Research Essay
• Create a 9-page essay in MLA format about how Latin music has been a beneficial source of representation for the Latinx community in the US.
• Investigate the stereotypes, language barriers, and discrimination put on this community.
o For example, how lack of representation of Latin artists in music awards have made a negative impact on representation.
• On the other hand, investigate and highlight the positive consequences that the rise in popularity of Latin music has brought upon the growing Latinx/Hispanic community.
o Be specific on the positive impact (like how it is beneficial socially, politically, economically, etc.) and use examples.
• Use the sources provided below to develop arguments and include specific examples. May include new and related academic sources if necessary (no articles or blogs).
• Do not use any AI or plagiarized material, please cite everything accordingly.
• Drafted abstract: This essay will investigate the stereotypes and cultural barriers that Spanish speakers experience in the United States and how Latin music has created a positive impact on the representation of this community. The essay will cover topics such as the historical context of Latinos in the US, the role that music plays in this community, the stereotypes and obstacles that Latin artists experience, the social, political, and/or economic benefits that music brings to the community, and the importance of creating awareness about the movement and for Latin representation in the music industry and in American society. With its growing popularity in recent years, Latin music offers increased representation for the community of Latinos and Spanish speakers in the US.
• Sources to be used:
1. “Latin Music Has Changed American Culture Forever” by Leila Cobo for Billboard
The Latin American Music Awards is an important platform for recognizing Latin and Hispanic musical artists. The author, Leila Cobo, highlights the importance of Latin music in the United States. Cobo discusses how Latin music has grown exponentially. In the music industry, Latinos and Hispanics face many obstacles, including discrimination and underestimation. Cobo emphasizes the importance of increasing representation in the media. For this reason, the Latin AMAs provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Latin and Hispanic artists. This article is relevant to the topic of my essay because it highlights the social challenges that Latin artists face, even though they are the most popular artists of the moment, and also shows that they have found ways to celebrate their achievements among themselves.
2. “How Latin Music Has Changed American Pop Culture” by Isabelia Herrera for Vogue
This article by Isabelia Herrera highlights the growing popularity of Latin music in the United States and how this has helped Latin and Hispanic cultures enter the mainstream media. This means that Latin music has gained greater exposure in traditional media such as radio and television, which has helped Latin and Hispanic cultures gain greater representation and visibility in American society. This article is relevant to the topic of the essay because Herrera describes how collaborations between American and Latin artists in projects like “Despacito” and “Mi Gente” have attracted new audiences to Latin music. In this way, Latin artists have more exposure and use their platforms to present themes about social justice, stereotypes, and politics in their communities.
3. “‘Despacito,’ Bad Bunny, and how the world became obsessed with Latin music” by Nicole Forero
In the article, the author describes that recently the interest in Latin music has grown worldwide. Since the release of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s song, “Despacito,” the popularity of the Latin music industry has increased exponentially. The article also discusses the rise of artists like Bad Bunny, who has become one of the biggest Latin artists. The author reflects on the parallels between Latin music and the experiences of artists in the music industry and communities facing social barriers. This article is relevant to the topic of the essay because it highlights the experiences of Latin artists, the exponential global growth, and celebrates the increasing recognition and representation of Latin music in the mainstream media.
4. “What’s next for Latin music after the summer of ‘Despacito’?” by Julyssa Lopez for The Washington Post
This article is about the growing success of Latin music and the industry in general. After the huge success of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” the industry was looking for its next hit. The article discusses that Latin music has become more conventional and normalized recently, especially when collaborating with non-Latin artists who bring their own elements. For example, “Despacito” had much more success after the remix with Justin Bieber. In this way, the song had more exposure to a wider audience besides the Latin audience. This article is relevant to the essay because it highlights that although the genre is growing, artists still face many obstacles, such as limited representation and recognition in awards. Overall, the article describes that the genre has a lot of potential in the future.
5. “The “Grace” of Latin Music” by Sandra de la Riva
In this post, Sandra de la Riva offers a good account of the historical context of Latin music in American culture. Latin music has been present for many years and is now gaining more popularity. This article also presents that Latin music has impacted mainstream culture and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the artists who have created this impact. This post is relevant to the essay topic because it highlights many of the sub-themes that will be explored and thus offers more examples.
6. “Sonido: Understanding the Rise of Latin Music in the US” by Erica Nahmad
In this article, the author explores the growing Latino community in the United States. Nahmad also writes that Latin music has been present in the US for many decades, but its success in mainstream media is due to three factors: demographic changes, increased streaming platforms, and the influence of famous Latin artists. Nahmad also explores the diversity within Latin music due to the different genres it promotes. Nahmad wants to emphasize the importance of recognizing artists because they have a significant influence on American culture. This article is relevant to the essay because it provides more references to the history of Latin music and has many examples of influential artists in the culture. Additionally, the article makes many references to other themes that the essay will touch on.
7. “How Latin identity became fodder for content” by Manuela López Restrepo
In Manuela López Restrepo’s article, she examines the use of Latino culture in content creation and marketing. She notes that Latino identity has gained popularity recently, such as when brands use Latino artists or aesthetics for their content. The author highlights that this can have both positive and negative consequences because it promotes diversity and inclusivity but can also create more stereotypes and cultural appropriation as non-Latin creators benefit economically. This article is relevant to the essay because it highlights the economic benefits that Latino artists can have and the importance of giving credit and recognition to them.
8. “Latin Music’s Mushrooming Impact on American Popular Culture” by Leila Cobo
The Billboard article explores the impact of Latin music on American popular culture. The article highlights that Latin music has had a significant influence on other music genres. In addition, it discusses the rise of recently emerging Latin artists and how they have managed to get their music into mainstream media in the United States. The article also describes how through Latin music, artists have been able to touch on social and political issues. The article is relevant to the essay because it emphasizes how Latin music and artists have had a great influence on American culture, and how this increases the representation of the Latin community in the United States.
9. “Pop in Spanish in the U.S.: A Space to Articulate the Latino Identity” by Eduardo Viñuela
The paper “Pop in Spanish in the U.S.: A Space to Articulate the Latino Identity” by Eduardo Viñuela explores the role of Spanish-language pop music in the United States as a means of articulating Latino identity. The author argues that Spanish-language pop music offers a space for Latino musicians to express their identity and cultural heritage, and for Latino audiences to connect with their culture and community. The paper also examines the history and evolution of Spanish-language pop music in the U.S., including its commercial success and mainstream acceptance, as well as the challenges and criticisms it has faced. Overall, the paper highlights the significance of Spanish-language pop music as a cultural and social phenomenon in the U.S. Latino community.
Research Essay
• Create a 9-page essay in MLA format about how Latin music has been a beneficial source of representation for the Latinx community in the US.
• Investigate the stereotypes, language barriers, and discrimination put on this community.
o For example, how lack of representation of Latin artists in music awards have made a negative impact on representation.
• On the other hand, investigate and highlight the positive consequences that the rise in popularity of Latin music has brought upon the growing Latinx/Hispanic community.
o Be specific on the positive impact (like how it is beneficial socially, politically, economically, etc.) and use examples.
• Use the sources provided below to develop arguments and include specific examples. May include new and related academic sources if necessary (no articles or blogs).
• Do not use any AI or plagiarized material, please cite everything accordingly.
• Drafted abstract: This essay will investigate the stereotypes and cultural barriers that Spanish speakers experience in the United States and how Latin music has created a positive impact on the representation of this community. The essay will cover topics such as the historical context of Latinos in the US, the role that music plays in this community, the stereotypes and obstacles that Latin artists experience, the social, political, and/or economic benefits that music brings to the community, and the importance of creating awareness about the movement and for Latin representation in the music industry and in American society. With its growing popularity in recent years, Latin music offers increased representation for the community of Latinos and Spanish speakers in the US.
• Sources to be used:
1. “Latin Music Has Changed American Culture Forever” by Leila Cobo for Billboard
The Latin American Music Awards is an important platform for recognizing Latin and Hispanic musical artists. The author, Leila Cobo, highlights the importance of Latin music in the United States. Cobo discusses how Latin music has grown exponentially. In the music industry, Latinos and Hispanics face many obstacles, including discrimination and underestimation. Cobo emphasizes the importance of increasing representation in the media. For this reason, the Latin AMAs provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Latin and Hispanic artists. This article is relevant to the topic of my essay because it highlights the social challenges that Latin artists face, even though they are the most popular artists of the moment, and also shows that they have found ways to celebrate their achievements among themselves.
2. “How Latin Music Has Changed American Pop Culture” by Isabelia Herrera for Vogue
This article by Isabelia Herrera highlights the growing popularity of Latin music in the United States and how this has helped Latin and Hispanic cultures enter the mainstream media. This means that Latin music has gained greater exposure in traditional media such as radio and television, which has helped Latin and Hispanic cultures gain greater representation and visibility in American society. This article is relevant to the topic of the essay because Herrera describes how collaborations between American and Latin artists in projects like “Despacito” and “Mi Gente” have attracted new audiences to Latin music. In this way, Latin artists have more exposure and use their platforms to present themes about social justice, stereotypes, and politics in their communities.
3. “‘Despacito,’ Bad Bunny, and how the world became obsessed with Latin music” by Nicole Forero
In the article, the author describes that recently the interest in Latin music has grown worldwide. Since the release of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s song, “Despacito,” the popularity of the Latin music industry has increased exponentially. The article also discusses the rise of artists like Bad Bunny, who has become one of the biggest Latin artists. The author reflects on the parallels between Latin music and the experiences of artists in the music industry and communities facing social barriers. This article is relevant to the topic of the essay because it highlights the experiences of Latin artists, the exponential global growth, and celebrates the increasing recognition and representation of Latin music in the mainstream media.
4. “What’s next for Latin music after the summer of ‘Despacito’?” by Julyssa Lopez for The Washington Post
This article is about the growing success of Latin music and the industry in general. After the huge success of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” the industry was looking for its next hit. The article discusses that Latin music has become more conventional and normalized recently, especially when collaborating with non-Latin artists who bring their own elements. For example, “Despacito” had much more success after the remix with Justin Bieber. In this way, the song had more exposure to a wider audience besides the Latin audience. This article is relevant to the essay because it highlights that although the genre is growing, artists still face many obstacles, such as limited representation and recognition in awards. Overall, the article describes that the genre has a lot of potential in the future.
5. “The “Grace” of Latin Music” by Sandra de la Riva
In this post, Sandra de la Riva offers a good account of the historical context of Latin music in American culture. Latin music has been present for many years and is now gaining more popularity. This article also presents that Latin music has impacted mainstream culture and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the artists who have created this impact. This post is relevant to the essay topic because it highlights many of the sub-themes that will be explored and thus offers more examples.
6. “Sonido: Understanding the Rise of Latin Music in the US” by Erica Nahmad
In this article, the author explores the growing Latino community in the United States. Nahmad also writes that Latin music has been present in the US for many decades, but its success in mainstream media is due to three factors: demographic changes, increased streaming platforms, and the influence of famous Latin artists. Nahmad also explores the diversity within Latin music due to the different genres it promotes. Nahmad wants to emphasize the importance of recognizing artists because they have a significant influence on American culture. This article is relevant to the essay because it provides more references to the history of Latin music and has many examples of influential artists in the culture. Additionally, the article makes many references to other themes that the essay will touch on.
7. “How Latin identity became fodder for content” by Manuela López Restrepo
In Manuela López Restrepo’s article, she examines the use of Latino culture in content creation and marketing. She notes that Latino identity has gained popularity recently, such as when brands use Latino artists or aesthetics for their content. The author highlights that this can have both positive and negative consequences because it promotes diversity and inclusivity but can also create more stereotypes and cultural appropriation as non-Latin creators benefit economically. This article is relevant to the essay because it highlights the economic benefits that Latino artists can have and the importance of giving credit and recognition to them.
8. “Latin Music’s Mushrooming Impact on American Popular Culture” by Leila Cobo
The Billboard article explores the impact of Latin music on American popular culture. The article highlights that Latin music has had a significant influence on other music genres. In addition, it discusses the rise of recently emerging Latin artists and how they have managed to get their music into mainstream media in the United States. The article also describes how through Latin music, artists have been able to touch on social and political issues. The article is relevant to the essay because it emphasizes how Latin music and artists have had a great influence on American culture, and how this increases the representation of the Latin community in the United States.
9. “Pop in Spanish in the U.S.: A Space to Articulate the Latino Identity” by Eduardo Viñuela
The paper “Pop in Spanish in the U.S.: A Space to Articulate the Latino Identity” by Eduardo Viñuela explores the role of Spanish-language pop music in the United States as a means of articulating Latino identity. The author argues that Spanish-language pop music offers a space for Latino musicians to express their identity and cultural heritage, and for Latino audiences to connect with their culture and community. The paper also examines the history and evolution of Spanish-language pop music in the U.S., including its commercial success and mainstream acceptance, as well as the challenges and criticisms it has faced. Overall, the paper highlights the significance of Spanish-language pop music as a cultural and social phenomenon in the U.S. Latino community.