Pop culture in Puerto Rico
Encyclopedia
Pop culture in Puerto Rico, it can be said, has been historically affected both by the political changes the island
has gone through, and by the changes in popular culture around the world.
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...
has gone through, and by the changes in popular culture around the world.
1950s
- Salsa musicSalsa musicSalsa 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...
's popularity grows large. - Luis Muñoz Marín International AirportLuis Muñoz Marín International AirportLuis Muñoz Marín International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, three miles southeast of San Juan. Over 4 million passengers board a plane at the airport per year according to FAA reports . It is owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Ports...
opened in San JuanSan Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
with daily international flights, allowing for the exchange of tourists and cultural ideas between Puerto Rico and other countries. - The San Juan Casino becomes the favorite social meeting place and dance hall.
- comedian Ramón RiveroRamón Rivero (Diplo)Ramón Rivero — known as Diplo — was a comedian, actor, composer and a pioneer in Puerto Rico's television and cinema industries...
(a.k.a. Diplo) takes on a dramatic role in one of the first true Puerto Rican films, Los Peloteros.
1960s
- The Spanish flamenco singer Lola FloresLola FloresMaría Dolores "Lola" Flores Ruiz was a Spanish singer, dancer, and actress.- Professional career :Flores was born in Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz . Although thought to be only part gypsy, she strongly identified with the Spanish gypsy culture...
causes a sensation. - British music invasionBritish InvasionThe British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
: many Puerto Ricans begin to listen to rockRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. Musical acts popular in Puerto Rico during that era: The BeatlesThe BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Tom JonesTom Jones (singer)Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records... - The Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
breaks out: many Puerto Ricans join the war, some of which return addicted to popular illicit drugs during the conflict. Others visited CubaCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
in the revolution's heyday and music with a social theme hit the airwaves in the late 60's. - La Nueva Ola: Singers such as Lucecita BenítezLucecita BenítezLuz Esther Benítez , better known in the music world as Lucecita, is a Puerto Rican singer.-Biography:Lucecita was a member of what is historically known in Puerto Rico as the New Wave, or Nueva Ola of popular music, created by Alfred D. Herger, alongside Lissette and Chucho Avellanet, among others...
, Chucho AvellanetChucho AvellanetArmando Hipólito Avellanet González , nicknamed "Chucho" is a Puerto Rican singer and comedic actor...
, LissetteLissetteLissette Álvarez is a singer, songwriter and record producer from Peru. She is best known for recording a Spanish language version of Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in 1985.-Early life:...
, Charlie Robles, and others become teen sensations in Puerto Rico. - Cuban singer La LupeLa LupeLa Lupe , was a Cuban-American singer of several musical genres: boleros, guarachas and Latin soul in particular...
brings her show to San Juan. - Lucecita Benítez wins the Festival de la Canción Latina in Mexico, (1969) with the song Génesis, by Puerto Rican composer, Guillermo Venegas Lloveras.
1970s
- Miss Puerto RicoMiss Puerto RicoMiss Puerto Rico is the common name or sash used to identify a Puerto Rican representative in an international pageant. Currently, Miss Universe Puerto Rico, Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico and Miss Earth Puerto Rico are the official national preliminaries to the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth...
, Marisol MalaretMarisol MalaretMarisol Malaret Contreras was the very first Puerto Rican woman to be crowned Miss Universe.-Biography:She started to work from an early age due to the death of her father and chronic illness of her mother...
, wins the Miss UniverseMiss UniverseMiss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
pageant. - Pan American Games1979 Pan American GamesThe 8th Pan American Games were held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from July 1 to July 15, 1979. The capital of Puerto Rico played host to 3,700 athletes from 34 countries competing in 22 sports, making the VIII Pan American Games the largest to date. Security was a concern due to turmoil over the...
are held in San Juan in the summer of 1979. - The beginning of the teenager Spanish language rock groups era: La PandillaLa PandillaLa Pandilla was a teen music group of the 1970s. La Pandilla, founded in 1970 by Pepa Aguirre. The group had members of both sexes, unlike most pop music bands....
is a very popular group in Puerto Rico, and their manager, Edgardo DíazEdgardo DíazEdgardo Díaz born in Panama City, Panama, is the creator of the "boy band" Menudo. The son of Puerto Ricans, Díaz grew up in Caguas, Puerto Rico....
, forms MenudoMenudo (band)Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band that was formed in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 1980s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group of the era....
in 1976. - Luis VigoreauxLuis VigoreauxLuis Vigoreaux Rivera was a Puerto Rican radio and television show host, announcer, comedian and producer. The son of a sugar worker, Vigoreaux became one of the most popular television entertainers in Puerto Rico's history....
becomes one of the most popular figures of Puerto Rican television - Yolandita MongeYolandita MongeYolandita Monge is an international singer and actress from Puerto Rico and the first Puerto Rican female singer to be nominated to the Grammy Music Awards. She is also Puerto Rico's highest selling female artist. She has been in the music business since adolescence, and has recorded over thirty...
becomes the teen sensation of the decade. - Tommy MuñizTommy MuñizLucas Tomás Muñiz Ramírez , better known as Tommy Muñiz, was a Puerto Rican comedy and drama actor, media producer, businessman and network owner...
's Los GarcíaLos GarcíaLos García was a Puerto Rican television comedy sitcom from the 1970s. Shown weekly on Ricavision channel 7, it depicted the life of a fictional family called Los García. The family was based on a real life family...
is Puerto Rico's most popular television show. - Telenovelas such as Cristina BazanCristina BazánCristina Bazán is the name of a highly-famous and successful 1978 Puerto Rican telenovela starring Puerto Rican actress and singer Johanna Rosaly, and the Venezuelan singer/idol José Luis Rodríguez El Puma...
with Johanna RosalyJohanna RosalyJohanna Rosaly is an actress, singer, and television host.-Early years:Johanna Rosaly was born in an area known as Santurce, a district of San Juan. In 1956 at the age of eight, she started taking acting lessons with Argentinians Luis A. Negro and Elba Mania, and dancing lessons with Beatriz...
, gain popularity in Puerto Rico. - The discoDiscoDisco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
era begins: popular musical acts of that time in Puerto Rico: The Bee Gees, Donna SummerDonna SummerLaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, The Village People. - Nydia CaroNydia CaroNydia Caro is an American & Puerto Rican actress and singer. Born in New York City to parents from Rincón, Puerto Rico, she initiated her career in the arts at a very young age while living in New York...
was the first Puerto Rican singer to win the International OTI FestivalOTI FestivalOTI Festival was an annual singing competition, held between 1972 and 2000, among active member countries of the Organización de Televisión Iberoamericana .- Venues and Presenters :- Winners :-By country:...
in Mexico, and was the first Latin singer to hit a discoDiscoDisco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
song on the radio and at discothèques, Este Amor Entre Tu y Yo... ...como velero se va, como velero se viene... - Roberto ClementeRoberto ClementeRoberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
dies in 1972. He has been considered by many to be one of Puerto Rico's greatest sports legends. - Wilfredo GómezWilfredo GómezWilfredo Gómez , sometimes referred to as Bazooka Gómez, is a former boxer and three time world champion.-Biography:...
begins his six-year reign as boxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
's WBCWorld Boxing CouncilThe World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
world Jr. Featherweight champion. He is also considered by many to be one of Puerto Rico's greatest sports legends. - At the age of 17, Wilfred BenítezWilfred BenitezWilfred Benítez , is a Puerto Rican boxer. He is remembered best as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities who won world championships in three separate weight divisions, and was the youngest world champion in boxing history at the age of 17...
becomes the youngest world champion in boxing history, defeating Antonio CervantesAntonio CervantesAntonio Cervantes aka Kid Pambelé is a Colombian boxing trainer and former two time world Jr. Welterweight champion. He successfully defended the title 16 times. Cervantes fought 21 world title fights, keeping the 140 pounds title for almost 8 years...
by a 15 round split decision to take the WBAWorld Boxing AssociationThe World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
world Jr. Welterweight title. - Iris ChacónIris ChacónIris Chacón is a dancer, singer, and entertainer. She enjoys great popularity in Puerto Rico and in other Latin American countries, as well as such US locales as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.-Career:Chacon has been known by various nicknames, such as "La Bomba de Puerto Rico" Iris Chacón...
is the leading vedetteVedetteThe French military term vedette , also spelled vidette, migrated into English and other languages to refer to a mounted sentry or outpost, who has the function of bringing information, giving signals or warnings of danger, etc., to a main body of troops...
of Puerto Rico. - Playero Surf Shop opens its doors in 1977 in Ocean Park. People stand in line just to get their hands on Playero merchandise creating a fashion trend that continues into the mid 1980s.
1980s
- MenudoMenudo (band)Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band that was formed in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 1980s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group of the era....
becomes a worldwide sensation, hitting record sales in many countries around the world. Soon, many other teen bands try to imitate Menudo's success. - Los ChicosLos ChicosLos Chicos was a popular boy band in Puerto Rico, created to rival Menudo's success.The band was created by Eric Laboy in 1978 to 1985, with the name Encuentro. Due to a political campaign slogan, the name was changed to Los Chicos, which translates to The Kids. They enjoyed huge success during the...
become Menudo's top competitors. Female groups like Las CherisLas CherisLas Cheris was a Puerto Rican girl group of the early 1980s. It was composed of four girls aged 11 to 15.After Menudo's worldwide success, many other bands in Latin America, and particularly in Puerto Rico, tried to emulate Menudo's success, including girl bands. Las Cheris was one of these bands...
and Monedas aim to become the "female version" of Menudo. - Many meeting places like restaurants, bars and entertainment have the "Viernes Social" (Social Friday) which planned activities right after 5pm.
- Deborah Carthy Deu becomes the second Miss Puerto Rico to win the Miss Universe crown.
- Neon's Discotheque in San Juan becomes a popular dance club.
- Wilfred Benítez becomes boxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
's first three time world champion in four decades, the first HispanicHispanicHispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
to win three world titles, and the youngest one to do so. - Popular TV showman Luis Vigoreaux is murdered in 1983.
- Actress Lydia EchevarríaLydia EchevarríaLydia Echevarría is a Puerto Rican actress who was convicted of plotting the murder of her husband, renowned Puerto Rican television show producer, Luis Vigoreaux.-Early years:...
is accused and jailed for the murder of Vigoreaux. - Television show A Millon obtains the biggest ratings in Puerto Rican television history.
- In 1984 Lou BrielLou BrielLou Briel, is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, comedian, producer, pianist, and host, among other things.-Early Years with Anexo 3:...
reached popularity with the song: "Yo puedo" ("I Can"), an inspirational song about perseverance. - Latin American and Puerto Rican films begin fading away from local theaters. Most theaters in the island show only Hollywood releases with subtitles. Fine Arts Cinema opens in SanturceSanturce, San Juan, Puerto RicoSanturce is a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico.-Summary:Santurce is one of the top ten most populated areas of the island holding Miramar, Loíza, Isla Grande, Barrio Obrero, and Condado as main cultural hot spots for art, music, cuisine, fashion, hotels, technology, multimedia, film, textile and...
showing international films and art movies. - Juliana's and IsadoraIsadoraIsadora is a 1968 biographical film which tells the story of celebrated American dancer Isadora Duncan. It stars Vanessa Redgrave, James Fox and Jason Robards....
are popular hotel dance clubs. - TV shows produced in Mexico like El Chavo del Ocho and El Chapulín ColoradoEl Chapulín ColoradoEl Chapulín Colorado is a television series, created and played by Roberto Gómez Bolaños, also known as Chespirito, a successful Mexican comedian and TV show producer, which parodied superhero shows...
became top rated shows and gained a huge following. - Mexican and Venezuelan soap operas become popular during daytime TV while Puerto Rican soap operas are shown in primetime with big ratings.
- McDonald'sMcDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, American AirlinesAmerican AirlinesAmerican Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
, Taco BellTaco BellTaco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
, The Gap and other American companies make significant movements in the island, and Plaza las AmericasPlaza Las AméricasPlaza Las Américas is a shopping mall in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, located at the intersection of Routes 18 and 22. It is near the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and the WKAQ-TV's studios. "Plaza", as it is known to many Puerto Ricans, was the first indoor mall built...
becomes the biggest mall in the Caribbean. American Airlines makes San Juan one of its major hubs. - The Cerro Maravilla case becomes the first trial to be televised in Puerto Rican history.
- The festivities of San SebastiánSan SebastiánDonostia-San Sebastián is a city and municipality located in the north of Spain, in the coast of the Bay of Biscay and 20 km away from the French border. The city is the capital of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The municipality’s population is 186,122 , and its...
in the historic city of San Juan become popular. - The fashion industry makes significant strides towards making Puerto Rico one of its strongest places where to make money worldwide.
- Pop rock gains popularity in the early 80s, Heavy metal musicHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
in the middle 80s and rapHip hop musicHip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
in the late 80s. English musical acts popular during the 80s that visited the island included: Rock legends KISS, Duran DuranDuran DuranDuran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, Boy George and Culture ClubBoy GeorgeBoy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
, Def LeppardDef LeppardDef Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
, Judas PriestJudas PriestJudas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
; other acts like Ruben DJRuben DJRuben Urrutia , better known in the Spanish rap music world as Ruben DJ, is a Puerto Rican former rap star who became famous in the late 1980s....
, LL Cool JLL Cool JJames Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
and Vico CVico CVico C is an Puerto Rican rapper and rap artist. He is considered one of the founding fathers of rap and has played an influential role in the development of Latin American hip hop....
were popular. - Many international singers from other Hispanic countries, such as José Luis Rodríguez, Celia CruzCelia CruzCelia Cruz was a Cuban-American salsa singer, and was one of the most successful Salsa performers of the 20th century, having earned twenty-three gold albums...
, Juan GabrielJuan GabrielAlberto Aguilera Valadez , better known by his stage name Juan Gabriel , is a Mexican singer and songwriter who is one of the most famous living representatives of the Mexican ranchera, ballad, mariachi, and pop music....
and Juan Luis GuerraJuan Luis GuerraJuan Luis Guerra is a singer, songwriter and producer from the Dominican Republic who has sold over 30 million records, and won numerous awards including 12 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Latin Billboard Music Awards...
, among others continued to visit Puerto Rico. Locals José NoguerasJosé NoguerasJosé Nogueras is a composer, singer, guitarist, and performer of modern-day typical Puerto Rican music.In 2006, he received a liver transplant after suffering from acute cirrhosis and cancer. and was able to begin performing again in 2007...
, Glenn MonroigGlenn MonroigGlenn Monroig , is a composer, guitarist, and singer of various types of music styles, such as salsa, boleros and rumba. He is credited with having recorded the first rap song in Spanish.-Early years:...
, Lou Briel, Yolandita Monge, and ChayanneChayanneElmer Figueroa Arce , best known under the stage name Chayanne, is a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor. As a solo artist, Chayanne has released 21 solo-albums and sold over 20 million albums worldwide.-Early life:...
also enjoy success in Puerto Rico. Chayanne becomes an international teen-idol.
1990s
- Politically inspired music groups such as Fiel a la VegaFiel a la VegaFiel a la Vega is a Rock en Español band from Puerto Rico formed in 1994. Band members Tito Auger and Ricky Laureano come from the northern city of Vega Alta, while brothers Pedro Arraiza and Jorge Arraiza come from the city of Vega Baja, which is next to Vega Alta.-Early years :Childhood friends...
surface. - Daddy YankeeDaddy YankeeRamón Luis Ayala Rodríguez , known artistically as Daddy Yankee, is a Latin Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican Reggaeton recording artist. Ayala was born in Río Piedras, the largest district of San Juan, where he became interested in music at a young age. In his youth he was interested in baseball,...
was first involved in music in the early 1990s alongside Playero DJ, a pioneer of reggaeton music - ManáManáManá is a pop rock band from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, whose career has spanned more than three decades. They have earned three Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards Latin America, five Premios Juventud awards, nine Billboard Latin Music Awards and 13 Premios Lo...
and Los Enanitos VerdesLos Enanitos VerdesEnanitos Verdes is a successful rock trio from Argentina, formed in 1979 in the city of Mendoza...
are some of the international groups that become famous in Puerto Rico. - Dayanara TorresDayanara TorresDayanara Torres Delgado is a Puerto Rican actress, singer, model, and former Miss Universe.Torres was discovered at age 17 while walking through the Plaza de Toa Alta in her hometown, and was invited to represent Toa Alta in the annual Miss Puerto Rico pageant. She won the pageant and the right...
becomes the third Miss Puerto Rico to win the Miss Universe crown. - MerengueMerengue musicMerengue is a type of music and dance from the Dominican Republic. It is popular in the Dominican Republic and all over Latin America. Its name is Spanish, taken from the name of the meringue, a dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar...
becomes the most popular music style in the dance halls and in the radio. Olga TañonOlga TañónOlga Tañón is a two-time Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy-winning Merengue and Latin Pop artist. Tañón has earned 5 Latin Grammy Awards and 19 Premios Lo Nuestro awards during her career.-Early years:...
, Grupomania and many others become international exports of this music genre. - Rappers such as Big PunBig PunChristopher Lee Rios , better known by his stage name Big Pun , was an American rapper who emerged from the underground rap scene in The Bronx in the late 1990s...
, Ivy QueenIvy QueenIvy Queen is a Puerto Rican Latin Grammy nominated reggaeton composer and singer. She is most commonly known as "La Reina del Reggaeton" . She is also known as the Queen of Rivalries.-Early years:...
, Don ChezinaDon ChezinaDon Chezina is a singer, producer, and talent scout of reggaeton music. He is known for his high, nasal voice and fast rapping style , along with his most famous song "Tra Tra Tra", which in 1998 became one of the first reggaeton songs to become popular in the US...
and others also enjoy success. - Félix TrinidadFélix TrinidadFélix 'Tito' Trinidad, Jr. is a Puerto Rican professional boxer, considered one of the best in Puerto Rico's history. After winning five National Amateur Championships in Puerto Rico, he debuted as a professional when he was 17. He won his first world championship when he defeated Maurice Blocker...
reigns as boxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
's world Welterweight champion for 6 years. He is considered by many to be one of Puerto Rico's greatest sports legends. - Giannina BraschiGiannina BraschiGiannina Braschi is a Puerto Rican writer. She is credited with writing the first Spanglish novel YO-YO BOING! and the poetry trilogy Empire of Dreams , which chronicles the Latin American immigrant's experiences in the United States...
in 1998 becomes Figura del Momento when her Spanglish novel YO-YO BOING! wins the PEN Open Book Award and accolades from Insituto de Cultura. - In 1995, Voces en FunciónVoces en FunciónVoces en Función was a Puerto Rican singing competition series and Variety show hosted by Puerto Rican singer Lou Briel, televised from 1995 to 2001 on PBS member station WIPR-TV & WIPM-TV.-Format:...
was the first television singing contest and variety show for young people in decades to be aired weekly, broadcast by WIPR-TVWIPR-TVWIPR-TV is an non-commercial educational, full-power public television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over analog channel 6, digital 43. The station is owned and operated by Corporación de Puerto Rico para la Difusión Pública ...
, WIPM-TV and the InternetInternetThe Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
RedRedRed is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
, hosted by Lou BrielLou BrielLou Briel, is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, comedian, producer, pianist, and host, among other things.-Early Years with Anexo 3:...
. In 1999 wins the Quijote AwardAwardAn award is something given to a person or a group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field; a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signifiedby trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons...
, as the best musical on TV. - In 1999, the death of Viequense David SanesDavid SanesDavid Sanes Rodríguez was a native of Vieques, Puerto Rico whose death became a rallying point for those opposed to the U.S. military presence on and use of his home island for live-fire bombing practice...
provockes many Puerto Ricans to protest the U.S. military's presence in that Puerto Rican island-municipality. "Paz para Vieques" ("Peace for Vieques") becomes a popular slogan. - Such television shows as Mira Que Tvo and Sunshine LogronoSunshine LogroñoEmmanuel Logroño , better known as Sunshine Logroño is a Puerto Rican actor, radio announcer, television show host, singer, comedy writer, entrepreneur and comedian...
's El Club de Sunshine become viewer favorites. - Pop acts such as the Spice GirlsSpice GirlsThe Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
, *NSYNC, Britney SpearsBritney SpearsBritney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
, Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, The Backstreet Boys, and KISSKISS (band)Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
gain popularity in Puerto Rico along with Alejandra GuzmánAlejandra GuzmánAlejandra Gabriela Guzmán Pinal , better known as Alejandra Guzmán, is a Latin Grammy Award–winning Mexican rock singer and actress. She has had a dedicated fanbase throughout Latin America since the late 1980s, and is known as the "Queen of Rock" in the Hispanic world...
, Ricardo MontanerRicardo MontanerRicardo Montaner is an Argentine-Venezuelan singer and songwriter. Starting his career in the early 80s, he has already released more than 15 albums with numerous successful singles and has sold over 22 million record worldwide.-Early years:Montaner was born as Héctor Eduardo Reglero Montaner, in...
, Laura PausiniLaura PausiniLaura Pausini, is a Grammy Award-winning Italian soul singer-songwriter. She debuted in 1993, winning the newcomer artists' section of the 43rd Sanremo Music Festival with the song "La solitudine", which became an Italian standard and an international hit, reaching the top spot on the Italian...
, and ShakiraShakiraShakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
. - Former Menudo member Ricky MartinRicky MartinEnrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
becomes famous worldwide; his songs "Livin' la Vida Loca", "Maria" and "The Cup of Life", among others, making it to the top of the charts in many countries. - El ReencuentroEl ReencuentroEl Reencuentro was the name that six ex-members of famous group Menudo used for their comeback concert remembering Menudo's Golden Era. Ricky Melendez, Rene Farrait, Miguel Cancel, Johnny Lozada, Ray Reyes and Charlie Masso re-joined to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of their success in Latin...
, a reunion of former Menudo members Rene FarraitRene FarraitRene Farrait is a former member of the teen band Menudo. He was a member during the band's most successful period.Rene's trademark song was the hit Subete a mi Moto...
, Johnny Lozada, Charlie MassoCharlie MassoCarlos Javier Rivera Masso is a former member of Menudo who joined the band at the height of Menudo's world wide fame. He replaced Rene Farrait and quickly became a fan favorite with his participation on the albums of Es Por Amor and Vamos A Volar, which was the soundtrack of Charlie's first...
, Miguel CancelMiguel CancelMiguel Ángel Cancel Vázquez is a former member of Menudo.-Menudo:A native of Chicago, Cancel joined Menudo in 1981, replacing Oscar Meléndez. His persona in the group was as the good guy. He became an instant hit among Menudo fans because of his charisma and vocal ability.Cancel was a member...
, Ricky MeléndezRicky MeléndezRicky Meléndez is a Puerto Rican singer. He was raised in Guaynabo. He became a member of Menudo at the age of eight. He was one of the original five in the group...
and Ray ReyesRay ReyesRay Reyes is a Puerto Rican who was born in New York City and was raised in Levittown, Puerto Rico. His father, Rey Reyes, Sr., ran several successful business ventures. He became a member of Menudo in early 1983. Reyes came to substitute Xavier Serbia on the band, and joined the band right in the...
, begins with only one concert at Roberto Clemente ColiseumRoberto Clemente ColiseumThe Roberto Clemente Coliseum is a sporting events and concert arena in San Juan, Puerto Rico.It was, for many years, Puerto Rico's largest indoor event facility, and it continues being one of the largest....
in San Juan, and expands that single date into a worldwide tour.
2000s
- Teenage Spanish pop/rock makes a comeback, and singers such as Belinda PeregrinBelinda PeregrínBelinda Peregrín Schüll , is a two-time Latin Grammy Award nominated Mexican singer, songwriter and actress.- Early life :...
and MelodyMelody (singer)Melodía Ruiz Gutiérrez , better known in the Spanish music world as Melody, is a pop singer. Some close relatives used to belong to a music group named Los Quillos. She has sold a combined 10 million copies of her albums worldwide.- Career :She released her first album, Melody in 2000...
enjoy large success in Puerto Rico. - The U.S. military leaves Vieques.
- Puerto Rican John RuizJohn RuizJohn "The Quietman" Ruiz , is a former American professional boxer. Ruiz is the first Latino heavyweight champion and former two-time WBA heavyweight champion. After a professional career spanning over 18 years, Ruiz officially announced his retirement from the sport at a press conference on April...
becomes the first Hispanic in history to be boxing'sBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
world Heavyweight champion. - ReggaetonReggaetonReggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
becomes a popular music genre among young people, with artists such as Daddy Yankee and Don OmarDon OmarDon Omar, also known as El Rey Don Omar, also known as El Rey Don Omar, also known as El Rey (born William Omar Landrón Rivera; February 10, 1978, is a Puerto Rican Reggaetón singer and actor.-Early life:...
crossing over to U.S. markets. - Dreuxilla DivineDreuxilla DivineDreuxilla Divine is a Puerto Rican drag queen character on television. Divine has gained major popularity as a drag performer both in Puerto Rico and eastern United States cities such as New York and Miami...
becomes the first Puerto Rican female impersonator, to host a daily talk show in TelevicentroTelevicentroTelevicentro may refer to the following:*Televicentro 4 Former name of WAPA-TV, a television station in Puerto Rico*Televicentro , a television station in Honduras*Televicentro , a television station in Nicaragua...
alongside journalist Milly Cangiano, called Sacando Chispa. - Puerto Rico's national basketball team wins 79-66 against Canada in the Pre-Olympic tournament, wins bronze and qualifies for the summer Olympic GamesOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
of Athens in 2004, where they were the first team in history to defeat the U.S. team since the inclusion of NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
players, with a final score of 92-73. - José Miguel AgrelotJosé Miguel AgrelotGiuseppe Michael Agrelot , better known as José Miguel Agrelot, was a comedian, radio and television host and media icon in Puerto Rico...
dies at the age of 77, in January 2004. His death had been preceded by a few weeks by that of popular PoncePonce, Puerto RicoPonce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
mayor Rafael Cordero. - Concert comeback of many 70s and 80s performers such as Van Halen, Chicago, Scorpions, Elton John among others.
- Denise QuiñonesDenise QuiñonesDenise Marie Quiñones August is a Puerto Rican actress and beauty pageant titleholder who was the fourth woman from her country to win the Miss Universe contest...
becomes the fourth Puerto Rican to win Miss Universe by annexing the crown in 2001. - In 2006, Zuleyka RiveraZuleyka RiveraZuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza is a Puerto Rican beauty queen who held the titles Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 and Miss Universe 2006. She made her debut as a telenovela actress in Telemundo's soap opera Dame Chocolate.-Early life:...
becomes the fifth Puerto Rican to win Miss Universe.
2010s
- Miguel CottoMiguel CottoMiguel Ángel Cotto Vázquez is a Puerto Rican professional boxer and the reigning WBA light middleweight champion. He is the younger brother of contender Jose Miguel Cotto and cousin of Abner Cotto...
, who debuted during the previous decade, is one of Puerto Rico's most popular boxers during the decade. - Yolanda Arroyo PizarroYolanda Arroyo PizarroYolanda Arroyo Pizarro is a Puerto Rican novelist, short story writer and essayist.-Biography:Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro was born in Guaynabo. She began writing at an early age in school newsletters and newspapers and won drawing and essay competitions at the Colegio San Vicente Ferrer in Cataño...
is a popular Puerto Rican writer during the decade.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican television programs
- Culture of the United StatesCulture of the United StatesThe Culture of the United States is a Western culture originally influenced by European cultures. It has been developing since long before the United States became a country with its own unique social and cultural characteristics such as dialect, music, arts, social habits, cuisine, and folklore...