BBLatin
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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.
Shakira and Bizarrap have blessed fans with their highly anticipated “BZRP Music Sessions #53,” which dropped Wednesday.
Truth be told, fans weren’t sure what to expect from the latest edition of the music sessions, which are popular collaborations between Bizarrap and artists such as Nicky Jam, Paulo Londra, Residente and Snow Tha Product where they rap over a unique beat created by the hitmaker.
Shakira doesn’t rap; instead, it’s very much a therapy session between Biza and his guest.
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The singer-songwriter doesn’t hold back and is as blunt as ever about her ex, Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué. “A 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. “You left me the in-laws as my neighbors, media outlets at my door and in debt with the Treasury./ You thought you hurt me, but you made me stronger/ Women don’t cry anymore, they cash in.”
Shakira joins a number of artists who’ve jumped on one of Bizarrap’s zealously streamed music sessions. His session with Spanish act Quevedo, “BZRP Music Sessions #52,” scored both their first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Currently, it has more than 400 million views on YouTube. Bizarrap’s Music Session with Shak follows his latest sessions, including ones with Duki and Villano Antillano.
This new song will follow Shakira’s Ozuna-assisted “Monotonía,” which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart (dated Nov. 5). It currently sits at No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart, where it’s ruled for four weeks.
Recently, Shakira shared a heartfelt message of hope to start off the new year. “Even if our wounds are still open in this new year, time has a surgeon’s hands. Even if someone’s betrayed us, we must continue to trust others,” wrote the Colombian singer. “When faced with contempt, continue to know your worth. Because there are more good people than indecent ones. More people with empathy than indifference.”
The message came after a difficult year due to her separation from Piqué, the father of her children. The singer has spoken openly about the breakup since it was confirmed in June, and has posted material — including releasing the heartbreak song “Monotonía” — alluding to her pain. This music session is no exception.
For the past three years, Billboard‘s Latin editors have put together a list of dream Latin collaborations they’d like to see happen in the new year. Not all of them come true, some have, but the plausible pairings are based on the artists’ similarities, their sonic evolution and/or past collaborations.
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This year, our diverse (and ambitious) list of collabs we’d like to see happen in 2023 include a team up between power couple Christian Nodal and Cazzu. For this dreamy collab, we imagine them steering away from rancheras and urban, and instead dropping a romantic rock song.
On our wish list is also Shakira and Feid because it’d be ideal for Shak to join forces with one of Colombia’s “it” guys. Not only would their vocals be an interesting blend, but we can picture this track as a bonafide reggaetón jam about finding empowerment and strength after a heartbreak.
A long overdue collaboration that fans have been patiently waiting for is a song between Dominican artists and bachateros Romeo Santos and Prince Royce. Neither have hinted at a collab together but it’s not improbable. Both have been supportive of each other’s careers — and even Royce joined Santos at his Yankee Stadium concert in 2014 where they stunned the crowd with a rare performance of Santos’ “Odio,” where Royce performed Drake’s part of the track.
The possibilities are endless but for now, we’ll stick with our nine dream Latin collaborations for 2023. Below, vote for whichever dream Latin collab you’d like to see happen this year. Or, add your own answer if you come up with another potential pairing.
The results are in: Lasso’s “Ojos Marrones” has won best latin song of 2022 after fans voted in Billboard‘s poll to pick their favorite song from our year-end Best Latin Songs of 2022 list.
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With 37% of the overall votes, “Ojos Marrones” takes home the crown. The track became the Venezuelan singer-songwriter’s first Billboard hit. Lasso entered the Billboard charts for the first time when the track peaked at No. 66 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and at No. 39 on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart, both dated Sept. 17. The song also earned him his first and only entry on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated Sept. 10).
Coming in second place with 32% of the votes, are Yuridia and Ángela Aguilar with their collaboration “Qué Agonía.” The track, which marked the first time the two teamed up for a song, peaked at No. 28 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. “Qué Agonía,” a romantic Mexican ballad about being in love long after a breakup, the Eden Muñoz-produced track earned Yuridia her first Global entry when the song debuted at No. 189 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart.
Taking third place with 12% of the votes are Sebastián Yatra and John Legend with “Tacones Rojos (Remix).” The bilingual remix with Legend dropped just months after the original, which was included in Yatra’s third studio album Dharma. “Tacones Rojos” won the 2022 Latin Grammy for best pop song.
See where other Latin songs in the poll landed below.
The new year comes with an endless amount of opportunities for new collaborations between Latin artists. Last year was packed with unprecedented collabs, such as Grupo Firme and Camilo — whose “Alaska” peaked at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart — and Christina Aguilera and Ozuna‘s “Santo,” part of her Latin Grammy-winning album Aguilera.
While 2023 may have just started, we already have a few dream collabs in mind that we’d love to see happen over the year. For starters, ever since Karol G and RBD‘s Anahí took the stage together over the summer in Mexico City — where they performed the Mexican group’s anthem “Sálvame” — fans have hoped that there could be more to their team up. A new version of “Sálvame”? A whole new heartbreak track featuring Karol? After all, the Colombian hitmaker is a self-described RBD fan. And with news of RBD’s recently teased comeback, this could be the perfect moment for Karol and RBD to collaborate.
Meanwhile, Manuel Turizo‘s “La Bachata” has taken the world by storm — and even Coldplay‘s Chris Martin has acknowledged the song’s force, calling it “the best song at the moment in the world” during his concert in Bogotá, Colombia in September. After Martin gave the song its flowers, Turizo joined the band onstage to sing an acoustic version of his track, which peaked at No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart in October. Given that Martin is a big fan of Turizo and vice versa, it wouldn’t be totally wild if we saw the colombiano collaborating with Coldplay in the near future.
From Christian Nodal and Cazzu to Silvana Estrada and Ángela Álvarez, here are our Latin editors’ picks for dream collaborations in 2023:
The year is officially wrapping up and Billboard has compiled 25 tracks you can add to your ultimate New Year’s Eve Latin playlist to get you in a festive mood and ring in 2023.
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This year’s curated NYE playlist includes the top 25 songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart (dated Dec. 31). The first tracks on the top three positions may all be Bad Bunny — with “Titi Me Preguntó,” “Me Porto Bonito” and “La Jumpa” with Arcangel — but the rest comprise a genre-hopping list that includes top songs across Latin genres including regional Mexican, urban, mambo and bachata.
Besides Bad Bunny’s tracks on the tally — which also include “Moscow Mule” and “Efecto” — you can stream other urban bangers such as Rauw Alejandro’s “Lokera” with Lyanno and Brray, Feid’s “Normal” and Ozuna’s “Hey Mor” ft. Feid. For a euphoric rush, there’s Bizarrap and Quevedo’s dance summer anthem “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52” and Karol G’s “Cairo” with Ovy on the Drums.
For those who want to start off the year feeling empowered and liberated, you can also find Karol’s 2022 anthems such as “Provenza” and “Gatubela” on the playlist. And, of course, Rosalía’s mambo hit “Despechá.”
For all you Mexican Music fans, you can find hits by Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda (“Que Te Vaya Bien”), Ivan Cornejo (“La Última Vez”), Grupo Frontera (“No Se Va”), Carin León (“Que Vuelvas”) and Fuerza Régida (“Billete Grande”).
Stream the ultimate New Year’s Eve Latin Playlist below and get the party started. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Music fans made sure to make their vote count in Billboard‘s monthly polls, where they could choose their favorite Latin collaboration of each month.
The last twelve months have been packed with huge collabs between stars such as Becky G and Karol G, who delivered the anthem “MAMIII” early in the year, marking the first time they worked together on a song. It won best Latin collaboration in our February poll.
“You sing that song at the top of your lungs and it feels good,” Becky G previously told Billboard. “And us two together is something the industry and fans were waiting for a long time. I was waiting for it. I don’t know how many songs I had invited Karol to be a part of. But like my grandma says, cuando Dios quiere [when God wants].”
In the spirit of the World Cup — which kicked off its 2022 tournament on Nov. 20 and wrapped on Dec. 18, with Argentina emerging as the champions — the euphoric “Tukoh Taka,” by Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares won best collaboration of November. The track is part of the event’s official FIFA soundtrack.
“I am so happy to be part of this FIFA World Cup anthem! I always dreamt of an opportunity like this,” Maluma said in a statement. “Representing Latin music on this global track, alongside amazing artists that sing in English and Arabic, takes our culture to another level.”
Other team-ups that ruled the polls include Christina Aguilera and Ozuna‘s “Santo,” Kany García and Christian Nodal‘s “La Siguiente” and Bizarrap and Paulo Londra‘s “BZRP Music Sessions #23.”
Below, see all 12 titles that were voted by fans as best collaborations throughout the year.
Bad Bunny isn’t done blessing fans in 2022.
The “Titi Me Preguntó” singer surprised his followers on Tuesday (Dec. 27) giving an impromptu concert on top of a gas station in Puerto Rico. The hitmaker simply tweeted, “‘La Jumpa’ live tonight at 10:00 pm.” The cryptic message didn’t reveal much but his zealous fans managed to find his location anyway, which was a gas station where he went on to perform his new track with Arcangel and a few hits from his Billboard 200 chart-topping album Un Verano Sin Ti.
On social media, people suggested he was recording the music video for “La Jumpa” as they were later spotted in Condado Beach. “La Jumpa” was released on Nov. 30 and is included in Arcangel’s latest album, Señor Santos. The track joins a list of collaborations between Arcángel and Bad Bunny, including hits “Me Acostumbré” (2017), “Original” (2018) and “Por Ti” (2021), as well as 2016’s “Diles” with Ozuna, Farruko and Ñengo Flow and 2017’s “Soy Peor Remix” with J Balvin and Ozuna.
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For whatever reason him and Arcangel were on top of a gas station, fans were just excited to catch Bad Bunny’s free last-minute show.
Earlier that day, El Conejo Malo was out handing out toys to children in Puerto Rico as part of his “Bonita Tradición” event held by the singer-songwriter’s Good Bunny Foundation. The superstar helped spread holiday joy on the island at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente where he handed out 20,000 gifts (sports equipment, instruments, paint materials and more) to the kids who attended the drive.