An introduction to Spanish and Latin American music
The Spanish Obsessive · Updated 3 October 2026
While I can’t claim to be an authority on Spanish music, I’ve listened to a large amount of it over time and have heard enough to sort the wheat from the chaff (and there is a lot of chaff). I also won’t claim that this is in any way a definitive list (for all you purists out there!), but does provide genuinely decent music, and hopefully will act as a gateway, indeed an introduction, to Spanish and Latin American music. Here are some of my favourite bands and artists:
Music from Spain
D’Callaos
Playing out of Barcelona, this band could be described as new flamenco and are a good, easy introduction to modern Spanish flamenco. There’s not a huge amount of information about them, but their album El borde donde se termina el mar is a good place to start. Surely the highlight of D’Callaos comes from the lead singer’s (“La Canija”) warm, earthy voice.
Listen to
One of their earlier songs, Se fue la luz was recorded in a cafe somewhere in Madrid. I’d love to stumble across more of this – beautiful.
Estrella Morente
Daughter to famous flamenco singer (Cantaor) Enrique Morente, Estrella had flamenco in her blood from the day she was born. It was inevitable that as a flamenco singer Estrella was destined for big things. One of the most popular flamenco singers now, she performed with her father from the age of seven, and was the voice behind Penélope Cruz in the song Volver (“Return”), from the film of the same name.
Listen to
Alcazaba, taken from the album Mi Cante y un Poema (“My Songs and a Poem”), evokes Granada’s Alhambra.
Canteca de Macao
Another Spanish flamenco band, hailing this time from Madrid. Formed of 9 members, Canteca de Macao play their own hybrid music, combining flamenco sounds with ska and reggae. They released the album Nunca Es Tarde (“It’s never too late”) in 2012.
Listen to
Their album Agua pa’la tierra (“Water for the earth”) is a well put together, thoughtful album. The final song La Lumbre (“The light”) is particularly poignant:
Manu Chao
If you haven’t listened to music in Spanish before, Manu Chao should be one of your first stops. With roots in punk, rock, reggae and ska, Manu Chao never seems to have made it much beyond Europe and Latin America, where his messages (in Spanish, English, French, Russian, Arabic…) of love, drugs and immigration have hit home. He’s also a fantastic, frenetic live performer.
Listen to
La Radiolina, Clandestino – his live album Radio Bemba Sound System is on Spotify.
Chambao
Chambao are the originators of a new form of flamenco known as “Flamenco Chill”, and have been around since 2002, with the release of their first album, also called “Flamenco Chill”. It’s relaxed, chilled, and also serves as a nice introduction to getting into pure flamenco – many of their songs are re-workings of classic flamenco songs.
Listen to
I’m a big fan of the compilation Caminando 2001–2006, and the song I’ve selected is taken from that. Volando voy (roughly “I’m flying”) is a song originally written by Kiko Veneno, then recorded by flamenco legend Camarón de la Isla, with this great cover by Chambao:
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Latin American music
Bomba Estéreo
Describing themselves as “electro tropical”, Bomba Estéreo is a Colombian band formed in Bogotá in 2005. Their breakthrough album, Estalla (“Explode”), went down a storm in Colombia and much of South America, and they’ve released several more since. Bomba Estéreo fuse traditional Colombian “Cumbia” with electro music, and combine this with a talented vocalist/MC by the name of Liliana Saumet.
Listen to
Fuego, the best known track on the album. I’d recommend the whole album, as well!
Calle 13
Two stepbrothers, Residente and Visitante, form Calle 13 – a multiple Latin Grammy-winning hip hop/reggaeton band from Puerto Rico. Calle 13’s music is well known for its eclecticism, both in the style and contents. Songs cover social issues and culture from around Latin America, and Calle 13 often seem to be the voice of Latin America – they’re certainly popular all over the continent. A personal favourite is their 2010 album Entren los que quieran (“Let in whoever wants to”), although earlier songs were more inflammatory in substance, such as Querido FBI (“Dear FBI”), an open letter to the FBI produced after the death of a leader of the Puerto Rican revolutionary group, who was killed during arrest by the FBI.
Listen to
A song detailing life as an immigrant, P’al norte (“to the North”) won the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Song:
Buena Vista Social Club
Originally a members’ club in Havana, Cuba, Buena Vista Social Club rose to world prominence in the 1990s, when American guitarist Ry Cooder came to Havana to record with veteran Cuban musicians, some of whom had played at the club decades earlier. What followed was an award-winning album and documentary, and a world tour for these veterans. Buena Vista Social Club play Cuban dance music, including salsa and bolero.
Listen to
The self-titled album is what emerged from the documentary and recording process, and this is what to listen to. The best-known track is Chan Chan:
Orishas
Formed in Cuba in 1999, Orishas initially appealed to a Cuban youth yearning for the sounds of African American culture. Primarily a hip hop band, Orishas are also a mixture of traditional Latin and Cuban sounds.
Listen to
A cover of Chan Chan, which we already heard from Buena Vista Social Club. For an album, you can’t go wrong with A Lo Cubano (“The Cuban Way”), released in 1999.
1 response
Great music list! I enjoyed thoroughly, especially Calle 13 and Bomba Estereo. They are my favorites. I also enjoy Systema Solar and Mexican Institute of Sound, check them out! Music is a major learning tool, I hope this list continues to grow. 🙂