We’re keeping the salsa theme rolling this week. For our salsa themed post this week we’re talking about Oscar D’Leon, a legend of the game.
Oscar Emilio León Somoza was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1943. As a child, Oscar D’Leon took an immediate interest in music. He learned how to play the standing bass completely on his own. He utilized this skill into his teenage years and early adulthood. D’Leon would work during the day as an auto mechanic and moonlight as a bassist. His skill led him to creating his own groups throughout the 1970s before going off on his own in the 80s.
D’Leon has earned a number of nicknames over the years. His nicknames have included the Lion of Salsa (for obvious reasons) and the Pharaoh of Salsa. D’Leon also shaves his head but keeps the moustache, making him look like a Venezuelan Steve Harvey.
This week’s song is “Lloraras”. It’s a medium tempo salsa song that, according to Billboard, is one of the best salsa songs of all time. I initially found this song on a list of the best salsa songs to listen to if you can’t dance. The lyrics are from a scorned lover to his ex, telling her that one day she will come back but it’ll be too late. They’ll regret the pain they’ve caused the singer. As the singer puts it, his former lover will cry. Despite being a song on a list of salsa songs for people who can’t dance, this is one of the best songs to dance to. “Lloraras” was also given the reggaeton treatment by Tego Calderon, making a very early example of salsaton.
From 1975, “Lloraras”.
For last week’s post on Larry Harlow, click here.