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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.
Earlier this month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español published a list of the 25 best Latin albums of 2023, which encompasses the sets that impressed us the most, including León Larregui’s Technicolor electro-rock odyssey PRISMARAMA, DannyLux’s eclectic set DLux and Tainy’s neon-hued experimental outing DATA. Also on the list are history-making albums such as Karol G‘s Mañana Será Bonito, the […]
Eight years after the deaths of rapper Canserbero and his producer Carlos Molnar, previously ruled as a murder-suicide, Venezuela’s attorney general, Tarek William Saab, released a new update on Tuesday (Dec. 26) after reopening the case last month.
According to Saab, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has clarified the case, and released the confession of those now presumed responsible of murdering the two: Canserbero’s manager and Molnar’s partner, María Natalia Améstica, and her brother, Guillermo Améstica.
In three videos shared by the prosecutor on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Améstica confesses that, in the midst of a work-related fit of rage, she served Canserbero (real name Tirone José González Orama) and Molnar tea mixed with a sedative on the night of Jan. 19, 2015 in her apartment in the city of Maracay, and later stabbed them to death. She also states how, with the help of her brother and the complicity of officials, the scene was altered to make it appear that Canserbero murdered Molnar and then committed suicide.
“It is 1:30 in the morning on December 19, 2023. I am making this video to publicly confess my responsibility for the double homicide of Carlos Molnar and Tirone González ‘Canserbero,’” begins the first 4:40 minute clip. Also, María Natalia claims that the problems began a month before the tragedy, when she found out that she would not be reimbursed for the tickets she had bought for a tour of the artist nor would she be paid for her marketing work for the tour, and that Canserbero didn’t want her as his manager. “That hurt me a lot,” María Natalia declares. “I was left with a lot of internal suffering because of the disdain.”
In a second video, her brother Guillermo Améstica corroborates the information by telling his version of events.
According to information published on Tuesday on the official website of the Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s Office, Saab declared that “110 investigative steps were taken and 13 trips were made to Maracay to gather the new evidence that allowed the case to be clarified.”
“She poured into the tea she gave them a total of 10 milligrams [of Alpram] previously made into powder to dilute in that tea, resulting in both of them falling asleep within minutes of ingesting that beverage,” the official said.
According to the statements of the Améstica siblings, published by the ministry, María Natalia first assaulted Molnar in the kitchen with three stab wounds, and then went to the sofa in the living room, where Canserbero had fallen asleep, to stab him twice on the side. She called her brother to ask for help, and he “arrived at the property in the company of three officers of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin) who advised him on the alteration of the scene in exchange for $1,000 each.”
To make it look like a murder-suicide, “Guillermo stabbed Molnar and gave Canserbero’s body a blow with a pipe that disfigured his face, with the purpose of simulating a fight between them.” Then, they threw Canserbero’s corpse out of the window, Guillermo left the scene and Maria Natalia called the neighbors, according to Venezuelan authorities.
According to the Améstica brothers, the commission of the Scientific, Criminal and Criminalistic Investigations Corps (CICPC) noticed that the scene had been altered upon arrival and arranged the last details in exchange for $10,000. The authorities initially claimed that the rapper stabbed his friend to death before taking his own life.
The resolution of the case comes just over a month after the Venezuelan prosecutor’s office announced it would reopen the case following persistent appeals from the late rapper’s family and friends.
Canserbero died at the age of 26 as a leading figure not only in Venezuela but in the world of rap in Spanish. Known for dark lyrics reflecting the violence in his country and real life experiences, he collaborated with artists such as Mala Rodríguez and Apache and released two solo studio albums, Vida and Muerte.
In August, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español named him one of the most essential Spanish-language rappers of all time.
With the holiday season in full swing, typically we can squeeze in some time to unwind and binge some of our favorite series. If you’re looking to catch up on Latin music-inspired series and/or documentaries that premiered in 2023, Billboard has compiled a list of six titles that you can stream before the year ends. The list includes Netflix’s […]
From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Rita Moreno Gets Special Birthday Serenade
The iconic Rita Moreno got a special serenade on her 92nd birthday. The Oscar-winning actress celebrated in London with a group of friends who sang “Happy Birthday To You” with a live piano as their canvas. Taking center stage, Moreno conducted her singing friends. See the special moment here. “Thank you everyone who helped make not only the past year but every year memorable. Here’s to the best one yet!!” the Puerto Rican star posted on Instagram.
Juanes surprises Airbnb guests in Medellin
Two lucky guests stayed in Juanes’ house in Medellin, Colombia, in a partnership with Airbnb. The pair was also surprised by the Colombian singer-songwriter who showed up with guitar in hand to perform for them. “Happy to have opened the doors of my home for an exclusive night with @airbnb for these very special guests,” the “Gris” singer posted on social media. “It was magical to share my Vida Cotidiana with you!!!”
Banda El Recodo’s Billion Streams
The legendary Banda El Recodo was recognized by Pandora for surpassing over one billion streams on the platform, which led the band to now be part of Pandora’s Billionaires’ Milestone Program. To celebrate the billion streams, Pandora will highlight its decades-long hits and new single “Al Ver Que Te Vas” in the Latin Billionaires MX station.
Maluma Records Special Performances for Vevo
As part of Vevo’s ctrl Live Session, Colombian superstar Maluma performed a live rendition of “Balance,” included in his latest album Don Juan. This live performance was the first of a series of videos that were released over the last few days, including live performances of “Los Polvos” and “Hace Un Mes.” The fourth video, “Humedad,” dropped today (Dec. 16). See all the videos here.
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Sebastián Yatra’s Latin Grammy Scholarship
The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation announced that Sebastián Yatra will sponsor the next four-year Prodigy Scholarship that will fully fund a student’s bachelor’s degree in music at Berklee School of Music starting in the fall 2024.
The foundation’s scholarship, created nine years ago, holds a maximum value of $200,000 in financial aid for music students in need. The scholarship is traditionally awarded to “exceptionally talented music students, with financial needs, to support their educational and musical aspirations,” according to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.
“Joining the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation for their annual Prodigy Scholarship is beautiful because I’m part of something that I would’ve wished for as a young kid. One of my big dreams was to study music at Berklee and although my career took a different path which I’m super grateful for, I would’ve loved to have that kind of preparation and knowledge,” Yatra said in a statement. “I hope that the person who gets this opportunity takes full advantage of the scholarship and enjoys it to the max. I’ll be looking out for applicants that share a lot of heart and sincerity in their art.”
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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Karol G, “Que Chimba de Vida” (Bichota Records)
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Colombian star Karol G is closing the year with a song that best describes how she feels after such a massive year: “Que Chimba de Vida,” which translates to “What a Cool Life.” Produced by MAG and Edgar Barrera, “Que Chimba” flawlessly fuses música mexicana and urbano beats to deliver a trumpet-powered celebratory song that finds Karol reminiscing on the special moments — including a stadium tour, meeting Rihanna and a No. 1 album — that have ushered in a new era for the superstar. “Uff, what a cool life, I’m living the life I wanted, they talked badly, I made them swallow their own saliva, this is for those who said I couldn’t do it,” Karol sings confidently over a subtle trap beat. — GRISELDA FLORES
Eladio Carrión, “TQMQA” (Rimas Entertainment)
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Punctuated by glowing marimba and mellow bass lines, Eladio Carrión showcases a more tender side of himself: on the emotive ballad “TQMQA,” which stands for “te quiero más que ayer” (“I love you more than yesterday”), the Puerto Rican artist serenades listeners against an Afrobeats-inspired rhythm. Timely in its holiday release, the song resonates with the universal longing for familial connection: “But if you only knew’ what gives me pleasure/ To see you smile/ And when you say ‘I love you’ in my ear (I love you)/ I give you my all if you give me the okey,” he croons in Spanish. Produced by DVLP, Xay and Western Weiss, “TQMQA” is the first single off his upcoming album, due out early next year. The accompanying visual shows a montage of vintage and modern home videos, capturing the artist’s parents enjoying a day on a sailboat while reminiscing over cherished moments of their children’s growth. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Juanes, “Nacimos Solos” (Universal Music Latino)
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Juanes fuses his signature rock sound on this heavily Western-influenced song, written and produced by Julio Reyes Copello for the upcoming Zorro Prime Video series. Propelled by upbeat drums, colorful trumpet notes and guitars, the song addresses the uncertainty of the difficult journey of life: “We were born alone, we leave alone without any explanation/ When you have everything you take nothing/ When you have nothing, everything is worse,” he sings in the chorus. “It is a portrait of the unbearable loneliness of a human being who faces survival in adverse and hostile circumstances,” Reyes Copello says in a statement, highlighting that “El Zorro is perhaps the only story that unites the United States, Mexico and Spain in a very interesting historical context.” Juanes, whose voice and performance quality could not be a better fit, adds, “I always wanted to work with Julio Reyes Copello and I liked the song from the moment he sent it, since I felt that it was created to fit me perfectly.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Mario Bautista & Karol Sevilla, “Anónimo” (Warner Music México)
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Mexican singer-songwriter Mario Bautista and songstress Karol Sevilla join forces to deliver a gorgeous, vocally strong new single “Anónimo.” Penned by Bautista alongside producer Abelardo, Yera, Nabález, and Sevilla, this song perfectly combines the sweet and dreamy vocals of both artists, as well as regional Mexican and pop elements. The song tells the story of when friends find themselves at a point where they don’t know how to confess what they feel out of fear of not being reciprocated. Still, they give each other signals subtly as they take the next step. — INGRID FAJARDO
Stream the New Music Latin playlist below:
A total of 10 songs have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in 2023 so far. All but one — Bad Bunny‘s “Titi Me Preguntó,” from Un Verano Sin Ti — were released in 2023, and reflect a year dominated by música mexicana. Four out of the 10 are regional Mexican-influenced […]
Emilia and TINI’s “La_Original.Mp3” holds steady atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart for a fourth week at No. 1 on the chart dated Dec. 9. The song enters a tie with Bizarrap and Shakira’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” for the eighth-most weeks in charge in 2023. Singer-songwriter Abel Pintos nabs his first top […]
