Salsa Romántica
Salsa Romántica is a subgenre of salsa that emerged in the mid-1980s, characterized by a shift from the aggressive, percussion-heavy 'salsa dura' to a polished, ballad-oriented sound. It features lush arrangements, moderate tempos, and lyrics centered on love, heartbreak, and intimacy, popularized by artists like Eddie Santiago and Frankie Ruiz.
Origin: Puerto Rico, New York City (Nuyorican scene), Colombia; evolved from traditional salsa with heavy bolero influences.
Era: 1980s-present