Chuwi, Hendry el Mero Mero & More Emerging Latin Artists on Our Radar

Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.

Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered either by networking or coming across their music at a showcase, and beyond. See our recommendations this month below:

Artist: Alleh & Yorghaki

Country: Venezuela

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: By the end of 2024, the landscape of social media was ablaze with the captivating sounds of “Capaz (merengueton),” a viral sensation crafted by two talented artists hailing from Valencia, Venezuela. This track quickly gained momentum in the Latin music scene, showcasing a vibrant fusion of traditional merengue rhythms and contemporary reggaeton beats, all enhanced by modern electronic elements. The playful and flirtatious lyrics of “Capaz,” which translates to “maybe,” explore the nuanced feelings of a budding romance filled with possibilities.

Following the success of their hit single, Alleh and Yorghaki launched their highly anticipated debut album La Ciudad last year. This set features 12 tracks that showcase the duo’s distinct artistic vision and musical identity. The album is an inviting journey through lively melodies and infectious rhythms that resonate deeply, allowing listeners to connect with the pair’s artistic expression amidst the vast array of musical trends that flood the industry daily. — INGRID FAJARDO

Song For Your Playlist: “El Ingeniero”

Artist: Chuwi

Country: Puerto Rico

Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Hailing from Isabela, on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico, comes the indie quartet Chuwi. Composed by siblings Lorén on vocals, Willy on bass guitar, Wester on keyboards, and family friend Adrian on the drums, the group tastefully blends traditional Caribbean rhythms (plena, bomba, salsa) with soulful alternative melodies. Sonically, the band that’s been making the rounds since 2020 is progressive, energetic and stylish. Lyrically, Chuwi is proudly rooted in its culture, mainly singing about La Isla del Encanto with some feel-good love songs here and there. 

I first discovered this talented bunch last summer during an album listening session with PJ Sin Suela, who collaborated with the group on “Escúchame,” where I was instantly smitten by Lorén’s powerhouse yet warm vocals. Chuwi kicked off 2025 gaining well-deserved momentum thanks to their feature on the flirty “WELTiTA” track from Bad Bunny’s DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS. — JESSICA ROIZ

Song For Your Playlist: “Escúchame,” PJ Sin Suela feat. Chuwi

Artist: Hamilton

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Dubbed the Afro Rock Star of Colombia, Hamilton has stood out as a reference for Afrobeats in his country, including through collabs with artists like Ryan Castro (“A Poca Luz”), Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez (“Atardecer”). With a velvety voice and an Afro-tropical vibe that is pleasant to the ear both musically and lyrically, he is preparing to release his debut album, Afro Rockstar, after presenting singles such as “Besitos Dulces” and “La Favorita de mi Mamá” in recent months. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Song For Your Playlist: “La Favorita de mi Mamá”

Artist: Hendry el Mero Mero

Country:  U.S. by way of Cuba

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Hendry el Mero Mero is a name that’s making the rounds in the East Coast. I first heard about the singer/songwriter/producer through Moises Mucho Mas, host and founder of the Onda Regional Show — a podcast that showcases the emerging wave of regional Mexican music in the New York Tri-State area. Born in Cuba and shaped by a decade in Ecuador, now based in New Jersey, Hendry’s musical journey has evolved from Latin rock to reggaetón, and most recently, a corridos tumbados fusion — a style he embraced after immersing himself with “la raza,” as he puts it, in the U.S.

His 2023 single, “Malditas Ganas,” is a melodic blend of mariachi brass and pulsating hip-hop rhythms, showcasing his versatility and fusion prowess. “Pregúntale al Diablo” further showcases his captivating mix of corridos tumbados with electronic beats. Hendry’s distinctive raspy voice adds a raw, authentic quality to his music. His latest single, “Trotamundo,” encapsulates his journey, mingling reflective lyrics with a contemplative sound that invites listeners into his world. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song For Your Playlist: “El Mero Mero”

Artist: Saul Villarreal

Country: U.S.

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: George Prajin, Peso Pluma’s manager, recently signed this 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas. Villarreal is one of those artists who is hard to categorize within a specific genre, which is what makes him fascinating. While joining a roster that includes mainly corrido/Mexican music hitmakers, Villarreal stands out for a far more stripped-down and mellow approach to the genre, often accompanying his songs with a piano or an acoustic guitar. Villarreal entered the scene in 2023, and has so far released a handful of songs that showcase his talents as a singer and songwriter. — GRISELDA FLORES

Song For Your Playlist: “Vete”

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