Back in the ’80s, I became aware of a kind of music called “Latin hip- hop,” even though it wasn’t hip-hop.It was electronic dance music with melodramatic singing... in the style of “I.O.U.” and “Let the Music Play.”
I bought a few of the 12-inches, including two by Judy Torres. Soon, I wasn’t hearing about Latin hip-hop anymore.
Recently I discovered that this music is now called “freestyle” (or “Latin freestyle”) and it still has fans. Artists such as Ms. Torres (the “Queen of Freestyle”) are out there singing their old hits.
The Latinos seem to dig it. So I’m spinning this one for Hispanic Heritage Month.
david, did you know this is italian heritage month, too? think you could find us some ital music that has the special UBM blessing?
ReplyDeleteapparently it's a two-fer:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.umuc.edu/diversity/italian.shtml
^ I did not know October was Italian Heritage Month... and also Polish Heritage Month.
ReplyDeleteI think I draw the line at polkas. But I definitely might dip into some classic Italian doo-wop before the month is out.
Thanks for the heads-up!
sounds good thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWe used to call it "LA Disco" before we knew that it was called "Freestyle".
ReplyDeleteIt seemed that Miami dominated this genre but LA and New York had a few acts as well.
(Nocera might fill your Italian Heritage Month slot with her Freestyle club hit "Summertime, Summertime..")