of sweeping a beautiful chica off her feet.

Strike three.

But in an effort to absorb some of the salsa culture, I have taken a few dance classes. Some were large groups of West Coast style salsa, and others taught New York style to small classes. Salsa truly is everywhere, and each place has its own variation of the music, dance and culture.

Now, I don't claim to be much better than I was in México, but as soon as restrictions are lifted from Cuba, you can be sure that this gringo will be on the first plane there to enjoy some cigars, mojitos, and an awkward dance or two. Who knows, maybe the mojitos will bring out the Marc Anthony in me.

Listen to any of these artists, and you'll be signing up for dance lessons as soon as you can find a place in Southeast Ohio that offers them. Qué chistoso! Good luck!

1. Celia Cruz

2. Johnny Pacheco

3. Wayne Gorbea

4. Ismael Rivera

5. Marc Anthony

Stay spicy,

DJ Gringuito

Reggaeton hits the states

Reggaeton is quite possibly the one Spanish music genre that receives the most exposure in the United States. Nearly every big city with an existing Hispanic community has a radio station dedicated to reggaeton. From Los Angeles to New York City, this recently popular music is everywhere. So if you still haven't heard any, open up your orejas already!

As the name suggests, reggaeton is a descendent of island-stye reggae music. But that's a whole different history lesson that you can learn on your own. The important history to know about reggaeton is that it is a mix of hip hop and dance hall music. Add in the ritmos from native Latin music like salsa or cumbia and reggaeton is born.

This new hybrid music invaded the United States by 2004. If your memory is fuzzy, I'll remind you that this was the summer that you heard Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" enough times that you were dreaming in Spanish. Lucky for us, this popular single was off Daddy Yankee's solid first release, Barrio Fino. His European counterpart, Don Omar, released the slightly less successful - but just as enjoyable - King of Kings in the same year. While these two were competing for the reggaeton crown, they actually opened the door for similar artists to expand the genre.

If your exposure to reggaeton is limited, know that it is more than just Spanish rap. A majority of the mainstream rap music in the United States seems to have a theme of materialism and masculinity. Recurring themes in reggaeton, however, are Hispanic pride, the people (la gente) and dancing. Some popular reggaeton song titles translate to "Bitter Life," "Feel the Boom" and "She Lifts Me Up."

Women in reggaeton are regarded with much more respect than American rap as well. The crass misogyny of U.S. rap is replaced by images of strong, beautiful women. "Perdoname" by La Factoria is a song about a cheating man who seeks forgiveness from a woman who is tired of his nonsense. Picture a rapping Beyonce full of attitude and sensuality. Ay caray!

While Spanish music is typically a great way to learn the Spanish language, reggaeton is not a good place to start. The tempos are fast and the letras fly by too quickly to be comprehended after one listen. But just because you can't understand the lyrics doesn't mean you can't move your feet. Even the lyrics seem to flow to with a rhythm that music in the U.S. does not have.

If you don't believe me, try these five songs. If they don't make you want to baila, then you need to check your pulse.

1. La Factoria ft. Eddy Lover - Perdoname

2. Da Family - Boom Boom Mama

3. Guajiros - Veo Veo

4. DJ Flex - Te Quiero

5. Wisin y Yandel - Sexy Movimiento

Vaya con musica,

DJ Gringuito