espanol
Page: 13
Much has been written about Bad Bunny‘s remarkable year, but he’s not the only Latin artist who made headlines in 2022. From Karol G‘s record-setting tour to Coachella featuring the most Latin acts ever on the lineup to Daddy Yankee‘s manager going to prison, the year was chock-full of big news in Latin music. Here are the 10 stories that helped define the genre’s biggest year yet.
Year of the Bunny
With a smash-hit album and two back-to-back, record-breaking tours this year, Bad Bunny redefined success for a modern Latin artist. The Puerto Rican hitmaker had his biggest year to date, finishing out 2022 as Billboard’s top artist of the year and releasing the first all-Spanish album (Un Verano Sin Ti) to be ranked No. 1 on the Billboard 200 year-end albums chart. He also finished as the year’s top touring act — making him the first Latin act to do so — with a total gross of $373.5 million from 1.8 million tickets sold across 65 shows (the combination of El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo and World’s Hottest Tour). But the superstar wasn’t done yet, as year-end tracking ended while he was still in the middle of the Latin American leg of World’s Hottest Tour. After finally wrapping that run on Dec. 10 in Mexico City, he closed 2022 with a record-breaking $435 million in tour grosses on the Billboard Boxscore charts. Named Spotify’s most-streamed artist globally for the third consecutive year and Apple Music’s 2022 artist of the year, Bunny’s genre-hopping Un Verano Sin Ti also made history last month when it became the first Spanish-language album ever to be nominated for the Grammy Award for album of the year.
That One Time Latin Music Surpassed Country
In its first streaming week in May, Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti (which spent 13 nonconsecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200) accounted for 18% of all U.S. Latin on-demand streams, pushing the genre’s streaming market share past country for the first time ever and resulting in its highest streaming week to date with over 1.8 billion weekly ODA streams. That’s bigger than any weekly streaming total for the country genre so far, according to Luminate.
Karol G Sets New Touring Record
This year, Colombian powerhouse Karol G made touring history with her ambitious $trip Love Tour. The trek finished its run as the highest U.S.-grossing tour ever by a female Latin act, grossing $69.9 million and selling 410,000 tickets across 33 shows in North America, according to Billboard Boxscore. With $Trip Love, the “Provenza” singer surpassed the totals earned by Jennifer Lopez‘s $50 million grossing It’s My Party World Tour in 2019 and Shakira‘s 2018 El Dorado World Tour, which grossed $28.2 million. Karol’s AEG-produced arena tour followed last year’s Bichota Tour — the superstar’s first-ever headlining trek in the U.S. — which grossed $13.4 million and sold 192,000 tickets across 26 shows in North America.
Postponed Tours
Not all Latin touring efforts ended in success stories. J Balvin, Anuel AA and Ozuna postponed their 2022 tours for a multitude of reasons, from production challenges to personal matters. In April, just seven days before his CMN-produced Jose tour was set to kick off, Balvin took to social media to deliver the news of its cancellation to his millions of followers. “COVID has caused some unforeseen production challenges, and I wouldn’t be able to keep my promise of giving you the absolute best show possible, he wrote in English and Spanish. In July, Anuel announced that he was rescheduling the Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren U.S. tour — presented by CMN and slated to kick off in August — to 2023. In a statement, the Puerto Rican artist explained that he was pushing back the tour to focus on personal matters. “I’ve been thinking that I need to take some time to recharge my batteries,” he said, noting his desire to “reorganize” his personal life and career. (New dates have already been announced for next year.) On the other hand, Ozuna — who announced dates for the U.S. leg of his OzuTochi Tour in May — postponed without giving an official explanation. His and Balvin’s tours have yet to be rescheduled.
One Latin Executive Goes to Prison, Another is Due in Court in 2023
In May, Daddy Yankee and Natti Natasha’s manager Raphy Pina was sentenced to three years in prison for illegal possession of firearms. The veteran music executive and producer, who also founded Pina Records in 1996, is currently serving his time in federal prison in Florida. Also making headlines for his legal woes in 2022 was DEL Records CEO Angel del Villar, who was arrested in June for alleged shady dealings. Currently released on bond, del Villar is charged with “conspiring to violate the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act,” according to an official statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and “conducting business with a Guadalajara-based concert promoter with ties to Mexican drug cartels.” DEL Records is the indie regional Mexican label that’s home to the chart-topping group Eslabon Armado, who in May made history when their album Nostalgia became the first Mexican music album ever to hit the top 10 on the Billboard 200. If convicted of violating the Kingpin Act, Del Villar — whose trial is expected to begin in October 2023 in Los Angeles — could face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
A Shakeup in Jenni Rivera’s Estate
Earlier this year, Jenni Rivera’s daughter Jacqie Rivera took over as head of her mother’s estate — replacing her aunt Rosie Rivera, who had been at the helm since the regional Mexican singer’s untimely death in December 2012. Since taking over, Jacqie tapped Izabel Nicholas as general manager for Jenni Rivera Enterprises, while Oswaldo Rossi has remained the estate’s lawyer and Entotal Agency is handling artist management. When Rivera died ten years ago, at age 43, she was the single most successful woman in regional Mexican on the Billboard charts, boasting over 26 entries on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart. Most recently, Rivera’s children (Chiquis, Jacqie, Michael, Jenicka and Johnny) released “Misión Cumplida,” a song written by their mother in 2008. The song is part of Rivera’s forthcoming album — set to be released by Sony Music U.S. Latin — that will include other unreleased songs the Rivera estate discovered after her death.
Close to That Billion-Dollar Mark
U.S. recorded music revenues were up in the first half of 2022, according to the RIAA, growing 9% in the first six months of the year — but Latin music far surpassed that percentage increase, with revenue growing 23% in the first half of the year for a total of $510 million. Latin music is now on course to generate over $1 billion in the U.S. by year’s end. According to the RIAA’s Latin-specific report, shared exclusively with Billboard Español, music streaming formats were the “fundamental growth driver,” comprising a staggering 97% of total Latin music revenues. Among total streaming revenues, paid subscriptions comprised the biggest source of sales at 71% — accounting for 69% of overall Latin revenues at $350 million.
A Very Latin Coachella
From Karol G to Anitta to Nathy Peluso to Grupo Firme, Latin artists took over Coachella this year. The 2022 edition of the festival — which returned to Indio, Calif. in April after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic — doubled the number of Latin acts from the 2020 roster with more than 20 multi-genre Latin artists. The move reflected the overall demand for Latin artists and the success Latin acts enjoyed once live events resumed. According to data from concert discovery app Bandsintown, between Jan. 2019 and Jan. 2022, the interest of live music fans in the top 16 Latin artists on Coachella’s 2022 lineup grew by 533% on the platform. This included Grupo Firme, who alone saw a 5,294% growth in fan interest on Bandsintown during that timeframe. This year, Firme made history by becoming the first banda to ever perform at Coachella, while Anitta became the first Brazilian to perform a set on the fest’s main stage.
Latin Goes Global
Latin music had a banner year not only in the U.S. but in other markets including Europe, where Latin acts are finally seeing a breakthrough. Artists such as Bad Bunny, Karol G, Rosalía, Maluma, Anitta and Camilo are spearheading the globalization of Latin music on the continent, making inroads in a market that was slow to latch on to the genre just a few years ago. Global touring powerhouse Rosalía has earned $28.1 million (so far) and sold 343,000 tickets across three continents on her Motomami world tour, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore, landing her at No. 7 on the year-end Top Latin Tours chart. Also going global was Mexican crooner Marco Antonio Solís, who toured Europe for the first time, holding shows in Paris, Madrid and London as part of his Que Ganas De Verte world tour. Additionally, Camilo had a historic and record-breaking performance in front of the iconic Puerta de Alcalá in Madrid in September, drawing a crowd of more than 80,000 fans.
‘90s Nostalgia
Last year, Los Bukis reunited after 25 years to embark on their historic Una Historia Cantada stadium tour, presented by Live Nation — ultimately landing the group at No. 6 on Billboard’s Top Tours of 2021 with a total gross of $49,667,153. In 2022, they returned with a second leg of the tour, during which they played two back-to-back shows at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. At that venue, the group gathered 100,000 fans over two nights, breaking their previous record at the venue set in 1995. The success of the Los Bukis reunion started something of a nostalgia-driven movement in Latin music this year. This trend included the inaugural Bésame Mucho festival, which took place at Dodger Stadium on Dec. 3 with a ’90s-’00s-inspired lineup of pop, regional Mexican, merengue, cumbia and rock-en-español artists — and sold out in just 12 minutes. This coming February, a ’90s Latin pop concert featuring Magneto, Kabah, Caló, Sentidos Opuestos and more is slated to take place at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater.
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.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Paula Cendejas & Marc Seguí, “a tu manera” (Warner Music Spain)
Spanish artists Paula Cendejas and Marc Seguí join forces this week for a breezy pop song about a modern love story. The faces of a new generation of artists coming out of Spain, the pair trade verses in “a tu manera” about loving each other their own way and in their own terms. “Just to see if it’s true that this time around it’ll work,” they sing in the chorus. “How do I explain to you that I want to leave and then come back?” — GRISELDA FLORES
Quevedo, Myke Towers, “Playa Del Inglés” (Taste the Floor Records/Warner Music Spain)
Following his breakthrough hit, the Bizarrap-assisted “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” Quevedo teams up with Myke Towers on “Playa del Inglés.” On the Ovy on the Drums-produced electro-dancehall track, the Spanish artist and Puerto Rican rapper sing about a memorable fling that happened at the Canary Islands beach resorts. “You weren’t the first one not you’re the last one but how I wish you were the only one/ Who I present to my family and people/ Come to the party so that you’re in another vibe,” the Spanish newcomer chants. Meanwhile, Towers’ vocals assure: “Every time I see you, I remember of that time, the perreo at the plaza in Playa del Ingles/ I don’t want to be your ex.” — JESSICA ROIZ
Héctor Montaner, “Dale, Dale” (Hecho A Mano Music)
Ten years after releasing “Apariencias,” his last single, Héctor Montaner takes the mic once again for “Dale, Dale.” Written by himself as the theme song for the Disney+ series about his famous family, Los Montaner, “Dale, Dale” is a contagious cumbia tune that’s also perfect for the holidays. “We spend the whole year like Christmas/ There is always a good reason to celebrate/ Always putting God first to start/ We are better off, we are better off”, the artist sings in Spanish. Perhaps best known for the 2004 hit “Amor del Bueno,” Hector never really strayed from music — he’s been producing and writing songs for artists including Thalía, Leslie Grace and his father, Ricardo. But “Dale, Dale” is a welcomed return to his role as a talented vocalist, with a joyous video starring the entire Montaner clan. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Jowell & Randy feat. Wisin & Yandel, “Si Te Pillo” (Rimas Entertainment)
Jowell y Randy are closing off the year with a super collaboration alongside Wisin y Yandel. In their second collaborative effort — the first in more than a decade — the two iconic reggaetón duos join forces on “Si Te Pillo,” which loosely translates to “if I catch you.” Co-written by Jowell y Randy, Rios, and Yartzi, and co-produced by Georgie Milliano and Nesty, the infectious reggaetón-meshed-with-perreo track has saucy lyrics about a man who’s after the girl of his dreams. “Baby if I catch you, I’m not going to let go,” goes part of the chorus. Notably, the four artists boast signature vocals that have stood the test of time, resulting in the ultimate union of “two of the strongest names in the urban movement,” as Wisin states at the beginning and end of the track. — J.R.
Danny Ocean, “amor tonight” (Atlantic Recording Corp)
After releasing part one and part two of his album @dannocean, Venezuelan singer-songwriter Danny Ocean is back with new music. This time, he’s gifted fans a feel-good Spanglish anthem that’s all about living in the moment and embracing a newfound love. “You’re a surprise, you’re super nice, amor tonight, one love one life,” he sings over a hypnotic electronic beat. — G.F.
Alvaro Diaz, “SUPRA 94TRO” (UMG Recordings)
Alvaro Diaz has unleashed a new track, which surprisingly enough marks his first reggaetón song as a solo act. Produced by Jotarosa, Oceanvi, and Caleb Calloway, “SUPRA 94TRO” is an edgy futuristic reggaetón track that references the classic 1994 Toyota Supra while narrating the story of the ultimate power couple. “She has a couple of men behind her who think they are gangsters/ If when they see us together they feel the pressure, then hold on,” goes part of the track. “SUPRA 94TRO” will appear on Diaz’s upcoming studio album Sayonará, set to drop in 2023. “In the video, I’m wearing the signature look that I’ve worn on my US tour which is inspired by some of my favorite movies like Blade, Matrix, and Fight Club,” the Puerto Rican artist says in a statement. — J.R.
Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera, “Bebe Dame” (Rancho Humilde/Sony Music Latin)
All eyes have been on Grupo Frontera since the local McAllen band skyrocketed to virality (and the Billboard charts) with their cover of Morat’s “No Se Va.” Now moving away from their innovative covers and tapping into original music, most of them helmed by Edgar Barrera, Grupo Frontera teams up with Fuerza Regida for “Bebe Dame.” Produced by Regida’s frontman Jesus Ortiz Paz, the track is a romantic cumbia-grupera song about an unforgettable special person. “Bebe Dame” marks Regida and Frontera’s second collaborative effort this year, and follow’s Frontera’s latest single “Que Vuelvas” alongside Carin León. — J.R.
DEKKO, Totoy & El Frio, “Antes De Que Muera” (Interscope Records)
Manifesting nothing but good vibes and a successful year, rising Colombian acts Dekko and Totoy El Frío team up this week for “Antes de que muera.” Written and produced by Dekko himself (real name: Daniel Esquiaqui Lecompte), the acoustic corrido tumbado-inspired track sheds light on a bucket list they wish to accomplish before passing away, starting with “becoming a millionaire” and “owning the world.” “The life that I have led was not the one that mommy wanted/ I became more badass, that I guarantee/ And they criticize me because I do what I want/ But they need to know that ‘He who does not risk does not win,’” goes part of the motivational lyrics. — J.R.
Soccer and music have always meshed well. Some of Latin music’s biggest artists, such as Maluma, Carlos Vives, Melendi, and Fito Paéz have proven to be passionate fútbol aficionados and vice versa. Soccer stars such as José Manuel Pinto (former goalkeeper for Barcelona FC) and Jese “Jey M” Rodriguez (former striker for Real Madrid), for instance, have not shied away from kicking off music careers. The former has collaborated with CNCO and Lali; The latter has a remix with Alexis & Fido, De La Ghetto, and Alex Rose.
Soccer and music are also a match made in heaven when it comes to romance. The best example is soccer superstar David Beckham and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, whose dreamy love story began 25 years ago, and who have since welcomed four children: Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper.
Another popular soccer-and-music power couple was Shakira and Gerard Piqué, who met during the 2010 World Cup and share two children, Sasha and Milan. Unfortunately, after a 12-year relationship, the Colombian artist and Barcelona defender announced their split in June this year. “We regret to confirm that we are separating,” the two said in a joint statement released by Shakira’s public relations firm. “For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”
There have been several famous soccer WAGS (the term given to the wives and girlfriends of athletes) from the Latin pop world over the years. Below, check out some past and present real-life couples who blended the two worlds.
Rosalía and Cardi B join forces for the new “Despechá” remix, which was unleashed Friday (Dec. 16).
After teasing the remix on Wednesday, the Spanish singer-songwriter unveiled a day later that the “WAP” singer would be her collaborator on the new version, which features Cardi rapping over the hypnotizing mambo beat.
“Since long time ago, I wanted to make music with her,” Rosalía said in an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music. “And she knows I love her music, and she always supports me too. So I was like, “This song is inspired in Mambo, it’s inspired in música dominicana.” And she’s Dominican, so who else is going to understand this better than her? You know what I mean? Her energy’s super pure and strong. I think that everybody can feel that.”
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Her first mambo ever, Rosalía dropped “Despechá” back in July, her first single after releasing her Latin Grammy-winning album Motomami. The Chris Jedi and Gaby Music-produced track was first teased in the midst of her Motomami World Tour and quickly gained social media virality.
“Despechá” is a danceable electro-merengue and mambo fusion about a girl who’s hitting the club with her friends to get over a heartbreak. “There are many ways to be Despechá, in this theme it is from the freeness or the craziness, moving without reservations or regrets,” she previously said in a statement.
In October, the track scored Rosalía her first No. 1 as a soloist, unaccompanied by any other act, on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart. “Despechá” also helped secure the artist her second No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart. On Hot Latin Songs, it peaked at No. 7 on the chart dated Oct. 1.
Listen to “Despechá” remix below:
In the midst of the monthlong 2022 FIFA World Cup, a wave of Argentine artists have used social media to show their support for the national team, which is headed to the finals against France on Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Artists such as Bizarrap, Rusherking, Lali Esposito and TINI, who’s dating soccer player Rodrigo De Paul, have traveled miles away to the Middle East to experience the excitement in person. Others, such as Trueno and Khea, have documented their reactions on Instagram after a match.
If the Argentine national team anthem “Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar” is any indication, fans of the Albiceleste team are also very hopeful that the team’s captain, Lionel “Leo” Messi, will win his first-ever World Cup trophy.
“We’re already happy about winning the 2021 Copa America, but I think that winning this would be the icing on the cake,” rap artist Lit Killah previously told Billboard. “There is a lot of expectation and enthusiasm due to the fact that it’s Lionel Messi’s last World Cup. With that pressure and that desire of the people to see him win a World Cup, I think we would have the country happy for the rest of our lives.”
If Argentina or France win, both would secure their third World Cup. The former following its 1978 and 1986 wins, and the latter after winning in 1998 and 2018.
But as we wait for the grand finale, Billboard put together a fan poll featuring more than 20 Argentine artists who would make for great company at a World Cup watch party. Who would you want to watch the finals with? Vote below:
Every month, Billboard Latin editors will feature a small group of new or relatively unknown 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. Check them out below:
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Chicocurlyhead
Country: Panama / U.S.
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: If you showed up early to day two of PMC’s LA3C Festival, at some point you probably made your way to the main stage and found Chicocurlyhead opening the fest with his vibey set. That’s the beauty of music festivals, discovering the small-print artists on the lineup or even seeing a newer act perform for the first time. I had heard about Chicocurlyhead but had never seen him live. The Panamanian-born, Atlanta-raised singer-songwriter won new fans over thanks to his groovy, feel-good Spanglish music effortlessly zigzagging through R&B, trap, and rock, showcasing his versatility.
There was some coolness to him that I found him just a delight to watch. He just had so much fun onstage, and never stopped smiling taking it all in, even if it was just a handful of us watching. He made us all feel welcome and interacted with the people watching him, which made him just so likable. Not all artists can pull that off. Chicocurlyhead is not only ultra-talented, but his onstage personality really just pulls you in. — GRISELDA FLORES
Song For Your Playlist: “Cheap Wine”
Monogem
Country: Mexico / U.S.
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Also a LA3C discovery, Monogem is truly a … gem. I regret only listening to her for the first time just now, but I feel I did so at the right time and moment. The Mexican-American artist most recently delivered her first-ever Spanish-language album Gardenia, and “nothing has been the same ever since” she wrote her first Spanish song, she said during her set.
Enjoying every second of her time onstage, Monogem was meant to sing and perform in Spanish, because she does so with pathos and passion. Writing from her own experience as a Mexican American who grew up in Los Angeles, Monogem sings about the complexities of being bicultural while embracing her duality, making it so easy for us to identify with her music. “Bienvenidos a mi vida, una vida muy tranquila yo sé que soy una pinche gringa,” she declares confidently in “Dame La Fuerza,” one of my new favorite songs. — G.F.
Song For Your Playlist: “Dame La Fuerza”
Svetlana Maury
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: At the age of nine, Svetlana Maury began to take piano and guitar classes, which to this day she combines with her academic studies as a high school senior in Sarasota, Fla., where she lives. Now, at 18 years old, the Venezuelan artist is making herself known as a promising singer-songwriter, backed by three independently-released songs this year, including the refreshing pop ballad “Bailemos Juntitos”.
“So let’s dance together/ Let the rumors cry / So let’s dance together / Your rhythm with my rhythm / Mixing colors / Of blue inks,” she belts in Spanish in the song, which was written by her and produced by Alejandro Campos. Svetlana, who cites Kany García as one of her biggest inspirations, plans to release more music in 2023. In addition to “Bailemos Juntitos,” Svetlana’s blossoming catalog includes the singles “Droga” and “La Gota.” Collectively, she’s amassed nearly one million video videos on YouTube. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song For Your Playlist: “Bailemos Juntitos”
Victor Cibrian
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: This year, Victor Cibrian unleashed his debut single “En El Radio un Cochinero” (Rancho Humilde), a track that instantly put him on the radar — especially on TikTok, where the sound boasts over 220K video creations. With his deep, raspy-yet-crispy vocals, relatable lyricism, and melodious corrido tumbao sound, the up-and-coming Cibrian easily represents the new generation of Música Mexicana — and many of the genre’s established acts have begun to take notice. Just this year, Cibrian secured key collaborations with Fuerza Regida, Natanael Cano, Luis R. Conriquez, and most recently, Régulo Caro in “El Beso de la Muerte,” to name a few. His debut track also earned the viral song of the year award at the coveted 2022 Premios de la Radio. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “En El Radio Un Cochinero”
Young Miko
Country: Puerto Rico
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Hailing from Añasco, Puerto Rico, Young Miko (real name: María Victoria) is a force to be reckoned with. At 25 years old, the newcomer is earning her crown as the next big trap star. She was discovered by Latin hitmaker Caleb Calloway, who produced her debut single “105 Freestyle” in 2021. Since, she’s collaborated with popular urban acts such as Villano Antillano, Lunay, Lyanno, Casper Magico, and Akapellah. In her saucy viral trap track “Riri,” you’ll discover her witty rapping abilities, while in tracks such as “Condado,” you’ll come across her dulcet vocals. Working her way up in the industry, Miko joined Bad Bunny on stage at his Puerto Rico show this summer, and is also a featured act on Arcángel’s latest album Sr. Santos. — J.R.
Song For Your Playlist: “Riri”
Rapper GIMS celebrates a new career achievement thanks to “Arhbo (Music From fhe FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022),” his collaboration with Ozuna, which leads Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart (dated Dec. 17). The song ascends 8-1 and becomes Congolese-French rapper GIMS’ first No. 1 on any Billboard U.S. chart.
“To be a French artist that is No. 1 on a Latin Billboard chart is a great honor, it’s amazing,” GIMS tells Billboard. “I can’t even believe it’s real! It was something that I always dreamed to achieve, and I can’t believe it happened. I’m also very proud and happy to have achieved this goal with Ozuna, who is a great artist whom I respect and cherish.”
“Arhbo” takes the Greatest Gainer honor of the week boosted by a 48% in audience impressions, to 9.5 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Dec. 11, according to Luminate. It becomes GIMS’ first leader on a Billboard U.S. chart a week after the rapper secured his first top 10 on a Billboard Latin chart when the song lifted 29-8 (Dec. 10).
As “Arhbo” lands at No. 1 on the all-genre Latin Airplay ranking, it trades places with another of Ozuna’s tracks: “Monotonía,” with Shakira, after two weeks in charge. Plus, the new champ secures Ozuna a 31st No. 1, six of which arrived in 2022. Here’s a look at the leaderboard since the chart’s inception in 1994:
35, J Balvin
32, Enrique Iglesias
31, Ozuna
27, Daddy Yankee
22, Maluma
22, Wisin
21, Romeo Santos
“Ozuna and I worked on a track in the past that was never released, but then we were caught up in a World Cup offer so we decided to work together again and focus on this project,” GIMS adds. “We can find many similarities in our music such as with reggaeton sounds. For a sound to work and be a success, you must make the right choice. The combination of Redone, Ozuna and I was the perfect match.”
Further, Ozuna ensures his fifth straight year with at least four No. 1s on Latin Airplay. Here’s the Puerto Rican’s scoreboard:
7, 2018
9, 2019
4, 2020
4, 2021
6, 2022
About the song, GIMS adds” “I was supposed to sing with different artists, names changed a lot before the final decision. Then the whole discussion in regard to the FIFA World Cup started again, and ultimately, RedOne asked Ozuna and I to be on the soundtrack. Fun fact, the partnership wasn’t decided until the very end. You should know that this song may have never seen the light of day!”
The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation announced Thursday (Dec. 15) that Nicky Jam will finance 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 2023.
“I’ve always wanted to help and I don’t have my own foundation,” the chart-topping artist tells Billboard. “My publicist knows that this is something I’ve been wanting to do and when the opportunity came with the Grammys, I was very excited. I see myself in this type of project because music saved my life. Music gave me everything I needed.”
News of Nicky’s involvement comes just a month after he performed his hit song “El Perdón” with four former scholarship recipients (Xavier Cintrón, Valentina García, Nicolle Horbath and Sergio de Miguel Jorgequera) at the Latin Grammys.
“First of all just seeing those kids sing my song, that was incredible. To let them use my platform to create their own platform, that’s what it’s all about,” he adds. “There was this one kid who wouldn’t stop smiling when he was performing, so he was making me feel better because I was nervous. I was performing in a format that I don’t really sing in, it wasn’t reggaeton, but it felt so good. I felt more love onstage with these kids that I’ve felt in years with a bunch of people I’ve performed with.”
The scholarship, created eight years ago, holds a maximum value of $200,000 and the application period will be open from now until April 10, 2023. 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.
“When it comes to pursuing a career in music, finances should not be a deterrent to cultivating talent,” Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, executive director of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, said in a statement. “We are grateful for Nicky Jam’s generosity, which makes music education a reality for future generations of Latin music creators and preserves our legacy for years to come.”
Nicky Jam, one of the pioneers of reggaetón with more than three decades in music, says this opportunity is special because “low-key” he always dreamed of studying music. As a struggling musician in his early days, receiving a scholarship would’ve had a huge impact on him.
“The fact that I could’ve studied music, that’s already huge. I would’ve gone crazy and studied what I love. No one knew that I’ve always wanted to study music and now people tell me I don’t need it but we could always learn to be better. But I’ll be happy for those kids who do get the opportunity. Maybe the next Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny or Beethoven comes out of this. You never know!”
The foundation is accepting applications for all 2023 scholarships, and alongside Nicky Jam and his manager, Juan Diego Medina (also CEO of La Industria Inc.), is also sponsoring one of the Gifted Tuition Scholarships of up to $100,000. All scholarships are available to music students between the ages of 17 and 25. For more details and/or to apply, visit www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org.
In previous years, the Prodigy Scholarship has been co-sponsored by Latin stars including Enrique Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Miguel Bosé, Carlos Vives, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Juanes and Sofia Carson.
Latin music is expected to reach the billion-dollar mark in revenues by year-end in the United States for the first time, according to the RIAA. That’s a big deal. But at the pace the genre has been growing over the past decade, it’s not surprising.
“I feel every year we’re talking about the Latin boom and we’re certainly not going ‘despacito,’” says Hans Schafer, senior vp of global touring at Live Nation. “I’d say this is the best year for Latin because we see it in streaming, in the number of tickets we’re selling, grosses in those shows and it’s not only Bad Bunny.”
Of course, Bad Bunny and his record-shattering album Un Verano Sin Ti — which became the first all-Spanish album to be ranked No. 1 on the Billboard 200 year-end albums chart — played a major role in giving the genre a boost. But the Puerto Rican hitmaker isn’t the only factor at play in what has been a years-long slow boil for Latin music, which was often seen as a fad in the past but is now regarded as a cornerstone genre in the U.S. music market.
Spanish-language music has been having a moment in the U.S. ever since Daddy Yankee released his breakthrough single “Gasolina” in 2004. After the Latin explosion of the late ‘90s, when Shakira and Ricky Martin were recording in English to achieve mainstream success in the U.S., the euphoric anthem became the first time a Spanish-language hit went global. Then, there was Luis Fonsi‘s “Despacito,” the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping song — spending a then-record 16 weeks at No. 1 in 2017 — that changed Latin music forever, spearheading a global Latin movement made possible by streaming.
This year, Spanish-language music in the U.S. and other non-Latin markets has reached new heights across multiple metrics, including on the charts, in market share growth and in global reach. In the U.S. alone, market share for the Latin genre — defined as music sung predominantly in Spanish — was 6.6% of the total market in the first half of the year, up from 5.9% last year, according to the RIAA’s mid-year report in October.
On the Hot 100 chart, a total of 45 Latin songs have entered the tally so far this year, way ahead of 2021’s 25 titles. Among this year’s crop, 22 were off Bad Bunny’s genre-hopping set Un Verano Sin Ti, which powered his extraordinary year along with two history-making U.S. tours. Those back-to-back runs grossed a total of $373.5 million from 1.8 million tickets across 65 shows, allowing the superstar to rank as the top act on Billboard’s year-end Top Tours chart.
Newer acts have also seen success on the touring front this year. Colombian reggaeton artist Feid sold out all 14 dates of his first-ever U.S. tour in a span of 24 hours after announcing it in October. So did up-and-coming sad sierreño act Ivan Cornejo, whose first U.S. trek — supported by local promoters and set to kick off in January for a total of 13 shows — sold out “within minutes,” according to his team, of the pre-sale.
The development of new artists, and understanding how the touring component complements their streaming and music video views, has been key to the continued growth of Latin music in the U.S. Emerging artists across Latin genres, notably in regional Mexican, are more diverse and younger, which has led to a new generation of Latin music fans who are bilingual, tech-savvy and more likely to embrace genre-blurring acts. The rise of Latin also coincides with shifting demographics in the U.S., where Latinos now represent nearly 20% of the population.
Mexican music had a banner year. The legacy genre is reaching a wider audience thanks to a new generation of acts such as Grupo Firme, the first banda outfit to perform at Coachella, who followed up that history-making performance with a stadium tour; Eslabon Armado, whose Nostalgia became the first top 10-charting regional Mexican album ever on the Billboard 200; and artists like Ivan Cornejo and Yahritza Y Su Esencia, to name a few. On Billboard’s year-end Hot Latin Songs Artists chart, seven out of the top 20 are regional Mexican acts. What was once considered music by Mexican artists for a Mexican audience has now become big business in the U.S. market.
“[Regional Mexican] music is a lot more relatable now for a Mexican American kid that lives in the U.S. because the sound and lyrics have evolved,” says Brayan Guerra, label manager at Lumbre Music, whose roster includes Yahritza Y Su Esencia. The sibling trio broke earlier this year with “Soy El Único,” which became the fourth regional Mexican song ever to enter the Hot 100. In November, they signed with Columbia Records in partnership with Lumbre and Sony Music Latin, making them the first Mexican music act to join the Columbia roster.
Streaming has played a huge role in the increase in Latin music consumption, with the RIAA’s mid-year Latin revenue report showing that streaming revenues were the biggest growth driver for the genre. Through the first half of 2022, music streaming formats comprised 97% of all Latin music revenues ($510 million), with paid subscriptions the biggest source of sales at 71%. That amounts to 69% of overall Latin revenues, totaling $350 million in paid subscriptions alone.
“Artists were able to build communities during the pandemic because of the time people spent consuming music during lockdown, and we’re seeing the impact now,” says Carlos Abreu, a London-based music agent at UTA. “Like Karol G when she had all her fans wearing blue wigs, Rosalía with the motomamis and motopapis.”
Success in the U.S. reflects the ever-growing popularity of the genre in other non-Latin markets. “Latin America and the U.S. continue to drive the consumption and engagement, but we do see it becoming more global with bigger acts like Rosalía, Karol G and Bad Bunny being consumed in continents like Africa,” says Maykol Sanchez, head of artist & label partnerships, LatAm & US Latin at Spotify, where 10 Latin artists were within the Top 50 global most-streamed artists this year. “The last few years have been an explosion with our friend Bad Bunny leading the way but a lot of other great artists having big moments too.”
To name a few, Anitta reached the No. 1 spot on Spotify’s Top 50 – Global chart with “Envolver” in March, making her the first Brazilian artist to do so. The same day, Paulo Londra landed in the No. 2 position with his song “Plan A.” And in July, Argentine producer Bizarrap and Spanish artist Quevedo reached the No. 1 position on the Spotify Global tally with their smash hit “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52.”
“It’s more a global business than it ever has been,” says Abreu, whose client Rosalía earned $28.1 million touring on three continents so far this year. Europe is now quicker to embrace Latin music than it did previously, he adds. “I’ve seen the shift in real-time. Especially [when] booking European festivals and tours. Before there was the education that needed to happen, the convincing. Five or six years ago we were trying to convince promoters or buyers that these artists were mainstream. It’s exciting that the world is [finally] catching up and it feels good to say, ‘I told you so.’”
In terms of expanding Latin music’s global reach, the U.S. remains the jackpot market “because it’s the seal of approval” that helps launch Latin artists in other parts of the world, says Bruno Del Granado, head of global Latin music touring at CAA. “When I started working in the label business many years, at the end of the year the U.S. market would generate probably 70% of our revenue and international was 30%. Now it’s the opposite: 30% U.S., 70% international. The U.S. gives you prestige, but you also want China, India and Latin America. It adds into this big puzzle and every artist, the smart ones, always look at the world as their market.”
Carin León and his longtime manager Javier “El Tamarindo” González, CEO and founder of independent regional Mexican label Tamarindo Rekordsz, have mutually agreed to part ways, the pair tells Billboard.
After five years together, González officially announced the end of his professional relationship with his artist and business partner on Wednesday (Dec. 14).
“Carin is an exceptional artist with great versatility and an impressive voice,” González said in a press statement. “It was an honor to have been part of his project. I know he will continue to grow and I will continue to be a fan of his music. For a long time, we shared the same vision regarding the decisions of the project, but now we have agreed to end our collaboration in order to continue flying each on their own. Carin will continue to succeed and I will always be a part of his successes.”
The regional Mexican artist, born Óscar Armando Díaz de León Huez, signed to Tamarindo Rekordsz in 2018 after being the lead vocalist of norteño act Grupo Arranke for four years. He found quick success, scoring his first entry on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart in 2019 with “Me La Aventé” before going on to collect eight top 10 hits, two of which reached No. 1 (“El Tóxico” with Grupo Firme in 2021 and “Ojos Cerrados” featuring Banda MS in March). In November, he nabbed his first Latin Grammy for best regional Mexican song with the Matisse-assisted “Como Lo Hice Yo.”
“I personally think that being independent is the best thing that can happen to any artist because it means developing your art in the freest way possible and not depending on many things,” León, who hopes to expand his independence with the launch of his own label, previously told Billboard.
León and Tamarindo will still fulfill the commitments already established and scheduled for 2023, according to the statement.