There are so many amazing singers and rappers with Latino roots who are making an impact on the music industry today. Artists including Camila Cabello, Selena Gomez, Becky G, and Cardi B have all been very vocal about their Hispanic heritage, and have even incorporated their culture into their music.
But, there are many other recording artists that you may not realize have Latino lineage. So, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, take a look at some of these talented singers and rappers below.
1. Demi LovatoDemi Lovato has Mexican-American roots on her father's side. Several years ago, the pop star told Glam Belleza Latinamagazine that growing up, she wasn't connected to her Hispanic roots. She said, "Growing up in America, I never really appreciated my culture. I knew what being Hispanic was, but I thought that since I didn't lookHispanic, I was white." However, in 2017, Demi teamed up with Latin star Luis Fonsi on their song "Échame La Culpa," on which she sings in Spanish.
2. Bruno MarsBruno Mars, real name Peter Hernandez, is of Puerto Rican lineage — his father is of halfPuerto Ricanand half Ashkenazi Jewish descent. In fact, last year, Mars opened up to Latina magazine, slamming rumors that he changed his name to hide his heritage. He told the mag, "I never once said I changed my last name to hide the fact that I’m Puerto Rican. Why would I f***ing say that? Who are you fooling? And why would anyone say that? That's so insulting to me, to my family. That’s ridiculous. My last name is Hernandez. My father’s name is Pedrito Hernandez, and he's a Puerto Rican pimp. There's no denying that."
3. Lauren Jauregui Both of Lauren Jauregui's parents come from Cuba, and in 2017, the Miami native opened up about her heritage in an opinion piece published by a radio station in Spain. She wrote, "All of us came to this country from somewhere else and I can trace my lineage back to Cuba and Spain. All I know is that I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, to a Cuban family. I spoke Spanish before I went to school [as a child]. [I] speak it with all of my family members in my household." She added, "I love who I am and where my family comes from. I never questioned my heritage, I never questioned whether or not I was Cuban or could identify as such until I gained a wider audience and attention."
4. Ally BrookeAlly Brooke Hernandez is proud to be Mexican-American, and in a Hispanic Heritage Month essay on Popsugar Latina last year, the 25-year-old opened up about one of the most unforgettable moments that connected her to her Mexican roots. Speaking about one of her biggest inspirations, Selena and going to Mexico for the first time with Fifth Harmony, Ally spoke about covering Selena's "Como La Flor" as something special for fans during the show. She said of the performance, "As I was singing, I had flashbacks of watching videos of a Selena concert in Mexico and also thought of my grandma, who is no longer with us. Before I went to Mexico, my dad said to me, 'Grandma would be so proud you, and she would have been there with you, no matter what. This is the concert she wouldn't have missed. She'd be so proud.' That's all I could think of on that stage: my family."
5. Kid CudiKid Cudiwas born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi in Cleveland, Ohio, and has Mexican roots on his father's side.
6. Tori KellyTori Kelly has a very diverse background, especially on her father's side who is of Afro Jamaican, Trinidadian and Puerto Rican ancestry. In 2015, Tori told Latina.com of her Puerto Rican heritage, "I'm part Puerto Rican, and they’re known for being a little more feisty, and I think I somehow channel that in some of my music. It just kind of brings out a confidence effect in me." Also, last year, Kelly teamed up with Luis Fonsi for a gorgeous rendition of "Hallelujah" during the Hand in Hand fundraising event.
7. Christina AguileraChristina Aguilera is of Ecuadorian and Irish descent, and she is proud of her Hispanic heritage — she even released a Spanish language album, Mi Reflejo, in 2000. During a 2012 interview with Latina magazine, Aguilera said of some of the criticism she had received, "All I know is no one can tell me I'm not a proud Latina woman ... I dove headfirst into a Spanish-language album for that reason and I’m planning another one even though I don’t speak the language. I'm sure that doesn’t sit well with some people."
8. Lil XanLil Xan, real name Diego Leanos, is of Mexican descent, born inRedlands, Californiato Mexican parents.
9. Lil PumpOriginally from Miami Florida, "Gucci Gang" rapper Lil Pump, real name Gazzy Garcia, was born to a Cuban father and Mexican mother.
10. Bella ThorneBella Thorne is proud of her Hispanic heritage — she has Cuban roots from her father. During a 2015 interview with Glam Belleza Latina, she said, "To me, being Latin is about more than your looks—it's how you're brought up. I was raised in a very Latin family. My first language was Spanish, but I had to drop it when I started school because of my dyslexia. I still understand it, though, especially since my mom uses Spanish to tell me to take out the trash or do the dishes!"
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