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Mexican American artist Xavi has signed with WME for global representation in all areas, as reported by Billboard last week. The last few months have been pivotal for the 19-year-old singer-songwriter (born Joshua Xavier Gutiérrez) who kicked off 2024 with his first No. 1 on any Billboard chart thanks to his romantic corrido “La Diabla,” […]
Alfredo Delgadillo has been appointed president and CEO of Universal Music México, Billboard can exclusively announce.
Previously Universal Music México’s managing director, Delgadillo’s newly-expanded role includes Universal Music Group’s regional Mexican label, Fonovisa-Disa. The Mexico City-based executive will continue to report directly to Jesús López, chairman/CEO, Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula.
“We are in a unique moment of growth for Latin music and Regional Mexican music, so this new responsibility comes with an even stronger commitment to continue growing the success and reach of our artists both in Mexico and around the world, alongside growing our live and management businesses,” Delgadillo said in a statement.
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“Now with the addition of the Fonovisa-Disa labels,” he continued, “I am looking forward to working closely with its leader Antonio Silva, for whom I have absolute respect and their entire team, to ensure that the legacy of Fonovisa-Disa, as the symbol and leader of Regional Mexican music, continues to grow and expand to the rest of the world.”
After a 10-year run with EMI Music México, Delgadillo returned to Universal in 2013 (when UMG acquired EMI) as general manager of Universal Music México, and in 2017 was promoted to managing director where he was key in the development of local acts, such as Mon Laferte and Caloncho, while contributing to the growth of international acts in Mexico like J Balvin, David Bisbal, Metallica, U2 and Taylor Swift, among others.
During his time with the label, the industry veteran, who began his career at Universal Music México in 1998, has overseen strategies to “take UMG’s international acts to the top of the Mexican charts” and “was responsible for the development and consolidation of Global Talent Services (GTS),” according to a press release.
“Alfredo is an executive with extensive experience in all fields of entertainment, including records, management and touring,” added Jesús López, Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula chairman and CEO. “He has incredible leadership capacity and a great track record of developing and integrating young executives into his teams. These are among the many reasons for his ongoing success at Universal Music Mexico. I wish him every success in his new mission within the company. He has the support of our entire team.”
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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Luis R Conriquez, Corridos Bélicos, Vol. IV (Kartel Music)
It’s fitting that as the pioneer of corridos bélicos, Luis R Conriquez would assemble an all-star team of collaborators for Corridos Bélicos, Vol. IV. With guest artists like Peso Pluma, Gerardo Ortiz, El Fantasma, Junior H, Gabito Ballesteros, Edén Muñoz, Fuerza Regida, Alfredo Olivas and Natanael Cano, Conriquez recruits some of the best in música mexicana, and honors both the new and old generations of regional Mexican hitmakers.
The set includes a total of 23 songs all powered by the subgenre’s signature sound, punctuated by sierreño guitars, trombones, trumpets and a tololoche. Most of the album’s songs narrate rags-to-riches stories with lyrics inspired by narco culture, the style of storytelling that has defined corridos bélicos. Conriquez’s Corridos Bélicos, Vol. IV rings in the year with a tour de force that showcases solidarity in Mexican music — the genre had a massive 2023 and this year looks just as promising. — GRISELDA FLORES
Randy Malcom, “Millonario” (Musicadoy/Puntilla)
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On the heels of his 2023 banger, “Bendecido,” Randy Malcom of Gente de Zona starts off 2024 with “Millonario.” With a similar sentiment as the former, the song delivers inspirational and motivational lyrics, a powerful new year manifestation, if you will. “When I become a millionaire, I will spend, I will live, I will enjoy my life,” goes the easy-to-learn chorus. He also chants about paying off his debt, quitting his 9 to 5 job, and “living life to the fullest, in case he dies tomorrow.” Musically, Malcom steers away from the signature Cubaton sound that made him a household name and dips into a fresh salsa tune produced by Dale Pututi (real name: Alejandro Arce). — JESSICA ROIZ
Josué Alaniz & Oscar Plaza, “feliz año nuevo” (Josué Alaniz)
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Mexican indie-pop artists Josué Alaniz and Oscar Plaza welcome 2024 with this melancholic but sweet heartbreak single released on Jan. 1. Driven by a mid-tempo drumbeat, “feliz año nuevo” talks about a relationship that ends in December and immediately seeing your ex with someone else. “How did you forget me so easily?” the artists cry in the chorus. “In case I don’t see you anymore, happy new year.” Alaniz wrote about the track on his YouTube channel: “We wrote this song last week, we really wanted to start the year with new music so… happy new year everyone, we love you.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS.
La Reforma, “Melao” (La Reforma Music)
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Colombian alternative rock band La Reforma starts the new year by sweetening us with their infectious song “Melao.” Inspired by the delicious typical Colombian candy, with a sugary flavor and sticky consistency, the song aims to convey joy and hope. In a statement, the group’s vocalist, Christian Lacouture, said: “We wish to present a song that brings hope, that causes smiles and that allows you to experience the joy that is given by God.” The melody skillfully fuses the sounds of the Colombian Pacific, such as currulao, with rock elements. The visual accompaniment shows clips of the group performing live in front of a crowd. In the lyrics, positive messages stand out, such as “Look at the sky, don’t feel alone, look up, you’re worth gold.” “If you feel sad, my brother: melao/ a little smile from side to side/ come on, everything is going to be fine,” they sing in the chorus. — LUISA CALLE
Banda Los Recoditos add an eighth No. 1 to their ledger as “Vas A Querer Volver” jumps 2-1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated Jan. 6.
“It’s great news to start off the year this way,” Rafael Gónzalez and Santos de Jesús Pérez “JeyPi”, lead singers of Banda Los Recoditos tells Billboard. “Being No. 1 on a Billboard chart makes us happy and creates a stronger commitment to work on new music for our fans.”
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“Vas a Querer Volver,” which entered the top 10 in its eighth chart week, at No. 8, ascends from the runner-up slot with a 3% increase in audience impressions, to 6.9 million, earned in the U.S. during the Dec. 22-28 tracking week, according to Luminate. The song ejects Grupo Frontera and Junior H’s “En Altavoz” from the lead and sends it to No. 9 with a 33% decrease, to 4.9 million impressions.
As “Volver” takes the lead on Regional Mexican Airplay, UMLE claims the chart’s top four titles – a feat the company has achieved many times over the past decade. On the chart dated Jan. 6, UMLE has “Volver” at No. 1 (released via El Recodo/Fonovisa/UMLE), Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda’s “Buscándole a La Suerte” at No. 2 (released via Fonovisa/UMLE), La Fiera de Ojinaga’s “La Neta Que No” at No. 3 and La Maquinaria Norteña’s “Perro Amor” at No. 4, both via Azteca/Fonovisa/UMLE.
UMLE last claimed the top four in 2022, when it held the Nos. 1-4 slots for four straight weeks on the April 2-23-dated lists. UMLE is the only label to have monopolized the top four on the chart in the last 10 years.
With “Volver” Los Recoditos score their eighth champ, dating back to “Ando Bien Pedo,” their longest-charting ruler, with 12 weeks atop in 2010. Here’s a review of the groups’ collections of No. 1s on the radio chart:
Peak, Title, Weeks at No. 1Feb. 13, 2010, “Ando Bien Pedo,” 12Dec. 28, 2013, “Mi Último Deseo, oneNov. 1, 2014, “Hasta Que Salga El Sol,” oneApril 14, 2018, “Tiempo,” fiveJuly 13, 2019, “Perfecta,” threeApril 23, 2022, “Me Siento A Todo Dar,” oneOct. 15, 2022, “Fuerte No Soy,” oneJan. 6, “Vas A Querer Volver”
Elsewhere, “Volver” repeats Los Recoditos’ last two top 10 entries on the overall Latin Airplay chart, jumping 8-7; “Me Siento a Todo Dar” and “Fuerte No Soy” also reached No. 7 high in 2022.
“We will be closer this 2024, with dates in Mexico, U.S. and Central America, performing new music,” Gónzalez and JeyPi add. “Thanks to our listeners, platforms, media, and our loyal followers.”
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Here are the collabs our Latin editors are hoping for this year.
Mexican American singer-songwriter Xavi starts off 2024 big, achieving his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart, as “La Diabla” crowns the Hot Latin Songs chart dated Jan. 6. The song rises 4-1 to become the first champ of the year on the multi-metric ranking.
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“Super grateful with everyone and the whole team; we’ve been doing everything with love, giving it our all to keep pushing our music and culture to new heights,” Xavi tells Billboard.
“La Diabla” takes the lead on Hot Latin Songs as the week’s Greatest Gainer in streams and sales. The song logged 11.1 million official U.S. streams in the tracking week of Dec. 22-28, according to Luminate; that’s a 24% gain from the week prior. Plus, the sum pushes the track 4-2 on Latin Streaming Songs. Although sales still account for a negligible amount, “La Diabla” jumps 10-4 on Latin Digital Songs Sales with a 43% increase.
With “La Diabla,” Xavi earns his second top 10 on Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, digital sales, and streaming activity. The new champ joins “La Víctima” which advances 7-5 with 7.4 million official streams during the same tracking week. Further, the singer-songwriter also makes progress through two other tracks: “Poco a Poco,” with Dareyes De La Sierra, jumps 26-18 and “Modo DND,” with Tony Aguirre, lifts to its new No. 21 peak.
Thanks to “La Diabla,” released Nov. 30 via Interscope, the record label returns to No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs for its first champ of the year. Karol G and Peso Pluma’s “Qlona” was the label’s last leader, completing a fifth week at No. 1 on the Oct. 14-dated ranking.
On a global scale, “La Diabla” takes Xavi to his highest-charting effort on Billboard Global Excl. U.S., peaking at No. 23. While the track dips 32-33 on Billboard 200, “La Víctima” climbs 79-64.
Elsewhere, Xavi stands strong leading the Latin Songwriters chart for a fourth consecutive week, tying with Ivan Cornejo for the fifth-most weeks in charge among regional Mexican soloists. Both rank behind Peso Pluma’s 20 weeks at No. 1, Eslabon Armado’s Pedro Tovar with a 10-week domination, and DannyLux with six weeks atop.
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Mexican social media superstar and singer Kim Loaiza earns her first entry on a Billboard album chart as her debut set, X Amor, opens at No. 9 on the Latin Pop Albums chart (dated Dec. 30). X Amor released Dec. 14 via Warner Latina, debuts in the top 10 with 2,000 equivalent units earned in […]
In 2023, Billboard‘s Latin Artist on the Rise series featured a select group of artists who had a breakthrough inside or outside of their genre, scored a significant chart feat and/or created a buzz that was impossible to ignore. A wide-ranging group of 10 up-and-coming Latin artists were spotlit — including Mexican superstar Peso Pluma, who […]
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 five emerging artists, who we might’ve found anywhere from a Spotify playlist to a music showcase. See our recommendations below.
Artist: I AM
Country: Chile
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: In her introspective debut album, ECDYSIS, an homage to her Chilean roots and ancestral heritage, I AM delves into the soul of Spanish-language rock while championing whale conservation. Weaving together experimental rock with the evocative sounds of the Mapuche tribe and their Mapudugun chants — alongside over 1,000 pitches of whale vocalization — ECDYSIS unveils itself as a captivating and meditative odyssey. The Chilean artist suggests that immersing oneself in whale songs has the potential to evoke transformative experiences, akin to those encountered through the consumption of plant medicines like psilocybin mushrooms or ayahuasca.
Highlighted by tracks like “Riley,” “Raven, and “Lara,” which channel the electrifying spirit of rock’s golden age, the 11-track album uniquely features six single letters as titles, spelling out “Sophia” — a symbolic reference to “The Mother and womb of creation that keeps us going throughout it all,” she tells Billboard Español. “The [album title] itself represents the process of shedding the skin that no longer serves us, and the choice of letting it go in order to return to our hearts.” As a songwriter and producer, I AM has worked with Selena Gómez, Maria Becerra, Sofia Reyes and DJ Snake as K Sotomayor. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song For Your Playlist: “Raven”
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Artist: Adrián Bello
Country: Peru
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Adrián Bello is a 32-year-old indie-pop artist who has been paving his way in his native country and beyond with a style that’s as versatile as it is colorful. Having started writing music at the age of 10, he debuted in 2018 with a soul album in English, Apprentice, which showed influences from Ray Charles and Nina Simone to Adele, Sam Smith and Amy Winehouse. In 2022 he followed that effort with the 16-track album Bailemos en la Sala, fusing pop with Latin American genres like bolero, samba and andino, and collaborating with colleagues like Ximena Sariñana, Esteman and Josean Log.
“I would describe my music like an embrace — of the good and the bad,” Bello tells Billboard Español. “I like to sing to the emotions and try to share common stories and generate connection. I am a faithful believer that we are all actually very similar and have similar experiences.” His latest output is “Otros Ritmos,” a sweet, upbeat song released in November, inspired “by those who one day are the most important thing in our lives and the next one are strangers dancing to ‘other rhythms,’” he explains. It is the first single from his upcoming album, which he plans to release in the first half of 2024. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song for Your Playlist: “Otros Ritmos”
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Name: Flor Alvarez
Country: Argentina
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Scrolling through TikTok, as per usual, I came across the captivating vocals of Flor Alvarez. In the viral clip, the short-haired, pierced young lady is wearing a purple tank top and holding a speaker on her left arm: she’s covering Los Ángeles Azules’ and Maria Becerra’s “El Amor de Mi Vida.” Boasting over 31 million views since the video was posted on Dec. 2, it’s evident that Flor has enraptured people on social media with her distinct, sugary-raspy voice, as well as with her humility and charismatic personality. A local street performer from Argentina, who can often be found singing in a train, Flor has already released the EP Etapas and is currently making the rounds with her single “Sin Querer,” in collaboration with Fer Vazquez — a heartfelt cumbia song about unrequited love. Since her viral clip, Flor has garnered nearly two million followers on TikTok. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “Sin Querer” (with Fer Vazquez)
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Artist: Juanpalitoschinos
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Taking cues from ‘80s city pop with Latin alternative sensibilities, the Mexico City duo Juanpalitoschinos, consisting of Friné Alejo and Joan Page, adds to the blossoming scene of Latin stars claiming influences from Japan. Melding retro sounds with polished production, the pair’s floor-filling tracks — epitomized by the recent, lovelorn release “Cuando Me Amabas” — seamlessly blend disco influences with heartfelt vocals over vintage synth melodies.
Debuting in 2020 with “Bellavista 130,” a mellow track that set the tone for their distinctive sound, Juanpalitoschinos (translating to “Juan chopsticks”) has been steadily gaining recognition as an innovative group that draws inspiration from East Asian art. Its July release, “¿Por Qué No Contestas?” with Gusstav, serves as a teaser for their upcoming album — showcasing the duo’s ability to craft hits that evoke both dancefloor energy and J-pop nostalgia. — I.R.
Song For Your Playlist: “Cuando Me Amabas”
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Juanes and Carlos Vives unlock a new chart achievement as “Las Mujeres” tops Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart (dated Dec. 30).
The team-up pushes from No. 3 to No. 1 after a 12% jump in audience impressions, to 3.63 million, earned in the U.S. during the Dec. 15-21 tracking week, according to Luminate. The single takes the lead in its 17th week, after eight solid weeks in the top 10.
“Las Mujeres” is the third two co-billed Colombian partnership to land at the penthouse on Latin Pop Airplay in 2023. Karol G and Shakira did it first with the 14-week leader “TQG,” which started its chart domination in April. Shakira repeated the feat with her Manuel Turizo collab, “Copa Vacía.” The latter cedes the crown after nine weeks in charge and drops to No. 2 with 3.6 million audience impressions.
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“Las Mujeres” puts Juanes back at No. 1 after “Bonita,” with Sebastian Yatra, ruled for two weeks in Nov. 2019. In between, “Cecilia,” with Juan Luis Guerra, propelled the Colombian to a No. 6 high last September. In total, Juanes nabs his 12th champ, breaking the Latin Pop Airplay No. 1 barrier with “A Dios Le Pido,” in 2002. With a new ruler on his account, let’s review Juanes’ collection of No. 1s:
Peak, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1Aug. 24, 2002, “A Dios Le Pido,” 1July 19, 2003, “Fotografía,” with Nelly Furtado, 7Sept. 4, 2004, “Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor,” 20Feb. 5, 2005, “Volverte A Ver,” 3April 2, 2005, “La Camisa Negra,” 10Feb. 25, 2006, “Lo Que Me Gusta A Mi,” 10Sept. 29, 2007, “Me Enamora,” 21Feb. 23, 2008, “Gotas De Agua Dulce,” 8April 18, 2015, “Juntos (Together),” 1Nov. 12, 2016, “Fuego,” 1Nov. 9, 2019, “Bonita,” with Sebastian Yatra, 2Dec. 30, 2023, “Las Mujeres,” with Carlos Vives
Vives, meanwhile, adds his sixth champ on Latin Pop Airplay which arrives just over a year after “Baloncito Viejo,” with Camilo, led for one week in 2022.
Elsewhere, “Mujeres” advances 35-31 on the overall Latin Airplay chart — Vives’ only entry there in 2023.
