Bachata is at its prime in the U.S. and the around the world with interest for the musical genre at its peak with the large rotation on the radio, with the requests at clubs, and the creation of new artists. At the current moment, Bachata is at its prime and the movement is only getting stronger as new urban bachata artist and groups develop and with the influence of non-traditional bachata artist venturing into the genre.

What bachata artist or group do you think is the best? and why?

I agree. Aventura.

Gracias Edward. I thought no one liked bachata on this forum. How can you not like it? Especially nowadays when this rhythm is really at is prime. Aventura is great ! They took bachata all over the world. Europe is still impacted by "Obsesion". It's a classic over there. Along with Aventura, I like el Torito "Me Voy" is a mega hit !, Anthony Santos "Mayimbe"( Me gusta esa vaina), Frank Reyes, Zacarias, El Chaval, and Joe Veras. The lyrics in bachata are at it's best right now. I love it.

Did you see the new Frank Reyes video "Te regalo el Mar"? It was filmed in Venice, Italy. That's a big feat for Frank Reyes it tells you that Bachata is satisfying the taste for people all over the world. It's a great accomplishment.

Even a lot of Mexicans prefer bachata to rancheras now!!!

I found a page with songs from the man who started it all...Jose Manuel Calderon!
http://www.iasorecords.com/index.cfm?subsecid=116

Edward not just Mexicans, when I was living in the USA most of my friends were from Honduras, Colombia, El Salavador, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico etc. They all knew more Bachata than I did know by that time... I have one year and half that I don't go to the USA... I am pretty sure that Bachata is spread all over the USA now

Bachata is now more popular than merengue. Any tourist will ask first about bachata, as it has now a quite extended reputation, when a couple of years ago it was merengue. But amongst the younger audience, the new "sensation" is the reggaeton.

I agree with whos the most popular. Most tourists get back to their country with most of this items: Brugal, imitation cigars, and a pirated copy of the Aventura CD.

I have this online friend from Germany who's obsessed with everything DR. She loves Frank Reyes, Brugal, Presidente, etc. She visits Las Terrenas every year.

Edward, I hear you about that German friend who loves Dominican culture. When I studied abroad in Europe, I might a girl from Germany who was obessd with bachata and Aventura. Aventura is really big in Europe. The song obesion is a classic over there, it's constantly on the radio. It's been covered by many bands and has caused a revolution. I heard the song in Italy, France, and Spain when I travelled.

I was thinking to myself. Damn, I need to get these people the new album

Esos tipos estan pegaos!!! They won the most important award given by billboard (hot latin song of the year)

It means that the Bachata song "Mi Corazoncito" was the most heard song of 2007!!!