The Billboard Latin and Billboard Español edit teams rank the ultimate Spanish-language pop songs from Y2k to now.
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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J Balvin’s Hitting the Road
After touring Latin America in the fall of 2022, J Balvin is ready to hit the road again in 2024. This week, the Colombian star announced his international tour Que Bueno Volver a Verte (Good to See You Again), set to kick off with a 20-date stint across Europe. Running from April to June, Balvin will visit fans in Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and The United Kingdom, to name a few.
“Latino Gang – I can’t wait to see you! We’ve had so much fun together that we have to do it again!” he said in a press statement. “I’m thrilled to take a completely new show, with new music on the road with the Que Bueno Volver a Verte tour abroad next year. We have something very special in store for you and I can’t wait to unveil the next chapter of music we’ve been working on.” Balvin’s tour comes on the heels of his return to music this summer after a nearly 10-month social media break. For ticket information, click here, and see the full list of dates below.
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Karol G Appears in the Griselda Trailer
In early 2022, Billboard reported that Karol G was “taking acting lessons [in Los Angeles] and playing an evolving character in the world of drugs” — and at last, we will see the Colombian singer make her acting debut. This week, Netflix shared the official trailer of Griselda, starring Sofía Vergara as Griselda Blanco, a Colombian drug queen. Karol, who is featured in the trailer, will make her Netflix acting debut as Carla, one of Griselda’s mules who transports drugs to the U.S., when the series debuts on January 25. “It’s a great role because there’s real character development,” she previously told Billboard. Carla, she explains, “is a character that evolves. She sees what she does as a job, but also as a way to maintain her family, and she’s tough! She reaches another level.” Watch the trailer below:
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Maestro Cares Announces Honorees for 10th Annual Gala
Marc Anthony and Henry Cárdenas, co-founders of Maestro Cares Foundation, announced the 2023 honorees for their 10th annual “Changing Lives, Building Dreams” gala. Recognized for their contributions and charitable work in film, television and the corporate world, the three honorees are: American rapper and actress Queen Latifah, who will be honored with the Maestro Cares Courage to Care Award; Mexican actor and comedian Eugenio Derbez, who will receive the Maestro Cares Voice of Change Award; and entrepreneur Sam Nazarian , who will be presented with the Maestro Cares Corporate Responsibility Award.
“Henry Cárdenas and I are very excited to celebrate our foundation’s milestone by honoring the legacy of this group of remarkable individuals, who through their careers have made enormous contributions to their communities and our society,” Anthony said in a statement.
The 2023 Changing Lives, Building Dreams Gala will take place Dec. 5 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Proceeds of the fundraiser, according to the statement, “will provide essential support for the non-profit organization established to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged children and communities in Latin America and the United States.”
Blur Tributes Peso Pluma
During Blur’s return to Latin America, the leader of the British group, Damon Albarn, paid tribute to Mexican superstar Peso Pluma and his Eslabon Armado-assisted hit “Ella Baila Sola.” The presentation, which took place from Nov. 17 to 19 at the Corona Capital Festival in Mexico’s Foro Sol, caused the astonishment of the 80,000 attendees (according to figures from the promoter Ocesa). The famous song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s year-end Hot Latin Songs chart.
Albarn—who was carrying the Mexican flag on his back while he performed a fragment of the popular song on the piano—previously explained to a British magazine why his favorite new artist of the moment was the popular corridos performer. “He’s a young Mexican who won eight Billboards. He plays this kind of music that talks about gang life, but it’s very musical. He has accordions, trumpets, and lovely melodies. He has a great voice. Everyone should listen to it,” he said in the interview. The Briton previously collaborated with Gorillaz and reggaeton super star Bad Bunny on “Tormenta.” Could his next Latin collab be with Peso? Watch the performance below: — NATALIA CANO
This week, Billboard‘s New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors, feature the latest Latin songs, albums and videos. The lineup includes fresh releases from artists like Thalia (with Estilo Sin Límite), Milo J, Edén Muñoz, Miguel Campello, Wisin with Young Miko and more.
Thalia ventures into the world of corridos tumbados in this carefree song with Estilo Sin Límite, which “encourages women to free themselves from chatty, arrogant men who seek to woo them,” writes Billboard Español deputy editor, Sigal Ratner-Arias. Powered by a tololoche, requinto and brassy instruments, the second single “Choro” from her upcoming album A Mucha Honra was produced by Edgar Rodríguez from Yellow Room and executive produced by Jimmy Humilde. Its title, in Mexican slang, refers to an over-the-top person who uses his words to make people fall in love.
With the EP En Dormir Sin Madrid under his belt, and a collaboration with well-known Argentine producer Bizarrap, Milo J shows off his musical bravado in his debut album 111. “Infused with a South American bohemian essence reminiscent of tango and bolero, the album seamlessly combines traditional tones with a contemporary flair,” mentions Billboard Español‘s writer Luisa Calle. Despite his young age of 16, the rapper performs songs with the depth of an experienced artist, deftly navigating the intricacies and turbulence of youth.
Adorned with exquisite nylon strings and trumpet riffs, and enveloped in the fervor of rumba guitar strums and his resounding flamenco vocals, Miguel Campello’s “El Sentir de los Sentimientos” navigates the ebbs and flows of personal contemplation. “[It’s] a song with rumba soul that tells the passing of the days, full of stories that make us laugh and cry because singing is feeling that you feel,” the singer-composer wrote on his IG.
In the last New Music Latin fan-related poll, Banda MS and Gloria Trevi’s “Y Que Te Soporten” won with over 90 percent of the votes. Dennis and Anitta’s “Monstrão” followed with nearly three percent. What’s your favorite new Latin music release of the week? Vote below!
Karol G‘s Mañana Será Bonito tour is heading to Latin America, and her first stop is her hometown of Medellin, Colombia, where she has prepared something special for her fans. Offering the ultimate Mañana Será Bonito experience, the two-day (Dec. […]
A few hours before he was set to take the stage at Oasis this past October, an open air club in Miami, Wisin’s backstage trailer was packed with bold-faced names. There was J Balvin, side by side with fellow Colombian Ryan Castro, Dominican dembow king El Alfa, Colombian rapper Farina, producers Luny, Tunes and DJ Nelson, and a bevvy of young and established artists — all there to pay their respects to one of reggaetón’s legends.
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The thing with Wisin, though, is he’s a legend that continues to churn out hits, on an almost weekly basis. That night at Oasis, he was performing with special guests Luny Tunes and DJ Nelson as part of the official presentation of his label and collective, La Base, presented by Smirnoff as part of Billboard Latin Music Week. On November 30, he released “Señorita,” a new reggaetón single with newcomer Young Miko, who he calls “very talented and full of potential.” It follows “Sandunga,” a single with two other legends: Don Omar and Yandel. On February, he will release Mr. W, an album that he describes as “full of fusions and different collaborations. It’s an album that has been done as a team, and it’s full of the knowledge and energy of many people.”
That thirst for knowledge and for collaboration in music is at the root of Wisin’s long career, and defines La Base — his recording studio, record label and musical co-op. With offices and studios in Puerto Rico, dozens of artists — from Ozuna to Chencho and Don Omar — have gone to La Base to create and record.
Following his participation in Latin Music Week, which included his performance at Oasis, as well as a panel with production legends Luny, Tunes and DJ Nelson (and moderated by radio personality Molusco), we spoke with Wisin about the past and future of the genre, and what comes next for him and La Base.
You were the anchor of a truly historic panel with historic figures during Billboard Latin Music Week in October. Why was it important to participate?
First of all, it was an honor to sit down next to Luny, Tunes and DJ Nelson. Since The Noice [DJ Nelson’s legendary urban music collective], before we [Wisin and Yandel] were even artists, we dreamed of being like them. It’s also an honor for me to talk about our experiences and the knowledge gained for over two decades. Obviously, we’ve cried, we’ve stumbled, and we’ve learned from the blows. When we started out, there were no opportunities, no tools. So, we’re happy to still be relevant, and to have Billboard allow us the opportunity to tell our experiences to new talents and new producers, so they can also learn. I think it was a historic panel, where every speaker has given so much to urban music. I have no words to describe how important it was to be there.
And what was the significance of bringing La Base to Miami for a performance?
An achievement. Not just for me but for this group of dreamers that make up La Base. For Hyde El Químico and all the legendary producers and writers that go to La Base every day to create big things. Flying over the ocean to bring our music and our productions to Miami was incredible. I felt the unconditional support of so many colleagues that were there. And that’s what music is about. It’s about sharing, exchanging ideas and learning from each other.
Why did you invite Luny Tunes? What is their importance for the genre?
Luny Tunes is one of the key pieces of our urban movement. I dreamt of working with them when I first started, and I’ve learned so much from them. I learned to dream, to fuse musical genres and I learned that our urban music works with all different genres of music. It’s also important that people see them and understand they’re pillars of this movement. What an honor that they can be part of my enterprise right now — and what an honor, brother, that they support me.
What is La Base’s role in the future of the genre?
Continue dreaming and giving opportunities and tools to new artists. Continue [providing] a platform in Puerto Rico, from my home town, Cayey, for dreamers, writers and producers. This isn’t only for artists. Being big in music is not just for those who have the microphone and do shows. It’s for everyone who is collaborating in the process, and for different people who go to La Base every day to dream.
How important are collaborations to you?
I believe completely in them. My next album, Mr. W, is going to be full of collabs, of fusions, of different genres and styles. I think that’s where the magic is. I want to collaborate with people who are not like me and who do different things from what I do. That’s the beauty of music and of urban music. Obviously, reggaetón is still our core, and what we do best, but we’re daring to do different things. And I want to thanks the many artists and producers who worked on this album. It’s teamwork, and I believe in teamwork and in learning from others.
You just released “Sandunga” with Don Omar and Yandel. How important is it for you to work with Don Omar?
It’s always an honor to work with Don Omar. He’s the king of reggaetón and one of the most talented artists I’ve worked with, with a vocal prowess like few I’ve ever encountered. We’ve done so many hits, but this is the first time we make a video together. And, we did the reggaetón we all know how to do. We knew millions of people wanted to hear something like that; the sound of the clubs, the barrios, the root of the movement. I want to publicly thank Don for the opportunity.
What’s going to happen to Wisin and Yandel?
WIsin and Yandel is an immortal brand. Not making music with Yandel would [show] a lack of respect to millions of people. In my new album we have a song together called “Reggaetón.” Obviously, Yandel has his company, and I have mine. But we continue to make music together, knowing millions of people love what we do.
And, what’s next for La Base?
From the moment we opened our doors, La Base has been producing every day, not just for us, but for different artists. We did Ozuna’s new album, many of Wisin and Yandel singles, we just finished mixing Jowell and Randy’s new album, and of course, my album Mr. W is being recorded there. We get new talent and new songs every day. That’s what La Base is. A music and talent factory and our doors are always open to talent. We’re honored that so many people have come to the mountains of Puerto Rico to make music with us.
La gira Mañana Será Bonito de Karol G se dirige a Latinoamérica y su primera parada es su ciudad natal, Medellín, Colombia, donde ha preparado algo especial para sus fans. Ofreciendo la mejor experiencia de Mañana Será Bonito, el evento […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Edén Muñoz, Como En Los Viejos Tiempos (Sony Music México)
Singer-songwriter and producer Edén Muñoz has little left to prove at this point of his fruitful career, both as former frontman of Calibre 50 and now as a soloist. But Muñoz isn’t the type to be complacent, and is always looking to one-upping his previous releases. His latest album, Como En Los Viejos Tiempo, is no exception. As a producer, Muñoz is known for being meticulous about his sound — and the first song on the set, “Bye Bye,” is a testament to Muñoz’s broad production skills, melding his signature norteño sound with hints of cumbia, backed by big band instrumentals.
Accompanied by heavy hitters in the música mexicana realm, including Gerardo Ortiz, El Fantasma and Los Dos Carnales, Muñoz zigzags across styles such as quebradita (“La Nena”), corrido (“Alias Jabón”), cumbia (“Que La Dejen Ir al Baile Sola”), huapango (“Peca de Bonita”) and norteño (“El Que Quiere Puede”). Offering a wide-ranging palate of Mexican music sounds, Como En Los Viejos Tiempos is Muñoz’s most eclectic and experimental set to date. The 18-track is the Mexican artist’s first album under Sony Music México, with whom he signed in October as a partnership with Sony Music Latin. — GRISELDA FLORES
Carin Leon & Grupo Frontera, “Alch Si” (Socios Music/ADA Latin)
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A year after their first collaborative effort, “Que Vuelvas“ — which hit the top half of the Hot 100 in January — Carin Leon and Grupo Frontera join forces again on “Alch Si.” On their new track, penned by Leon, Edgar Barrera, Horacio Palencia and Diego Bollela, and produced by Barrera, the two Mexican acts sing about getting over an ex, but not really. “I’m not crying, her memory got in my eye,” chants Frontera’s Payo Solis at the start of the country-tinged norteño track. ”I don’t drink to forget her, nor do I take advice/ To stop loving her, what number do I have to call?/ In a masochistic way, I check her Instagram/ Looking at her stories and how another guy takes her away from me/ I’m not crying, just a little tear came out,” part of the chorus goes. — JESSICA ROIZ
Thalia & Estilo Sin Límite, “Choro” (Sony Music Latin)
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Thalia ventures into the world of corridos tumbados in this fun song with Estilo Sin Límite, which encourages women to free themselves from chatty, arrogant men who seek to woo them. Powered by a tololoche, requinto and brassy instruments, the second single from her upcoming album A Mucha Honra (which the Mexican star previewed exclusively in October at Billboard Latin Music Week,) “Choro” was produced by Edgar Rodríguez from Yellow Room and executive produced by Jimmy Humilde. (It was co-written by Thalia and Dania of Estilo Sin Límite.) Its title, in Mexican slang, refers to an over-the-top person who uses his words to make people fall in love. “Choro, I know he has a very good choro/ But I don’t cry for him anymore/ I’m not like his ex-girlfriend, I do improve,” goes part of the chorus. The colorful music video, directed by Lalo González (a.k.a. Lalo the Giant,) shows both singers in suburban and rural sets alongside mariachis, partying with many, many women. It is, in the best Thalia fashion, pure feminine power. – SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Carlos Vives & Ryan Castro, “Los Sabanales 3.0” (Sony Music Latin)
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Carlos Vives and Ryan Castro have released their first collaboration, “Los Sabanales 3.0,” to kick off December and welcome the holiday season. The track features an updated sound and new lyrics, with both artists adding their own spin: Vives’ accordion and Castro’s thumping reggaetón beats. Bringing together two generations, the song celebrates the most popular and beloved song of the great Calixto Ochoa, preserving the original song’s essence and its most memorable verses. Vives aims to put the spotlight on iconic composers of Colombia and breathe new life to their work, making it accessible to new generations. The song is featured on Vives’ remastered and expanded album Clásicos De La Provincia. — INGRID FAJARDO
Miguel Campello, “El Sentir de los Sentimientos” (Chatarrero Records)
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This week, Miguel Campello unveils the introspective ballad, “El Sentir de los Sentimientos.” Adorned with exquisite nylon strings and trumpet riffs, and enveloped in the fervor of rumba guitar strums and his resounding flamenco vocals, the song navigates the ebbs and flows of personal contemplation. In its purest form, the composition exalts our innate human capacity to experience emotions. “[It’s] a song with rumba soul that tells the passing of the days, full of stories that make us laugh and cry because singing is feeling that you feel, ‘the feeling of feelings’“, the singer-composer wrote on his Instagram. The single is part of his upcoming release Amanecer y Anochecer, which will consist of five songs, and is a continuation of 2023’s Noche y Día. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Milo J, 111 (Dale Play Records)
Following the EP En Dormir Sin Madrid, in collaboration with popular Argentine producer Bizarrap, Milo J showcases his musical prowess on his debut album 111. Infused with a South American bohemian essence reminiscent of tango and bolero, the album seamlessly combines traditional tones with a contemporary flair. The 16-year-old rapper delivers songs like an old soul weaving through the complexities and youth of angst.
The nine-track album highlights a masterful blend of acoustic and electric guitar arrangements, often intertwining the two in unexpected ways that both surprise and captivate the listener. Milo J’s lyrics are medicinal, deep and vulnerable. At strategic moments, the instrumental backdrop fades momentarily, allowing his tenor voice to take center stage and carry the emotional weight of the song. The album boasts diverse collaborations, such as “Carencias de Cordura” with Yami Sadfie, where Milo J ventures into the Andes with a pasillo that resonates across generations. In “Una Bala,” featuring Peso Pluma, he effortlessly delves into regional Mexican sounds, while he opens Pandora’s musical box with “Alumbre” with Nicki Nicole, unveiling a cinematic theme, and joins in unison with Yahritza y Su Esencia on “Te Fui a Seguir.” Romantic songs like “M.A.I” and “Deseo siempre” stand out for their lyrical sensuality, delivered with an elegance rarely found in today’s popular music. 111 demands to be listened to with undivided attention. — LUISA CALLE
Indee, “ORO”
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Immersed in the vibrant, sultry sounds of Afrobeats, Barcelona artist Indee unveils her self-released first single of the year, “Oro,” marked by golden-piano stabs and her seductive vocal delivery. Produced by Jay Kalo, the track is an ode to life and companionship, as Indee explores the quest for genuine friendships that are as valuable as gold. “In these crazy times, where everyone is chasing the spotlight/ Where is the soul of the body I touch?” she croons. The accompanying music video captures the star’s flawless dance moves and takes audiences on a journey through various iconic spots in Barcelona, showcasing the city’s dynamic backdrop. “When I speak about Gold I wanted to convey the idea of the mineral in its purest, unrefined state,” she wrote on her socials. “This song is an acknowledgement of the truly important things in life, for not all that glitters is gold.” — I.R.
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Since Fuerza Regida graced the cover of Billboard Español in June, their ascent has been consistent.
For starters, the quintet made Billboard history by becoming the first Latin band to be No. 1 on the Top Artists – Duo/Group list of Billboard‘s year-end charts, followed by Grupo Frontera and Fleetwood Mac. (Previous No. 1 artists on the list have included Destiny’s Child, Green Day, The Black Eyed Peas, One Direction, Jonas Brothers and BTS.)
“We’ve been working a lot with the whole team, con toda la mafia de la calle, with Mob Street Records to get where we’re at right now,” Jesús Ortiz Paz (aka JOP) tells Billboard Español during an Instagram Live. The frontman was driving in Culiacán, México, accompanied by a few of his label artists and songwriters such as Calle 24 and Miguel Armenta, after performing several shows with Fuerza. “We just sold out a show right now, and we’re happier than ever.”
As for claiming the No. 1 spot on the Top Artists – Duo/Group chart, JOP said, “I’m speechless, really. Coming from where we come from, not many people get out [of the hood], whether they get out alive, are dead, or go to jail. I just have to say that I am grateful to God, and to all my family, my mom, my dad, and all my friends. If it wasn’t for everyone’s help, and also the fans, we wouldn’t be here. Fuerza Regida and I are in charge of continuing to give [fans] great music and, God willing, I will continue to give until the last straw.”
Amid the group’s Otra Peda Tour — which commenced at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and made stops in Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas before concluding last week in Anaheim at the Honda Center — the band released its most successful album to date, Pa Las Babys y la Belikeada in October. With said release, Fuerza Regida secured a career-high debut on the Top Latin Albums chart. The group also snagged a fiery polka-driven banda collaboration with Shakira with “El Jefe.”
During the IG Live, fans also asked the San Bernardino native questions, such as what is the group’s favorite taco spot in SB, who’s the grumpiest, what’s their favorite song they’ve created and more. Check it out below.
Warner Music Cono Sur (which covers the Southern Cone of Latin America) and Lotus, the events production company behind Lollapalooza Chile, have launched a new label, booking and management company. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest […]
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