The Best Latin Music of 2021
Through Latin music, we are able to see the true range of the Latinx identity — the range of music that this genre encompasses spans multiple languages, cultures, and experiences in a way that no other musical category does. And the singles and albums that came out this year seem to reflect that diversity more than ever.
In the Latin music genre, we truly have it all, and this year's best releases allowed us to experience a bit of everything. From the pop stylings of Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro, to the unpredictable and lavish neoperreo of Cuban artist La Goony Chonga and the subtle instrumentality of Mexican vocalist-composer Silvana Estrada, 2021's best Latin music reflects the vast and expansive reach of this musical classification.
While the distinctions between these artists are more apparent than ever, the talent and musical prowess of these artists and their releases work to make a beautiful and complicated amalgamation of listening experiences. This year in Latin music proves that the genre continues to transcend all expectations. —Cat Sposato
Albums
Alea, Alborotá
Alborotá is a great new record by the Bronx-based, emerging Colombian singer-songwriter Alea. After being captivated by her at a NYC club gig in 2019, I awaited the release of this album produced with Mexican artist and producer Sinuhé Padilla Isunza. It's a genre-bender of original songs and covers that creatively break traditional Latin music molds, fusing jazz, blues, Mexican folk and Alea's strong Afro-Indigenous Colombian roots to express a sparkling show of artistry and self-affirming female power. —Marisa Arbona-Ruiz
Cimafunk, El Alimento
The Cuban singer and composer's masterful sophomore album is the soundtrack for a euphoric soul train, one that joyfully ambles between Havana and New Orleans. Cimafunk serves up funkadelic grooves, kinetically punctuated by Cuban rhythms such as guaguancó, cha-cha-cha and mambo, in the fine company of stellar guests such as Lupe Fiasco, CeeLo Green, Cuban icons Los Papines and, of course, Funkmaster General George
