What do Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Daddy Yankee, Maná and Jennifer Lopez have in common?
Yes, they all are Latino. But they were also included in the list of the 15 greatest latino singers of all time, chosen by Latina.com.
Let's see what makes these artists stand out in the very competitive world of music and entertainment:
Gloria Estefan
Back in the day, Estefan was studying to become a psychologist when she decided to start her singing career. Her true destiny was to become a pioneer of the pop Latin genre and earned the crown as queen of all Latina musical artists.
"I was going to be a doctor, but I think my music allowed me to help more people than I could have done one-on-one as a psychologist. Just like other people's music really helped me."
With seven Latin Grammys and more than 100 million albums sold, the Havana-born superstar has always stayed true to her rhythmic Cuban roots. Estefan has a new album out, a Broadway show about her life, a football team and multiple businesses.
Her third studio album "Mi Tierra", that includes nostalgic ballads and upbeat dance tracks, was her first Spanish-language album and won the Grammy for "Best Tropical Album of the Year".
For her upcoming English-language album "The Standards", due out this Fall, she recorded 16 songs in four days. "They were all songs that somehow spoke to me personally", she told Billboard Magazine.
Shakira
She got her first record deal at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped ever since. With an estimated fortune of 200 million dollars, Shakira is one of the most successful singer-songwriter of her time.
Her unique hybrid of pop, rock and Middle Eastern influences earned her a total of seven Latin Grammys and two Grammys including "Best Latin Pop Album of the Year" for her "Shakira: MTV Unplugged" album. She is also one of the three people to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube.
Shakira confessed to The Guardian UK that she studied writing lyrics in English even when she could barely speak the language. All that hard work has definitely paid off. The "Hips Don't Lie" singer has become one of Latin pop's biggest female crossover stars, after her fourth album "¿Dónde Están Los Ladrones?" ("Where Are The Thieves?) sold over a million copies in the U.S. alone.
In 2011, Shakira was added to The Hollywood Walk of Fame after selling an estimated 70 million albums worldwide. On January, she gave birth to baby Milan, her son with Barcelona star Gerard Piqué.
Daddy Yankee
This Puerto Rican star has paved the way for many reggaetoneros throughout the years. He started his career in the underground scene and was one of the first to turn gritty-Spanish-language free-style into commercial success.
He transcended cultural boundaries with his 2004 mainstream breakthrough "Barrio Fino", that featured the international hit single "Gasolina". By the time his 2007 follow-up album, "El Cartel: The Big Boss", was released he had transformed himself into an international name brand.
"El Boss", as he likes to call himself, is known for producing party anthems. His latest single "Lovumba" is currently number one on Billboard's "Latin Pop Song" chart.
"My style of music is unique - it makes people want to dance and have fun. I have fans from all around the world that don't speak either English or Spanish, but they still buy my music and go to my shows", he told ourstage.com on January.
Maná
Maná is a Polynesian word that means "positive energy". And after selling 25 million records worldwide on 2011, they can sure stay positive.
Since releasing its first album in 1990, this internationally known Latin rock pop/rock band from Guadalajara, Jalisco, have won four Grammy awards, seven Latin Grammy awards and ten Premio Lo Nuestro awards. On 2011, they broke the record for most sold-out shows at Staples Center history, surpassing Britney Spears.
Mana's globalization started after the release of their album "¿Dónde jugarán los niños?", in 1991. The band went on a first class promotional tour and a series of 268 concerts over 17 countries, that positioned them in the U.S. Latino community.
Although Fher Olvera, the lead singer who writes most of the group's songs, has considered writing in English, several other musicians, like Coldplay's Chris Martin, had urged him to stick to his native Spanish, he told The New York Times.
Their latest album "Exiliados en la Bahía" includes greatest hits from the band's 20 plus year as the leading Latinamerican band. It also features previously unreleased track "Un Nuevo Amanecer".
Jennifer Lopez
Some may criticize her for her lack of singing ability, but the Boricua pop star has always let her chart-topping success do all of the talking. Lopez has come a long way from her roots in The Bronx, N.Y.
From back-up dancer on "In Living Color" to a judge on "American Idol", J-Lo's career has been nothing but successful. Her very first single "If You Had My Love", from 1999, shot to the top position on the Billboard Hot 100. That year, her debut album "On The 6" sold more than 7 million units worldwide.
She is also the first Latina actress to get paid over a million per movie as well as the first artist to have a number one movie and album in the same week.
Her latest album "Love?" was inspired by her public split from ex-husband Marc Anthony, which whom she remains friends. This album proved Lopez's biggest hit in years, featuring songs such as "On The Floor" ft. Pitbull and "Papi".
Check the full list below!
1- Celia Cruz
2- Selena Quintanilla
3- Tito Puente
4- Daddy Yankee
5- Gloria Estefan
6- Shakira
7- Paulina Rubio
8- Los Tigres del Norte
9- Marc Anthony
10- Maná
11- Jennifer Lopez
12- Carlos Santana
13- Ricky Martin
14- Héctor Lavoe
15- Juan Luis Guerra