National Recording Registry Adds Iconic Latino Songs.
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The Library of Congress has added three important music recordings to its National Recording Registry. These are Vicente Fernández's song "El Rey," Freddy Fender's song "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," and the soundtrack from the musical "Hamilton" by Lin-Manuel Miranda. These additions are significant because they recognize the contributions of Latino artists to American music.
The National Recording Registry is a list of audio recordings that are considered important to American culture and history. It was created in 2000 to preserve recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. Each year, the Library of Congress selects recordings to add to this list.
Vicente Fernández was a famous Mexican singer known for his powerful voice and traditional ranchera music. His song "El Rey" is one of his most popular songs and is considered a classic in Mexican music. Freddy Fender was a Mexican-American singer who blended country and Tejano music. His song "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" was a big hit in the 1970s and helped bring attention to Latino artists in country music.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is a Puerto Rican-American composer and actor who created the musical "Hamilton." The musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, using hip-hop and other modern music styles. The "Hamilton" soundtrack has been praised for its creativity and impact on musical theater.
U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro from San Antonio has been advocating for more Latino representation in the National Recording Registry. He invites the public each year to suggest recordings for nomination. Castro believes that today's announcement shows that the Library of Congress is recognizing the influence of Latino musicians on American life.
Currently, Latino musicians make up less than 5% of the recordings in the National Recording Registry. Adding these three recordings is a step toward greater recognition of Latino contributions to American music heritage.
