List of number-one Billboard Tropical Albums from the 1980s
Encyclopedia
The Billboard Tropical Albums chart
, published in Billboard magazine
, is a record chart
that features Latin music sales information. This data are compiled by Nielsen SoundScan
from a sample that includes music stores, music departments at electronics and department stores, Internet sales (both physical and digital) and verifiable sales from concert venues
in the United States.
The Tropical Albums chart was first of the three Latin-related charts (along with Latin Pop Albums
and Regional Mexican Albums
) published on June 29, 1985, eight years before the Top Latin Album survey which began on July 10, 1993. The data for this chart was published every two weeks, unlike most Billboard charts.
At the time of the chart's introduction, a softer form of salsa
known as salsa romantica
had emerged in the mid-1980s. This new form of salsa led musicians such as Eddie Santiago
, Frankie Ruiz
, and Luis Enrique
to dominate the chart throughout the 1980s.
The first album to reach number-one on the Tropical Albums chart was Innovations
by Puerto Rican
musician group, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. The album remained number-one for 24 consecutive weeks until being replaced by their next album, Y Su Pueblo
. Romantico y Sabroso
, another studio album by the group that reached number-one on the Tropical Albums chart was their crossover attempt in the salsa romantica genre. In addition, a compilation album related to the group reach number-one on the chart.
Frankie Ruiz
became the first solo performer to reach number-one with his debut album, Solista Pero No Solo
. Two other album by Ruiz including Voy Pa' Encima
and a compilation album reached number-one the Tropical Album charts.
Cuban duo performers Hansel & Raul reached number-one with their album, La Magia de.
Three albums by Eddie Santiago
reached number-one on the Tropical Album chart. The first album was Atrevido y Diferente
which was the debut album for Santiago. The follow-up album, Sigo Atrevido
was the second album to reach number-one on the chart and received a Grammy Award
-nomination for Best Tropical Latin Performance.
Salsa bandleader Tommy Olivencia
released an album
to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the group's history which reached number-one on the Tropical Album chart. Frankie Ruiz and Lalo Rodriguez
were former members of Olivencia's band. The latter of the two also reached number-one with his album, Un Nuevo Despertar
.
One compilation album featuring various artists was released by Rodven Records
and reached number-one on the chart.
Near the end of the decade, Nicaraguan
salsa singer Luis Enrique
released two album that reached number-one on the chart. His debut album, Amor y Alegria
became his first number-one on the chart , while his next album was the Tropical album to chart in the 1980s.
Tropical Albums
Tropical Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. Established in June 1985, the chart compiles information about the top-selling albums in genres like salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, and vallenato, which are frequently considered tropical music...
, published in Billboard magazine
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, is a record chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
that features Latin music sales information. This data are compiled by Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
from a sample that includes music stores, music departments at electronics and department stores, Internet sales (both physical and digital) and verifiable sales from concert venues
Music venue
A music venue is any location used for a concert or musical performance. Music venues range in size and location, from an outdoor bandshell or bandstand or a concert hall to an indoor sports stadium. Typically, different types of venues host different genres of music...
in the United States.
The Tropical Albums chart was first of the three Latin-related charts (along with Latin Pop Albums
Latin Pop Albums
Latin Pop Albums is a record chart published on Billboard magazine. It features Latin music information of the Pop music genre. Established in June 1985, this chart features only full length albums and like all album charts on Billboard, is based on sales. The information is compiled by Nielsen...
and Regional Mexican Albums
Regional Mexican Albums
Regional Mexican Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. Established in June 1985, the chart compiles information about the top-selling albums in genres like mariachi, norteño, banda and Duranguense, which are frequently considered regional Mexican. The chart features only...
) published on June 29, 1985, eight years before the Top Latin Album survey which began on July 10, 1993. The data for this chart was published every two weeks, unlike most Billboard charts.
At the time of the chart's introduction, a softer form of salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
known as salsa romantica
Salsa romantica
Salsa Romántica, also known as Salsa Erotica, is a soft form of salsa music that emerged between the mid 1980s and early 1990s in New York City and Puerto Rico...
had emerged in the mid-1980s. This new form of salsa led musicians such as Eddie Santiago
Eddie Santiago
Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music...
, Frankie Ruiz
Frankie Ruiz
Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary...
, and Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique (singer)
Luis Enrique Mejía López, is a Nicaraguan singer and composer. He started his career in the late 1980s and achieved success in the 1990s earning the title "El Principe de la Salsa . He was one of the leading pioneers that led to the salsa romantica movement in the 1980s...
to dominate the chart throughout the 1980s.
The first album to reach number-one on the Tropical Albums chart was Innovations
Innovations (album)
-Critical reception:José A. Estévez, Jr. of Allmusic gave the album a mixed review criticizing the lack of novelties while stating Juan Cabeza Dura, No Me Olvides and La Loma del Tamarindo were "servicable".-Chart performance:...
by Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
musician group, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. The album remained number-one for 24 consecutive weeks until being replaced by their next album, Y Su Pueblo
Y Su Pueblo
-Critical reception:José A. Estévez, Jr. of Allmusic felt that the album was indifferent from the previous albums and gave the album a mixed review. On the hand, he praised the band for "swinging with nice material".-Chart performance:...
. Romantico y Sabroso
Romántico y Sabroso
-Critical reception:José A. Estévez, Jr. of Allmusic gave the album a positive review and noted the change of style within the group with the influence of the salsa romantica era.-Chart performance:-Procession and succession:...
, another studio album by the group that reached number-one on the Tropical Albums chart was their crossover attempt in the salsa romantica genre. In addition, a compilation album related to the group reach number-one on the chart.
Frankie Ruiz
Frankie Ruiz
Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary...
became the first solo performer to reach number-one with his debut album, Solista Pero No Solo
Solista Pero No Solo
Solista Pero No Solo is the debut album by Frankie Ruiz following his departure from Tommy Olivencia's band. The album reached #1 on the Tropical Album chart which made Ruiz the first solo performer to achieve this feat.-Track listing:...
. Two other album by Ruiz including Voy Pa' Encima
Voy Pa' Encima
Voy Pa' Encima is the second studio album by Frankie Ruiz as a solo artist. The album became a success on the tropical charts just as the previous album did.-Singles:...
and a compilation album reached number-one the Tropical Album charts.
Cuban duo performers Hansel & Raul reached number-one with their album, La Magia de.
Three albums by Eddie Santiago
Eddie Santiago
Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music...
reached number-one on the Tropical Album chart. The first album was Atrevido y Diferente
Atrevido y Diferente
Atrevido y Diferente is the second studio album by Puerto Rican salsa singer, Eddie Santiago. Released in 1986, it was cited as one of the turning points of the salsa genre into salsa romantica.-Singles:...
which was the debut album for Santiago. The follow-up album, Sigo Atrevido
Sigo Atrevido
Sigo Atrevido is the third studio album by Puerto Rican salsa singer Eddie Santiago. The album was released in 1987 and topped the tropical charts throughout the first half of 1988...
was the second album to reach number-one on the chart and received a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-nomination for Best Tropical Latin Performance.
Salsa bandleader Tommy Olivencia
Tommy Olivencia
Tommy Olivencia was a renowned bandleader of salsa music.-Early years:Olivencia, was born Ángel Tomás Olivencia Pagán in the Villa Palmeras section of Santurce, Puerto Rico. His family moved to the city of Arecibo when he was just a child. There received his primary and secondary education...
released an album
30 Aniversario
30 Aniversario is a studio album by Tommy Olivencia and his band. As the title implies, the album was made to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Tommy Olivencia as a bandleader.-Singles:...
to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the group's history which reached number-one on the Tropical Album chart. Frankie Ruiz and Lalo Rodriguez
Lalo Rodriguez
Lalo Rodríguez , born in 1958 in Carolina, Puerto Rico is a salsa singer and musician is best known for his hit "Ven Devórame Otra Vez"....
were former members of Olivencia's band. The latter of the two also reached number-one with his album, Un Nuevo Despertar
Un Nuevo Despertar
Un Nuevo Despertar is a studio album by Lalo Rodríguez released in 1988. Continuing the tradition of the salsa romantica, Rodriguez also added in sexual songs known as salsa erotica which was short-lived.-Singles:...
.
One compilation album featuring various artists was released by Rodven Records
Rodven Records
Rodven Records was a Venezuelan record label that belonged to the Cisneros family owned ODC group, then proprietors of one of the largest TV networks in the country, VENEVISION...
and reached number-one on the chart.
Near the end of the decade, Nicaraguan
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
salsa singer Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique (singer)
Luis Enrique Mejía López, is a Nicaraguan singer and composer. He started his career in the late 1980s and achieved success in the 1990s earning the title "El Principe de la Salsa . He was one of the leading pioneers that led to the salsa romantica movement in the 1980s...
released two album that reached number-one on the chart. His debut album, Amor y Alegria
Amor y Alegria
Amor y Alegria is the second studio album released by Nicaraguan salsa singer, Luis Enrique. The album earned him international recognition as the album was produced during the salsa romantica era of the 1980s...
became his first number-one on the chart , while his next album was the Tropical album to chart in the 1980s.
Number-one albums
| Album | Artist | Date | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovations (album) Innovations (album) -Critical reception:José A. Estévez, Jr. of Allmusic gave the album a mixed review criticizing the lack of novelties while stating Juan Cabeza Dura, No Me Olvides and La Loma del Tamarindo were "servicable".-Chart performance:... |
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico | - November 30, 1985 | 24 |
| Y Su Pueblo Y Su Pueblo -Critical reception:José A. Estévez, Jr. of Allmusic felt that the album was indifferent from the previous albums and gave the album a mixed review. On the hand, he praised the band for "swinging with nice material".-Chart performance:... |
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico | – February 8, 1986 | 14 |
| Solista Pero No Solo Solista Pero No Solo Solista Pero No Solo is the debut album by Frankie Ruiz following his departure from Tommy Olivencia's band. The album reached #1 on the Tropical Album chart which made Ruiz the first solo performer to achieve this feat.-Track listing:... |
Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary... |
2 | |
| La Magia de | Hansel & Raul | - April 5, 1986 | 6 |
| Solista Pero No Solo Solista Pero No Solo Solista Pero No Solo is the debut album by Frankie Ruiz following his departure from Tommy Olivencia's band. The album reached #1 on the Tropical Album chart which made Ruiz the first solo performer to achieve this feat.-Track listing:... |
Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary... |
2 | |
| La Magia de | Hansel & Raul | 2 | |
| Solista Pero No Solo Solista Pero No Solo Solista Pero No Solo is the debut album by Frankie Ruiz following his departure from Tommy Olivencia's band. The album reached #1 on the Tropical Album chart which made Ruiz the first solo performer to achieve this feat.-Track listing:... |
Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary... |
– August 9, 1986 | 4 |
| Y Su Pueblo Y Su Pueblo -Critical reception:José A. Estévez, Jr. of Allmusic felt that the album was indifferent from the previous albums and gave the album a mixed review. On the hand, he praised the band for "swinging with nice material".-Chart performance:... |
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico | - November 29, 1986 | 4 |
| Atrevido y Diferente Atrevido y Diferente Atrevido y Diferente is the second studio album by Puerto Rican salsa singer, Eddie Santiago. Released in 1986, it was cited as one of the turning points of the salsa genre into salsa romantica.-Singles:... |
Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music... |
2 | |
| Y Su Pueblo Y Su Pueblo -Critical reception:José A. Estévez, Jr. of Allmusic felt that the album was indifferent from the previous albums and gave the album a mixed review. On the hand, he praised the band for "swinging with nice material".-Chart performance:... |
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico | 2 | |
| Atrevido y Diferente Atrevido y Diferente Atrevido y Diferente is the second studio album by Puerto Rican salsa singer, Eddie Santiago. Released in 1986, it was cited as one of the turning points of the salsa genre into salsa romantica.-Singles:... |
Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music... |
- April 4, 1987 | 10 |
| Voy Pa' Encima Voy Pa' Encima Voy Pa' Encima is the second studio album by Frankie Ruiz as a solo artist. The album became a success on the tropical charts just as the previous album did.-Singles:... |
Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary... |
- June 13, 1987 | 10 |
| Atrevido y Diferente Atrevido y Diferente Atrevido y Diferente is the second studio album by Puerto Rican salsa singer, Eddie Santiago. Released in 1986, it was cited as one of the turning points of the salsa genre into salsa romantica.-Singles:... |
Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music... |
- July 25, 1987 | 4 |
| Voy Pa' Encima Voy Pa' Encima Voy Pa' Encima is the second studio album by Frankie Ruiz as a solo artist. The album became a success on the tropical charts just as the previous album did.-Singles:... |
Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary... |
- October 3, 1987 | 10 |
| Atrevido y Diferente Atrevido y Diferente Atrevido y Diferente is the second studio album by Puerto Rican salsa singer, Eddie Santiago. Released in 1986, it was cited as one of the turning points of the salsa genre into salsa romantica.-Singles:... |
Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music... |
2 | |
| Voy Pa' Encima Voy Pa' Encima Voy Pa' Encima is the second studio album by Frankie Ruiz as a solo artist. The album became a success on the tropical charts just as the previous album did.-Singles:... |
Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary... |
– November 14, 1987 | 4 |
| 25 Aniversario: 1962 - 1987 | El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico | 2 | |
| 30 Aniversario 30 Aniversario 30 Aniversario is a studio album by Tommy Olivencia and his band. As the title implies, the album was made to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Tommy Olivencia as a bandleader.-Singles:... |
Tommy Olivencia Tommy Olivencia Tommy Olivencia was a renowned bandleader of salsa music.-Early years:Olivencia, was born Ángel Tomás Olivencia Pagán in the Villa Palmeras section of Santurce, Puerto Rico. His family moved to the city of Arecibo when he was just a child. There received his primary and secondary education... |
2 | |
| Historia Musical de Frankie Ruiz | Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.-Early years:Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary... |
2 | |
| Sigo Atrevido Sigo Atrevido Sigo Atrevido is the third studio album by Puerto Rican salsa singer Eddie Santiago. The album was released in 1987 and topped the tropical charts throughout the first half of 1988... |
Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music... |
- May 21, 1988 | 12 |
| Romantico y Sabroso Romántico y Sabroso -Critical reception:José A. Estévez, Jr. of Allmusic gave the album a positive review and noted the change of style within the group with the influence of the salsa romantica era.-Chart performance:-Procession and succession:... |
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico | - June 18, 1988 | 4 |
| Un Nuevo Despertar Un Nuevo Despertar Un Nuevo Despertar is a studio album by Lalo Rodríguez released in 1988. Continuing the tradition of the salsa romantica, Rodriguez also added in sexual songs known as salsa erotica which was short-lived.-Singles:... |
Lalo Rodriguez Lalo Rodriguez Lalo Rodríguez , born in 1958 in Carolina, Puerto Rico is a salsa singer and musician is best known for his hit "Ven Devórame Otra Vez".... |
- October 22, 1988 | 18 |
| Amor y Alegria Amor y Alegria Amor y Alegria is the second studio album released by Nicaraguan salsa singer, Luis Enrique. The album earned him international recognition as the album was produced during the salsa romantica era of the 1980s... |
Luis Enrique Luis Enrique (singer) Luis Enrique Mejía López, is a Nicaraguan singer and composer. He started his career in the late 1980s and achieved success in the 1990s earning the title "El Principe de la Salsa . He was one of the leading pioneers that led to the salsa romantica movement in the 1980s... |
- December 30, 1988 | 8 |
| Juntos Pa' Goza | Various Artists | 2 | |
| Invasion de la Privacidad | Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music... |
- June 17, 1989 | 22 |
| Amame Amame "Amame" is the fourth and final single released from the Entre a Mi Mundo album by Selena.-Chart performance:... |
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico | - July 15, 1989 | 4 |
| Invasion de la Privacidad | Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago Eddie Santiago is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico. At a young age, Eddie demonstrated great love for salsa music... |
2 | |
| Amame Amame "Amame" is the fourth and final single released from the Entre a Mi Mundo album by Selena.-Chart performance:... |
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico | - September 23, 1989 | 8 |
| Mi Mundo Mi Mundo (Luis Enrique album) Mi Mundo is the third album released by Nicaraguan salsa singer, Luis Enrique. The became one of the best selling tropical albums in the 1980s... |
Luis Enrique Luis Enrique (singer) Luis Enrique Mejía López, is a Nicaraguan singer and composer. He started his career in the late 1980s and achieved success in the 1990s earning the title "El Principe de la Salsa . He was one of the leading pioneers that led to the salsa romantica movement in the 1980s... |
- December 30, 1989 | 13 |