BBLatin
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Bizarrap and Shakira‘s “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53” adds a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated Jan. 28). It’s the fourth “Music Session” by the Argentinian producer to rule the ranking for at least two weeks, leading with the eight-week champ “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” with Quevedo in 2022.
Luck Ra’s“Ya No Vuelvas,” featuring La K’Onga and Ke Personajes, holds steady at No. 2 for s third week. While Miley Cyrus secures her first top 10 as “Flowers” lifts 11-3. She bests her previous No. 40 high with “Midnight Sky” in 2020.
Cris Mj, Duki and Nicki Nicole’ “Marisola,” featuring Standly, drops 3-4; while TINI, La Joaqui and Steve Aoki’s “Muñecas” remains at its No. 5 high for a second week.
Elsewhere, Miranda!’s “Yo Te Diré,” with Lali, takes the Hot Shot Debut of the week, at No. 26. Previously the group scored a No. 40 high with “Don” last November.
Further, Bizarrap Duki, La T y La M’s “3 Estrellas en el Conjunto” notches the Greatest Gainer honors with a 26-position ascent, (100-71).
Lastly, three more songs debut this week, starting with Argentinian Lil Cake who scores his first entry as “Mercho,” with Migrantes, debuts at No. 78. Argentinian rapper Milo J clocks his firs chart appearance with “Milagrosa” at No. 92, while Quevedo and Ovy On The Drums secure a new entry with their latest collab “Sin Señal” at No. 98.
Who will win in the Latin categories at the 2023 Grammy Awards? Each year, Billboard offers its analysis of who will win, or who should win, in those categories, which include best Latin pop album, best música urbana album, best Latin rock or alternative album, best regional Mexican music album (including tejano) and best tropical Latin album.
Leading up to Sunday’s 65th annual Grammy Awards, we’ve gathered our Latin editorial team and embarked on a lively discussion, with educated guesses based on the marketplace and past voting behavior (not endorsements). Our participants are Leila Cobo, Billboard’s Chief Content Officer, Latin/Español; Jessica Roiz, Billboard‘s Latin assistant editor; Griselda Flores, Billboard‘s senior Latin writer; Ingrid Fajardo, social media manager & Latin’s staff writer; Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard Español’s deputy editor; and Isabela Raygoza, Billboard Español’s associate editor.
Hosted by Trevor Noah, the 2023 Grammy Awards will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday (Feb. 5) and will air live at 8p.m. ET. on CBS. Here are our predictions for the Latin music categories:
Best Latin Pop AlbumAGUILERA, Christina AguileraPasieros, Rubén Blades & Boca LivreDe Adentro Pa Afuera, CamiloVIAJANTE, FonsecaDharma+, Sebastián Yatra
GRISELDA FLORES: The front-runners for me are Camilo, Christina Aguilera and Sebastián Yatra, because all three albums received both critical acclaim and had commercial success. Last year, Camilo was nominated for Mis Manos and it was a big upset that he didn’t win, so this time he might take the award. Having said that, Christina Aguilera’s AGUILERA was a big deal, as it marked her return to Spanish-language music. It’s a really solid album.
LEILA COBO: I think this is a really tough category. I agree that those are the front-runners, but out of those I’m leaning more toward Camilo and Yatra, who has gotten notoriety with Encanto and “Dos Oruguitas,” and now this song with Rita Wilson, “Til You’re Home.” Although it’s not a nominated song, it still has put him in the eye of the mainstream, which gives him a slight edge. But Camilo has been touring all over the states, he has a song with Camila Cabello, and he can be a favorite among the Latin voters of the Academy.
SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS.: Christina Aguilera’s album is a beauty. Sebastián Yatra just won his first Latin Grammy, so I’d love to see him win this one as well.
ISABELA RAYGOZA: I did like Christina Aguilera’s album. I thought that the way she utilized her bravado with rancheras translated beautifully in this album. She’s reclaiming her Latin roots, so for her to embrace that facet of herself, I definitely appreciate it. However, I want Sebastián to win, because I think he positions himself as Latin pop’s next heartthrob, following in the steps of Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias. And his album is great, it has symphonic arrangements and reggaeton, it was very poppy. I would like to see him continue to rise in 2023.
INGRID FAJARDO: To be honest, I didn’t love Camilo’s album from the get-go, but I got a different perspective when I saw him perform those songs live. It’s another level! I realized how profound those songs are, something I didn’t notice when I first listened to the album.
Likely winner: Camilo or Sebastián Yatra
Best Música Urbana AlbumTRAP CAKE, VOL. 2, Rauw AlejandroUn Verano Sin Ti, Bad BunnyLEGENDADDY, Daddy Yankee167, FarrukoThe Loe & Sex Tape, Maluma
JESSICA ROIZ: Isabela wants Rauw Alejandro to win. She’s going to make a case right now.
I.R.: I do! I think with TRAP CAKE, we can appreciate his foundation. He’s mentioned that it has his earlier Soundcloud vibes, like when he first started making music. My favorite song on there is “Gracias Por Nada,” because it starts off as a rock song with some guitars and suddenly it expertly transitions into this Latin drill song, and it’s so hooky. The whole album is great. I know it’s not going to win, but that was one of my favorite albums of the year.
J.R.: It was a good album. And he even said he was going to stick to trap because this was for his OG fans and ended up being edgy and innovative, fusing many different styles. But Bad Bunny is going to win.
S.R.A.: Bad Bunny has to win.
G.F.: The reality is that no other album had the same impact Bad Bunny’s did. It wasn’t just the Latin album of the year, it was the album of the year in general. It’s a no-brainer for me.
L.C.: If he wins album of the year and not this category, it will seem odd and signal a big disconnect. These are all good albums, and LEGENDADDY is a significant album because it’s Daddy Yankee’s “last album,” and Farruko’s La 167 has “Pepas.” But when you have an album that has broken all records like Bad Bunny has, and he’s in the running for album of the year, it’s hard to beat.
Likely winner: Bad Bunny
Best Latin Rock or Alternative AlbumEl Alimento, CimafunkTinta y Tiempo, Jorge Drexler1940 Carmen, Mon LaferteAlegoría, Gaby MorenoLos Años Salvajes, Fito PáezMOTOMAMI, Rosalía
L.C.: Rosalía has already won this award with El Mal Querer, and this was such an acclaimed album and she has such international recognition among voters of the academy that I cannot imagine anyone else would win it.
S.R.A.: 100%. There’s no other way.
G.F.: A contender for me is Jorge Drexler, since he won song and record of the year at the Latin Grammys, but how can Rosalía not win? I think people were already upset she didn’t score an album of the year nod, so she has to win this one. She totally deserves to win.
I.R.: Cimafunk and Jorge Drexler did release pretty great albums, but Rosalía blew it out of the water. She continued to showcase her musicianship in so many ways with that album. For her to do some reggaeton and experiment with jazz — each song has its own world, and her winning this category would be the right choice.
Likely winner: Rosalía
Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)Abeja Reina, ChiquisUn Canto por México – El Musical, Natalia LafourcadeLa Reunión (Deluxe), Los Tigres del NorteEP #1 Forajido, Christian Nodal Qué Ganas de Verte (Deluxe), Marco Antonio Solis
G.F.: It’s a long shot, but Chiquis could win this category and take home her first Grammy. She’s been on a winning streak these past two years at the Latin Grammys, winning best banda album in 2020 and 2022. I think she has a shot, especially with an album like Abeja Reina with lyrics that are so raw and modern, but she sticks to traditional styles such as banda and cumbia. I think voters will really appreciate that.
S.R.A.: Natalia Lafourcade is a Grammy darling, but I’d like to see Chiquis take this one home.
L.C.: Nodal is a great artist. He’s young and makes music that is exceptional. What he does and how he takes the genre but modernizes, it is so clever. The results are really interesting. I don’t see another artist like him at that age. This should be Christian Nodal’s year.
I.R.: Christian Nodal has modernized the genre, but still stayed true to his essence. We’ve seen the emergence of so much regional, but fusing it with external elements. He stays true to the essence of what the genre is, and that’s what I appreciate about him.
I.F.: Nodal is like the Vicente Fernández of our generation. The power of his voice is unmatched. He truly represents this genre, and he should win.
Likely winner: Christian Nodal
Best Tropical Latin AlbumPa’llá Voy, Marc Anthony Quiero Verte Feliz, La Santa Cecilia Lado A Lado B, Víctor Manuelle Legendario, Tito Nieves lmágenes Latinas, Spanish Harlem Orchestra Cumbiana II, Carlos Vives
L.C.: I have a soft spot for Cumbiana, even though Carlos Vives has done it before. I liked Victor Manuelle’s album, I thought it was cool, but I’m rooting for Vives here.
G.F.: I’d like to see Victor Manuelle win, because it was an interesting to see him live in that duality of salsa and urban. It was a fun listen. I appreciate his experimental nature but what I respected most is that he didn’t lose touch with who he is and what he represents in that album.
S.R.A.: I love Carlos Vives and I love how he’s been able to spotlight Colombian music. I think it’s spectacular. If he wins, I’ll be happy. But Victor Manuelle is also deserving. He has a good album.
I.R.: I think it’s Victor Manuelle’s year. He’s celebrating 30 years in music, and being honored at Premio Lo Nuestro. And his album is pretty cool! He’s always maintained his essence even while collaborating with other contemporary artists such as Miky Woodz, and he sounds great. He doesn’t sacrifice his signature style for the sake of jumping on the bandwagon.
J.R.: I feel Carlos Vives is going to win. He really did the leg work, so much research for this album, there’s a film component to this. But I agree that Victor Manuelle should win because he’s never done a concept album like this one and he sounds amazing.
Likely winner: Victor Manuelle
Bizarrap and Shakira’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart (dated Feb. 4). Their in-studio diss track has now topped nine U.S. Billboard charts, including Latin Digital Song Sales, Latin Pop Digital Song Sales, Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs, Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales, Hot Latin Songs, Latin Streaming Songs, Latin Pop Airplay, Latin Pop Streaming Songs, and now Latin Airplay.
“Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” advances 5-1 in its second week on Latin Airplay after a strong 35% gain in audience impressions, to 10 million, earned in the week ending Jan. 26, according to Luminate.
The new coronation extends Shakira’s record among women, with 18 No. 1s. Bizarrap clocks his second after “Vol. 52,” with Quevedo, reached the top of the chart last November where it remained for four weeks.
Shakira, meanwhile, replaces herself at No. 1 as “Vol. 53” sends “Monotonía,” with Ozuna, to No. 5, after six weeks in charge, the most since Daddy Yankee’s “Con Calma,” featuring Snow, dominated the tally for eight weeks in 2019. Notably, it’s the first time a woman replaces herself at No. 1 since the chart launched in 1994.
Plus, the last time an act replaced itself at No. 1 on Latin Airplay was Farruko when “Pepas” dethroned his featured turn on Enrique Iglesias’ “Me Pasé” in October 2021.
As mentioned, “Vol. 53” continues its winning streak across Billboard charts. It remains at No. 1 on Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Latin Pop Airplay, and Latin Streaming Songs and Latin Pop Streaming Songs for a second week, while on Latin Digital Song Sales and Latin Pop Digital Song Sales, the track holds atop for a third week.
Over on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, the track dips 9-13. Further, it holds steady at No. 2 on both Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts.
Billboard‘s Latin & Spanish Artists to Watch Class of 2023 has been unveiled.
The 23 artists that comprise the wide-ranging list include Mexican artist Bratty, who will be performing at the 2023 Coachella Festival; Victor Cibrian, whose raspy voice is bringing a fresh take to the corrido movement; and Grupo Frontera, who since going viral last year, has become the only Regional Mexican act to achieve three songs on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, to name a few.
Representing Brazil is powerhouse performer Ludmilla, who has been rising to the top with her baile funk versatility that spans pop, trap, R&B and more. “I think of funk as an agent of change, especially in the lives of so many peripheral people who don’t have opportunities,” she told Billboard Español.
From Spain, there’s acts such as Rels B who’s monthly listeners on Spotify rose from 15.6 million in November to 17.6 million today, and placed two songs on Spain’s Promusicae year-end charts: the more urban “Mi Luz” alongside RVFV at No. 21 and his urban/pop “Cómo dormiste” at No. 86.
Every year, Billboard’s Latin staff compiles a list of artists to watch in the coming months. In honor of 2023, we are spotlighting 23 Latin and Spanish acts that cover a broad variety of Latin music genres, from pop to reggaetón to R&B, música Mexicana and rock.
We want to know which of 2023’s Latin & Spanish Artist to Watch is your favorite. You can check out the list here, and vote in the poll below.
Bizarrap and Shakira team up atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” ascends from No. 6 to lead the Jan. 21 dated ranking. It’s a third No. 1 for Shakira, while Bizarrap captures his eighth. All champs, except for his featured role in Trueno and Nicki Nicole’s “Mamichula,” which also features Taui and Tatool, derive from his music sessions.
Steve Aoki secures his first top 10 thanks to “Muñecas,” with Tini and La Joaqui, which takes the Hot Shot Debut of the week, arriving at No. 5. The collaboration grants La Joaqui her third top 10. Tini, meanwhile clocks her 14th top 10 which places her into tie with Bad Bunny and Bizarrap for the second-most top 10s since the chart launched in 2018.
Miley Cyrus claims her highest ranking with latest single “Flowers,” at No. 11. Previously she scored a No. 40 high with “Midnight Sky” in 2020.
Elsewhere, Yandel earns his fourth chart appearance as “Yandel 150” bows at No. 45. The song is the fourth single from his album La Resistencia which debuts at No. 11 on the current Billboard Latin Rhythm Albums chart (dated Jan. 28). Plus, Argentinian Lauty Gram notches his first chart entry with “Vida Gangster” at No. 53.
This week’s Greatest Gainer honors goes to Pepper and Axel Caram’s “Sesión – 6,” which climbs 35 slots, 96-61. Plus, Maria Becerra scores her 36th chart entry, the fifth-most among all acts, as “Desafiando El Destino” starts at No. 67.
Further, seven more songs debut this week: Chano and Luckra’s “Nunca Nos Fuimos” opens at No. 74, Tiago Pzk’s “Bemasté” at No. 84, LIT Killah’s “Neón” at No. 85, Gusty Dj, La Joaqui and L-Gante’s “Ęy Pa La Guacha Loca? (Con Salastkbron) – Remix” at No. 86, Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” at No. 91, La K’Onga and Matías Valdez’s “Latidos” at No. 94, and Feid’s “Feliz Cumpleanos Ferxxo” at No. 98.
Fuerza Regida picks up its third No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart as Sigan Hablando ascends from No. 2 to lead the Jan. 28-dated list. The album’s new win arrives two weeks after it debuted, alongside Pa Que Hablen, in the top 10 on the overall Top Latin Albums chart on Jan. 14.
To claim the top slot on Regional Mexican Albums, Sigan Hablando earned 12,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Jan. 19, a 12% gain from the week prior, according to Luminate. Out of that sum, 11,000 derive from streaming which represents 18.1 million official on-demand U.S. streams of the album’s songs, up 15% from the previous week. The remaining units come from traditional album sales and track-equivalent album units through sales of the album’s songs.
On the Regional Mexican Albums chart, each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.
Two more of the group’s albums also rank in the tally’s top 10, Pa Que Hablen at No. 3 — after its No. 2 debut on Jan. 14 — and Del Barrio Hasta Aquí, Vol. 2 at No. 4, the latter, in its 35th week, peaked at No. 2 in June 2022.
Sigan Hablando becomes the Sinaloa quintet’s third chart topper: Del Barrio Hasta Aquí debuted and led for 18 consecutive weeks in 2019. Meanwhile, Adicto ruled for one week in April 2020.
Elsewhere, Sigan Hablando moves 4-2 on the all-Latin Top Latin Albums ranking, and pushes up on the overall Billboard 200, with a 97-65 lift.
Further, the album houses “Bebe Dame,” with Grupo Frontera, which earned both acts its first No. 1 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart (Jan. 21). The song is pushed down to No. 2 on the current track though with a gain, displaced by the No. 1 debut of Bizarrap and Shakira’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.” On Regional Mexican Airplay, one other song from the Sigan Hablando makes progress: “Prefiero Empedarme” jumps 40-30.
Carin León & Grupo Frontera ‘Que Vuelvas’ Leads: Elsewhere on the Regional Mexican realm, Carin León and Grupo Frontera’s “Que Vuelvas” ascends 8-1 on Regional Mexican Airplay with 7.7 million in audience impressions, up 44%, earned in the U.S. during the Jan. 13-19 tracking week.
It’s a first No. 1 for Frontera which scored a No. 2 with “No Se Va” last Dec. León secures his third, following his three-week domination through his featured role in Banda MS’ “Ojos Cerrados.”
Over on the all-genre Latin Airplay list, “Que Vuelvas” reaches its highest peak: No. 6 in its sixth week.
Both Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera celebrate their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart as “Bebe Dame,” their second collaboration, powers from 3-1 on the Jan. 21-dated ranking.
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“We were aiming for a hit, but we didn’t know it’d be this big,” Fuerza Regida’s lead singer JOP tells Billboard.
“Bebe Dame” rises to the summit in its fourth week on the multimetric tally — which blends airplay, streaming data and digital sales — with gains across all metrics, and takes home the Greatest Gainer/Sales & Streaming trophy for registering the biggest gains of the week.
Streaming contributes the most to the song’s ranking, with a robust 26% increase, to 14.1 million official U.S. streams earned in the week ending Jan. 12, according to Luminate. The sum yields a 20-11 surge on the all-genre Streaming Songs list and a second week at No. 1 on Latin Streaming Songs.
While sales rise with a 17% gain, to 2,000 downloads in the same period, “Bebe Dame” is pushed down 1-2 on Latin Digital Songs, as Bizarrap and Shakira’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” debuts atop with a little over 2,000 sales.
Fuerza Regida’s new No. 1 song arrives a week after scoring a dual achievement: the group’s latest albums Pa Que Hablen and Sigan Hablando launched in the top 10 on Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums charts (dated Jan. 14). “Bebe Dame” from Sigan Hablando, and which debuted at No. 3 on the same chart week on Hot Latin Songs, earns both Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera its first champ there.
“It was definitely challenging,” JOP adds about working with Grupo Frontera. “We went out of our comfort zone with this track, but the energy, the vibe, was always there. It was recorded in one take!”
Elsewhere, “Bebe Dame” earns Fuerza Regida its first entry on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart. Grupo Frontera, meanwhile, secures its highest ranking as the song bows at No. 31.
Further, Grupo Frontera claims its highest ranking on the Global 200 list as “Bebe Dame” jumps 46-22 in its second week. Previously, the group reached a No. 31 high with “No Se Va” in Oct. 2022. On the Global Excl. U.S. chart, the track rockets 102-45 in its second week.
Feid Clocks Second Champ on Latin Rhythm Airplay: Over on Latin Rhythm Airplay, Feid generates his second ruler with “Normal,” which rallies 8-1 in its 27th week with a 33% gain in audience impressions, to 8 million, earned in the U.S. during the Jan. 6-12 tracking week. It’s the longest trek to the penthouse since the chart begun in 2005.
“Normal” becomes the Colombian’s first champ as a soloist, unaccompanied by any other act. His first Latin Rhythm Airplay domination landed through “Porfa,” with the all-star team comprising J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech, and Justin Quiles in Aug. 2020.
On the all-genre Latin Airplay recap, “Normal” soars 16-4, Feid’s second top 10 there.
After releasing his first-album X 100Pre in 2018, Bad Bunny quickly went from emerging artist to superstar status. The set scored him his first entry on the Billboard 200 albums chart, where it peaked at No. 11 in January 2019.
Since he’s released Oasis, his 2019 joint album with J Balvin, as well as further solo sets YHLQMDLG, Las Que No Iban a Salir, El Último Tour del Mundo and Un Verano Sin Ti. The latter two of those debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making him the only artist to top the tally with a Spanish-language album — not once, but twice.
Accomplishing that was just the beginning for Bunny. His Un Verano Sin Ti is vying to become the first Spanish-language album ever to win album of the year at the Grammys this February. In 2022, Bad Bunny also became the first Latin act (and the first act who doesn’t perform primarily in English) to finish atop Billboard’s Year-End Top Tours chart thanks to his top-grossing El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo and World’s Hottest Tour.
“I feel in control. I’ve been doing this five, six years, and I’ve been acquiring experience,” Bad Bunny told Billboard in December. “We’re living in a digital era, where everybody can upload their music and if you explode, you explode, and suddenly, you’re huge with a single hit and you have no experience. You haven’t crashed against anything. I’d say I’ve acquired that experience little by little. I’ve been able to overcome and heal many things in my life, and now I feel that security. I’ve never felt as centered in both my life and my career. I’m clear on what I am and who I am in terms of the music industry.”
With a history-making Coachella headlining set on the horizon, in 2023, Bad Bunny continues to set a precedent for Latin and Spanish-language music. Read on to see what the superstar has managed to accomplish so far.
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Yandel, R3SISTENCIA (Y Entertainment/Sony Music Latin)
On the eve of his 46th birthday (Jan. 14), Yandel unleashes his seventh solo studio album R3SISTENCIA (resistance), best showcasing how he’s still standing strong in the ever-evolving reggaetón world. Home to 17 tracks, including this latest single “Yandel 150” with Colombian star Feid, the album not only boasts Yandel’s high-pitched, husky vocals and innovative beats, but also spotlights the new generation: Young Miko (“Cuando Te Toca”), Tiago PZK (“Delincuente”) and his Y Entertainment artist Catalyna (“Palabras”). “This project defines what I am living at this very moment, because no matter the hustle, the pressure, the time, years, or transitions; I’m still here,” the Puerto Rican artist says in a statement, “stronger than ever, flowing with the movement without altering my essence, and revealing all the elements that are in every single part of me.” Other collaborators on the set include Wisin, Baby Rasta y Gringo, Maluma, Arcángel and Eladio Carrión. — JESSICA ROIZ
Lasso, “Plástico” (Universal Music Group México)
The year 2022 was a remarkable one for Venezuelan singer-songwriter Lasso, due to his massive hit “Ojos Marrones.” Now, he’s released his new single, “Plástico,” a track that finds him navigating electronic sounds and ’80s pop rock, which he fuses with synth sounds. It all makes the perfect canvas for his raspy vocals and melancholic lyrics. “Plástico” is about how strong a heart can become, no matter how many heartbreaks it’s gone through. “I keep going, I don’t need you to live/ You are not air or medicine for me,” he sings. — INGRID FAJARDO
ROBI, “Tu Mundo” (Interscope Records)
With its carefree and flirtatious spirit, “Tu Mundo” by Puerto Rican upstart ROBI dazzles. In fact, the song is an indicator that he might likely be on his way to attaining stardom, like that of a pop chameleon who will show you the world with uncanny genre versatility. He first became known as a reggaetón-pop force, making waves with his viral reggaetón song “Pantysito” alongside Alejo and Feid; his follow-ups gained him Billboard’s seal of approval as an Artist on the Radar. Equipped with poppy synth riffs and brilliant electric guitar, which harken back to the kitschy electro-pop productions of indie vets like Circo and Dënver, ROBI sings about an otherworldly love with playfulness. It’s rhythmically insatiable and conjures the exhilaration of a new crush. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Carlos Rivera & Melissa Robles, “Un Viaje a Todas Partes”
Carlos Rivera is a hopeless romantic in his new single “Un Viaje a Todas Partes,” which previews his upcoming album due later this year. Penned by Rivera and produced by Julio Reyes Copello, the gorgeous ballad — which features Matisse’s Melissa Rivera — unites two powerful vocalists, who exchange heartfelt verses about hoping that life lasts many years, so they can keep dedicating love songs to each other. “This is the most honest and direct album I’ve written and this song is one of the most special ones — it represents a lot to me,” Rivera says about the track and his upcoming set. “I wanted it to have a feminine voice that could give it that depth that I was looking for. Of course, it couldn’t be with anyone else other than my beloved Mel.” — GRISELDA FLORES
Los Dos Carnales, “Se Me Soltó el Hocico” (AfinArte Music)
Los Dos Carnales present their first single of 2023, the heartfelt “Se Me Soltó el Hocico,” which loosely translates to “my tongue loosened” or “I talked too much.” Penned by Aarón Martinez, the heartbreak ballad — backed by a romantic norteño melody and a weeping accordion — narrates the story of a man who’s had one too many drinks and drunk-dialed his ex. “I see how you treat him, hugs and kisses/ You’re using the same tricks as when we first met/ Sorry for the call, it’s already past:00 5 a.m. but I got drunk and talked too much,” goes part of the lyric. — J.R.
María Becerra, “Desafiando El Destino” (300 Entertainment)
María Becerra displays a softer and frankly more powerful side in her poignant “Desafiando el destino,” a bonus track to her previously released La Nena de Argentina. A love letter written to her parents, it begins with a slow, bluesy piano intro that gives way to Becerra’s vocals, tinged with melancholy as she sings to a video of old home movies that’s hard not get teary-eyed about. Backup gospel-choir touches, tastefully placed over the sparse arrangement, lend even more pathos to this very beautiful track. Parents will be proud, and Becerra would do well to explore more material of this ilk. — LEILA COBO
Tiago PZK, “Bemaste” (Warner Music Latina/Grand Move Records)
On Tiago PZK’s confessional ballad “Bemaste,” the Argentinian trap star delivers his heart in a song that can simply be described as chilling. The single reveals another side of the Argentinian trap star that feels extraordinarily intimate. Its beautiful, stripped-down keys and lo-fi production set the stage for Tiago’s lyricism, as he candidly articulates what finding love and devotion can feel like, while navigating the all-consuming vortex of fame. “I consider this song the first work of art of my career, conceptually and audio-visually, from the bottom of my heart,” Tiago PZK tells Billboard Español in an email exchange. “I don’t have any expectations, because before I have one, I’m simply fulfilled to have created this song and what it means to me. Do not put barriers to love.” The song will be included on his upcoming album Portales Deluxe. — I.R.
TINI, La Joaqui & Steve Aoki, “Muñecas” (Hollywood Records)
TINI strikes again with an irresistible cumbia, this time in collaboration with emerging rapper La Joaqui from Argentina, and EDM icon Steve Aoki. After releasing back-to-back cumbias with “Miénteme” alongside María Becerra and the L-Gante-assisted “Bar” last year, the Argentine singer-songwriter kicks off the new year with an equally danceable track fused with electronic beats. “Muñecas” effortlessly combines TINI’s sweet vocals, La Joaqui’s razor-sharp lyricism and Aoki’s signature sound. — G.F.
Justin Quiles & Myke Towers, “Whiskey y Coco” (Warner Music Latina)
“Whiskey y Coco” finds Justin Quiles and Myke Towers chanting what could possibly become a 2023 anthem for the ladies. “She has a cool combo, a nice butt, and everything she wears looks great/ She doesn’t cry for an a–hole/ She has a mission, a colorful vision/ It doesn’t matter if she wins or loses, she’s always righ,” Quiles kicks off the track. As always, Towers surprises with his slick rap verses when the song (produced by BK, Dimelo Flow, and Slow Mike) transforms from edgy reggaetón to old-school perreo. — J.R.
The element of surprise is one of the many things that make Bizarrap‘s music and freestyle sessions some of the most watched videos on YouTube. Who will his next guest be? No one really knows, but when the Argentine producer drops a new session, it gets millions of views in a matter of hours.
His music session with the Spaniard Quevedo is among his most watched, and it’s the one that has catapulted him to global success. Their “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” scored both their first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Currently, it has more than 400 million views on YouTube. Additionally, the track is only the second fully Spanish-language song to top the Global 200 in the chart’s two-year history, following Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez’s “Dákiti” in 2020.
“The first ‘session’ back in 2018 wasn’t even planned,” Biza previously told Billboard. “All I wanted to do was record a local rapper who goes by Kodigo and upload that to YouTube because I was a big fan of his and I wanted others to listen to him too. My plan was to record with my phone, but for some reason it didn’t work. So we scheduled the session for the following day and I thought, ‘Why not give these freestylers the production they deserve with microphones and everything?’ So that’s what I did.”
Since then, he’s recorded freestyle and/or music sessions with Nicki Nicole, Nicky Jam, Nathy Peluso, Cazzu and Residente, among many others. Most recently, he tapped Shakira for his “BZRP: Music Sessions #53.” In the surprise track, the Colombian star doesn’t hold back and is as blunt as ever about her ex, Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué. “A she-wolf like me doesn’t have time for novices like you/ I was too much for you, that’s why you’re now with someone more like yourself,” she sings over a futuristic pop-electronica beat.
Below, Billboard ranks his 12 most watched sessions.