Latin R&B (also known as Spanish R&B) is a style of R&B that originated in Latin America and the United States. It is a musical subgenre of American contemporary R&B and Latin soul that also takes influence from dancehall.[1] The genre began to gain popularity in the late 2010s and has since spread throughout Latin America.
Characteristics
Vocals include a majority of singing and occasionally rapping, in Spanish. The lyrics in Latin R&B are often about sadness, heartbreak, and sex.[1]
History
Latin R&B can trace its roots to Latin pop songs with an American R&B and new jack swing influence, such as the Selena/Barrio Boyzz song "Donde Quiera Que Estés" released in 1994.[2] According to Rolling Stone, Spanish-language singles by Álex Rose, Rauw Alejandro and Paloma Mami, which borrow from R&B, reached a global audience.[1] In Latin America, the genre became popular with Álex Rose's "Toda",[1]Dalex's "Pa Mí" and "Cuaderno",[3] and most notably Sech's "Otro Trago",[4] which peaked in number one in Spain, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico.[5] In the United States, "Otro Trago" reached the top of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and peaked at No. 34 in the Hot 100.[6]