# Latin — Genre

> Music from Latin American traditions. Rhythmic, passionate, varied subgenres.

## Defining elements

- Latin rhythm (varies by country)
- Spanish or Portuguese (Brazil) language often
- Acoustic instruments (guitar central)
- Percussion-rich
- Variable tempo
- Emotional vocal delivery

## Sub-types

### Cuban / Caribbean
- **Salsa** — fast, complex (Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony)
- **Son cubano** — Cuban traditional (Buena Vista Social Club)
- **Bolero** — slow romantic
- **Mambo** — danceable big band
- **Cha-cha-cha** — Cuban dance

### Brazilian
- **Bossa nova** — soft, jazzy (João Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto)
- **Samba** — percussion-rich (Brazilian carnival)
- **MPB (Música Popular Brasileira)** — broad pop (Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil)

### Mexican
- **Mariachi** — trumpets + guitars + voice
- **Ranchera** — country-style
- **Banda** — brass-heavy
- **Norteño** — accordion-driven

### Modern Latin pop
- **Reggaeton** — see reggae.md (Latin dance)
- **Latin trap** — modern (Bad Bunny, Anuel AA)
- **Latin pop** — Shakira, Enrique Iglesias

### Argentinian
- **Tango** — passionate, accordion (Astor Piazzolla)

## Typical instrumentation (varies by sub-type)

- Spanish guitar (classical, flamenco)
- Latin percussion (congas, bongos, maracas, claves)
- Trumpet (mariachi, salsa)
- Accordion (norteño, tango)
- Piano (salsa, jazz Latin)
- Voice (passionate, emotional)

## Production characteristics

- Live band feel
- Acoustic instruments primary
- Percussion forward
- Vocal emotional
- Less compression than pop

## Lyrics direction

- Love (passionate)
- Heartbreak (deep)
- Cultural / national pride
- Social themes
- Family
- Often poetic / metaphorical

## For Suno

```
[Style: salsa, 105 BPM, F major, congas + bongos + claves + bass + 
piano montuno + trumpet section + male tenor vocal passionate Spanish 
language, live band feel, danceable groove]
```

## Examples

- Salsa: Celia Cruz, Héctor Lavoe, Marc Anthony
- Bossa: João Gilberto, Stan Getz
- Tango: Astor Piazzolla
- Modern: Bad Bunny, Shakira, Rosalía

## Avoid

- Generic "Latin" (specify sub-type)
- Wrong percussion for sub-type
- Cold production
- Generic Spanish lyrics