and that mischaracterization of course contributed very much to its success; even though this was considered a part of the supposed Latin pop boom:
-Lou Vega wasn't Latin
-it samples the Perez Prado tune of the same name, it's clearly not a mambo or even Latin in feeling at all

It also, of course, sucks, but so did a lot of what was on the pop charts at that time.

Ironically perhaps, but the song that stands up best for me out of the supposed Latin Pop Boom is probably La Vida Loca, which is basically a fiery 3d wave ska tune. Parts of it are annoying, but it still makes me wanna do the old man skank.