Musically speaking? Had a lead come in yesterday and spoke with the MOB. She said the groom is Cuban. Can't say that I've done a Cuban (or 1/2 Cuban) wedding. Would this be classified as "Cuban" or "Latina" music?
Is "Cuban" the same as "Latina"
- Thread starter rickryan.com
- Start date
Like most ethnic music .. it really depends. Are they actually from Cuba and do they listen to rhumbas, salsas or similar ... or are they from Miami and listen to a more eclectic mix?
I think Cuban music is more peppered with jazz than other Latin types.
I think Cuban music is more peppered with jazz than other Latin types.
Cuban music falls under the umbrella of Latin music. Besides their traditional Cuban and Afro Cuban music I'm quite sure they also listen to Reggaetón, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Samba, Mambo and Baila Loco depending on their age.
Q: Is "Cuban" the same as "Latina"
A: No.
I concur with the wisdom offered by Steve & Mike.
In my, albeit limited, real world, non-forum/unvetted, experience, clients requesting Latin, Spanish, Cuban, Hispanic songs have a personal and specific expectation that often, read usually defies or confounds generic definitions.
For example, a recent wedding client's initial suggestions/requests were for "some Spanish music for my (the bride's) Mexican family."
I could have asked in a forum and been bombarded with opinions leading to play any and everything from Guantanamera (more appropriately a Cuban song) to Despacito to El Jarabe Tapatio, the later rising almost to offensive.
So I did NOT do that. Instead, I asked the bride to send me a list of songs that her family enjoyed at other weddings, family celebrations and to ask her parents, sisters and brothers for suggestions because one family's definition of Spanish or Mexican songs is as diverse as any two special families.
What I rec'd in response was not only a meaningful and informative list, but a note of true appreciation and acknowledgement for my practice of refusing to homogenize families, especially her family.
Turns out her family has a preference for Norteño & Cumbia, Corrido music.
Here are your two only definitive options:
You have only two considerations, 1 will be particularly correct and the other potentially (most likely) useless:
1) Ask the client and know what that client expects.
2) Ask in deeejay forum and get the opinion of a gaggle of deeeeeejays.
A: No.
I concur with the wisdom offered by Steve & Mike.
In my, albeit limited, real world, non-forum/unvetted, experience, clients requesting Latin, Spanish, Cuban, Hispanic songs have a personal and specific expectation that often, read usually defies or confounds generic definitions.
For example, a recent wedding client's initial suggestions/requests were for "some Spanish music for my (the bride's) Mexican family."
I could have asked in a forum and been bombarded with opinions leading to play any and everything from Guantanamera (more appropriately a Cuban song) to Despacito to El Jarabe Tapatio, the later rising almost to offensive.
So I did NOT do that. Instead, I asked the bride to send me a list of songs that her family enjoyed at other weddings, family celebrations and to ask her parents, sisters and brothers for suggestions because one family's definition of Spanish or Mexican songs is as diverse as any two special families.
What I rec'd in response was not only a meaningful and informative list, but a note of true appreciation and acknowledgement for my practice of refusing to homogenize families, especially her family.
Turns out her family has a preference for Norteño & Cumbia, Corrido music.
Here are your two only definitive options:
You have only two considerations, 1 will be particularly correct and the other potentially (most likely) useless:
1) Ask the client and know what that client expects.
2) Ask in deeejay forum and get the opinion of a gaggle of deeeeeejays.
Last edited:
Welcome Steve! 
But yes, "Latina," "Chicano," "Afro-Cuban," "Salsa," "Spanish," "Mexican," "Hispanic," are not only real terms meaning different things, but are also somewhat controversial and socially-loaded, depending on who you're talking to... Who may or may not have any idea of what they are talking about in the first place.
So as wifedj suggested, I'd bring it back to the source.
GJ
But yes, "Latina," "Chicano," "Afro-Cuban," "Salsa," "Spanish," "Mexican," "Hispanic," are not only real terms meaning different things, but are also somewhat controversial and socially-loaded, depending on who you're talking to... Who may or may not have any idea of what they are talking about in the first place.
So as wifedj suggested, I'd bring it back to the source.
GJ