FREE ESSAY ON LATIN MUSIC:HERE TO STAY OR GONE TOMORROW?

LATIN MUSIC:HERE TO STAY OR GONE TOMORROW?

Latin Music:
Here to Stay or Gone Tomorrow?
By
Shannon Bell
Outline
Thesis sentence: The music industry has experienced a drastic impact as a result of the
rise in Latino Music. The increased popularity shows a rise in CD purchases, Latino
stardom, and the ethnic values of an old culture. The impact has also influenced
relations between the United States and Latin America.
I. Latin American music represents the Hispanic culture of the artist.
II. The artists express individuality influenced by the region they came from, Cuba,
Puerto Rico, Chili, or Brazil.
III. While Latin hits top the charts in the United States the musicians influence: 
A. Issues surrounding differences in American and Latin culture.
B. Politics and policies in the United States that have had a long 
affect on Hispanic social acceptance issues.
IV. Critics review the increase in popularity of Latin music as temporary and will
decline in time stating. An essential element of a great era is rated by the amount of
time the musician spends in the studio.
A. Lengthy production time will cause a decline in sales.
B. BMG and EMI are two of the famous music labels making investments in the Latin Music
craze.
The music industry has experienced a drastic impact as a result of the rise in Latino
Music. The increased popularity shows a rise in CD purchases, Latino stardom, and the
ethnic values of an old culture. The impact has also influenced relations between the
United States and Latin America. The cultural expression in the music and popularity of
artists have paved the way, or broken the ice for the Latin image in the United States
and surrounding continents. Author John Lannert, whose works are the most up to date on
the subject asks the question "...will the current passion for Latino artists be
ultimately deemed a summer fling?" (Lannert, Latin).
In order to examine the effects of this trend, one must understand where this culture has
originated their music expressions and content. The relation between the United States
and Latin culture has always been set through policies and politics. Those in political
power were often ignorant of cultural values. The past events have become unimportant
because of the social view gained from Latin music as it breaks down barriers of a biased
society. 
As stated by Lannert in his article "Diversity, Inclusion are 'In'": "In 1997, Cuban
Bands were barred from conference showcases after Miami-Dade County Officials threatened
to pull funding if organizers allowed them to appear." Times change, just "[l]ast
year...several Cuban groups played a triumphant concert at the Miami Beach Convention
Center, despite the presence of Cuban exile protesters and a bomb threat. Secondly, it
risks the increase in record label crimes in the music industry such as piracy. "Apart
from chronically erratic economies that dampen album sales, Latin American record
industry suffered more than ever from piracy." (Lannert, Year) Aside from the uncertainty
of cash flow with Latin American society, the Latin music labels had a tremendous loss in
sales due to piracy. It is the popularity of music that influences people making them
more willing to break the law, as with any other rising profit. 
The influence of Latin American music begins to represent the Hispanic culture as a
whole, showing their individuality amongst up and coming artists. In recent years, the
Latin culture has desperately been trying to grow. From famous artists such as Richie
Valens, bringing forth the major hit "La Bamba" and followed by Los Lobos remake of the
song in 1987, to the final victory of chart topping hits such Ricky Martin's "Livin la
Vida Loca," and Jennifer Lopez's album "On the Six," it seems there will not be an end to
this growth. The various artists of the Latin music industry have developed their own
style. Martin's extraordinary use of the horns and Lopez's focus on the Latin dance beat
shows how differently Latin music can be performed.
By making chart-topping hits, the musicians will begin to lead diverse attitudes towards
the importance of social issues surrounding American and Latin culture. From the
beginning, Latin music started with the Inca's use of instruments with a combination of
other very different cultures. The Indies had their own type of music and so did the
[black culture]. (Wilgus 109) Because of the vastness in diversity "new musical
characteristics were introduced (Wilgus 109)." As a result, different regions of
settlement produced various types of music. The combination of musical instruments
between the Latin American culture with Incas and Mexican natives. "The Incas used
instruments, such as drums, whistling jars, pipes, rattles, whistles, etc., while in
Mexico the natives used the drums, horns, seashells, and the flute (Wilgus 109)." When
they added strings to the bass and treble the Latin beat began to form. 
Michael J. Kryzanek, a professor of political science and Carribean specialist stated in
his book, U.S. - Latin American Relations: 
One of the more active government agencies in recent years is the United States
Information Agency (USIA). Known abroad as the United States Information Service (USIS),
this agency is responsible for educational and cultural exchange programs and for the
dissemination of news and information about the United States. At US embassies, many of
these duties were handled by the public affairs office, but in some countries the work of
the embassy is supplemented by the development of 'American Centers' which may include
libraries, exhibit halls, lecture facilities, and movie theaters...(Kryzanek, 109). 
This book, copyrighted in 1985, represents the social standing views of the cultural
aspect of Latin America. Today, the focus is more an adapting to their cultural diversity
rather the U.S. setting standards for them to abide by. There are many differences
between cultures, and it is the job of society to view these differences as they are and
not form a biased opinion about growth of interest involved.
Latin Music will continue on its track of ascension and become known in the history books
as the beginning of a new music "genre," as stated by John Lannert. Many critics say the
increase in the stardom of Latin music will decline with time. "However, the RIAA's
(Recording Industry Association of America) 1999 report contrasts with its 1998 Hispanic
midyear report, which showed a six-month unit growth rate of 17 [percent] and a dollar
growth rate of 24 percent (Lannert, U.S. Latin)." When comparing the sales of the
previous years to now it shows a slight decline. "Moreover, the RIAA's 1997 Hispanic
midyear report pegged unit growth at 22.8 [percent] and dollar growth at 25.1 [percent].
Contributing, in large part, to the industry slowdown are steep declines in unit and
dollar growth of CDs." (Lannert, U.S. Latin). The length of time it takes to make a
recording, there might be a slight decline in sales. The essential element in becoming
part of a great era of music is spending time in the studio. Many of the recording labels
will begin to take on more of the Latin music artists than they have before. Some of the
most famous record labels such as EMI and BMG have decided to become a part of this craze
and consider it an investment. 
People should not concentrate on when the rise will end, but what will be in store next
for the new wave of music spreading through many cultures. Thomas D. Mottola,
chairman/CEO of Sony Music Entertainment says, "The sky is the limit, because the eyes
and ears of the public are much more open to yet another great, great form of music"
(qtd. in Lannert, Latin). In the future, there will not be a gradual disappearance of
this national up rise in Latin music; on the contrary, it will still be around. 
Mrs. Waters
ENC 1101-22M
23 November 1999
Bibliography
Works Cited
Kryzanek, Micheal J. U.S. - Latin American Relations New York: Praeger, 1985.
Lannert, John. Diversity, Inclusion Are 'In' 4 Sept. 1999. Billboard. 4 Oct. 1999 
http://www.brevard.cc.fl.us/lrc/>.
---. Latin Music Is No Passing Fancy. 18 Sept. 1999. Billboard. 8 Oct. 1999 
.
---. U.S. Latin Market Slows a Bit After Explosive Growth. 4 Sept. 1999. Billboard. 4
Oct. 1999 
.
Wilgus, A. Curtis and Raul D'Eca. Latin American History: A Summary of Political,
Economic,
Social, and Cultural Events from 1492 to the Present New York: Barnes, 1963.