|
|
THE
NUMBER
1's
In the age of music pirating and illegal downloads,
it takes something special to hit the top of album and song sales
charts something that lures buyers to music stores or iTunes. Many
names have graced the top of the chartsfrom some of our classic
favorites (think the fabulous Ms. Rivera) to some newcomers (like
Camila who burst onto the scene in 2007). Here are just some of
our favorites, and those who will become Latin music's American
legends.
 AVENTURA
The No. 1s:The Kings of Bachata, as they are
lovingly known by throngs of female fans, have
earned a name as the ladies’ men of Dominican
music. A boy band with musical chops, the
quartet not only performs, but also writes,
composes and arrange much of its own tunes.
The Chart-Toppers: Los Infieles was the first
No. 1 single off their fifth studio album KOB
Live. Like many Latin
artists their music has
become phenomenally
successful overseas,
selling hundreds of
thousands of copies in
Europe. This year their
Kings of Bachata: Sold
out at Madison Square
Garden is the No. 1
album on Billboard’s
Latin Tropical Albums
chart, where is has
stayed for 46 weeks.
LOS TEMERARIOS
The No. 1s: With 18 music hits under
their big belt buckles, Los Temerarios
have consistently charted every year
since 1990. This year brought their
latest No. 1 hit, Si Tu Te Vas.
The Chart-Toppers: Mexican
ranchera group Los Temerarios have
built their career on heartfelt ballads
and radio-friendly fare. It’s a formula
that has worked well, combined with
the undeniable Mexican sound and
perpetually current vibe that has lent
them credibility to generations of fans.
 CAMILA
The No. 1s: Early in 2008, the Mexican trio was still riding the wave of its incredibly
successful album Todo Cambio, which hit No. 1 on the Top Latin, Billboard 200, Hot Latin
and Latin Rock charts in 2007. The single of the same name also topped the charts, and
this year the band was nominated over and over again for several accolades.
The Chart-Toppers:Having only been on the music scene since 2006, the band’s short
lifespan has made its rapid ascent all the more impressive. Teamed with a band member
who was also a super producer, Mario Domm, bandmates Samo and Pablo Hurtado were
well equipped to catch the wave of pop success.
WISIN Y YANDEL
The No. 1s: In 2007 Wisin y Yandel
reached No. 1 with Los Extraterrestres, a record that kept them on
the charts through October.
The Chart-Toppers: Although Puerto
Rico’s favorite reggaeton duo seems
like a breath of fresh air, it has actually
been around since 2000. Working
steadily, W con Yandel (as they are
known) have been consistently charting since their 2005 mega-hit Rakata.
The two are also favorite collaborators,
working with R. Kelly, Aventura, Paris
Hilton, RBD and more.
 JENNI RIVERA
The No. 1s: Jenni Rivera’s 2008 album
Jenni was defi nitely not her fi rst album, but
it was her fi rst CD to fi nd a home at No. 1.
Others have come close, including the her
2007 release Mi Vida Loca.
The Chart-Toppers: One of the very few
women to climb the Latin charts, Ms. Rivera is considered a queen of banda, staking
her place as a major female player on the
scene since the 1990s. As with other strong
Latin women performers—think Gloria
Estefan—Rivera’s followers jump when an
album is released. Massive touring hasn’t
hurt her either, as she is well-known as a
fantastic live performer. Rivera has brought
women into the spotlight in a genre satisfi ed with keeping them in the sidelines
LUIS FONSI
The No. 1s: Fonsi began his flirtation
with the top of the chart in 2000
with the single Inaginame Sin Ti,
and since then it’s been a steady
relationship. His latest No. 1 was this
year when both his album Palabras
del Silencio and the single No Me Doy
Por Vencido took the top slot.
The Chart-Toppers: Battling
Enrique Iglesias as the top male
crooner in the eyes and hearts of
young female fans, Fonsi has earned
his stripes as a pop star. He has
painstakingly worked to create a
following. It was his fifth album that
really made Fonsi a star.
 DADDY YANKEE
The No. 1s: What was originally designed to be the soundtrack for the film El
Talento del Barrio actually became a very successful solo album for the father of
reggaeton. The album of the same name took the top spot in the Top Latin Album’s
list back in September.
The Chart-Toppers: The album was largely composed by Daddy Yankee (real
name Raymond Ayala) and took listeners back to Daddy’s roots—pure Spanish,
and with some club-ready mixes. Daddy is certainly no stranger to the top spots.
in 2006, he dominated with the track Rompe, and of course his album Barrio Fino
was the first reggaton album to reach the chart’s top spot.
|
