10/13/2025
As someone of Spanish heritage and a deep appreciation for Latin music, I often include Latin tracks in my mixes. That's why I wanted to share facts about their roots, influence, and how Latin artists challenge misconceptions about culture, race, and identity in America.
The word America is Latin. Christopher Columbus, an Italian, explored the Americas on behalf of Spain. Many U.S. states have Spanish names, proving Latin heritage isn’t foreign to this country but built into it. These include California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. Cities and landmarks like Mar-A-Lago, El Paso, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, the Rio Grande, and the Alamo also have Spanish origins.
U.S. law and language are full of Latin terms such as habeas corpus, pro bono, ad hoc, et cetera, per se, vice versa, alma mater, subpoena, via, versus, e pluribus unum, post mortem, status quo, bona fide, and Semper Fidelis, the U.S. Marine Corps motto also known as Semper Fi. Everyday English includes many Spanish words as well, including ranch, rodeo, patio, canyon, plaza, and vigilante.
Spanish and Latin American influence runs deep in American life, from food and drink to celebrations and style. The national menu would be unrecognizable without staples like burritos, tacos, nachos, fajitas, salsa, guacamole, quesadillas, chili (yes, chili), and barbecue (originally barbacoa), as well as popular drinks such as margaritas, tequila, rum, and coffee. Even Cinco de Mayo, a minor Mexican holiday, is celebrated much more in the U.S. than in Mexico, commercialized and embraced mainly by white Americans as a party day. Meanwhile, the history behind it is mostly overlooked.
The Catholic Church and its Latin liturgy also influenced much of early American religion and architecture, reflecting the spread of Spanish influence through mission systems, sacred art, and rituals that integrated Latin culture into the spiritual and visual identity of early America.
Even the iconic image of the American cowboy, often portrayed as the symbol of rugged independence, comes from Spanish and Mexican roots. The first cowboys were vaqueros, skilled horsemen who managed cattle in Mexico and the Spanish colonies long before the U.S. existed. They introduced the tools, clothing, and language that defined cowboy culture, including boots (botas), hats (sombreros), saddles (silla vaquera), spurs (espuela), lassos (la reata), chaps (chaparreras), and ranching itself. The words ranch, rodeo, lasso, bronco, and mustang all have their roots in Spanish.
When white settlers moved west, they learned these traditions directly from Mexican vaqueros and then rebranded them as their own. Hollywood later turned this into the myth of the white cowboy, erasing the Mexican, Indigenous, and even Black cowhands who actually built the American West.
And yet, even in pop culture, white America dances to Latin rhythm. Think of every wedding, prom, or office party playlist: “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens, “Oye Cómo Va” by Carlos Santana, “Conga” by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine, “La Isla Bonita” by Madonna, “Lambada” by Kaoma, “Macarena” by Los Del Rio, “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin, “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean, “Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee, “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, and, ironically, “I Like It” by Cardi B featuring and J Balvin. Songs in Spanish or rooted in Latin beats have filled white American dance floors for generations, proving that Latin influence isn’t just part of American history; it’s woven into its sound, language, and identity.
Latin culture isn’t foreign to America. It is America.
Bad Bunny, who is bilingual and understands, speaks, and writes in both English and Spanish, is a U.S. citizen. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, just like American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It’s been part of America for 127 years, longer than most MAGA family trees have even existed.
And on top of that, he’s one of the most successful artists alive, a three-time global Spotify king, Grammy Awards winner (3 US, 11 Latin), sold-out stadiums across continents, and Coachella headliner, performing at one of the largest and most influential music festivals in the world. Coachella draws over 250,000 attendees every year, with global media coverage and performances from the most famous artists across every genre, making it a benchmark of cultural and musical impact.
Bad Bunny’s success has earned him an estimated net worth of over $100 million, yet he’s known for giving back to his community. Through his Good Bunny Foundation, he supports underprivileged youth in Puerto Rico by donating school supplies, sports equipment, and musical instruments. He’s also funded local relief efforts after hurricanes and advocates for education, equality, and social justice across Latin America and beyond.
Now Billboard named him Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century, and he’ll be honored with that historic recognition at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Bad Bunny doesn’t need to prove he’s American; his birth certificate, Social Security number, and passport already do. The only ones crying are the insecure racists who can’t handle the fact that talent speaks Spanish while they can barely handle English.
