BBLatin

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.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Kali Uchis, Orquídeas (Geffen Records)

Dripping with opulent sensuality, Kali Uchis’ Orquídeas unfolds as an elegant outing that pays homage to Colombia’s national flower. Symbolizing timeless allure and mystic grace, this 14-track venture seamlessly blends soulful melodies, mirroring the delicate, exotic, and graceful nature of the orchid itself. Her fourth LP and second mostly Spanish album effortlessly traverses a spectrum of styles, from the Afrobeat rhythms of “Diosa” to the hauntingly beautiful bolero of “Te Mata,” further revealing the artist’s versatility while never losing her essence. Notably, she unveils another layer of her life’s tapestry in the music video for “Tu Corazón Es Mío” / “Diosa,” where Kali Uchis shares her first pregnancy with longtime partner and rapper Don Toliver.

On the grooving, bass-driven “Heladito,” the Colombian American star explores an untapped niche of neo soul en español that can only work with singers like her. Teaming up with Rauw Alejandro on “No Hay Ley Parte 2,” she trades the house beats of her 2022 work for a pulsating reggaetón thump. Meanwhile, “Igual Que Un Ángel” sees Uchis’ voice soaring to celestial heights, accompanied by Peso Pluma’s R&B-infused contribution. The sultry reggaetón cut “Labios Mordidos,” featuring Karol G, brings together two Colombian femmes fatales in a scintillating display of risqué flirtation.  Across the album, the multi-faceted songwriter and now expectant mother delivers poignant lyrics entwined with supreme production that lingers in the soul long after the final note. All this while embracing the beauty of creation and growth, much like the orchids she pays homage to. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

DannyLux, “Un Día Entenderás” (Warner Music Latina)

[embedded content]

Mexican American artist DannyLux is kicking off 2024 by previewing what fans can expect in the deluxe version of his 2023 set, DLUX. “Un Día Entenderás” is an emotions-first song, which allows the 19-year-old singer-songwriter to sing about heartbreak. While DannyLux sticks to his his signature sierreño sound, powered by acoustic guitars, he’s also incorporated some brassy instruments giving his style a new twist. “I made this song to tell a story about trying so hard to save a relationship, but in the end, nothing works,” DannyLux said about the track. “It’s like one of those situations where all you want to do is make them happy, but you start to lose yourself.” — GRISELDA FLORES

GALE, “Inevitable” (Sony Music Latin)

[embedded content]

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Gale pays tribute to Shakira’s 1998 rock power ballad “Inevitable,” adding fresh air to the beloved classic song from the Colombian singer’s iconic album Dónde Están los Ladrones? Gale’s version starts with a soft, eclectic acoustic guitar with her dreamy pop and ethereal vocals leading the way, and then transitions into futuristic electronic sounds. Gale first performed this version in November at the 2023 Latin Grammy Best New Artists showcase in Seville, Spain. — INGRID FAJARDO

No Te Va Gustar & Zoe Gotusso, “Me Cansé” (Elefante Blanco)

[embedded content]

Uruguayan group No Te Va Gustar merges with Argentine singer-songwriter Zoe Gotusso in a holistic collaboration that embraces the essence of Latin American funk and rock in their latest single, “Me Cansé.” Produced by Nico Cotton, the song captivates with a melody led by a trumpet, in addition to Gotusso’s soulful interpretation and the harmonious mix of voices. The lyrics, written by the band’s bassist, Guzmán Silveira, express in one of its verses: “I’m tired of you wanting to smoke the fresh air that the wind brings us/ I’m tired of you wanting to drink the whole river, the whole sea as if thirsty.” The song’s accompanying video offers an intimate look at the recording process in the studio, revealing the friendship between the talented artists. — LUISA CALLE

Carin León, Keith Urban & Rosario Flores, “Si Me Llevas Contigo” (Universal Music Latino)

[embedded content]

Carin León, Keith Urban and Rosario Flores, three of the biggest stars of Música Mexicana, country music and flamenco, respectively, join forces in this evocative bilingual song for the soundtrack of the Prime Video series Zorro, which premieres Jan. 19 in the U.S. and Latin America, and on Jan. 25 in Spain. Written and produced by Julio Reyes Copello, “Si Me Llevas Contigo” starts with León singing in Spanish over a guitar riff that projects an aura of suspense: “Fire, blood and dust between my fingers, and in my soul pieces of steel/ In the night I am, I go through storms, I go on battle, and this is my destiny.” Flores’ iconic flamenco voice is immediately heard (“I get lost in evil, I get lost in good, I get lost in your skin, at night, during the day,” she sings), followed by Urban, who begins a verse in English to which the rest quickly join in: “Don’t you know that I’m not afraid of dying.” It is an explosive mix full of mystery and sensuality. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS.

Omar Courtz, “UNA NOTi” (Mr. 305 Records)

[embedded content]

For his first release of 2024, Omar Courtz teamed up with hitmaker Haze for a mid-tempo reggaetón track fused with catchy synth beats titled “UNA NOTi.” Backed by lots of Puerto Rican lingo, the song narrates the story of having chemistry with someone and wanting to hang out with them at all times. “’UNA NOTi’” is inspired by the ‘jangueos’ and ‘chinchorros’ of Puerto Rico and those nights when you go out with your partner to dance and vibe all night long,” Courtz, named one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2024, said in a statement. “Showing the intimacy you can have with someone who makes you feel like you’re high just by their very presence.” — JESSICA ROIZ

Check out Billboard‘s New Music Latin weekly playlist below:

Bizarrap has blessed fans with a fresh new music session. This time, the Argentine hitmaker is accompanied by Puerto Rican wordsmith Young Miko, who can’t help but get introspective as she narrates her rapid ascent to fame on “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 58.”
The collaboration, which dropped on Wednesday (Jan. 10), marks the first time the pair worked together and the first “BZRP” session of the year. Young Miko joins a star-studded roster of artists who’ve teamed up with Bizarrap for one of his ultra-personal music sessions in the past, including Shakira, Residente and Peso Pluma.

Like the artists that came before her, Young Miko doesn’t hold back in her verses, rapping bluntly about the good and the bad that comes with fame. At the end, she expresses gratitude towards those that have always been there. “Ojalá, ustedes, nunca me suelten (I hope you never let go),” she confesses.

Billboard translates the lyrics of “BZRP Music Sessions #58” to English below: 

How did we get here?I don’t know how many feet upFirst class to MadridUp here there’s no coverage anymoreI feel like it was only yesterdayI told mommy that I was coming backHome againI don’t know when I’ll see her

But all the while we’re jet skiing in Mallorca (Ah)While we’re both counting the moneyShe who can, can; and she who can’t, can endureMy people are all right, man, that’s all that mattersAnd now for the baby I’m hustling dailyFor her to upload the stories from the BentleyThеy felt the pressurе and now they’re asking for a breakThis is black and white, don’t talk to me about maybe

Baby, here we run fine, I say, I don’t bow downThey ask if they’ve got a chance, hm, I don’t even have an opinionI pull them out of the grave, do they talk about me? I revive themThey say I owe favors. Motherfucker, yeah, I imagine soYeah, man, I saw you outside in line for my showOf course you did, I rememberWhen you talked shit about meYou stuck to my VIP, you were a pussy, pigIf they catch me coming out from the Prada entranceThey think they can read me ’cause they’ve seen me on the coverBiza, turn off the lights, leave me in the darkThat my people turn on the flashes if I ask them to turn them up

But all the while we’re jet skiing in Mallorca (Ah)While we’re both counting the moneyShe who can, can; and she who can’t, can endureMy people are all right, man, that’s all that mattersAnd now for the baby I’m hustling dailyFor her to upload the stories from the BentleyThey felt the pressure and now they’re asking for a breakThis is black and white, don’t talk to me about maybe

Here’s another oneFor those who’ve been around foreverI really hope (I really hope)You never let go of me (Mmm)Even if they see us with champagne that I can’t pronounceEven though all the brands want to sponsor meEven though all my exes want to be the official oneNow it doesn’t mean that I’m gonna changeNo, it doesn’t mean that I’m not normal anymoreMaybe I’m antisocialThat I don’t know how to trust it’s nothing personalIt’s just that if they change color, I don’t want to associate with themIf mine don’t pass, I’m not even going to enterDon’t feel bad, you’re not so specialThey say you talked about me, but you’re walking without a signal

But all the while we’re jet skiing in Mallorca (Ah)While we’re both counting the moneyShe who can, can; and she who can’t, can endureMy people are all right, man, that’s all that mattersAnd now for the baby I’m hustling dailyFor her to upload the stories from the BentleyThey felt the pressure and now they’re asking for a breakThis is black and white, don’t talk to me about maybe

Bizarrap

[embedded content]

Just like in fairy tales, young singer Octavio Cuadras‘ life changed in just a few days. First one of his favorite groups, Marca Registrada, agreed to record his song “Bling Bling” with him, which ended up going viral on TikTok.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

That’s how the song got Maluma‘s attention and, through renowned producer Edgar Barrera, they reached Cuadras’ manager, Christian Gutiérrez. Then, just before Christmas, Cuadras, Marca Registrada and Maluma met in Colombia — and now, very soon, the world will be able to hear the remix of “Bling Bling,” a song that has become the standard of a new movement called “corridos felices.”

At the helm is Cuadras, 23, from Sinaloa, Mexico, who until recently had been experimenting with corridos bélicos without much success; he was just one more in the maelstrom of performers of the regional Mexican subgenre that shook the world last year. So, he set himself the task of creating something different, and wrote about positive things: no violence in the lyrics and, in the music, friendly and fun sounds.

“As always happens, there are people who don’t see it as regional Mexican and don’t accept it, but there are many more who have reacted positively, fortunately,” he says enthusiastically, radiating likability. Indeed, Cuadras is living the dream of going from a few thousand monthly listeners on Spotify to 5.5 million, seemingly overnight.

In an interview with Billboard Español, Octavio Cuadras tells how this series of fortunate events happened for his life and career.

How did you decide to take the risk of making songs totally different from what was working for others?

I realized that there was a gap — like the music had stagnated. I don’t want to say that I discovered the wheel, but there was a dead time, I saw a space and I took advantage of it. The idea was to do something different and for everyone to ride that wave. I’m delighted that many do it, that’s what it’s all about.

What do you think about the fact that corridos bélicos altered the traditional forms of Mexican regional music?

There was a lot of criticism and doubts about what was going to happen with regional Mexican, but music is art, so when you create a song you don’t necessarily have to stick to one style.

The happy corridos were not accepted by many people at first, but many more liked the concept. The numbers don’t lie, and it is impressive what is happening. People who didn’t listen to regional Mexican music became fans because of the tune and the instruments. That is a positive thing.

How did the collaboration with Marca Registrada come about?

I told Christian [Gutiérrez], my manager: “I want to record this song ‘Bling Bling’ with Fidel [Osvaldo Castro of Marca Registrada]. If I don’t record it with him, I won’t record it with anyone.” He showed it to him and he liked it. We immediately recorded it, it was uploaded to platforms and all this commotion happened.

[embedded content]

Is Fidel an influence in your career?

I admire him a lot that he is helping young talents; not just anyone does that. A positioned artist like him usually does collaborations with someone who is also famous. However, he has been working with new artists, and that speaks of his vision and human quality.

When I met Fidel [about three months ago] I had 9,500 listeners [on Spotify]. Today I have 5.5 million monthly. I have a lot to thank him for, as well as the public that is supporting me.

How did the remix of “Bling Bling” with Maluma come about so quickly?

I didn’t believe it. Edgar Barrera, whom I admire enormously, contacted my manager, who is a very well known and respected musician in the regional Mexican music scene.

It turns out that Maluma, although he likes corridos bélicos, when he saw what was happening with “Bling Bling” on TikTok he liked it because it was something totally different and that’s how it happened. Suddenly Marca Registrada and I were already traveling to Colombia, so very soon you will be listening to the remix version with Octavio Cuadras, Marca Registrada and Maluma.

You uploaded videos of your time with Maluma; him singing and you playing the guitar as if you were friends for years.

I was nervous to death. I’ve been listening to him since high school, you know, so imagine me sitting there playing guitar and singing with him, it was unforgettable beyond the recording. We congratulated each other on Christmas via messages, so I already consider him my friend; something surreal, I can’t believe it.

After doing something with Maluma, does planning for what comes next get complicated?

Of course, I wondered what comes after Maluma, but we’re going to keep going with all our might. I have a lot more to offer besides the happy corridos. I have a lot of music.

I promise you that this 2024, Octavio Cuadras comes with everything: corridos, cumbias and more. I have been working very hard on the composition. I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment and it came, so I’m going to take advantage of it. But above all, I’m going to enjoy it.

I simply make music — and, if the public likes happy corridos, we follow that way. But if not, we have everything to offer them.

Now many artists will want to collaborate with you. Are you aware of that?

I have already done several songs for the new Marca Registrada album, and in a few more days I will be recording with Grupo Firme. I would like to collaborate with Fuerza Regida, Natanael Cano and someone special, Arcángel.

Would you like to do something with Xavi, who is taking regional Mexican music to new heights?

Of course, my respects to Xavi. We should be happy that more regional Mexican [artists] are moving forward. The artists who are already there, already have their place. It’s great that people also support the new ones.

You have had a contract with Universal Music’s Fonovisa label since before this success came along.

That’s right, my manager and I went to Universal for a kind of experiment, the “bélico indie” concept. We never imagined what would happen, and the truth is that we were already working very well beforehand, with many plans that will now continue.

01/10/2024

From música mexicana to cumbia and urban, the list includes a broad range of future Latin stars.

01/10/2024