Cultural Factors That Shaped Salsa
Afro-Caribbean
The rhythm of salsa can be traced back to the musical cultures of enslaved Africans and their descendants, especially those who ended up in the Caribbean. Salsa’s most fundamental rhythm, called the clave rhythm, originates from African rhythm patterns created by the African diaspora that developed during the slave trade. Additionally, the prominent use of instruments like cowbells, congas, and bongos stems from African and Caribbean roots. When introduced to the musical cultures of the Western hemisphere, musicians began to combine aspects from both sides, creating a new form of music that we know today as salsa!
New York City Living
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, New York City was a melting pot consisting of people from Latin America and the Caribbean. A large portion of the population came from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. With everyone living in close proximity, music from different areas was easily introduced to others. Along with music from other countries, they encountered New York’s jazz scene. Inspired by the harmonies and use of horn instruments, they began to incorporate them into their music, creating a fusion of NYC, Caribbean, and Latin American music. NYC is also where Fania Records was established, which developed the first salsa record, making NYC the epicenter for salsa music.
Cuba & Puerto Rico
Among the various sources of salsa, Puerto Rico and Cuba continue to be the most prominent. Cuba gave salsa its rhythm and musical infrastructure, as its most fundamental rhythm is the Cuban son and it’s an underlying factor in almost all salsa music. Some others include the Cuban mambo, which introduced big band sound and the rumba, which used percussion instruments and call-and-response patterns. Puerto Rico gave salsa its voice, which developed its emotional impact. Puerto Rico emphasized lyrics rooted in social commentary and storytelling, addressing politics, identity, and everyday life, making the music much more relatable.
The Influence of Salsa
Dance
Salsa dancing began when African movements blended with the patterns of European dances. As salsa gained popularity and took the world by storm, people started to take a liking to the dances salsa singers and musicians would incorporate in their performances. Finding inspiration from salsa, dancers around the world began to remix it and add their own dances, creating multiple regional-based styles of salsa that include New York , LA, Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican styles. There are a few links below if you would like to learn a couple of moves yourself. If you dig deep enough, you’ll find that many dances today carry a little bit of salsa in them.
Latino Identity & Social Movements
During the 1960s-70s was the rise of social movements like black power and salsa harnessed their growing popularity at the time to encourage resistance from these oppressive systems. This was especially significant for Afro-Latinos, as both parts of their identity were coming together. The lyrics would reference political and social issues happening in the US as well as in Latin countries like Cuba and Puerto Rico, which united the latino community. They mainly focused on bringing attention to topics of discrimination, liberation, cultural pride, and poverty. Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Willie Colón, Eddie Palmieri, and Pepe Y Flora are a few of the artists who used their music to bring awareness. Below is a more specific example:
“Justicia” By: Eddie Palmieri
¿Cuándo llegará?, ¿cuándo llegará?
Justicia pa’ los boricuas y los niches
Mi tambor reclama justicia
Que llegue, que llegue, que llegue la buena noticia
Tanta tiranía, tanta tiranía, tanta tiranía
When will it arrive? When will it arrive?
Justice for the Puerto Ricans and the niches
My drum demands justice
Let the good news come; let it come; let it come
So much tyranny, so much tyranny, so much tyranny
The term “niches” is latin slang for black people. These lyrics continuously repeat a cry for change for the people of Puerto Rico as they deal with an oppressive government. The reception creates a sense of desperation as they beg for change to come in hopes of relief and freedom.
Fashion
To showcase their intricate motions while dancing to salsa music, dancers dress in ornate, sparkling, flowing attire. Vibrant and striking hues, particularly red, gained popularity because they reflected the brash fervor of salsa. Along with tight-fitting clothing, frills and ruffles were strongly encouraged as they accentuated movement and form. Salsa’s popularity introduced the world to Latin fashion and soon became incorporated in everyday clothing like palazzo pants, fringe pants, wrap skirts, ruffled skirts, fringe skirts, and deep v-necks.
~Honorable Mention: Celia Cruz~
Known as “The Queen of Salsa,” she was the epitome of salsa’s reputation for extravagant and flamboyant fashion. Taking inspiration from her Afro-Cuban heritage, she created an eye-catching wardrobe along with intricate hairstyles. She regularly rocked bright-colored, flowy dresses accompanied by oversized statement jewelry.
Salsa’s Traditions
Music, Community Expression, and Heritage
Although salsa has evolved, it never strayed too far from its origins and upholds some aspects from its predecessor. Salsa has continued to stay true to its Afro-Caribbean traditional roots through the continuous use of instruments like congas, timbales, bongos, and clave. To this day salsa music structure still follows African tradition and includes a montuno verse, a call-and-response section with chorus repetition, allowing for interaction with the audience. Additionally, for generations, salsa music has continued to tell stories and as they are passed down, generations stay connected while simultaneously allowing these stories to live forever. Its melodies and lyrics foster cultural bonds and preserve cultural heritage for coming generations, strengthening a sense of pride for their heritage.
Works Cited
Antonio, Marjorie. “Salsa Music and Social Movements: The Young Lords, Nuyoricans, and Salsa for Political Activism (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, 2 Aug. 2023, www.nps.gov/articles/000/salsa-music-and-social-movements-the-young-lords-nuyoricans-and-salsa-for-political-activism.htm.
Babiy, Anna. “Salsa Dance Outfits: Sizzle on the Dance Floor in Style | Fashion Dance.” Fashion Dance, 23 Jan. 2025, fashiondance.eu/salsa-dance-outfits-sizzle-on-the-dance-floor-in-style/?srsltid=AfmBOordPhFYQ-ZBCXrd3A6A9gWSlFffmGv26Hk1rHcxz13VzbV3xKes. Accessed 3 May 2025.
Iván Román. “How Salsa Music Took Root in New York City | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 14 Oct. 2022, www.history.com/articles/salsa-music-origins-new-york-city-mambo-machito.
“Salsa Is More than Salsa (U.S. National Park Service).” www.nps.gov, www.nps.gov/articles/000/salsa-is-more-than-salsa.htm.
Prieto, Laura. “Celia Cruz.” National Women’s History Museum, 2015, www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/celia-cruz.
Velasquez, Catalina. “The Origin and Evolution of Salsa: From Cuba and Puerto Rico to New York | Seven 7 Times.” Seven 7 Times, 25 July 2024, seven7times.com/the-origin-and-evolution-of-salsa-from-cuba-and-puerto-rico-to-new-york/. Accessed 3 May 2025.
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