genre latin

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
RIAA Honors Selena Quintanilla

The tejano superstar was honored with an RIAA Lifetime Achievement plaque in recognition of 17 million certified units across her career, including 62x Platino Dreaming of You — marking the highest certified Latin album. The honor was presented at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on April 21, “paying tribute to the enduring impact of her music and cultural legacy,” according to a press release.

“The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) believes music can change lives, connecting generations and unifying those who speak different languages through shared emotion,” RIAA svp, state public policy & Latin music Rafael Fernandez Jr. said in a statement. “We have seen this as Latin Music in the US gains popularity as the fast-growing genre and through Selena’s legacy.This special moment with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ahead of Dia del Niño (International Day of the Child) reminds us of Selena’s passion for bettering the lives of children and encourages each of us to make an impact wherever we can.”

Trending on Billboard

Jimmy Humilde Goes to Harvard

The founder and CEO of powerhouse indie label Rancho Humilde was the keynote speaker for the event Into the Music, which took place at Harvard University last week. Organized by Harvard-Radcliffe Raza and NEON16, the West Coast-based executive shared his vision regarding Mexican music, Chicano identity, and the role of the Latin community in the United States.

“I didn’t go to college, but I totally understand the crucial role that academia fulfills in our society,” Humilde said during his speech, according to a press release. “As Latinos, we all have a responsibility in the fight for the recognition of our roots, our traditions, and our culture. It’s critical that more young people in our community access quality education at universities such as Harvard. That not only opens doors on an individual level, but it also makes us stronger as a community.”

Ivy Queen Teams Up With Wendy’s

Ivy Queen’s trailblazing trajectory in the industry has recently inspired Wendy’s latest campaign in Puerto Rico, which seeks to inspire authenticity. The reggaetón icon is the new voice of Wendy’s Presents the Breakfast Baconator with next-level ‘flow.’

“Ivy Queen represents a milestone in the world of urban music,” Wendy’s chief marketing officer Lizmarie Medina said in a statement. “She’s the undisputed ‘Queen’ who paved the way for other women and is recognized for her impact and legacy in the genre, for being ‘real,’ daring, and authentic, similar to what we do at Wendy’s. We break molds and make bold decisions in the face of industry challenges.”

Check out the commercial in Spanish here.

Noel Schajris at Barnes & Noble

As of May 2, Noel Schajris’ recordings will be available exclusively at Barnes & Noble throughout the U.S., including vinyl and collector’s CDs. According to a press release, the Argentine singer-songwriter becomes the first artist with an independent label to have national distribution at the bookseller.

“For me it is an immense honor to be able to present my album work alongside a brand like Barnes & Noble,” Schajris said in a statement. “To be able to bring these albums to those fans who love the physical product, the art, the booklets, the smell of the paper… that’s priceless. It’s a way to keep the essence of music alive as a tangible experience.”

2025 Latin Women in Music is a Wrap

The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music took place Thursday (April 24) where Anitta, Belinda, Celia Cruz, Chiquis, Ha*Ash, Natti Natasha, Olga Tañón and Selena Gomez were honored for their groundbreaking careers and contributions to Latin music.

Watch the pink carpet livestream here and check out all things 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music here.

This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music, including new albums by Boza (San Blas), Cazzu (Latinaje), and Natalia Lafourcade (Cancionera).

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

In an unexpected but much-needed collaboration, Elena Rose teamed up with Los Ángeles Azules and Camilo for “Carteras Chinas.” The Venezuelan songstress and Colombian crooners melodic and soothing vocals pair perfectly with Los Ángeles’ hip-swiveling cumbia tune. “There are so many fake things, there are more Chinese bags than people who love with their hearts, but that’s what you and I are for,” they sing a song that celebrates real love.

Juanes, on the other hand, taps into the vintage sounds of the ’60s and ’70s for “Una Noche Contigo.” Fusing vintage soul, blues, and rock influences from Otis Redding, Juan Gabriel, José José, and The Beatles, the ballad describes the magic behind falling in love unexpectedly: “I wasn’t looking for you/And I found you unintentionally/Among the people dancing/I approached without thinking,” he sings.

Trending on Billboard

Meanwhile, Boza dropped a nine-track album called San Blas, where he remains true to his signature reggae plena sound but incorporates a lot of afrobeat and amapiano rhythms. His new era is notably heard in his two previously-released collaborations, “Orión” with Elena Rose and “Todavía” with Greeicy.

Other new releases this week include Young Miko’s “Wassup,” Fariana and Kiko El Crazy’s “Me Muevo,” and Ivy Queen’s “Casi Casi.” Last week, fans crowned Kenia OS and Anitta’s “En 4” as their favorite release, garnering over 70% of the vote.

Which release this week do you think is best? Give these new releases a spin and vote for your favorite new Latin music release below.

Take Our Poll

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

Elena Rose, Camilo & Los Ángeles Azules, “Carteras Chinas” (Kira Records/Warner Music Latina)

Collaborating with Los Ángeles Azules is almost a rite of passage at this point: over the years, the cumbia institution has teamed up with a hefty catalog of both new and veteran artists, and this time, it’s Elena Rose who taps Los Ángeles and Camilo for “Carteras Chinas.” It’s a match made in heaven, as Rose and Camilo’s soothing vocals pair perfectly with Los Ángeles’ hip-swiveling cumbia tune. “There are so many fake things, there are more Chinese bags than people who love with their hearts, but that’s what you and I are for,” the pair sing in the song that celebrates real love. — GRISELDA FLORES

Boza, San Blas (Sony Music Latin)

Trending on Billboard

Boza is ending the month with the release of his new studio album, San Blas, home to nine tracks that best represent his current personal and musical stage. Mainly crafted by his longtime producer Faster, the set stays true to Boza’s signature reggae plena sound, but incorporates Afrobeat and amapiano rhythms — notably heard on his two collaborations, “Orión” with Elena Rose and “Todavía” with Greeicy. The former peaked No. 2 on the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart last year.

Lyrically, the Panamanian artist sings about falling in love (“energiaS”), letting go (“fluir”), and the life lessons along the way (“yaya”) — combining into a personal healing process. Moreover, the album’s name (as well the focus track) was inspired by Maná’s “En El Muelle de San Blas”: “I love the woman I’m with very much, and with this song I wanted to tell her that I’m only there for her, that I always want to show her off, to show everyone that I’m with an excellent woman, a beautiful woman,” he said in a statement. — JESSICA ROIZ

Juanes, “Una Noche Contigo” (Universal Music Latino)

Juanes delivers a magical bolero with his new single, “Una Noche Contigo,” marking his first release in two years. Fusing vintage soul, blues and rock influences from Otis Redding, Juan Gabriel, José José and The Beatles, the heartfelt track serves as a modern serenade that describes the magic of unexpected love: “I wasn’t looking for you/And I found you unintentionally/Among the people dancing/I approached without thinking.” The idea for this song began to take shape when producer Sebastián Krys introduced Juanes to a classic tune by Otis Redding. The Colombian powerhouse later developed the concept with Edgar Barrera and Julio Reyes, culminating in this vibrant tribute to timeless sounds. — INGRID FAJARDO

Adrian Quesada, Angélica García, “No Juego” (Electric Deluxe Recorders / ATO Records)

With “No Juego,” Adrian Quesada and Angélica García craft a hypnotic bolero that drips in sensuality and analog richness. The song resurrects the romantic decadence of the early ’70s crooners — evoking icons like José José and Camilo Sesto — while infusing it with cool, sophisticated beats that feel intimate and cinematic. García’s vocals are gripping and unfiltered, a soulful cry that pierces through Quesada’s lush production, which seamlessly blends psychedelic grooves and subtle nods to hip-hop. As the second preview of Quesada’s upcoming Boleros Psicodélicos II, due June 27, “No Juego” confirms his role as a sonic alchemist of unparalleled vision. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Fariana, Kiko El Crazy, “Me Muevo” (La Commission)

Following the line of her ultra-viral hit “El Caballito,” Fariana drops a new merengue tune in collaboration with Kiko el Crazy. Produced by Gangsta, the summer-ready “Me Muevo” samples La Makina’s 1999 timeless tropical tune “No Me Digas Que No.” On her version, Fariana sings from a woman’s point of view who’s ready to move on and mingle with the men who are after her. “If you don’t want me, I’ll replace you/It’s your loss and my win/The same way you left, the same way they come,” she boldly chants. Meanwhile, her Dominican collaborator adds saucy rap verses, trying to save the relationship: “Relax, Fariana, I’m the crazy guy you love.” — J.R.

Check out more Latin recommendations this week below: