THE 25 MOST FAMOUS SALSA SINGERS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

There are salsa singers who have stood out for their charisma, lyrics of their songs, passion when singing and acting, and idiosyncrasy of their voices. Among them are Héctor Lavoe, Willie Colón, Frankie Ruiz and others that we will mention in this article.

Salsa is characterized by the abundant use of percussions (harpsichord, maracas, conga, bongo, tambora, cowbell, etc.), which inherits from the African musical influence that permeated the Latin American Caribbean since colonial times.

As its name suggests, salsa is a mix of influences, rhythms and diverse musical proposals. His place of origin is still a matter of debate, but even as his popularity exploded in New York during the 1960s, the trace of his roots undoubtedly reaches as far as Cuba.

The son, the guaracha, the cha cha chá, the mambo and even the bolero were musical genres that contributed to the movement called Latin Jazz and that had a definitive influence on the emergence of the first salsa composers, arrangers, instrumentalists and singers.

Around 1970, in New York, the Fania All-Stars group was formed, bringing together many of those who would become the big names on the salsa scene. Powered by the record label Fania Records, this movement would continue to produce successful salsa acts until the late 1990s.

The 20 best salsa singers in history

Hector Lavoe

Source: JimmyPerez60 (1946-1993) One of the most recognized figures of the genre. This Puerto Rican-born singer recorded iconic songs like El Cantante.

Despite her success, her life came to a tragic end as she went through a long period of depression and died of complications from HIV.

Marc Anthony

Source: miggell1 https://www.flickr.com/photos/barbarroja/ (1968-) In addition to standing out as a salsa singer, this New York-born artist has dabbled in ballads, bolero and pop. He was married to actress and singer Jennifer Lopez for 7 years. As an actor he has participated in multiple productions.

Willie Colon

Source: Waccolon-sp (1950-) He was born in the borough of the Bronx, in New York, although of Puerto Rican parents. A skilled trombone player, he also stood out as a vocalist, becoming a definitive figure of the salsa genre from the 60's to the present.

Ruben Blades

Source: Gage Skidmore (1948-) Panamanian musician, developed much of his career in New York. His compositions are characterized by their political and protest load. It is one of the main references of the genre.

Johnny pacheco

Source: Hykso623 (1935-) Artist born in the Dominican Republic. He is considered the creator of the term Salsa to name the musical genre that he helped popularize.

Together with Jerry Masucci, he founded Fania Records, serving as CEO, creative director and music producer. In 1998 he was inducted into the Latin Music Hall of Fame.

Celia Cruz

Source: Ibrahim Arce (Narcy Studios photographer), most likely Úrsula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso, better known as Celia Cruz, was a Cuban singer, the most popular in her country's music. She is nicknamed "The Queen of the sauce".

Cheo feliciano

Source: Armagemela1 (1935-2014) Born in Puerto Rico, Feliciano was one of the original members of the Fania All-Stars. He tragically passed away in a car accident in his native Puerto Rico.

Oscar D'León

Source: hvd69 (1943-) Venezuelan Salsero, author of classic salsa songs such as Llorarás, published in 1975 when he belonged to the group La Dimensión Latina. In addition to being a vocalist, D'León is an outstanding double bass player.

Joe Arroyo

Source: Colores Mari (1955-2011) An artist of Colombian origin, Arroyo is considered one of the biggest salsa stars in his country. He was awarded a posthumous Grammy for his career in 2011.

Gilberto Santa Rosa

Source: Gobierno Municipal de Piñas (1962-) Also known as 'El Caballero de la Salsa', this Puerto Rican musician has stood out in the sub-genre of Romantic Salsa.

He has participated as a judge on the reality show The Voice in its Colombian version for two seasons.

Eddie santiago

Source: periodico el tiempo bogotael tiempo bogota (1955-) Salsero born in Puerto Rico and popularly known as 'The King of Romantic Salsa'.

In the beginning, she was a chorus girl for several singers before starting her solo career during the 1980s.

Andy Montanez

Source: Naza91 Andrés Montañez Rodríguez, better known by his stage name Andy Montañez, is a Puerto Rican salsa singer-songwriter, known nationally and internationally as "The Godfather of Salsa."

Charlie Aponte

Source: Top Stop Music Carlos Juan Aponte Cruz, better known as Charlie Aponte, is one of the soneros best known for his debut in El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, where he replaced Pellín Rodríguez in 1973.

Frankie Ruiz

Source: JimmyPerez60 (1958-1998) American singer of Puerto Rican descent, Ruiz was nicknamed 'El Papá de la Salsa'. He died at age 40 from liver complications. His influence on other salsa musicians is important and he continues to receive constant posthumous tributes to date.

Ismael miranda

(1950-) This Puerto Rican musician began his career very young and at 11 years of age he was already part of several vocal groups. He continues to act today and is also called 'El Niño Bonito de la Salsa'.

Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez

Source: User: Licenciadoboricua (1933-2000) Born in Puerto Rico, he was one of the original members of the Fania All Stars before beginning his successful solo career with his debut album El Conde.

Luis Enrique

Source: Luis_Enrique.jpg: jorgemejiaderivative work: Inefable001 (1962-) Known as 'El Príncipe de la Salsa', this Nicaraguan-born artist is a contemporary figure of the genre. Today he is a judge on the realilty show The Voice in its Peruvian version.

Victor Manuelle

Source: Jorge Mejía peralta from Managua, Nicaragua (1968-) Born in New York, of Puerto Rican origin, he was discovered by Gilberto Santa Rosa before launching his career in the sub-genre of Salsa Romántica.

Santiago Ceron

Santiago Cerón was a Dominican singer, musician and composer. He was one of the first Dominican singers to achieve international projection, especially in Latin music circles in New York.

Bobby cruz

Robert Cruz Ramos, better known as Bobby Cruz, is a salsa singer and evangelical pastor. With the pianist Richie Ray he formed a salsa group awarded with two gold Congos: the Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz orchestra.

Maelo Ruiz

Source: Walzate (1966-) North American singer of Puerto Rican descent, Ruiz began his career as a vocalist for the group Pedro Conga and its Orquesta Internacional. His solo career from 1994 has earned him multiple awards.

Ismael rivera

Source: Juanito Ismael Rivera, simply known by the nickname of Maelo, "El Sonero Mayor de Puerto Rico" and also as "El Brujo de Borinquen", was a Puerto Rican singer of the salsa genre. In the 1970s he was part of the Fania All Stars.

Jerry rivera

Source: Ary Ochoa (1973-) Born in Puerto Rico, he has specialized in Romantic Salsa. He is known as 'El Niño de la Salsa'.

Tito Nieves

Source: chispy2 (1958-) This Puerto Rican-born salsa singer is nicknamed 'El Pavarotti de la Salsa'. He began his career as a member of Héctor Lavoe's orchestra. He launched his solo career in 1987, originally recording Salsa in English.

José Alberto "The Canary"

(1958-) He was born in the Dominican Republic, but developed his career in Puerto Rico, a country where he reached the age of 7. He is one of the pioneers of the so-called Romantic Salsa and received the nickname 'El Canario' from his fans during the 1990s.

Galy galiano

Source: Pirobin77 (1958-) Colombian singer, performer of Salsa Romántica and other tropical genres. He stands out for being the first Colombian-born artist to appear on the Billboard list with three songs simultaneously.