Making Cultural Music Connections with Children

• Kate Hagen
• Posted 8/16/22
• 0 comments

Making meaningful cultural connections with our students is imperative.  One way music teachers can engage their students is to honor the musical and artistic works of Latine individuals who shape the world in which we live.   

When looking for resources to educate myself, I enjoy reading posts from Decolonizing the Music Room. This non-profit organization focuses on centering the voices, knowledge, and experience of BBIA (Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian) individuals to challenge the historical dominance of white European and American music. Articles that I found very informative about Latin and Hispanic Cultures include: Identifying and A Legacy for Mexican Children by Elisa Rangel, Brazilian Black Music: Latin America Beyond the Stigmas by Juliana Cantarelli Vita and Chico Santana, Ph.D., and Las Caras Lindas de mi Gente Negra – Black Musicians in the Spanish Speaking Americas by Danielle Brown, Ph.D. 

When searching for music that my students recognize, I follow Music Billboards charts, social media, and my own teenagers. For example, who knew that the Superbowl Half-time Show featuring Latine music icons Shakira and Jennifer Lopéz would be one the last “normal” events before the pandemic.  If you are not familiar with these two women or are not following current artists, you should be!  Here are some additional musicians to follow: 

Rosalía – Nominated this year for Best New Artist and won Best Latin Rock, Urban, or Alternative Album for El Mal Querer at the Grammys. Additionally, she was the first Spanish speaking woman to receive the Rising Star award at the Billboards Women in Music. 

Camila Cabello’s “Señorita,” featuring Shawn Mendes was nominated for Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance.  “Señorita” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in August 2019, and the accompanying music video has racked up more than 890 million views. 

J Balvin – Colombian-born, Spanish-speaking reggaeton singer, is credited as one of the most influential Latino artists changing the sound of top-10 charts across America.  Your students will recognize his song Agua from “Sponge on the Run Movie.” 

Cardi B – A female rapper with the most Billboard Hot 100 number one singles, is also credited with having the most weeks in the top position.  Her song I Like It has become the first song led by a female to surpass a billion streams of Spotify.   

These individuals are just a few of the musicians who shape the fabric of American Music.   I encourage you to research other influential Latine artists whose talents influence popular music to which our students listen.  Additionally, I challenge those of us who work with hundreds of children every year to remember to examine the world through the eyes of our students and stretch beyond our comfort zones. 

This article was originally published by Music ConstructED on September 29, 2020.