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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.
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Kali Uchis to Receive Special Honor
Kali Uchis has been named a 2025 ASCAP Women Behind the Music, alongside honorees Kehlani and KPop Demon Hunters’ lead vocalist EJAE. “Every year, ASCAP looks forward to spotlighting some of music’s most extraordinary women by honoring them for their achievements at our Women Behind the Music event,” said Nicole George-Middleton, ASCAP Executive Vice President & Head of Creative Membership, in a statement. “This year we are thrilled to recognize three women who are pushing boundaries and capturing the world’s attention across different genres. Their creative success has propelled them to the top of the charts and is set to inspire the next generation of women in music.”
The Colombian artist will receive her award at the 17th annual ASCAP Women Behind the Music event, taking place Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Los Angeles, just weeks after her Superstar Q&A at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami earlier this month.
Lele Pons & Guaynaa in the Halloween Spirit
Lele Pons and Guaynaa are celebrating their first Halloween together as parents. Just days before the spooky holiday on Oct. 31, the Venezuelan social media star and Puerto Rican artist shared a photo of their adorable costume alongside their baby girl. In the cute carousel, the family of three is seen dressed up as Peter Pan (Guaynaa), Wendy Darling (Lele) and Tinkerbell (their daughter) — in costumes designed by Karina Garcia, according to the Instagram post.
Juan Luis Guerra is Celebrated Back Home
This week, Juan Luis Guerra was named “Patrimonio Musical y Poético de República Dominicana” (Musical and Poetic Heritage of the Dominican Republic) by Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MIREX, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in his native Dominican Republic.
“His career transcends the awards and distinctions he has accumulated,” said Minister Roberto Álvarez during the ceremony, according to a press release. “What is truly significant is his ability to narrate — with poetic verses that seduce and captivate the imagination and the heart — the everyday experiences of our people: their dreams of social justice, their deep faith, their joy, and their unwavering sense of humor.”
During the event, which coincides with the National Day of Merengue and National Day of Bachata, Guerra — behind timeless hits such as “Bachata Rosa,” “La Bilirrubina,” and “Mi Bendicion” — expressed the following: “I would like to conclude by giving glory and honor to the Lord Jesus. If there is one thing I am sure of, it is that my melodies, metaphors, and all my songs come from him.”
Latin Music Educator Award
The Latin Recording Academy, in partnership with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, has announced its inaugural recipient of the Latin Music Educator Award. Honoring an “exceptional educator from the global music community who is making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum,” according to a statement, the first annual award was handed to Luciana Ortega of the Instituto Santa María de San Carlos, in Chile.
As part of the award, the school’s music program will receive a $10,000 instrument donation. Ortega — who has been teaching music for more than 10 years — will be honored during the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Week in Las Vegas. “We are proud to honor Luciana Ortega with the first Latin Music Educator Award,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “Her daily commitment to music students brings to life our mission to honor, celebrate, nurture and elevate Latin music and those that ensure its enduring legacy.”
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This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music, including fresh picks by DannyLux, a collaboration between Codiciado and Xavi and Rosalía’s highly awaited featuring with Björk and Yves Tumor, to name a few.
GALE unleashed her sophomore studio album Lo Que Puede Pasar, which explores heartbreak, new beginnings, and the nostalgia of first times in 13 tracks. On the set, the Puerto Rican artist is joined by collaborators Danny Ocean, LAGOS, and Abraham Mateo, to name a few, where she navigates with ease rhythms such as EDM, pop, and rock. “Beautifully produced from beginning to end, Lo Que Puede Pasar showcases an evolution in the sound of GALE, one of the most sought-after songwriters in Latin music, whose credits include hits for superstars like Shakira, Christina Aguilera, and Juanes,” Billboard Español’s Sigal Ratner-Arias said.
Speaking of new projects, Maria Becerra dropped “JOJO,” her first single from her forthcoming set called QUIMERA. Sonically, the track — co-produced and co-written by Becerra and XCROSS — is a hard-hitting dancehall fused with R&B elements, and lyrically, it’s about a girl named Jojo, who has a magnetic force and has no competition.
Other new releases this week include music from Maria Becerra, Banda El Recodo, and Majo Aguilar. In the latest New Music Latin poll, Esaú Ortiz’s Discontrol album won with more than 60% 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:
Editor’s Note: The results of the weekly New Music Latin poll will be posted if the poll generates more than 1,000 votes. This poll closes at 7:30 a.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 3.
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Spanish superstar Rosalía returned this week to Mexico City, where she attended a listening session for her new album LUX on Wednesday night (Oct. 29) with a lucky group of fans. Her visit turned into an entire culinary experience featuring popular Mexican dishes and a night of partying alongside her friends, the members of Mexican band Latin Mafia.
Rosalía shared the trip with her millions of followers on TikTok Live, showing her and her friends riding in a limousine through the streets of Mexico’s capital before arriving at a branch of a famous pozole restaurant chain. There, she tasted the popular dish for the first time — a broth made with corn kernels, chicken or pork, chili and topped with lettuce. She also enjoyed some enfrijoladas, tortillas dipped in bean sauce and filled with shredded chicken.
“First time eating pozole, guys,” Rosalía says in a video that has gone viral in Mexico since Thursday. “It’s tricky — it’s spicy,” she adds, pulling the classic faces one makes when eating spicy food. Videos of diners who were surprised to see the singer at one of the restaurant chain’s locations have also gone viral.
The “Motomami” singer’s night out in Mexico also included a stop at a Mexican cantina, where she and Latin Mafia enjoyed some drinks and watched drag performances with numbers dedicated to Juan Gabriel and Jenni Rivera.
The Spanish superstar also received a special gift: a necklace with a pendant of the iconic Virgin of Guadalupe, the Patron Saint of Mexico and Latin America, which was given to her by one of the members of the pop trio. The night was sealed with a tattoo that Rosalía herself gave to Milton de la Rosa, one of the singers of Latin Mafia, featuring the title of her new album, LUX.
The artist was in Mexico as part of the worldwide listening parties for LUX, her highly anticipated fourth studio album, to be released on Nov. 7. According to her, the LP is “inspired by holy women from around the world.” The first single, “Berghain,” a cutting-edge track featuring Björk and Yves Tumor, was released on Oct. 27. Watch it below:
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New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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ROSALÍA feat. Björk & Yves Tumor, “Berghain” (Columbia Records)
Music for musicians and food for thinkers — that’s the best way to describe “Berghain”, the first single from Spanish superstar ROSALÍA’s upcoming album, LUX, featuring Björk and Yves Tumor. Laden with symbolism both in its lyrics and accompanying video, the piece — structured in operatic movements —surprises with Rosalía’s lyrical performance, gliding seamlessly between English, German, and her native Spanish. “Berghain,” possibly a nod to the exclusive Berlin nightclub, is steeped in a gothic mystique that frames its central theme: a woman tormented by a toxic relationship, portrayed most vividly in the video, where Rosalía embodies a Snow White straight out of the Brothers Grimm.
Surrounding her, the London Symphony Orchestra, appearing as she performs domestic chores like ironing, seem to personify the thoughts that haunt her, in a mise-en-scène rich with religious symbolism. In the end, Rosalía breaks free, transforming into a dove that takes flight. As a preview, the single leaves a lasting impression and builds anticipation for the full album, set to be released on November 7. Just watch it above. — LUISA CALLE
Maria Becerra & XROSS, “JOJO” (Warner Music Latina)
Through her latest release “JOJO,” co-produced and co-written with XROSS (real name: Xavier Rosero), Maria Becerra introduces her new alter ego. Sensuality, dominance, and fiery power embody Becerra’s new chapter that sonically, is a hard-hitting dancehall fused with R&B elements, and lyrically, it’s about a girl named Jojo, who has a magnetic force and has no competition. “She knows she’s a badass/ And that no one can match her/ She’s always like this/ Jojo wants dembow,” Becerra chants with confidence. “JOJO” marks the first single off of Becerra’s forthcoming studio album, QUIMERA, set for Nov. 20. — JESSICA ROIZ
GALE, Lo Que Puede Pasar (Sony Music Latin)
On her second studio album, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter GALE delivers a sharp, shimmering pop across 13 tracks that explore heartbreak, new beginnings, and the nostalgia of first times. The LP, which includes the previously released singles “Ciao!“, “Ysilandia” featuring ROBI, “Skittles,” and “Por Si Las Dudas” with LAGOS, also features collaborations with Danny Ocean on “Pa’ Qué Te Quedas” and Abraham Mateo on “No Quería Quererte” — both similar in rhythm (mid-tempo pop songs that explode into a powerful EDM beat) but with distinct vibes and messages.
The set opens with “Perspectiva,” a catchy track about beginning to fall for someone, and closes with “Domingo,” a moving reflection on the passage of time with a soothing vocal and guitar arrangements. The title track stands out for its infectious rhythm and lyrics about the excitement of “anything that can happen” on that first date with that special someone. Beautifully produced from beginning to end, Lo Que Puede Pasar showcases an evolution in the sound of GALE, one of the most sought-after songwriters in Latin music, whose credits include hits for superstars like Shakira, Christina Aguilera, and Juanes. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Banda El Recodo, “Solo Tú” (FONO/El Recodo Enterprises)
One of Camilo Sesto’s greatest classics is given new life in the Sinaloan banda style with this new cover by Banda El Recodo. The trumpets lend a romantic, even sensual touch to this anthem of desperate love, complemented by the vocals of Ricardo Yocupicio and Geovanni Mondragón and the rest of the instrumentation, which includes the essential tuba, clarinets, and horns. Originally released in 1976, “Solo Tú” speaks of a love for which one gives and sacrifices everything. The song is the first single from the upcoming album by “the mother of all bands,” and its video features the band members in black and white tuxedos, giving this work the elegance it deserves. — TERE AGUILERA
Majo Aguilar, “Chilo” (Universal Music México)
In her latest single, the young star of the Aguilar dynasty shows how to transform the pain of a breakup into a feeling of freedom and peace. She does so with great style, to the rhythm of a classic ranchera, but adding sierreño guitars for a contemporary touch. This empowering anthem, which emboldens and motivates her to move forward with dignity after a heartbreak, borrows a popular colloquial expression from the northern Mexican states of Sonora and Sinaloa, where people often use the word “chilo” to refer to something “nice,” “amazing,” or “great.”
“Chilo, I’m doing great/ Don’t worry, I won’t seek your affection anymore/ Chilo, I’m here at 100%/ I wish you the good and the bad you did to me,” goes the chorus, which highlights Aguilar’s melodic and powerful voice. The track is accompanied by a music video directed by QUIÉN, which features Majo on a recording set, with a vibrant orange desert and skies filled with lightning, creating a dramatic and powerful tone. — NATALIA CANO
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
Trending on Billboard Luis Figueroa reclaims his place at the summit on Billboard‘s Tropical Airplay chart as “Como Se Compara” ascends from No. 3 to the top of the chart dated Nov. 1. “‘Como Se Compara’ is a very special song for me, and seeing it become my third No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay […]
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Karol G made her debut on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Thursday (Oct. 30), where she talked about her latest career milestones including performing with Andrea Bocelli at the Vatican, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and soon becoming the first Latina to headline Coachella.
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“When [Bocelli] invited me, I said no, because I was super nervous,” Karol admitted to Hudson. “It’s the Vatican, we’re going to sing in La Plaza San Pedro, I’m going to perform for a lot of people and with Andrea Bocelli. I don’t know if I’m ready, and I was doing a lot of stuff at the same time, so maybe it wasn’t the moment to do this? So, I said no. My mom got crazy, [and said], ‘How is this possible? Karol, this is an opportunity that you have every 25 years, because the jubilee is every 25 years.’ So I was like, ‘OMG that’s true, so maybe the opportunity came to me because I’m ready. I’m actually ready.’”
Karol ultimately joined the iconic Italian tenor for a performance of “Vivo Por Ella” at the Grace for the World concert that took place in Vatican City in September.
Weeks later, the Colombian superstar was strutting the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October.
“I grew up watching the show and living the fantasy,” she said. “ I never thought I would be able to be there, with my shape, my curves, the music that I do in Spanish, but actually, I was there. The first thing I thought about when creating the show was the wings and then the performance. I was like, ‘Can I have the wings?’ because if I’m going to be, like, a Victoria Secret Angel, I need my wings. It was amazing … the moment of the show was the runway. I loved the runway. I was having so much fun.”
Next Spring, the “Provenza” singer will headline the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. She told Hudson: “I have a mantra in my life: You don’t lose the opportunity because you’re not ready. You get ready and you take that opportunity.”
Watch the interview clips below:
Billboard’s Live Music Summit will be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 3. For tickets and more information, visit the event’s website.
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Esaú Ortiz had already penned important songs for Luis R Conriquez (“De Fresa y Coco”) and Grupo Firme (“Tronando Ligas” with Junior H) when he had a thought: “If I’ve written hits for other artists, how could I not write one for myself?” Then, it happened. The 27-year-old artist from Monterrey, Nuevo León released his biggest hit to date, titled “Triple Lavada” — which also includes a remix featuring Conriquez, Alemán, Óscar Maydon and Victor Mendivil.
The remix — released in May, two months after the original one — earned Ortiz his first top 10 on any Billboard chart when the song peaked at No. 9 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. It also peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and at No. 17 on the Billboard Global 200 chart. The plan was to only release the remix version, not two separate ones. But, he had to pivot quickly when, earlier this year, a part of the song was leaked on TikTok and gained momentum.
“It took time to get everyone on board, so I had to release it on my own, and besides, it had been leaked, so I had to release it right away,” Ortiz says over Zoom. “The leaked version was already at the top of the [TikTok] charts, so I had to request for it to get taken down and release my own version. I couldn’t wait for the remix.”
Still, the spunky retrobélico stands as Ortiz’s biggest milestone yet since launching his career over 10 years ago, mainly as a songwriter, and the song has now cemented his status as a Latin artist on the rise in a crowded field of new música mexicana acts.
Ortiz may have had his major breakthrough as a songwriter, but his dream was always to be a performing artist. He began performing in Kindergarten singing Pedro Fernández songs and later, in his teens, transitioned into rap. He was motivated by his mom, who also sings and performs at parties doing tributes to stars like Gloria Trevi.
“Then I started singing reggaetón, banda, grupero, corridos tumbados, I think I performed in every genre,” Ortiz says. He joined a few local bands and also started writing his own songs because, “the music I was listening to didn’t say what I experienced exactly, so I had to write it myself.” He began uploading videos of him performing his songs on Facebook and eventually promoters and even local bands began reaching out to him.
“I wanted to be an artist, but it’s really difficult, it takes time,” Oritz says. “I thought, I’m going to sneak in this way and make a name for myself as a composer, then I’ll make money for everyone and then, when I decide to be an artist, I’ll already have superstar friends I’ve written for that I can collaborate with. When you start as a songwriter, you’re already on the other side and there are people who like what you do and how you write. You’ve already proven yourself.”
This year, “Triple Lavada” marked the launch of his career as an artist, and earned him a distribution and marketing deal with Sony Music Latin. His first big deal in the industry after experiencing a few heartbreaks early on in his career when other companies “stole” from him, he explains. “I was just doing deals how I thought I should but no one was guiding me, I was on my own.” Today, he’s releasing music under his own self-titled label.
“‘Triple Lavada’ was that change from composer to artist, that watershed moment, where there is a before and after,” Ortiz says. It also served as an introduction to the subgenre he pioneered, retrobélico — which came to him when he was listening disco music at a party. It was also the perfect set up for his latest album Discontrol, released Oct. 10. The album cover, inspired by Michael Jackson’s Thriller, is enough indication that Ortiz is offering something different, a more nuanced approach to regional Mexican music.
As a self-declared fan of The Weeknd, Sabrina Carpenter and Post Malone, his music is a fusion of disco, rap, cumbia, pop and ballads powered by Mexican music instruments. “I wanted people to realize that I can do many genres,” he says. “I don’t want to limit myself to just one genre, that’s why I made the album super varied. I consider myself regional, but as a variation, as a branch of regional music.”
Below, learn more about this month’s Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise:
Name: Esaú Ortiz Anzuara
Age: 27
Recommended Song: “Triple Lavada” or “Discontrol”
Biggest Accomplishment:
“Launching my career as an artist and pioneering retrobélico.”
What’s Next:
“I’m working on my next album, which will drop next year. Discontrol didn’t really have collaborations because I wanted to showcase my essence what I represent as a retrobélico artist. But I have collaborations coming up with Lit Killah, Xavi and Alemán, and I want to save them for the next album.”
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Giovanny Ayala captures his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart through “No Estaba Hablando En Serio” which flies to the top of the Regional Mexican Airplay chart (dated Nov. 1).
“No Estaba Hablando En Serio” soars from No. 9 to No. 1 after a 35% increase in audience impressions in the United States, to 6.4 million, during the tracking week of Nov. 17-23, according to Luminate. Released on June 26 under Colmena/Azteca, the song claims the top spot in its 16th week, following a four-week stint in the top 10.
Ayala’s latest single not only marks his first chart-topper, but also his first charting entry with Azteca Music Group’s COLMENA Music. Before the move, the singer achieved six Regional Mexican Airplay entries with the Gerencia360 label, including the No. 7-peaking “Quien Se Apunta,” with Luis R. Conriquez, in 2022.
Meanwhile, COLMENA secures its first No. 1 of 2025 and its second overall. The label previously reached the top spot with Los Ángeles de Charly’s “El Tonto” in 2024.
“No Estaba Hablando En Serio” also makes strides on the overall Latin Airplay chart, where it flies 20-4, after earning strong support from stations KSND (Portland, OR), KLNO (Dallas), and WOJO (Chicago) during the tracking period.
Bad Bunny’s 30th Win: Continuing his dominance on the overall Latin Airplay chart, Bad Bunny collects his 30th No. 1 with “Nuevayol.” The song climbs from No. 5 to No. 1 with the weekly Greatest Gainer honors, recognizing the track with the largest audience increase.
“Nuevayol” registered 7.8 million audience impressions during the tracking week, up 30% from the week prior. Its sends DY’s “Sonríele” to No. 10, after the latter falls by a 37%, to 5.7 million.
“Nuevayol” marks the fifth track from Benito’s album Debí Tirar Más Fotos to claim the No. 1 spot on the Latin Airplay chart. It follows previous chart-topping hits “El Clúb,” “Baile Inolvidable,” and “EOO,” which each dominated for two weeks in February, March, and August, respectively. Plus, “DTMF” delivered a one-week reign in May.
With a total of 30 No. 1s on Latin Airplay, Bad Bunny continues to climb the rankings among the artists with the most chart-topping hits since the list debuted in 1994. Here’s a look at the current leaderboard:
39, J Balvin36, Ozuna32, Enrique Iglesias30, Bad Bunny29, Daddy Yankee25, Maluma24, Shakira
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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 a wave of emerging artists that we came across at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami, which took place Oct. 20-24 at The Fillmore Miami Beach. See our recommendations this month below:
Name: ATINA
Country: Peru
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: ATINA is a Peruvian urban pop singer-songwriter who delivers honest lyrics, a powerful, brilliant voice and a unique sound. Trained at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music (New York) and Berklee College of Music (Boston), she began writing at age 14 as a form of personal therapy, and has since set out to “heal hearts through music,” according to a statement. This year, at 22, she released her debut album Curita Pa’l Cora, with standout singles such as “Qué Tengo Que Hacer,” “Respiro” and “Boca.” In August, she participated in the All Music Fest Perú, sharing the bill with international artists such as Beéle and Luar La L. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song For Your Playlist: “Respiro”
Name: Belén Sánchez
Country: Ecuador
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Born in Ecuador and residing in New York, Belén is ready to make strong waves in the music industry with her debut single “Lejos de Casa,” released earlier this year. The song starts off as a vibrant bolero, before navigating to the heartfelt rap bars by Vavier Jerainto and ultimately transitioning into a saucy salsa tune backed by La Banda Brava. Beyond its melting pot of rhythms, “Lejos de Casa” is a reflection of Sánchez’s personal experience as an immigrant in The United States.
“I’ve had this song saved since 2018,” she expressed in an Instagram post. “I wanted this song to sound like and represent my city Guayaquil […] It doesn’t just sound like Guajira, there are a lot of genres in the Ecuadorian music scene to explore, among them Guayaco Rap.” In addition to embarking on her own music career path, Sánchez is a Berklee College of Music alum and is manager of emerging Dominican powerhouse La Cassandra. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song for Your Playlist: “Lejos de Casa” (feat. La Banda Brava)
Name: Ephrem J
Country: Curaçao
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Ephrem J is an independent artist with a solid track record, but he wasn’t on our radar until we discovered him this year at Billboard Latin Music Week. A charismatic bachata and merengue singer, he has been releasing music since 2009, when he debuted with the single “Amor en la Luna.” His studio albums include Bailando (2014), El Mejor Momento (2017), and this year’s Fiesta Tropical, Vol. 1.0. With songs like “No Hay Imposibles,” “Como una Oración,” and “Una Copa,” he has built a growing fanbase on social media, where he has thousands of followers. His latest single, “KARMA,” already has over 200,000 views on YouTube, and he is preparing to release the music video for “Loco Por Ti” next week. — S.R.A.
Song For Your Playlist: “KARMA”
Name: Francia
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: The first time you meet Francia, you will undoubtedly be captivated by his lovely aura and glow that includes warm hugs and uplifting words. I first came across his one-of-a-kind personality when we met for the first time at the 2023 Latin Grammys in Sevilla; however, the first time I heard him sing was this year at the release of his debut album, Infinita—a beautifully curated 11-track album that showcases his magic and unique perspective in life. In addition to forging his music career, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter—who left his career on Wall Street to pursue his dreams—is a lawyer, actor, and TV reporter. In July, he presented his new album with a full live band at the Black Room Sessions in Miami surrounded by family and friends. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song for Your Playlist: “Creatura Divina”
Name: Ina Peralta
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Ina Peralta’s music career kicked off almost 10 years ago with her debut single “Tu Lo Que Quieras” released in 2017. After a nearly five-year hiatus due to a undergoing a severe health condition, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter returned with her 2022 EP Aprendi a Amarme. Since, Peralta has penned her personal life stories into her music, singing about self love, resilience, empowerment, and strength. Her uplifting music is backed by salsa, pop, cumbia, and urban rhythms, best reflected in her debut studio album INA Siendo INA, out earlier this year. — J.R.
Song for Your Playlist: “Que Me Digan Loca”
Name: J Salez
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: While walking around the lobby at The Fillmore Miami Beach, I was approached by two gentlemen: J Salez (real name: Juan Chavez) and his manager, Dereck Vinci. Immediately, I was drawn to Salez’s musical concept: a Mexican singer creating bachata music. With a five-year music career, Salez is a first-generation Mexican-American artist, who despite being raised in Southern California by mariachi singers from Jalisco, is chasing his musical path in the Tropical music realm. Tall, dark and handsome, accompanied by dulcet, romantic vocals, Salez released his debut studio album California Love in 2024, and is currently making the rounds with his single “Ya” (2025). — J.R.
Song for Your Playlist: “Duele”
Name: JimmyBoy
Country: Puerto Rico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: JimmyBoy has a special charm; from the first second you hear him, he makes you want to move. Sonically, his style is a slow, rhythmic reggaeton, pleasing to the ear, and that’s precisely what stands out, especially when most urban artists these days are presenting harsher sounds. Lyrically, he’s romantic while remaining modern. At just 19 years old, the Puerto Rican singer showcases his versatility by fusing soul, R&B, pop and Afrobeats in most of his tracks, which has allowed him to enter diverse markets such as Panama, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and even Spain. JimmyBoy will release “Playa Escondida” on November 26th, an energetic house track with which he will continue to demonstrate his ability to interpret different rhythms. — TERE AGUILERA
Song for Your Playlist: “Explícame”
Name: Jocsan Duran
Country: Dominican Republic
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Jocsan Duran may have been born in the Dominican Republic and reared in Orlando, but his music is rooted in regional Mexican tradition, specifically the corridos tumbados movement that continues to thrive. It’s not every day you see a Dominican artist making waves in a genre historically associated with Mexico, but Duran is breaking barriers by infusing Dominican flavor into music typically known for its norteño tones. It was at Billboard Latin Music Week that Duran caught our attention, during the Future of Regional Mexican Music panel — featuring Xavi, Oscar Maydon, Codiciado, and more — where he stood up from the audience to ask a question and directed our focus to his music.
His 7-track debut EP, Humilde, released in May, showcases his boundary-pushing style. On tracks like “El Emblema,” he blends Mexican slang with Dominican expressions and even throws in English words, showcasing his bicultural identity. The artist also reveals his poetic side in songs like “Conversación Con la Luna,” where he reflects on the challenges of his journey and the determination it took to make it here. Drawing inspiration from artists like Natanael Cano, Fuerza Regida, and Juan Gabriel (whom he admires deeply for his showmanship), Duran is offering a fresh voice and perspective to a genre in continued evolution. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song for Your Playlist: “Humilde”
Name: Karol Wilson
Country: Panama
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: In 2018, Karol Wilson introduced her debut single “Sin Más Rodeos,” a feel-good reggae track, before ultimately transitioning to an edgier sound that includes reggaeton, Latin Afrobeats, and even dembow. Born and raised in Panama, the singer-songwriter “writes what she feels and transforms her experience into music,” according to her artist profile on Spotify. Wilson has collaborated with up-and-coming artists such as Any Victoria and Jimmy Boy — the latter was also at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week, and both are managed by Latin Grammy-winning producer Pedro Sanjur. Currently, Wilson is promoting her sultry tune “Ya No Más,” which perfectly showcases her sensual and smooth vocals. — J.R.
Song for Your Playlist: “Ya No Más”
Name: Katteyes
Country: Chile
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: This young reggaetón singer is one of Chile’s biggest digital stars and one of the most successful examples of artists who emerged from social media as content creators and made the leap to major Latin stages. Fernanda Villalobos (her real name) began her career as a teenager under the name “Iamferv.” Her unique blend of music, fashion, and style has earned her 45.7 million followers on TikTok, 13.3 million on Instagram, 9.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and nearly 56 million views on each of her YouTube videos, at time of publishing. She is undoubtedly one of the most promising urban music artists from South America, possessing a commanding stage presence at just 21 years old.
This was evident during her performance at the “Opening Night of Billboard Latin Music Week” showcase presented by Boombastic in Miami on October 20th, where she shone as a bold performer, with her fusion of Latin pop, reggaetón and emotional lyrics. Some of her most popular collaborations include songs with La Joaqui, Luck Ra, Kidd Voodoo and Jere Klein. She also makes her outfits a valuable complement to her stage persona, with avant-garde clothing and makeup, weaving together styles ranging from femme fatale to virgins in bejeweled gowns. You can soon see her at Teletón Chile 2025, Coca-Cola Flow Fest in Mexico City on November 22nd, and Lollapalooza Chile 2026. — NATALIA CANO
Song for Your Playlist: “Ponte Lokita” (feat. Kidd Voodoo)
Name: Machaka
Country: Ecuador
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Combining 1980s cumbia and salsa with urban and Andean sounds, lyrics that highlight Ecuadorian slang and identity, and a recognizable deep voice, Machaka stands out for his freshness and authenticity. His approach, which he describes on his Instagram account as “modern cevichería music,” can be heard in songs like “Milagro,” “Crucita,” and “Las +593,” the latter dedicated to the women of his country. Machaka is beginning to make his way internationally, with a tour that took him this year to several cities in the U.S. and Spain and an upcoming performance at the Colombian festival Estéreo Picnic 2026. On Nov. 6th, he will release a new EP, Sabrosura Ecuatoriana, which you can listen to here. — S.R.A.
Song for Your Playlist: “Las +593”
Name: MADIE
Country: Guatemala
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Madie holds degrees in communication and fashion design and has studied aviation. But her first passion is music, taking singing and dancing lessons from the age of 9 in her home country and later in London. In 2024, she debuted with the single “Lights Out,” and this year she released her first EP, Sin Reglas, a selection of five songs that showcase her charisma and versatility, with a fusion of pop, urban, merengue, Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall rhythms. The set earned her three nominations for the Estela Awards in Guatemala, where this month she gave her first concert as part of the Vibes Party event. Madie is currently creating new music with Honduran producer Jorge Ulloa, best known for his work with Farruko’s label, Carbon Fiber Music. — S.R.A.
Song for Your Playlist: “Llamada en Espera”
Name: RIZA
Country: United States
Why They Should be on your Radar: Thanks to Billboard Latin Music Week’s “Making the Hit, Live!” discussion — this year featuring Pablo Alborán and Julio Reyes Copello — we discovered the wonderful RIZA. The Filipino-Cuban artist, from Hollywood, Florida, captivated the audience with her enchanting harmonies and smooth vocals when she joined Alborán and the hitmaker to create a song in real life. The tune they created during the panel, which had a dreamy, Middle Eastern rhythm and heartfelt lyrics about missing and longing for someone, further showcased RIZA’s superstar power, with sultry, melodious vocals à la Sade, and an effortless mix of R&B, jazz, folk, and pop elements. RIZA, who sings in both English and Spanish, released her six-track EP Miracle in 2023, and has collaborated with the Mexican indie act Humbe. — J.R.
Song For Your Playlist: “la sirena”
Trending on Billboard The Latin Recording Academy announced on Wednesday (Oct. 29) that Maluma and Roselyn Sánchez will host the 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. The Colombian hitmaker will make his hosting debut. Meanwhile, Sánchez returns for the eighth time as host of the Latin Grammys, including her most recent stint in 2023. The Latin Grammys will air […]
