Author: djfrosty

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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.

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

Name: Juanita Donosso

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Just graduated from ICESI University’s music program in Cali, Colombia, Donosso is part of that increasingly well-prepared generation of young artists who are schooled but also experienced onstage. With a sound that incorporates her major influences — from Erykah Badu to James Brown — Donosso sings a mix of funk, house and R&B with feel-good vibes and tons of attitude. The video to her newest single “Tuyo,” produced with fellow students, is a genre-bending girl party — with irresistible beats and dare-to-defy-me attitude — which bodes well for Donosso. — LEILA COBO

Song for Your Playlist: “Tuyo”

Name: Junior Zamora

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Zamora may come from Cali, Colombia, the world’s “salsa capital,” and increasingly, a hub of urban music and sounds of the Pacific coast. But while Zamora’s music is touched by those influences, he breaks rank with heartfelt R&B, more grounded in gospel than salsa. It’s an excellent vehicle for soulful vocals, amplified by a visual aesthetic that makes Zamora an immediate standout. Initially independent, Zamora has been signed to Sony Music Colombia since 2023, which bodes well in terms of exporting his Colombian R&B to a broader audience — one that recently included showcases at Spain’s BIME conference in Bilbao. — L.C.

Song for Your Playlist: “Sagitario”

Name: Luister La Voz

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: The first time I heard Luister La Voz was through a Spotify recommendation. A couple of weeks later, I traveled to Barranquilla, Colombia, where I discovered more of his urban-pop music that’s rooted in champeta — a local genre that blends African sounds with reggae, characterized by a strong rhythmic foundation that enhances the melodic and harmonic lines. Luister La Voz’s unique sound is a delightful fusion; I became enchanted by his powerful-yet-sweet vocal harmonies that intertwine seamlessly. Each song presents a lyrical tapestry that carries messages from God, frequently drawing upon references to biblical psalms. — INGRID FAJARDO

Song for Your Playlist: “Las Cartas” feat. Maikol El Insoportable

Name: Luz Gaggi

Country: Argentina

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: With a powerful, velvety and nuanced voice reminiscent of the great R&B singers, Luz Gaggi rose to fame in Argentina in 2021 on the local version of The Voice, and shortly after was signed by Sony Music. Since then, she has been steadily carving her way up, and the last year or so has been particularly rewarding. In October 2024, she opened for Paul McCartney at River Plate Stadium in Buenos, and over the summer she received the Discovery Award at the LAMC in New York and was one of two “Artistas 2 Watch” at the 2025 Premios Juventud. The 23-year-old pop singer-songwriter is currently working on her sophomore album with renowned producer Cachorro López, from which she recently released the single “Qué mal.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Song for Your Playlist: “Que Mal”

Name: Pahua

Country: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: With over 20 million streams across music platforms, Mexican singer and songwriter Pahua (real name: Paulina Sotomayor) has been making the rounds for over a decade — first with her brother Raúl in the electronic and Afro Latin duo Sotomayor, and later (since 2020) as a solo artist. Also a DJ and a drummer, Pahua blends Latin folk with percussive modern beats and lyrics, inspired by nature and Latin American literature, a style that has received praise and recognition from The New York Times to the BBC and NPR.

This year marked a turning point in her career, with a performance at the Kennedy Center in July and a 15-date U.S. tour over the summer. She recently was announced as part of the 2026 EDC festival in Mexico City, and she’s returning to NYC in January for two more shows. Pahua’s sophomore solo album, Cerca Del Lugar, was released in September, with “Vaquera Galáctica” — “a nod to women never giving up” — as the focus track. With Sotomayor, she is releasing a new album next year, WABI SABI, produced by Eduardo Cabra. — S.R.A.

Song for Your Playlist: “Vaquera Galáctica”

Name: Ronkalunga

Country: Cuba

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: He’s a self-proclaimed “musician, poet, and madman,” according to his bio on the DSPs — but beyond that, Ronkalunga (real name: Ronaldo Rodríguez Hernández) is a virtuoso singer-songwriter, hailing from eastern Cuba. Earlier this year, his song “El Carnicero” gained momentum on social media, ultimately showing up on my algorithm. Captivated by his deep and sensual vocals, and scruffy appearance with that “je ne sais quoi” appeal, I began to navigate his entire catalog, which goes back to his debut album Raros Pasos in 2020.

Ronkalunga’s sound is rooted in traditional Cuban music (changüí, bolero, and trova) fused with pop, alternative rock, and funk. In songs such as “Coco y Guayaba,” “Lo Mismo Me Dá,” and “Refranero,” you’ll also discover his witty penmanship, packed with double meaning and local sayings. Ronkalunga is currently touring the U.S. — JESSICA ROIZ

Song for Your Playlist: “El Carnicero”

Name: RØZ

Country: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Mexican act RØZ has been making strong waves in the electonic music realm since the release of its debut single “What You Want” in 2020. Since then, the emerging Mexican DJ and producer duo (made up of Manolo Cabrera and Hugo Lara) has racked over 4.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, thanks to its innovative and progressive house sound. Earlier this year, the duo got the stamp of approval from Peso Pluma on their collaborative track “Apaga La Luz.” Other notable collaborations include “flashes” with Yng Lvcas, and “Cora de Hielo” with Natt Calma and Mau Moctezuma. This year, RØZ also made history as the first Latin American act to debut an official Spotify Sessions — and in 2026, the duo will make their Coachella debut, and will also perform at the Argentina, Chile and Brazil editions of Lollapalooza, and at Colombia’s Festival Estéreo Picnic. — J.R.

Song for Your Playlist: “Apaga La Luz” with Peso Pluma

Name: SouCream

Country: Venezuela

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: SouCream is an emerging talent from Venezuela who presents a fresh sound by mixing Brazilian funk with rap. I saw him perform for the first time as one of the opening acts at Akapellah’s concert in Miami this year. What caught my attention the most was not just his immense talent, but also the contagious energy he brought to the stage, which resonated deeply with the audience. His lyrics are full of expressions and phrases from Venezuela, reflecting his roots and storytelling ability. His flow moves smoothly over a steady beat, maintaining a consistent tone that enhances the dynamic feel of his music. He demonstrates great versatility in his musical approach, combining strong hip-hop influences with elements of electronic music in the instrumentals and with rap elements. — I.F.

Song For Your Playlist: “Só Putaria No Baile” with DJ Guuh & MC GW

Name: Twin Tribes

Country: United States

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Armed with brooding synths, lush basslines, and lyrics steeped in themes of love, mortality, and the occult, Twin Tribes conjures an otherworldly sound that feels like a séance on the dancefloor. Its influences run deep — from The Cure and Depeche Mode to Caifanes and Soda Stereo — mixing haunting melodies and a dash of nostalgia into modern darkwave. In September, the Brownsville, Texas-based duo released Ecos, a two-track EP that pays homage to its Latin roots with covers of “Lobo-Hombre en París” (La Unión) and “Tren al Sur” (Los Prisioneros). Each track drips with reverence, yet spellbinds with a signature nocturnal edge, reshaping the familiar into something uniquely the duo’s own.

The post-punk pair (comprised of Luis Navarro and Joel Niño, Jr.) is now finishing the year with a Latin American tour, with dates in Brazil, Costa Rica and Peru, including a stop at Mexico City’s legendary Circo Volador on Friday (Nov. 28). Twin Tribes is continuing work on a new album and preparing for its March 28 appearance at Los Darks Festival in L.A., where the duo will share the stage with their heroes Caifanes, and other bands. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song For Your Playlist: “Lobo-Hombre en París”