Salsa Music Surges in Popularity, Led by Bad Bunny and Gen Z
Salsa music has witnessed a remarkable resurgence worldwide, with streaming numbers surging by over 140 percent in the past five years, particularly in the U.S. This cultural shift is driven by nostalgia, platform power, and a new generation of listeners and artists.
The revival can be attributed to various factors. Bad Bunny's latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, dominated charts and sparked conversations about Grammy recognition for reggaeton and Latin trap artists. His track 'Baile Inolvidable', along with Oscar D'León's 'Llorarás' and Frankie Ruiz's 'Tú Con É́l', are among the most-streamed salsa tracks globally in the past year.
Rauw Alejandro's album Cosa Nuestra, featuring tropical influences and salsa rhythms, also contributed to this trend. His version of 'Tú Con É́l' and Marc Anthony's 'Vivir Mi Vida' were among the most-shared salsa songs worldwide. Gen Z listeners are at the forefront of this resurgence, embracing next-gen salsa artists who blend traditional Latin sounds with modern influences.
The increase in salsa streaming, fueled by nostalgia and platform power, is a testament to the genre's enduring appeal. Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro, among others, are driving this cultural shift, with Gen Z leading the way in listenership. As traditional salsa fuses with modern influences, the future of the genre looks vibrant and exciting.
