"As a consequence of clubs closing due to COVID-19, Billboard indefinitely suspended the Dance Club Songs chart in March. The chart ranked the week's most popular songs played in dance clubs, according to reports submitted by DJs across the country.
Latin music has always been a staple of the club scene. Much of the music, after all, is eminently danceable, and the biggest Latin stars could expand their audience with remixes designed for electronic and dance music fans and for clubs catering to the LGBTQ+ community. Before the Dance Club Songs chart was closed, for example, Jennifer Lopez's "Baila Conmigo" (her take on Colombian DJs Dayvi and Victor Cárdenas' viral hit), hit No. 1 in February.
But although many clubs, bars, and discotecas remain shuttered, the action doesn't have to stop. With the parties at home and online now, Billboard revisits 11 remixes of classic Latin hits from some of our favorite Latin music artists.
RosalÃa -"A Palé"
The most recent hit on this playlist is "A Palé" by Spanish singer-songwriter RosalÃa. In January she teamed up with French DJ Gesaffelstein, who has previously worked with The Weeknd, on a remix. Gesaffelstein gave RosalÃa's addictive track a dark yet dazzling update that sticks in your head even more with the repeated "A Palé" title as a core element.
Shakira - "Las de la Intuición"
In June, Colombian superstar Shakira's Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 turned 15-years-old. A fan favorite on the album is the electronic delight "Las de la Intuición." When the song was issued as a single, many remixes were commissioned. One that stands out is the "RLS Glamour Radio Mix," which lived up to the glamour name by giving "Las de la Intuición" some extra club bounce.
ThalÃa -"¿A Quién Le Importa?"
Mexican icon ThalÃa is proud of her connection with the LGBTQ+ community throughout her career. She strengthened that bond in 2002 by covering the gay anthem "¿A Quién Le Importa?" by Spanish duo Alaska y Dinarama. On 2003's Thalia's Hits Remix, "¿A Quién Le Importa?" was reworked by DJs Hex Hector and Mac Quayle. The moving remix made ThalÃa's defiant message more empowering.
Paulina Rubio -"Ni Una Sola Palabra"
"Ni Una Sola Palabra" is one of Mexican icon Paulina Rubio's signature hits from her 2006 album Ananda. For a re-issue of the album the following year, she enlisted Mexican electro-pop group Belanova to remix the song. Belanova's remix accentuated the chilling elements of "Ni Una Sola Palabra" while adding some electronic sheen to the song.
Christina Aguilera - "Falsas Esperanzas"
Pop superstar Christina Aguilera celebrated the 20th anniversary of her Latin album Mi Reflejo with Billboard in June. On a special edition of the album, the Ecuadorian-American singer included a remix of her tropical bop "Falsas Esperanzas." While reworking the song for the clubs, the sleek remix also added more bite to Aguilera's roar. The dance remix of her ballad "Pero Me Acuerdo de Ti" was another highlight.
Ricky Martin - "MarÃa"
One of the rare cases where the remix was more successful than the original song. Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin first released his ode to "MarÃa" on his 1995 album A Medio Vivir. Later that year local DJ Pablo Flores turned the slow-burn song into the club anthem that became a global hit. On the remix, Flores upped the tempo and the sex appeal of "MarÃa." This is the Wepa! that launched the Latin and dance music crossover of the '90s.
Carlos Rivera -"Fascinación"
While known for his Latin pop ballads, Mexican superstar Carlos Rivera switched things up with the promotions of "Fascinación," his standout single from 2013's El Hubiera No Existe. Multiple remixes were commissioned. The Dammove Ferro Radio Mix was the standout, and took Rivera's soaring voice to new heights. Turns out, Rivera was simply irresistible in electronica too.
Selena - "Techno Cumbia"
This year the world has been celebrating 25 years since the loss of Tex-Mex queen Selena in March 1995. To revamp her timeless music catalog, the late singer's family issued the remix album Enamorada de Ti in 2012. While most of her hits were turned into virtual duets, "Techno Cumbia" was remixed with more of a tropical music punch. Selena's attitude-packed club classic was given a refreshing update.
Celia Cruz - "La Negra Tiene Tumbao"
Cuban legend Celia Cruz celebrated Black and Afro-Latina women like herself with "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" from her 2001 album of the same name. Before her passing in July 2003, Cruz commissioned remixes of her greatest hits for her 2002's Hits Mix album. DJ Fluid maintained the salsa feel of the empowering song while giving it a carnival-esque club update.
Jennifer Lopez-"Qué Hiciste"
Nuyorican superstar Jennifer Lopez committed herself to the Latin music game in 2007 with the album Como Ama Una Mujer. For the fiery lead single "Qué Hiciste," she commissioned a few remixes. Famed DJ Tony Moran, who has worked with Cher, Madonna, and Mariah Carey, kept the Spanish guitar while turning up the heat behind J.Lo's rage. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially in the club.
Enrique Iglesias - "Experiencia Religiosa"
This November will mark the 25th anniversary of Spanish superstar Enrique Iglesias stepping out from his father Julio Iglesias' shadow with his 1995 self-titled album. Enrique started out his career as a balladeer, but he hit a new groove with 1998's Remixes album. His supernatural love song "Experiencia Religiosa" was re-imagined into a club anthem. Iglesias took us to church with this disco heaven remix." - Billboard.com
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