Rep. Castro Nominates 30 Latino Recordings for Library of Congress Preservation, Including Selena, Bobby Pulido, La Familia, Latin Breed

Staff Report

WASHINGTON — Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) has announced his 2024 list of 30 Latino recordings nominated for preservation in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. The annual nominations aim to spotlight the contributions of Latino artists to American culture, a group that remains underrepresented in the registry despite making up nearly 20% of the U.S. population.

This year’s list includes iconic tracks and albums by artists such as Selena, Freddy Fender, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Shakira, spanning a wide range of genres from Tejano to reggaeton. New to the list is a 1946 radio broadcast from San Antonio’s KCOR/KWEX, the first full-time Spanish-language station in the U.S., highlighting the impact of Spanish-language media.

“The National Recording Registry’s existence speaks to the importance of music and audio in American culture and society. Latino music and its influence can be found across languages, geographical boundaries, and genres,” Castro wrote in his nomination letter, emphasizing the cultural significance of the selected works.

Since Castro began submitting nominations in 2022, four of his nominees have been inducted, including Juan Gabriel’s Amor Eterno and Daddy Yankee’s Gasolina, the first reggaeton track added to the registry.

Below is Congressman Castro’s full 2024 nomination list:

1. First Full-Time Spanish-Language Radio Station Broadcast (KCOR/KWEX, 1946)
2. The Hamilton Mixtape – Lin-Manuel Miranda (2009)
3. Amor Prohibido – Selena (1992)
4. Before the Next Teardrop Falls – Freddy Fender (1974)
5. Diamonds and Rust – Joan Baez (1975)
6. Suavemente – Elvis Crespo (1999)
7. Caminos Chuecos – Sunny and The Sunglows (1963)
8. Volver, Volver – Vicente Fernández (1972)
9. Cien Años – Pedro Infante (1953)
10. Desvelado – Bobby Pulido (1995)
11. Don Luis El Tejano – Latin Breed (1991)
12. Las Nubes – Little Joe y La Familia (1972)
13. Feliz Navidad – José Feliciano (1970)
14. La Chona – Los Tucanes De Tijuana (1995)
15. Cosas del Amor – Vikki Carr (1998)
16. Maria Maria – Santana ft. The Product G&B (1999)
17. Tu Pum Pum – El General (1989)
18. Chilanga Banda – Café Tacvba (1996)
19. Mambo No. 5 – Perez Prado (1952)
20. Hips Don’t Lie – Shakira (2005)
21. Rinconcito En El Cielo – Ramón Ayala (2001)
22. Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera (1999)
23. Regalo del Alma – Celia Cruz (2003)
24. Introducing Johnny Rodriguez – Johnny Rodriguez (1971)
25. Blue Bayou – Linda Ronstadt (1977)
26. Romance – Luis Miguel (1991)
27. Simplemente Amigos – Ana Gabriel (1988)
28. Conga – Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine (1992)
29. The Last – Aventura (2009)
30. Cypress Hill – Cypress Hill (1991)

Public submissions for the 2025 nomination cycle are open through October 1, 2024.

Source — Office of Congressman Joaquin Castro.