Top 10 Latin Pop Songs of 2012
Stephen Lovekin / Ethan Miller (2), Getty Images
From Enrique Iglesias to Shakira, the list of the Top 10 Latin Pop Songs of 2012 features some of the most successful singers in the world. The widespread appeal of the genre is evidenced by the fact that even American and British R&B stars like Chris Brown and Jay Sean are rushing to appear on music by emerging Latin artists. Check out the wide range of styles and influences, including tropical, soul and hip-hop, in PopCrush’s list of the Top 10 Latin Pop Songs of 2012.
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‘Follow the Leader’
Wisin & Yandel Feat. Jennifer Lopez
For her curtain call on ‘American Idol,’ Jennifer Lopez elected to sing ‘Follow the Leader,’ her collaboration with Wisin & Yandel. They performed the song on the ‘Idol’ Season 11 finale, just as it was shooting up the Latin Tropical Airplay chart. Over South American-inspired rhythms, J. Lo teases, “Baby, the way that I’m working my body / I can tell that you already like it / I’ll make you lose your cabeza.”
‘La Diabla’
Romeo Santos
Romeo Santos became a Latin pop superstar during his years in the bachata group Adventura. As a solo artist, he has continued to rack up hit singles and has performed with Usher, Diddy, and Lil Wayne. ‘La Diabla,’ a track about a she-devil who takes advantage of unsuspecting men like him and toys with their hearts, topped both the Latin and Tropical charts in 2012.
‘Addicted to You’
Shakira
Shakira’s hips still don’t lie, and on ‘Addicted to You,’ she gets everybody’s hips moving with a pulsing beat and lively horns. The song from the singer’s ‘Sale el Sol’ album is entirely in Spanish aside from the hook, “Baby I’m addicted to you.” Viewers may become addicted to the music video, which features Shakira lying in a bathtub and dancing sensually in a tight dress.
‘Incondicional’
Prince Royce
Prince Royce has continued to reach new heights since our interview with him last year. He scored three consecutive No. 1 hits on the Latin Songs chart in 2012, including ‘Incondicional,’ a single from his ‘Phase II’ album that provides an unexpected fusion of bachata and mariachi music, along with a breezy melody and Royce’s words about selfless giving and unconditional love.
‘Get It Started’
Pitbull Feat. Shakira
Shakira once turned down repeated requests to appear on Pitbull’s smash hit ‘Give Me Everything,’ but she took up his offer to collaborate on ‘Get It Started,’ which finds her and Mr. Worldwide taking their music to the club with a frenzied Eurodance-style beat. On the only song in our Top 10 that’s entirely in English, Pitbull compares himself to Tom Cruise and Muhammad Ali and brags about dropping the ball in Times Square.
Enter Value
‘Bebe Bonita’
Chino & Nacho feat. Jay Sean
Jay Sean guests on ‘Bebe Bonita,’ a soulful pop track that became a big hit for Venezuelan duo Chino & Nacho, who have survived their early days in a boy band to become stars on their own. Sean adds his smooth R&B touch to the track, singing, “Girl, out of everyone you stand out / And without even trying, girl you know you shine,” while Chino & Nacho add bilingual lyrics about their perfect ‘Pretty Baby.’
‘Hasta Que Salga de Sol’
Don Omar
Puerto Rican reggaeton star Don Omar won the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album for ‘Meet the Orphans 2: New Generation.’ The record’s opening track, ‘Hasta Que Salga de Sol,’ translates as ‘Until the Sun Comes Up,’ and describes how long Omar wants to party. Omar orders listeners to raise their beers and dance until they break their hips. That’s an intense celebration!
‘Corre!’
Jesse & Joy
Mexican duo Jesse & Joy were the big winners at the 2012 Latin Grammy Awards, pocketing four trophies, including Record and Song of the Year for the piano-driven breakup ballad ‘Corre!’ The song evokes heavy emotions as Joy tells the story of a relationship that has run its course. She sings painful lyrics that translate as, “You look at me differently / You hug me and I don’t feel your warmth anymore.”
‘Finally Found You’
Enrique Iglesias Feat. Daddy Yankee
‘Finally Found You,’ the latest hit from Latin pop king Enrique Iglesias, features Sammy Adams on the radio version, but a second recording featuring Daddy Yankee was issued for the Latin pop market. The catchy track with fluttering synths and lyrics that describe Enrique meeting the girl of his dreams became the singer’s 23rd No. 1 hit on the Billboard Latin Songs chart, extending his own record for most chart-toppers in history.
‘Algo Me Gusta de Ti’
Wisin & Yandel Feat. Chris Brown & T-Pain
Puerto Rican hitmakers Wisin & Yandel enlist two of R&B’s biggest names, Chris Brown and T-Pain, for their No. 1 dance-pop smash ‘Algo Me Gusta de Ti. “I’m your man / I need your body / Can I take you there?,” Breezy asks over an electro dance beat that recalls many of his own hit songs. In the energetic music video, all four men dance and hang out with a house full of ladies. The party anthem caps off our list of the Top 10 Latin Pop Songs of 2012.
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