Legacy of Los Angeles Negros
Artists and genres Los Angeles Negros directly influenced — one hop forward on the family tree of music.
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.
Funkdoobiestartist
Damian Marleyartist
JAY-ZartistShawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. In 2023, Billboard and Vibe ranked him as the greatest rapper of all time. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, Jay-Z is known for his complex lyricism that often uses double entendres, wordplay, and braggadocio. His music is built on a rags to riches narrative. According to Forbes, he is the wealthiest music artist in history, worth an estimated US$2.8 billion as of 2026.
Los BunkersartistLos Bunkers is an alternative rock band from Concepción, Chile, formed in 1999 by brothers Álvaro and Gonzalo López, Mauricio Basualto, and brothers Francisco and Mauricio Durán.
José JoséartistJosé Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, known professionally as José José was a Mexican singer and actor. Dubbed as "El Príncipe de la Canción", his performance and vocal style have influenced many Latin pop artists in a career that spanned more than four decades. Due to his vocals and popularity, José José was considered by Latin audiences and media as an icon of Latin pop music and one of the most emblematic Latin singers of his time.
The BeatnutsartistThe Beatnuts is an American hip hop group and production duo from New York City. Its current members are JuJu and Psycho Les. JuJu is a Dominican American from Corona and Psycho Les is a Colombian American from Jackson Heights, Queens. Although only peripheral members, they are routinely acknowledged by Q-Tip as being members of Native Tongues. The Beatnuts were originally a trio before Fashion, now known as Al' Tariq, left the group to start a solo career. V.I.C. was also a member of The Beatnuts' production team for a while.
Los Retrosartist
Halfway TreeartistHalfway Tree is the second album by Jamaican reggae musician Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. It was released on September 11, 2001 via Motown Records. Recording sessions took place at Marley Music Studios, Tuff Gong Recording Studios and Sonic Sound Studios in Kingston, Quad Studios in New York and The Hit Factory in Miami. Production was handled by Stephen Marley, Kid Nyce, Swizz Beatz and Jr. Gong himself, with Roland Lyfook, David Cole and Diavallan Fearon serving as co-producers. It features guest appearances from Yami Bolo, Stephen Marley, Treach, Bounty Killer, Bunny Wailer, Capleton, Daddigan, Drag-On, Eve, Jimmy Cozier, Mr. Cheeks and Sabor.