Puerto Rico has a rich musical heritage that has given birth to some of the world’s most talented and popular singers. From salsa and merengue to reggaeton and Latin pop, Puerto Rican artists have dominated the Latin music scene and made significant contributions to the global music industry. In this article, we will explore the top 10 famous singers from Puerto Rico, each with their unique style and impact on the music industry.
The list includes some of the most iconic names in Latin music, including Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony, who have all achieved worldwide fame with their catchy songs and electrifying performances. We will also introduce you to some of the newer generation of Puerto Rican singers, such as Bad Bunny and Ozuna, who have taken the music world by storm with their fresh sounds and innovative approaches to the genre. Through this article, we hope to showcase the diversity and creativity of Puerto Rican music and its impact on the world stage.
1. Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin is a singer, actor, and author from Puerto Rico who first gained fame as a member of the boy band Menudo in the 1980s. He later achieved international success as a solo artist with hits like “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “She Bangs.” Martin has sold over 70 million records worldwide and has won multiple awards, including Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards. He is also known for his philanthropic work and activism, particularly for LGBTQ+ rights and disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico. In 2010, he publicly came out as gay and has since been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Martin has also acted in various TV shows and films, including the popular TV series “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” for which he won an Emmy award.
2. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez, also known as JLo, is a singer, actress, and businesswoman from Puerto Rico. She started her career as a dancer on the TV show “In Living Color” in the early 1990s, and later transitioned into music with her debut album “On the 6” in 1999, featuring hit songs like “If You Had My Love” and “Waiting for Tonight.” Lopez has since released multiple successful albums and singles, including “Jenny from the Block” and “Dance Again.” In addition to her music career, Lopez has acted in various films and TV shows, including “Selena” and “Hustlers,” and has received multiple awards for her performances. She is also a successful businesswoman, with her own clothing and fragrance lines, and is known for her philanthropic work, particularly for children’s health and education.
3. Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno is a singer, dancer, and actress from Puerto Rico who has had a prolific career spanning over seven decades. She first rose to prominence in the 1950s with roles in musicals like “Singin’ in the Rain” and “The King and I,” for which she won an Academy Award. Moreno later appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including the popular children’s program “The Electric Company” and the acclaimed series “Oz” and “Jane the Virgin.” She has won multiple awards throughout her career, including an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony, making her one of the few artists to have achieved EGOT status. Moreno is also an advocate for Latinx representation in the entertainment industry and has been vocal about her experiences with racism and sexism in Hollywood.
4. Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny is a singer, rapper, and songwriter from Puerto Rico who has gained international recognition for his unique blend of Latin trap and reggaeton music. He started his career in 2015 by uploading his music to SoundCloud, and later gained mainstream success with hits like “Soy Peor” and “Mía.” Bad Bunny has since released multiple successful albums, including “X 100pre” and “YHLQMDLG,” and has collaborated with numerous artists, including Cardi B and J Balvin. In addition to his music career, Bad Bunny has also been involved in fashion and activism, particularly for issues affecting the Latinx community, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing protests in Puerto Rico. He has won multiple awards, including Latin Grammy Awards and Billboard Latin Music Awards, and is considered one of the most influential Latin artists of his generation.
5. Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is a singer, songwriter, and actor from Puerto Rico who has had a successful career spanning over three decades. He is known for his salsa and Latin pop music, with hit songs like “Vivir Mi Vida” and “I Need to Know.” Anthony has released multiple successful albums and has won numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards. He has also acted in various films and TV shows, including the popular TV series “Hawthorne” and the film “Man on Fire.” Anthony is also known for his philanthropic work and activism, particularly for causes related to children’s health and poverty alleviation. He has established the Maestro Cares Foundation, which supports orphaned and impoverished children in Latin America, and has been recognized for his contributions to the Latinx community with awards like the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Leadership Award.
6. Daddy Yankee
Daddy Yankee, born Ramón Ayala, is a singer, rapper, and songwriter from Puerto Rico who is considered one of the pioneers of reggaeton music. He gained international fame with his hit single “Gasolina” in 2004, which helped popularize reggaeton music around the world. Daddy Yankee has since released numerous successful albums and has collaborated with various artists, including Luis Fonsi for the hit song “Despacito.” He has also acted in various films and TV shows, including the film “Talento de Barrio” and the TV series “Celia.” Daddy Yankee is known for his philanthropic work and has established the Daddy Yankee Foundation, which focuses on youth education and disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries. He has won multiple awards throughout his career, including Latin Grammy Awards and Billboard Latin Music Awards.
7. Farruko
Farruko, born Carlos Efrén Reyes Rosado, is a singer and songwriter from Puerto Rico who has made a name for himself in the reggaeton and Latin trap music scenes. He gained recognition with his debut album “El Talento del Bloque” in 2010, featuring hit songs like “Su Hija Me Gusta” and “Cositas Que Hacíamos.” Farruko has since released numerous successful albums, including “Visionary” and “Gangalee,” and has collaborated with various artists, including Ozuna and J Balvin. He is known for his versatile music style, incorporating elements of reggae, hip-hop, and Latin pop into his songs. Farruko is also an advocate for Latinx representation in the entertainment industry and has been vocal about the importance of preserving Puerto Rican culture through music. He has won multiple awards, including Latin Grammy Awards and Billboard Latin Music Awards.
8. José Feliciano
José Feliciano is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Puerto Rico who has had a successful career spanning over five decades. He first gained recognition in the 1960s with his cover of the song “Light My Fire,” and later achieved international success with his hit song “Feliz Navidad,” which has become a holiday classic. Feliciano is known for his soulful voice and unique style of playing the guitar, incorporating elements of jazz, blues, and Latin music. He has released numerous successful albums, including “Feliciano!” and “And the Feeling’s Good,” and has collaborated with various artists, including Frank Sinatra and Juan Gabriel. Feliciano is also an advocate for disability rights, having been blind since birth, and has been recognized for his contributions to Latin music with awards like the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
9. Chayanne
Chayanne is a singer, actor, and dancer from Puerto Rico who has had a successful career spanning over four decades. He started his career as a member of the boy band Los Chicos in the late 1970s, and later achieved success as a solo artist with hits like “Fiesta en América” and “Provócame.” Chayanne has released numerous successful albums and has won multiple awards throughout his career, including Latin Grammy Awards and Billboard Latin Music Awards. He is also known for his acting career, having appeared in various films and TV shows, including the popular telenovela “Provócame” and the film “Dance with Me.” Chayanne is also involved in philanthropic work, particularly for children’s health and education, and has been recognized for his contributions to the Latinx community with awards like the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Vision Award.
10. Ozuna
Ozuna, born Juan Carlos Ozuna Rosado, is a singer and songwriter from Puerto Rico who has become one of the biggest names in reggaeton and Latin trap music. He gained recognition with his debut single “Si No Te Quiere” in 2014 and has since released numerous successful albums, including “Aura” and “ENOC.” Ozuna is known for his smooth voice and catchy lyrics, and has collaborated with various artists, including Cardi B and Daddy Yankee. He is also involved in philanthropic work and has been recognized for his contributions to his community, particularly for his efforts in helping to rebuild Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Ozuna has won multiple awards throughout his career, including Latin Grammy Awards and Billboard Latin Music Awards, and is considered one of the most influential Latin artists of his generation.
Darren Jamison is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
