All About 'Latin Music Appreciation Month': a Historic Celebration

People en Español and People CHICA share all the details of today's introduction of a bipartisan resolution in the Senate celebrating Latin music in the U.S.

Making history, two U.S. senators today introduced a bipartisan resolution designating May 2024 as Latin Music Appreciation Month in the United States, an effort led by People en Español, music producer Emilio Estefan, and political strategist and organizer Nathaly Arriola Maurice. The resolution was introduced by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla).

“As one of the only Hispanics in the United States Senate, I’m honored to introduce this resolution recognizing Hispanic and Latino achievements in music and culture. The impact of Hispanic and Latino artists in the U.S. and around the world is immeasurable – from driving cultural trends to achieving commercial success – and it’s worth celebrating,” says Senator Luján. “I look forward to May being designated as Latin Music Appreciation Month to inspire millions and appreciate the talents of artists and performers.”

“Hispanic-Americans have made significant contributions to our nation and the music industry. Designating May 2024 as ‘Latin Music Appreciation Month,’ recognizes the important role music has played in enriching the lives of many. Latin Music Appreciation Month pays tribute to our culture and the multiple composers, singers and songwriters who have shaped our nation’s diverse Hispanic communities,” says Senator Rubio.

This recognition comes at a crucial moment for Latin music, adds Estefan. "Since the beginning of my career, my purpose has always been to elevate the culture and music of the great masters who, although sometimes not recognized, have been a constant source of inspiration", he says. "The recognition of Latin Music Month marks a crucial moment to highlight the true story of our music, which carries a diversity of styles from all corners of the world. These sounds have influenced many generations and continue to be the inspiration for the new ones."

The resolution mentions People en Español and its coverage —since its inception in 1996— of artists like Selena Quintanilla, Daddy Yankee, Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Thalía, Enrique Iglesias, Maná, Christina Aguilera and Jenni Rivera, just to name a few.

“For almost 30 years, People en Español has been proudly writing the first draft of Latin music history in the United States,” says María Morales, Senior Editorial Director of the brand. “In our pages and digital space we’ve covered the greats, from Celia to Santana, from Los Tigres to Yankee, from Gloria to Selena, and we’ll continue to cover the contributions of generations to come as we join this effort to honor their influence in the world of music.”

The idea of recognizing the artists who for decades have left their mark in Latin music —and in music worldwide— emerged in late 2021, says Veronica Viviana Vega Wilson, National Digital Sales Director For People en Español and Dotdash Meredith Latino. "The concept of Latin Music Appreciation Month as a proclamation first came to me in September 2021, when we were in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is wildly popular with our advertisers," she recalls. "While People en Español celebrates Latinos everyday, we always notice the upswing in interest that takes place every year during this time, and Latin music is always highly sought-after content."

What began as a dream started to materialize at the end of last year, as the brand's editorial and sales teams joined forces with great allies of the project like Estefan, Arriola Maurice and senators Luján and Rubio.

Si no te quieres perder nada, suscríbete gratis aquí al boletín de People en Español para estar al día sobre todo lo que hacen tus celebridades favoritas, las noticias más impactantes y lo último en moda+belleza.

"Latin music, and all its genres, are a gift, enjoyed across the United States, its territories and worldwide. We felt Latin music deserved its own platform, with its own full month of celebration," adds Vega Wilson, who recruited Carmen López, People en Español's Brand Partnerships Director, to initiate conversations with Estefan about the project. "In November 2023 I brought the concept back up to our Editorial, Marketing and Brand Partnership Teams, and from there we began pulling our connections together to bring Latin Music Appreciation Month to life."

Another key component to making this dream a reality was Arriola Maurice, founder of the public affairs firm Operativo, and former Director of Partnerships at the White House for President Joe Biden, who besides being an expert communicator, organizer and political strategist, acts as a connecting bridge to the most powerful change-makers in Washington D.C.

“It has been a privilege to bring the national celebration of Latin Music Month to fruition. This effort not only celebrates the rich history, vibrant present, and promising future of Latin music but also honors the invaluable cultural contributions Latinos make to our country," says Arriola Maurice, who was one of People en Español's '25 Most Powerful Women' this year. "The power of music to unite and uplift us is unparalleled, and I am certain this celebration will forever provide a platform for artists, the music industry, and our public institutions to honor Latinos and the music we create."

In December of 2023, the group traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Senator Luján and present their proposal. In February of 2024, Senator Rubio reached out to express his interest in the effort —and the rest is history.

"As keepers of the culture, we are so proud to share this with everyone," Vega Wilson says. "And we give mil gracias to our friends Emilo Estefan, CEO of Estefan Enterprises, and Nathaly Arriola Maurice, CEO of Operativo, for their participation, support and guidance in helping to make this happen."

“Music connects us. It heals our hearts. It reminds us to love. When we come together to sing and dance, borders and nationalities disappear and we are just music fans. Muchas gracias Senators Ben Ray Luján and Marco Rubio for their dedication in celebrating Latin Music and, most importantly, in recognizing the Latino immigrant community in the United States that has elevated our music to this moment,” said Fher Olvera, lead singer of MANÁ.