This insightful book introduces the most important trends, people, events, and products of popular culture in Latin America and the Caribbean.In recent times, Latin American influences have permeated American culture through music, movies, television, and literature. This sweeping volume serves as a ready-reference guide to pop culture in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, focusing on Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Costa Rica, among other areas. The work encourages hands-on engagement with the popular culture in these places, making such suggestions as Brazilian films to rent or where to find Venezuelan music on the Internet.To start, the book covers various perspectives and issues of these regions, including the influence of the United States, how the idea of machismo reflects on the portrayal of women in these societies, and the representation of Latino-Caribo cultures in film and other mediums. Entries cover key trends, people, events, and products from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. Each section gives detailed information and profound insights into some of the more academic-and often controversial-debates on the subject, while the inclusion of the Internet, social media, and video games make the book timely and relevant.

Provides substantial citations and references on each element of popular culture

PrefaceChronologyIntroductionChapter 1: Popular MusicIntroductionBachataBlades, RubenBossa NovaCalypsoCruz, CeliaCumbiaDancehallGuerra, Juan LuisHuaynoJuanesKonpa-dirékMariachi and RancheraMarley, Bob, Ziggy, Stephen, and DamianMerengueMiranda, CarmenNorteña Music and CorridosNueva CanciónReggaeReggaetónRock, BrazilianRock and Pop en españolSalsaSambaShakiraSocaTangoChapter 2: Books and Contemporary LiteratureIntroductionAllende, IsabelBolaño, RobertoCoelho, PauloComics and Graphic Novels in ArgentinaCrossover LiteratureFerré, RosarioFuentes, CarlosThe Latin American BoomMafaldaMagical RealismMárquez, Gabriel GarcíaMartínez, Tomás EloyNeruda, PabloPopular PoetryPuig, ManuelVargas Llosa, MarioWalcott, DerekChapter 3: Film in Latin America and the CaribbeanIntroduction-Film in Latin America and the Caribbean-An Uneven and Delicate BalanceAlea, Tomás GutiérrezArgentine Post-Dictatorial CinemaBabenco, HectorBemberg, María LuisaBernal, Gael GarcíaBrazilian Cinema NovoThe Business of Making Films: CoproductionCantinflas (Mario Moreno)Central American and Caribbean FilmCuarón, AlfonsoDarín, RicardoDel Toro, GuillermoDerbez, EugenioDrug Trafficking and Crime in Latin American FilmFilm FestivalsThe Golden Age of Mexican CinemaIñarritu, Alejandro GonzálezLatin American Actors and Actresses in HollywoodLatin American Icons in FilmMartel, LucreciaSocial Critique in Latin American FilmSouth American Film Beyond Argentina and BrazilThe State and the Film IndustryChapter 4: Television and RadioIntroductionAló Presidente [Hello Mr. President]Argentine and Venezuelan TelevisionBeauty Pageants to ActingCensorship and State ControlChelloLatinamerica and Casa Club TVCommunity RadioDestilando amor [Distilling Love]Gaitán, FernandoNotable Telenovela ActorsNotable Telenovela ActressesOrganizaçoes GloboPlaza Sésamo/Vila SésamoReality TelevisionSousa, OsmelSúper Sábado Sensacional [Super Sensational Saturday]TelenovelasTelevisaTempo TelevisionThaliaUnivisiónViolettaXou da Xuxa [Xuxa's Show]Yo soy Betty, la fea [Ugly Betty]Chapter 5: Internet and Social MediaIntroductionCensorship and the InternetChilecon ValleyDafitiE-Jamaica, E-Learning, and E-GovernmentFacebook and Social MediaGender Advocacy and the InternetiGInternational Protest, Aid, and the InternetInternet GrowthIsla PresidencialMercadoLibreOnline Commerce: E-Commerce and M-CommerceOnline Presence of Television NetworksOrkutPsicofxpSaverin, EduardoSlim, CarlosTaringa!Chapter 6: Sports in Latin America and the CaribbeanIntroduction-Latin American Sports: A Story of Imports and ExportsBaseball, PanamanianBaseball and Baseball Players, CubanBaseball and Baseball Players, DominicanBaseball and Baseball Players, VenezuelanBoxingCapoeiraClemente, RobertoCONCACAF Nations: Mexico, Central America, and the CaribbeanCONMEBOL Nations: Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and EcuadorCricket, CaribbeanCrime and Legal Threats for Latin American Baseball PlayersThe FIFA World CupImportant International Sporting EventsLatin American Baseball AcademiesLucha LibreMaradona, DiegoMartaOlympic Games-Mexico 1968 and Brazil 2016PeléRodeo and Cowboy SportsSoccer, ArgentineSoccer, BrazilianSoccer, Women'sSoccer and National IdentitySoccer Clubs, Fans, and Barras BravasSoccer OrganizationTrack and Field, JamaicanVolleyball and Field Hockey, Women'sChapter 7: Video GamesIntroductionAccess, Piracy, and F2PGame LocalizationInternational Entry into the Latin American Market: Kaboom LatamLucha Libre: Heroes del RingMaquilas and ProductionRegional Game Developers: Vostu/Okam/Square EnixChapter 8: Fashion and Couture in Latin AmericaIntroduction-The Syncretic Beauty of Latin American and Caribbean FashionAesthetic and Cosmetic Plastic SurgeryBatik and KotomisiCampos, CarlosColombian GoldCosta, FranciscoCota, ChristianDe la Renta, OscarHair Fashion and StyleHerrera, CarolinaIndigenous TextilesKahlo, FridaLatin American Fashion Models and MogulsPerón, Eva (Evita)São Paulo Fashion WeekSkin Care and Skin Whitening ProductsTraditional ClothingVanidades MagazineAppendix: Top Ten ListsTop Ten Latin Albums of 2013-U.S. and International SalesTop Ten Hot Latin Songs, November 2014Top Ten Best-Selling Books 2013-Selected NationsArgentinaMexicoColombiaTop Grossing Latin American Films 2012-By Selected NationTen Best Latin American Films of the 21st CenturyTop Ten Richest Latin Americans-2014Top Ten Telenovelas Produced by TelevisaTop Ten Latin American and Caribbean Countries by Broadband Internet Development-2014Top Ten Telecom and Information Technology Companies in Latin America 1996-2006Top Ten Highest Earning Latin American AthletesTop Ten Latin American Video Game Markets-2014Top Ten World Nations by Number of Plastic Surgery Procedures-2013Top Ten Highest Paid Fashion Models in the World-2014BibliographyIndexAbout the Authors