Celebrating Salsa with Dancing to Controversial Lyrics

People who understand the Spanish language see it every time when clubbing in Salsa clubs; many people showing off their latest Salsa dance moves on music with song texts which – if they knew what the singers meant – they would not put so much effort into dancing the best they possibly can.

Salsa music has a very long tradition of being a newspaper, psychologist, moral adviser, political outcry, gossip column, romantic poetry, etcetera. The emotions which these lyrics evoke cause a different reaction to the listeners. But would you dance different if you knew what the pregoneros and soneros were singing and rapping about?

I Am The Angel of Death, or The Grim Reaper

This is a clip of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico's famous Salsa song “Yo Soy La Muerte”, which means literally “I Am The Death” with Spanish lyrices. “(The Angel of) Dead” is also known as the Grim Reaper. The chorus: “Huye que te coge La Muerte” means “Flee, or the Grim Reaper will catch you”. Nice, is it not? 

Do Not Hit the Black Woman

In Joe Arroyo's “Rebelion”, which means “Rebellion”, a male slave rebelled against his white owner somewhere in the 1600's by saying “No Le Pegue a La Negra” (“ Do Not Hit the Black Woman”) when he was beating her up. Would you – as a Caucasian Salsa dancer – keep dancing to this song the same way as you did before you had this information?

Give Me More Sperm

Latinos are renowned for making lyrics with a hidden message or having a double meaning. Reggaeton music has elevated this art form to new heights. Daddy Yankee became famous with his “Gasolina”, which literally means “Gasoline” or “Fuel”. But Latinos do understand this is word is a metaphor for sperm or semen in this particular setting. Daddy Yankee,“A ella le gusta la gasolina” (“She likes the fuel”). Sexy female voice “Dame mas gasolina” (“Give me more fuel”). This would be innocent, but the real meaning becomes obvious if you combine it with the rest of the lyrics.

In the following clip of Rafi 9 Fingers, the meaning of the song  is very clear, even if you do not understand Spanish. Everyone knows what “sexo” means, and the pictures speak volumes.

Do you have other examples? You can add your comments or video replies “down below”.