@Orlando Sanchez

Venezuela's Oscar D'Leon has been making people dance with his energetic salsa jams and improvised lyrics for over four decades. Heavily influenced by the Cuban big bands of the ‘50s and ‘60s, he commands the stage with his upright bass and striking voice. His hits from the ‘70s have remained dancefloor staples at salsa clubs even to this day. In 2013, he was a featured performer with the Latin GRAMMY®-winning Sergio George Presents Salsa Giants.

Great music doesn’t age, it ripens. So take this collection of party-ready tunes from the late ’90s through the early 2000s as a hit of nostalgia. But also take it as a musical cross-section of a particular time. From mainstream smashes to underground highlights, hip-hop and R&B to indie folk, one-hit wonders to modern classics, this is the sound of our still-young century. As throwback as it may be, our editors still update tracks regularly, so if you hear something you like, add it to your library.

Las canciones perfectas para bailar salsa 💃🏽

Born Juan Luis Londoño Arias in 1994 in Medellín, Colombia, Maluma has joined a rising tide of Latin pop artists—including Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and Ozuna—who have managed to make a global impact without tailoring themselves for a global (read: English-speaking) market. His biggest tracks—the breezy “ADMV” and “11 PM”; the laid-back “HP” and “Qué Pena”—have helped define 21st-century reggaetón and Latin trap, while his collaborations with artists like Madonna (“Medellín”) and The Weeknd (“Hawái [Remix]”) aren’t just novel features but reflections of the changing demographics of mainstream music. And that’s to say nothing of his crossover forays, such as with Mexican singer Carín León on “Según Quién.”

Press play and plug into an eclectic mix of the most electrifying Latin hits around. Whatever flavor you’re into, you’ll find it among these pop stunners, dance-floor gems, and heartfelt ballads. Headlining the playlist this week are Becky G and Manuel Turizo with “QUE HACES.” Following the música mexicana celebrations and explorations of <i>ESQUINAS</i> and <i>ENCUENTROS</i>, the beloved Mexican American artist returns to her pop-star origins by collaborating with the tropically inclined Colombian hitmaker on this merengue-infused love song. Our editors regularly update this playlist. If you like a song, add it to your library.

Formed in 1978 by composer and singer Jairo Varela, Grupo Niche is Colombia's premier salsa powerhouse. Known for both sizzling dance tunes and romántica ballads, Grupo Niche has featured a variety of dramatic singers over its long history, including legendary voices like Tito Gómez, Charlie Cardona, and Javier Vázquez. A fixture on tropical radio stations from the very beginning, Grupo Niche exploded internationally in the '80s, and though guiding force Valera died in 2012, the band continues to thrill dancers. Get off your culata and start grooving to this collection of their blazing salsa hits.