Sorry, but I will have to respectfully disagree with your statement. It was individuals such as Juan Luis Guerra & Victor Victor who contributed to Bachata's crossover from low life music to where it is now. Antony Santos music in my opinion, has only become slightly more refined in more recent years because for a long time I remember a lot of his songs containing curse words and just too much "lloradera". One cannot deny, however, that the influence of the Dominican community in the U.S. and in Europe has also contributed to its popularity crossing over into other cultures that we interact with. Also, no one can deny that although Aventura may not be the "real deal" when it comes to Bachata music, their unique style and how they mix bachata with other rhythms in addition to the major artist collaborations that they have in several of their songs has helped them achieve this milestone in their career and they have managed to tap into cultures that I would have never imagined would ever listen to or even dance bachata and they most certainly have.

Anthony santos big yes el torito big no. El torito had been remaking ballenato from Colombia into bachata ever since he left singing merengue. One of this day I will not be surprise if he put the Colombia's national anthen in bachata.

Who would of guessed, the circle is almost complete......

First we had Clinton, whom many say was the first black president, and now according to top latin performers, we have our first LATIN president !!!! a stretch, but I can see where they are coming from.
This puts a twist on the Giffen paradox!

Furthermore, in Lopez' new stand up he claims that St Barrack is Dominican!! haha!

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Fiesta Latina: Too Hot for Barack Obama?
Posted: 2009-10-14 17:10:52
WASHINGTON -The White House became "La Casa Blanca" on Tuesday, celebrating Hispanic musical heritage with a South Lawn concert and guests such as Gloria Estefan, George Lopez, the Bachata music group Aventura, Jose Feliciano and more.

President Barack Obama said Latin music, while hard to define because it comes in so many forms - from salsa to merengue and Bachata to reggaeton - speaks to everyone in a language they can all understand.

"It moves us, and it tends to make us move a little bit ourselves," Obama said in brief remarks before the infectious rhythms began pulsating on the White House grounds. "In the end, what makes Latin music great is the same thing that's always made America great. The unique ability to celebrate our differences while creating something new."



Tuesday's musical extravaganza came during the month dedicated to celebrating the culture and traditions of Hispanics, the nation's largest minority group at 15 percent of the U.S. population, according to Census Bureau figures.

A large, white tent erected on the lawn was the setting for the musical performances. A see-through panel behind the stage offered the nearly 400 guests, who sat at cocktail tables, views of the White House South Portico bathed in light.

Hosts Jimmy Smits, Eva Longoria Parker and Lopez joked that Obama is really Latino.

"He just doesn't know it," she said.

Added Lopez, as the audience laughed: "Lives in a house that's not his. ... Says he's gonna change and nobody believes him. Very Latino."

Obama proved what he said about the power of Latin music. He wiggled his hips and took a few turns on the dance floor with singer Thalia after she said: "Mr. President. With all due respect, will you dance with me?"

He complied as she approached the table where he sat with Mrs. Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.

Both danced at the tune of "Amor a la Mexicana".

Mrs. Obama moved in her seat, snapping her fingers to the music. After the dance Thalia thanked Mrs Obama.

By the end of the concert, the First Family was on its feet, clapping to the beat. The family then went on stage to thank the performers. Mrs. Obama and Malia held hands and danced, while Obama did the same with Sasha. Malia, then Sasha, also paired off with Sheila E. on the drums.

Feliciano said during a rehearsal break that it was his third time performing at the White House. He performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.

"I'm bipartisan," Feliciano said.

He said the concert was good, but Latin performers should be "part of the whole," not just trotted out for Hispanic heritage month.

"It's about time. After all, the only time that Latinos are called upon is when the elections are around," Feliciano said.

David Hidalgo, a singer-songwriter for the Chicano rock band Los Lobos, said the concert is important because it gives performers "a chance to show a little bit of our culture." The group performed its hit "La Bamba."

Marc Anthony, Pete Escovedo, his daughter Sheila E., and Tito "El Bambino" also performed. Sheila E. was musical director and leader of the house band.

Other notables at the concert included Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic member of the high court. She posed for photos with everyone who sought them. Also present were Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and members of Congress.

Here is the big news from concert at Whitehouse and that is Obama will be sleeping on the sofa as Michelle beat him like an Iraqi prisoner when they got upstairs watch her face in the videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umcvmDxmc7A

I don't agree with the bubblegum/MC Hammer comparison. They (Aventura) have brought a lot of original content, quality, sophistication, and have greatly broadened the genre. Whereas Merengue as a genre has shrunk, bachata has broadened and become a much more varied genre due in large part to Aventura.

You don't have to knock Aventura to praise Hector Acosta and Anthony Santos. They do what they do very well, and Aventura does what they do very well.

lol, I didn't want to go there, but you went there for me. I will say that I usually like Hector's version a lot more over the vallenato version almost every time. Most Dominican people don't know any better or just don't care and it has worked for him so he is going to keep doing it. Frank Reyes does the same thing a lot too.

Oh sh*t she was mad, jajajajajajjaajjaja.

cibaeno you hit it right on the nail!!! that is the fact that i try to stress to all people that are ignorant in the music. i support aventura 100% but i can't abandon true bachata mas pueblo k nunca!

i know that luis vargas has kind of plummeted in recent years but i give it to the man he keeps himself busy. he will play anywhere and i know because i have seen him play in the sleeziest dives! we can't forget the great blas duran who ushered in the modern bachata era. el torito is no bachatero im sorry and the guy is badd in a good way. he is more merenguero by far and his credentials point more to merengue than bachata.

Is Obozo still sleeping on the sofa for checking out Thalia s booty at the concert.. :shockhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umcvmDxmc7A: