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Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time, Ranked: Staff Picks
Discover Billboard's Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists, celebrating female icons who’ve defined the genre and inspired generations through their music.
Image Credit: Lorne Thomson/Redferns Omara Portuondo gained worldwide recognition in 1997 as part of Buena Vista Social Club, a project organized by World Circuit executive Nick Gold, produced by American guitarist Ry Cooder, and directed by Juan de Marcos González, who brought together a dozen veteran Cuban musicians to showcase styles such as son, bolero, and danzón. With dozens of chart hits as part of Miami Sound Machine — the group that gifted us “Conga” and “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” in the ’80s — and later with her first Spanish album, the Grammy-winning Mi Tierra — the Cuban-American singer-songwriter (along with her husband, visionary producer Emilio Estefan) was “Abriendo Puertas” (Opening Doors), as her song says, infusing Latin flavor into English pop music while singing in her native language. Known in every corner of the planet for her versatile musical offerings, a powerful and instantly recognizable voice, profound lyrics, unique choreography and stunning live show, the Colombian singer-songwriter achieved groundbreaking crossover success with her first English-language album, Laundry Service, at the turn of the millennium — and she has managed to remain a global superstar ever since.
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