Tres Generaciones Tequila, a 50-year-old brand introduced by the family that made tequila a symbol of Mexican pride, and Billboard are teaming up for an annual celebration of music's transformative power to reveal the top songs that have energized, uplifted and excited six selected cities, known as “Get Up Anthems”. These playlists are curated through a combination of editorial insights and data analytics and honor the songs that define each city's history and culture.
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It's a warm, sunny, quintessential Miami day. Inside a chic studio nestled in North Miami, decorated with bold tropical touches, local legends Trina and DJ Alex Sensation joined forces with Billboard editors Jessica Roiz and Heran Mamo to celebrate the Magic City's rich musical heritage. Over Tres Generaciones Tequila's Coconut Ranchwater, Rocsi Diaz moderated a lively discussion as the group sifted through a number of iconic local hits.
In the end, one song unanimously stood out above the rest: “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” by Celia Cruz. Released in 2001 and produced by Sergio George, this salsa-meets-reggaeton masterpiece became a cultural touchstone, seamlessly blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with an urban edge that resonated deeply with Miami's diverse communities. Cruz's bold declaration of love and confidence—“el que no tiene de Congo, tiene de Carabalí”—established her as a trailblazer who unapologetically embraced her roots.
Driving the track is the rhythmic energy that imbues both its lyrics and beats, blending the percussion with the horns in a way that feels both classic and contemporary. The song's incorporation of reggaeton-style dembow beats gave it an added commercial edge that resonated with younger and older Latin music fans alike. In addition to its cultural significance, the song achieved commercial success, reaching the Top 30 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in 2002 and peaking at No. 4 on the Tropical Airplay chart, helping the album reach the Top 20 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums Chart.
For Miami, a city built on the vibrant interplay of cultures, “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” is more than a song. it is an anthem of resilience and pride. Its infectious beat has kept it alive in clubs, family gatherings and street festivals for over two decades, proving its timeless appeal. The song was embraced by fans across multiple generations, from young listeners in Miami to longtime fans of salsa and Cuban music.
Cruz's strong, unmistakable voice added a layer of authenticity to the record as she embodied the song's bold and confident lyrics. Her vocal performance, imbued with confidence and joy, matched the song's theme of embracing one's roots and identity with pride.
Miami, with its unique mix of cultures—particularly its large Cuban and broader Latino population—has always been a melting pot of musical influences. Celia Cruz's music became a unifying force in the city as her tracks transcended language and regional boundaries, connecting people from various Latino backgrounds, and her impact on Miami cannot be overstated. As the Queen of Salsa, she helped shape the city into a global hub for Latin music, connecting different cultures and bringing people together through her music. The song, and Cruz's entire catalog, are now woven into the fabric of Miami's cultural consciousness, representing the city's spirit of resilience, pride and cultural exchange.
Today, Celia Cruz's legacy continues to shape the sound of Miami and the wider Latin music landscape. Her presence in the city remains a source of inspiration for artists of all genres, and her music continues to be played in clubs, on the radio, and at celebrations that set the pace of Miami. “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” isn't just a song—it's a powerful reminder of the cultural bridge that Celia Cruz built, one that continues to connect Miami to Latin America and the world.
