The history of salsa music and dancing is one that has a lot of controversy surrounding it. Some music purists don't like the fact that the word Salsa is used to refer to it, as they say that such word should only belong in the kitchen. Others argue about who deserves the credit for the origin and creation of the music, Cubans or Puerto Ricans. Many have very harsh feelings on the subject that are more based on national pride than anything else. But for most of us who just happen to love the music, we don't really care about the controversies and simply want to give credit where credit is due for what we love so much.

In the recent years, it has been widely accepted that the music indeed has its origins in Cuba, where European classical rhythms and African drumbeats fused together and generated a partner dance enjoyed solely by the people of Cuba for decades. Then, about 50 years later in New York, Puerto Ricans began playing the music with new and different flavors to it, and began referring to it with the term "Salsa." 

Many perspectives from the past sustained that the "Salsa" that Puerto Ricans referred to was the same music played in Cuba for decades, and that Puerto Rican record companies in New York simply named it that way to avoid giving credit to Cuban music and stealing it from their culture. In many respects, however, throughtout the years and because of how Puerto Ricans handled the Cuban claims, it certainly looked as if they simply did not want to give credit to Cuba. And yet, we certainly do owe the popularization of Salsa music to what Puerto Ricans did to the music, which made it more lively, fun, and flavorful and appealed better to the masses.

It should be fair to also say that in the past decades, Cuban music has also independently evolutionized, which is normal of any type of music throughout history, and the new rhythms are equally flavored to the Salsa we know. Colombians are also widely known for creating very rhythmic and flavorful salsa music. And likewise, salsa is also being created in many languages othat than Spanish, such as English, French, Italian, Portuguese, etc. Point being, Salsa continues to evolve and no argument that is based solely on issues that took place many decades ago is valid any longer. 

Today, Salsa is a global phenomenon that in many areas of the world, because of its partner dancing and the various styles that exist of it, has created a sub-culture that recognizes no borders of state, language, or culture. Indeed, if you travel to many parts of the world, you can be sure to find a salsa club that promotes the music, the dancing, and the culture that goes along with it. The music is beautiful and joyful, so we ought to give credit where appropriate credit is due and simply enjoy it!