Opinion/ Commentary: Romeo Santos & Prince Royce on Popcast: “Why Hasn’t Bachata Taken Over the World Yet?”

By Mia Sandoval

Opinion

We can all agree that music brings people together, it makes you feel emotion and connection. Music has transcended that bridge of language where you don't need to speak the same language for a song to connect with you or for it to become a global movement. Bachata music has reached a potential for connection and international reach, but, one thing is success and another is recognition. In this feature, we’ll be discussing the reasons as to why this specific genre has given us so many talented artists, music, a genre that is listened & danced to in many different places, but has yet to receive its proper recognition.  

Bachata, which comes from the Dominican Republic, is a very rich genre with a lot of substance, consisting of many melodies, guitar, bass & full of culture. It’s a genre that has traveled the globe and reached places like Australia, Germany, & almost all of, if not all Latin America and the Caribbean. But, this is not the case when it comes to acknowledgement and exposure by groups like the Recording Academy or other big platforms. There have been many artists in the past 3 decades who have paved a way for this genre and till this day, with all the success, music hits, & international reach, it has not been and nor have any of its artists recognized for their work or impact.  

There is a big lack of artist recognition or nomination for important artists of this genre like Juan Luis Guerra, Romeo Santos, Aventura, Anthony Santos or Raulin Rodriguez, & others. Record producer, award winning & songwriter, Romeo Santos who has been named the ‘King of Bachata’, went on Popcast and express who he felt that Bachata is still underrated, he followed up by saying, “It’s sad that there’s a group of people that dictate what should or shouldn’t be recognized or nominated– based on personal reasons.” An artist at his level, and the ones before him have never gotten the chance to perform at the Grammy’s or have there been a category only for Bachata.  

Bachata can be described as a very niche genre, which could be why it’s overlooked at, leading to it being put together with other music genres like Merengue or Salsa. Which is not fair to say because as a viewer of award shows like the Grammy’s, I see more recognition towards music like regional Mexican and reggaeton, which is fine but it leaves out other talent which has also helped enrich music's culture.  

In my view, this specific genre, while it brings joy to people, has not received the level of recognition it deserves, compared to other genres who now have an award section dedicated to it. We haven’t seen a Bachata artist or music group be acknowledged in spaces like the Grammy’s. Whether they be artists who have collaborated with English speaking artists that have crossed over to bachata like, Usher, Drake, Justin Timberlake, or Bachata artists who have successfully accomplished sold out shows in important places like, Metlife stadium or Madison Square Garden, more than once or twice.  

While music can break records, transcend barriers and get us all up on our feet, the acknowledgement and recognition of the genre and the artistry are also very important. Specifically for this music genre which has existed for so long and has managed to make room for itself, not only that but the artists as well.