Artists like Africando
Kindred artists that sit next to Africando on the star chart — same era, adjacent sound, or overlapping influence. Tap any card to open its full page.
Ismael RiveraartistIsmael Rivera a.k.a. "Maelo", was a Puerto Rican composer and salsa singer.
Celia CruzartistCelia Caridad Cruz Alfonso, known as Celia Cruz, was a Cuban-American singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Cruz rose to fame in Cuba during the 1950s as a singer of guarachas, earning the nickname La Guarachera de Cuba. In the following decades, she became known internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" due to her contributions to Latin music. She sold over 30 million records, making her one of the best-selling Latin music artists.
Johnny PachecoartistJuan Pablo Knipping Pacheco, known as Johnny Pacheco, was a Dominican musician, arranger, composer, bandleader, and record producer. Born in the Dominican Republic, Pacheco became a leading figure in the New York salsa scene in the 1960s and 1970s as the founder and musical director of Fania Records.
Oscar D'LeónartistÓscar Emilio León Simosa, known as Oscar D'León, and affectionately called The Pharaoh of Salsa, The Lion of Salsa, and the World's Sonero, is a Venezuelan musician and bassist best known for his salsa music. He is the author of "Llorarás", which he recorded in 1974 with his group, Dimensión Latina. He is also an ambassador for Operation Smile.
Eddie PalmieriartistEduardo Palmieri was an American musician, bandleader, and composer of Puerto Rican heritage. He was the founder of the bands La Perfecta (1961), La Perfecta II (2002), and Harlem River Drive (1970).
El Gran Combo De Puerto Ricoartist
Fruko Y Sus Tesosartist
The Latin Brothersartist
Ray BarrettoartistRaymundo "Ray" Barretto Pagán was an American percussionist and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent. Throughout his career as a percussionist, he played a wide variety of Latin music styles, as well as Latin jazz. His first hit, "El Watusi", was recorded by his Charanga Moderna in 1962, becoming the most successful pachanga song in the United States. In the late 1960s, Barretto became one of the leading exponents of boogaloo and what would later be known as salsa. Nonetheless, many of Barretto's recordings would remain rooted in more traditional genres such as son cubano. A master of the descarga, Barretto was a long-time member of the Fania All-Stars. His success continued into the 1970s with songs such as "Cocinando" and "Indestructible". His last album for Fania Records, Soy dichoso, was released in 1990. He then formed the New World Spirit jazz ensemble and continued to tour and record until his death in 2006. He is the father of American vocalist and saxophonist Chris Barretto, best known for being the former singer of progressive metal bands Monuments and Periphery.
Bembeya Jazz Nationalartist
Héctor LavoeartistHéctor Juan Pérez Martínez, better known as Héctor Lavoe, was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. Widely regarded as one of salsa's most important and influential vocalists, Lavoe played a pivotal role in popularizing the genre throughout the 1960s, '70s, and '80s. His charismatic persona and artistic vision propelled him to become one of the most successful Latin music artists of all time.
Joe ArroyoartistÁlvaro Arroyo González was a Colombian salsa and tropical music singer, composer and songwriter. He is considered one of the greatest performers of Caribbean and salsa music in his country and across Latin America. In 2018, Billboard counted Arroyo's song "La Rebelión" as one of the "15 Best Salsa Songs Ever".
Marc Anthonyartist
Fania All Starsartist
Los Van VanartistLos Van Van is one of the leading musical groups of post-revolutionary Cuba. It was founded in 1969 by bassist Juan Formell, who directed the band until his death in 2014. Formell and former band members Changuito and Pupy are some of the most important figures in contemporary Cuban music, having contributed to the development of songo and timba, two popular dance music genres.
Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Soundartist
Vieja Trova Santiagueraartist
Indiaartist
Joe Cuba Sextetartist
Grupo NicheartistGrupo Niche is a salsa group founded in 1978 in Bogotá, Colombia. It enjoys great popularity throughout Latin America. It was founded by Jairo Varela and Alexis Lozano. Varela remained with the group throughout his life, serving as producer, director, songwriter, vocalist, and guiro player. Alexis Lozano, trombone player and arranger later left to form Orquesta Guayacán. The group also included Nicolas Cristancho "Macabi" on the piano, Francisco Garcia "Porky" on the bass, Luis Pacheco, on the congas, and vocalists Jorge Bazán and Hector Viveros.