Most Downloaded Latin Artists Named
The recently published global download survey carried out by Nokia’s Ovi Music confirmed what Shakira fans no doubt already knew – for the second year running, the popular Colombian singer took the top spot for most downloaded Latin artist. She takes top honors on the download charts in more than thirty-eight countries. Moreover, no less than five of her songs feature among the ten most popular Latin songs worldwide. Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) was the most downloaded song of 2010 – and is still riding high. The other songs featured in the Top Ten are: She Wolf at #3; Loca at #5; Gypsey at # 8; and Hips Don’t Lie at #9.
The other artists that featured in the top ten are (in order): Pitbull (USA); Alejandro Fernandez (Mexico); Vincente Fernandez (Mexico); La Arrolladora Bande El Lima De Rene Camacho (Mexico); Lena (Cuba); Mana (Mexico); Raul Seixas (Brazil); Wisin Y Yandel (Puerto Rico); and Jose Jose (Mexico) – revealing that Mexico has loads of talent.
Having been nominated for thirteen awards at the 2011 Billboard Latin Music Awards, clearly Shakira’s dance-along, sing-along style is hitting the right chord with her fans. Among her nominations are ‘Latin Artist of the Year’ and ‘Hot Latin Songs Female Artist of the Year’. Other artists nominated for the 2011 Billboard Latin Music Awards to take place on 26-28 April, include Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias, and Chino Y Nacho.
Opinions on what defines Latin music differ quite extensively. Geographically it includes music from South and Central America, as well as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Portugal, Spain, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. However, in the past few decades, for a variety of reasons, people have moved away from their homelands, taking their music with them, making it impossible to define Latin music by geographic location any longer. Latin music is readily identified with the Spanish language. But with the Portuguese language of Brazil and Portugal, and English speaking urban areas contributing to Latin music, it is not restricted to Spanish. With salsa, tango, cumbia, bossa nova, samba, mambo, bomba, plena, merengue, ranchera and other traditional Latin genres being joined by Latin rap, hip-hop, pop and jazz, maybe Latin music is all about what touches your heart and moves your soul – no matter where you are.
