Wilfredo José Burgos Matos, a professor of Latin American and Latino Studies at Lehman College (CUNY), writes for The Conversation about how bachata has gone in just decades from being a grassroots underground dance in the Dominican Republic to becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
He mentions that even a Bee Gees song got a bachata spin when Prince Roy converted the 1977 hit “How Deep Is Your Love” and the single has topped the Latin music charts this summer. He said this “proves bachata is no longer chasing the mainstream but reimagining the pop canon.”
Burgos Matos tells the story of how bachata, with its distinctive guitar melodies and poignant lyrics, is captivating millions and solidifying its place as a truly global cultural export.
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The Conversation
30 July 2025