Latin American music in the United States

Latin American music in the United States encompasses musical traditions originating from Spanish, Portuguese, and occasionally French-speaking countries and territories of Latin America, as well as the distinctive styles that have developed within Latino communities in the United States. Latin American musical traditions have significantly influenced the development of American popular music since the early 20th century, shaping genres including jazz, rhythm and blues, and country music. This cross-cultural exchange has resulted in the emergence of hybrid styles unique to the United States, such as salsa, New Mexico music, Tejano, and Western music. Additionally, fusion genres including Chicano rock, Nuyorican rap, and Chicano rap have developed within Latin American diaspora communities, reflecting their cultural identities and experiences.

The U.S. music industry defines "Latin music" as any musical release with lyrics predominantly in Spanish, regardless of the artist's origin or the music's geographic source, a broader definition than the geographic and cultural understanding of Latin American music. Since the early 21st century, Latin music has experienced substantial commercial growth in the United States, facilitated by streaming platforms, recorded music sales, and live performance revenues. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Latin music revenue grew approximately 24 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, significantly exceeding the overall recording industry growth rate of 6 percent for the same period. By 2022, Latin music represented nearly 7 percent of the total U.S. recorded music market, an increase from approximately 6 percent the previous year, reflecting both expanding domestic audiences within Latino communities and increasing mainstream crossover appeal.