Credit: Nuestro Stories
Ritmo Latino was one of the largest Latin music chains in the United States, with a total of 53 locations nationwide. It was primarily located in Latino neighborhoods and these stores allowed Latinos to get closer to the music they loved.
Ritmo Latino was a Haven For Latin Music
In 1989, the first Ritmo Latino store opened in Santa Ana, California. Its founder, David Massry – who is not Latino but lived in Mexico – named it Ritmo Latino
(translates to Latin rhythm) to appeal to Latinos.
Massry saw an opportunity in the U.S. Hispanic market. In the 1990s, Ritmo Latino offered services that music stores were not used to providing, and in 1999 the first Ritmo Rock opened in Los Angeles, a niche store dedicated to rock.
Throughout the 2000s, Ritmo Latino continued to expand, promoting the first El Premio de la Gente, a Latin version of the People’s Choice Awards, which honors Latin music based on fan votes. Although Ritmo no longer sponsors the award show, it continues to air annually on Telemundo.
Ritmo Latino continued to be innovative by adding interactive technology, video arcade rooms, listening stations, and launching educational computer software designed specifically for the Spanish-speaking market.
Read more: Casa Amadeo Embodies the History of Latin Music in New York
Massry knew that the Hispanic market was a safe bet. Latino’s purchasing power was $212 billion in 1990. Now, it is said to grow upwards of $2.6 trillion within the next three years.
The End Of an Era
By the end of the first decade of the 2000s, the music industry was not performing the same; digital music purchases were on the rise. This caused Ritmo Latino to close its stores. Some were converted into T-Mobile stores.
Although its doors officially closed in 2010, Ritmo Latino’s legacy remains. It was a pioneer in uplifting the careers of many Latino musicians and helped the Latino community enjoy music in their language – and in a way that had never been done before.
Curious Facts
- In 2008, Latin album sales fell by 21%.
- It was known for its vast collection of Latin artists’ handprints in cement.
- Digital music purchases in 2008 increased 27% from 2007
Take a look at a Ritmo Latino store here.
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