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As Women’s History Month draws to a close, what better way to honor the extraordinary contributions of women than by celebrating the female pioneers, visionaries, and stars who have defined Latin pop? From powerful ballads to timeless dance hits, these incredible artists have shaped the genre, empowering listeners and inspiring generations through their lyrics, voices, and artistry. On March 31, we proudly present our staff picks list of the Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time as a fitting tribute to the women who have shattered glass ceilings and barriers with their music.
But what exactly is Latin “pop”? Pop music is “characterized by a strong melody and beat, and the use of electric instruments and amplification,” as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary; and is “distinct from other forms of popular music.” Most pop music falls into the category of catchy, tight, memorable music with broad appeal. As far as “Latin pop” goes, it is basically pop, en español. And while distinct from other genres like rock, dance, tropical and reggaetón, the word “pop” essentially means “popular,” and applies to music that transcends genre confines.
It’s a hazy description, we know, and Billboard’s Latin editors debated for weeks the merits of who should be on this list; who, among hundreds of names familiar to fans across the continent, should enter the pantheon of the top 50.
In creating the list of best female Latin pop artists of all time, we looked at artists who had, first and foremost, built a catalog that’s stood the test of time. There are several new artists who we think have a brilliant future ahead of them, but could not make this list on the merits of just one or two albums. Others are great artists, but their still-limited output — say, three albums or fewer — automatically moved them lower in the list.
We also focused on artists whose music had inspired others and created long-lasting trends; who boasted unique, outstanding vocals; and who had, for the most part, significant impact on the Billboard charts. Major chart achievements meant a higher position on the chart. We also included a handful of artists that aren’t essentially pop in genre, but whose impact was such that it transcended into the realm of mass popularity, at least within the scope of Latin audiences.
Artists like Celia Cruz, the undisputed Queen of Salsa, captivated global audiences with her Afro-Caribbean rhythms at a time when salsa was primarily confined to Latin American markets. Shakira took Latin pop to unprecedented heights by combining Colombian influences with — in the case of the groundbreaking, Billboard Hot 100-topping “Hips Don’t Lie” — reggae and hip-hop elements. Similarly, Selena, hailed as the Queen of Tejano Music, brought regional Mexican sounds into the mainstream with hits like “Amor Prohibido” at a time when Spanish-language music struggled to cross over in the United States.
Then there’s Gloria Estefan, whose contributions in the ’80s and ’90s set the foundation for the global rise of Latin pop. In 1992, she made history as the first Latina performer at the Super Bowl halftime show. Decades later, Karol G became the first woman since Selena to top the Billboard 200 chart with 2023’s Mañana Será Bonito, a Spanish-language album, while achieving the unprecedented feat of becoming a global stadium performer — an historic moment for Latina artists.
That said, in compiling this list, we set clear criteria to spotlight female Spanish-language artists — focusing on Latin pop’s influence within the Hispanophone world. While we deeply appreciate artists from Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil and their contributions to music, this specific list focuses on performers who are Spanish-speaking or who have consistently recorded music in Spanish.
Additionally, we made a concerted effort to focus on Latin pop by excluding hip-hop/urbano and folk singers, with two notable exceptions. Ivy Queen, widely known as the Queen of Reggaetón, earned her place thanks to her versatility and pop-forward hits that helped globalize the Puerto Rican genre as its leading female pioneer. Similarly, Mercedes Sosa, the iconic Argentine folk singer, transcended her roots and entered the realm of Latin pop through her immense cultural impact and widespread acclaim.
The Billboard Latin and Billboard Español teams took into account criteria like body of work/achievements (chart placements, awards, certifications); cultural impact/influence (how each artist’s work advanced Latin pop’s evolution and inspired cultural movements); longevity (staying power across decades and relevance in different eras); musicianship and vocal prowess (their unmistakable skill and charisma); and innovation (artistic evolution and originality within the genre).
So, without further ado, here are our picks for the Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time!
Javiera Mena
Image Credit: Jordi Vidal/Redferns
Ángela Aguilar truly shined Saturday (March 29) night at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 gala in Inglewood, California, when she accepted the Breakthrough Award with an emotional speech that was met with a roaring standing ovation at the YouTube Theater.
After performing a sublime version of the Mexican classic “Cielito Lindo” accompanied by the Harmony Project — a community chorus composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including immigrant children — she spoke candidly about a year that “almost broke” her — with constant headlines and online scrutiny over her marriage to Mexican singer Christian Nodal, who was in attendance to support her.
“I have had to cry the weights of judgement and speculation of a story that I have note even told,” Aguilar said. “And yet, here I am. I’m still singing, I’m still standing. Because music is who I am.”
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To a roaring ovation from her peers at the venue, she advised young girls to “sing your truth and when they tell you to be quiet […] sing even louder.” Fighting back tears, she dedicated her award to immigrant women who cross the border to the United States “with nothing but hope in their hearts, only to find themselves living in uncertainty and fear […] You deserve safety, dignity, the right to dream.”
The youngest of the Aguilar dynasty — her father is música mexicana icon Pepe Aguilar, her grandparents legendary Mexican entertainers Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre — Ángela Aguilar made her stage debut as a toddler when she joined her famous dad at one of his concerts. Five years later, at age 8, she released her first album, a joint set with her older brother Leonardo Aguilar. The two later joined Pepe on back-to-back arena tours when he launched Jaripeo Sin Fronteras in 2018, honoring the jaripeo-style show — singing while riding horses — that their grandparents pioneered. Along the way, Ángela landed three No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart and four top 10 hits on Latin Airplay, including her first No. 1 on that chart, “Por el Contrario,” with Leonardo and Becky G, last year.
Ángela Aguilar at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Hosted by Laverne Cox, Billboard‘s Women in Music honored influential women in music spanning artists and industry leaders, with performances, awards and tributes. Doechii was recognized as Woman of the Year, while honorees also included aespa, Erykah Badu, Gracie Abrams, Meghan Trainor, and Tyla, among others.
Read Ángela Aguilar’s full speech and watch her performance below:
This Breakthrough Award means a lot to me, because this year almost broke me. And honestly, I have had to stand on stage and sing through the tears and I have had to cry the weights of judgement and speculation of a story that I have note even told, and of a story that has never hit my voice. And yet, here I am. I’m still singing, I’m still standing.
Because music is who I am. It’s the thread that connects me to every woman that came before me, like my grandmother Flor Silvestre, and it’s taught me that these women here today are not my competition because we are each other’s legacy. And she taught me that you can fight in silence and the music speaks way louder than what other people say.
To every young girl that’s watching this and is wondering if she should make herself smaller to fit in to someone’s ideas about who they are, don’t. In this world they’ll try to write your story for you; don’t let them. Sing your truth and when they tell you to be quite, if it’s what you want, if it’s truly what you want, sing even louder.
Lastly, I wanna take this moment to raise my voice for the women whose voices are not always given a stage, for the women who leave behind everything they know crossing borders with nothing but hope in their hearts, only to find themselves living in uncertainty and fear. For the immigrant women in the country who work tirelessly building and nurturing, sacrificing, yet still remain unseen, unheard and unprotected, this one is for you. I see you. I honor you. You deserve safety, dignity, the right to dream. And if my voice and my music and my presence on this stage can remind you are not invisible, then I will sing for you every single time.
So tonight I accept this award for every women who has ever had to break through. For my grandmother. For my mother, who’s honored tonight. And to every women who has paved the way for every young girl to be able to dream. We are not breaking down. We are breaking through. Gracias, ¡y que viva México!
Influential women in music graced the red carpet at Billboard’s 2025 Women in Music event, which took place on Saturday (March 29). See the best red carpet photos from the night here.Host Laverne Cox, music stars and industry leaders were pictured on the carpet ahead of the ceremony that honors accomplished women and their contributions to the music industry, their communities and beyond.
Artist nominees at this year’s prestigious event include Doechii, receiving the Woman of the Year Award, as well as aespa (Group of the Year), Ángela Aguilar (Breakthrough Award), Erykah Badu (Icon Award), GloRilla (Powerhouse Award), Gracie Abrams (Songwriter of the Year), JENNIE (Global Force Award), Megan Moroney (Rulebreaker Award presented by Crown Royal Whisky), Meghan Trainor (Hitmaker Award), Muni Long (Rising Star Award Presented by Honda Stage) and Tyla (Impact Award presented by Bose). Global Women of the Year are ANNA (Billboard Italy Woman of the Year) and Charlotte Cardin (Billboard Canada Woman of the Year).
Tina Knowles, mom to Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, is the first-ever Mother of the Year honoree at Billboard’s Women in Music, held at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.
The list of presenters features Becky G, Kali Chis, Madison Beer, Julia Michaels, Lauren Jauregui, Mickey Guyton, Suki Waterhouse, Summer Walker, Tanner Adell, Victoria Monét and Zara Larsson.
The red carpet was also expected to see appearances from Ari Lennox, Ashe, Ava Max, Bella Poarch, Heidi Montag, JoJo Siwa, Kandi Burruss, Keyshia Cole, Loren Gray, Madison Bailey, Queen Naija, Sophia Culpo, Tinashe, Victoria Justice and more.
See many of them pictured on the red carpet in this photo gallery of not-to-be-missed moments.
Meghan Trainor
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Meghan Trainor at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Kali Uchis
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Kali Uchis at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Victoria Monét, Ari Lennox & Muni Long
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Victoria Monét, Ari Lennox and Muni Long at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Julia Michaels
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Julia Michaels at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Zara Larsson
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Zara Larsson at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Ravyn Lenae
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ravyn Lenae at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Tinashe
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Tinashe at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Maeta
Image Credit: Michael Buckner
Maeta at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Ledisi
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Ledisi at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Dalia Ganz
Image Credit: JC Olivera
Dalia Ganz at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Cindy Oliver
Image Credit: Jesse Grant
Cindy Oliver at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Sabrina Phillips, Pam Sturchio & Elena Quandt
Image Credit: Jesse Grant
Sabrina Phillips, Pam Sturchio and Elena Quandt at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Rania Aniftos
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Rania Aniftos at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Tanner Adell
Image Credit: Michael Buckner
Tanner Adell at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Diane Warren
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Diane Warren at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Laverne Cox
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Laverne Cox at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Melody Thornton
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Melody Thornton at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Mary Conde & Judy Heyman
Image Credit: JC Olivera
Mary Conde and Judy Heyman at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Gina Harrell
Image Credit: JC Olivera
Gina Harrell at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Kiona Nikiy Reaves & Alexandra Lyzwa
Image Credit: JC Olivera
Kiona Nikiy Reaves and Alexandra Lyzwa at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Meg Donnelly
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Meg Donnelly at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Queen Naija
Image Credit: Michael Buckner
Queen Naija at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Mickey Guyton
Image Credit: Michael Buckner
Mickey Guyton at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Megan Moroney
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Megan Moroney at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Ari Lennox
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ari Lennox at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles,.
Muni Long
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Muni Long at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Bella Poarch
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Bella Poarch at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Madison Bailey
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Madison Bailey at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Melissa Ruderman
Image Credit: JC Olivera
Melissa Ruderman at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Lauren Jauregui
Image Credit: Michael Buckner
Lauren Jauregui at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Dana Droppo & Mike Van
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Dana Droppo and Mike Van at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Kiana Lede
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Kiana Lede at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Victoria Monét
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Victoria Monét at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Suki Waterhouse
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Suki Waterhouse at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Jenna Park Adler
Image Credit: JC Olivera
Jenna Park Adler at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 held at the YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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.
J.Lo Reunites With Edward James Olmos
In the 1997 Selena film, Edward James Olmos played Abraham Quintanilla, Selena’s father, and Jennifer Lopez gave life to the tejano music icon. Now, the two are teaming up once again in a new project, the “Let’s Get Loud” singer announced on social media.
“From ‘Selena’ to now, this journey has come full circle…SWIPE to see the big news,” J.Lo captioned the then and now photos of her and Olmos. “We’re thrilled to welcome the incredible Edward James Olmos to ‘Office Romance’!”
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See the heartfelt post here.
Viral Street Cleaner Debuts on Billboard Chart
Emerging Mexican folk singer Macario Martinez has made his Billboard debut through his collaboration with Eslabon Armado on the group’s set Vibras de Noche II, released last week. The 17-track set includes “Esa Noche,” the only collaboration on the LP, featuring the emerging 23-year-old Mexican folk singer. The song debuts at No. 50 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, scoring Martínez his Billboard debut.
The chart feat comes just months after Martínez, the young Mexican street sweeper who captured the internet’s attention, went viral on TikTok after sharing a heartfelt video in response for the support of his song “Sueña Lindo, Corazón.”
Gente de Zona and MLB
Cuban duo Gente de Zona scored a home run with its partnership with the Major League Baseball (MLB). It’s song “Cosas Bonitas” by Gente de Zona was licensed by the league to be used in the Spanish official tease for the Opening Day 2025 in the MLB Network. The track — part of its upcoming Reparto album — was used across all Spanish social media platforms and the network aired it during their broadcast program on Thursday. Check out the clip below:
Chasing Sueños
YouTube’s AJ Ramos has teamed up with Toyota and Sonoro to launch the new podcast, “Chasing Sueños.” The seven-episode series is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. The original podcast “celebrates ambition, resilience, and cultural identity,” according to a press statement. The episodes, which feature in-depth conversations with Latin stars such as Maffio and Edgar Barrera, are recorded in a custom-designed Toyota Studio. The artists “delve into pivotal moments of each artist’s journey—from side hustles and setbacks to breakthroughs and success stories,” the statement further adds.
Check out the episodes here.
Shakira, Shakira
The Colombian superstar has announced additional shows in Mexico as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, including two more dates at the capital’s GNP Seguros Stadium on August 29-30, OCESA announced on Friday (March 28).
“Shakira continues to make history in Mexico! Due to high demand, another date of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour has been added at the GNP Seguros Stadium,” OCESA said in a statement. With the addition of dates, the Colombian superstar is set to break a record at GNP Seguros Stadium with eight performances at that venue over two separate phases of her tour – surpassing shows by other global stars like Paul McCartney, Metallica, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift.
The other recently-announced tour dates in Mexico will be at Estadio Corregidora in Querétaro on Sept. 2, Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on Sept. 6, and Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla on Sept. 12.
Latin Women in Music
Billboard’s 2025 Latin Women in Music executives list has been revealed. The exclusive list comprises 45 executives “whose purview is singularly Latin or Latin American-focused, whether they are based in the United States or abroad, and whose work has a significant impact on the U.S. Latin market,” Billboard’s Leila Cobo explained. See the complete list here.
Meanwhile, on April 24, the Mujeres Latinas en la Música gala will air on Telemundo, honoring artists who have made an impact in the past year and beyond. Mexican star Ana Bárbara is set to host the ceremony.
Grupo Firme is set to kick off La Última Peda Tour on April 11 in Mexicali, following the cancellation of a performance in Mazatlán after a message on a banner with alleged death threats attributed to a drug cartel appeared in Tijuana. And the trek will proceed with reinforced security.
“People can come with confidence and have a good time,” Eduin Caz, the band’s frontman, said during a press conference Thursday afternoon at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, where the second show of the tour is scheduled for April 12. “We have strengthened security for this tour in Mexico. The shows of Grupo Firme are meant to be enjoyed, and that’s how it will be.”
After a three-year absence from Mexico, La Última Peda Tour will take Grupo Firme to 23 stadiums across the country, including their eighth performance at Estadio GNP Seguros (formerly Foro Sol) on June 28. The tour will also mark their return to palenques, a more intimate type of show that allows for greater interaction with the audience.
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“We need to relive that closeness with people that only these types of venues can provide,” said Jhonny Cazares, the group’s third voice. “Great artists we admire, like Alfredo Olivas and Julión Álvarez, do them. These [venues] are smaller, but they’re no less important. Plus, they’re part of our culture.”
Meanwhile, the state government and the Baja California Prosecutor’s Office are continuing their investigation into the threats against the band. The cancellation of the March 1 concert, which was part of the Mazatlán Carnival, was a result of the discovery of an alleged narcomanta and a human head in a box Feb. 25 in Tijuana — a fact confirmed to Billboard Español by the Baja California State Prosecutor’s Office. So far, four arrests have been made in the case, Excelsior TV reported citing the prosecutor’s office.
“We are grateful for the support of the authorities, who have been attentive from the very beginning,” Caz added. “We can’t share more details so as not to hinder the investigation.”
Coming up, Grupo Firme will be releasing a new album in May. In an interview with Billboard Español, the singer shared some details about the project, which was helmed by renowned songwriter and producer Joss Favela along with Abraham Luna, the group’s second voice and producer.
“The musical arrangements are different,” revealed Caz. “We’ve incorporated piano, electric guitar, and saxophone with banda and norteño. Our musical roots remain the same. The lyrics are in my style, mostly about heartbreak — those are the ones that come most naturally to me.”
He continued: “We recorded 17 songs but will keep only 12; they’re all very good. I don’t want any of them to go unnoticed or not get the attention they deserve.”
He also shared that it took them about a year to select and record the songs, with Caz contributing as a songwriter alongside Horacio Palencia, Nathan Galante, and Joss Favela — the same creator of “El Beneficio de la Duda,” which led Grupo Firme to spend two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Regional Mexican Airplay chart in mid-2024.
As for a potential collaboration with Don Omar — who recently expressed in press conference in Mexico City his desire to record with the band — Caz said: “There’s a great friendship. We haven’t been able to align schedules, first due to health issues for both of us. The song has already been chosen; it’s just a matter of timing. It would be amazing to make it happen.”
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music, including albums by Máximo Grado (Somos Leyenda), Fito Paez (Novela), Venesti (Origen) and Natanael Cano (Recordando Ariel Camacho). Plus, Emilia, Tini and Nicki Nicole team up for “blackout,” an electro-pop cheeky collaboration powered by fast-paced merengue rhythms that redefines what […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Máximo Grado, Somos Leyenda (Warner Music México)
The album’s cover art is enough indication that Somos Leyenda is bound to be revolutionary. In the middle of the Eugène Delacroix-inspired artwork, you have Máximo Grado’s frontman Christian Felix waving a flag in triumph surrounded by a powerful battalion comprised of some of the biggest powerhouses in regional Mexican music today, including Carín León, Natanael Cano, Luis R Conriquez, Junior H and Fuerza Regida, to name a few — all featured as collaborators on the album. Released via Warner Music México, the 15-track set cements Máximo Grado’s stronghold on música mexicana and a legacy that has not only stood the test of time but has also influenced a new generation of Mexican hitmakers along the way.
The LP includes reimagined versions of Máximo Grado’s accordion-powered corridos, including “Gallos y Caballos,” “La Guera y La Morena,” “Yo Soy Ivan” and “Unas Heladas.” Besides the aforementioned artists on the album, Somos Leyenda also includes collabs with Grupo Firme, Eden Muñoz, Tito Double P, Netón Vega, Belinda, Los Dareyes de la Sierra, Alfredo Olivas, Grupo Marca Registrada, Codiciado and Legado 7. The significant number of artists who jumped on the project is a nod to the the genre’s collective effort to grow the regional Mexican music global movement. — GRISELDA FLORES
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Emilia, Tini & Nicki Nicole, “blackout” (Sony Music Latin)
When Argentine powerhouses Emilia, Nicki Nicole and Tini unite, they deliver an electrifying collaboration titled “blackout.” This riveting track, part of Emilia’s upcoming new EP, emerges as a vibrant anthem that radiates desire, confidence and unapologetic feminine energy. The song bursts with a dynamic electro-pop backdrop, seamlessly merging vibrant, fast-paced merengue rhythms that invite listeners to get up and dance. The lyrics and melodies not only celebrate physical attraction but also reframe the notion of “being hot,” transforming it into a bold and empowering statement of independence and self-confidence. — INGRID FAJARDO
Natanael Cano, Recordando Ariel Camacho (Live) (Los CT Records/Rancho Humilde)
It’s no secret that Natanael Cano holds deep admiration for Ariel Camacho, the fallen sierreño idol who passed away far too soon at the age of 22. Cano, a key figure in the corridos tumbados movement, credits Camacho — as do many other youth from the booming música mexicana explosion — as a major inspiration behind his groundbreaking sound and career. Recorded during a live performance in Guadalajara’s palenque alongside Camacho’s band, Los Plebes del Rancho, Recordando Ariel Camacho captures Cano’s heartfelt homage through ten tracks that reimagine the late artist’s legacy. Highlights include fan favorites like “El Karma,” “Hablemos,” and “Te Metiste,” paired with new versions of classics such as “El Toro Encartado.” “Ariel Camacho inspired me and so many others,” Cano stated in the 2024 documentary The Global Rise of Mexican Music. “He’s the only person I’ve ever cried for in my life. I admired him, and I still admire him. I never got to meet him”. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Fito Páez, Novela (Sony Music España)
Fito Páez gifts fans a fascinating rock musical with Novela, a 25-song project he spent more than 35 years writing, between 1988 and 2024. The work tells the magical story of Villa Constitución, a town in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, where a strange circus arrives to revolutionize the lives of its inhabitants. Through songs like “Universidad Prix,” “Cuando el Circo Llega al Pueblo,” “Superextraño,” and “El Triunfo del Amor,” Páez introduces us to his singular characters: The school’s dean, Rectitud Martirius; the witches Maldivina and Turbialuz; the young protagonists of the love story Loka (daughter of the circus owner) and Jimmy (singer of a rock band), and more.
“Fantastic adventures, disturbing cabarets. Neighbors darks and freaks. Characters with anguish, tragedies, lights and shadows, who spend their days in the limit between a town and a poor circus that defines the antagonism and the staging of daily life and its reaction to supernatural events that constantly happen, among them, the appearance of love,” the production notes summarize. Co-produced by Páez with Gustavo Borner and Diego Olivero, and recorded between Abbey Road in London and 5020 Studios in Madrid, the album arrives with the uplifting focus track “Sale el Sol,” which, like other songs on the set, works perfectly on its own. But the magic occurs collectively: It’s impossible to listen to Novela without having the whole movie playing in your head. – SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Venesti, Origen (AP Global Music)
After scoring his first Billboard Latin Music Award last Fall (for Latin pop song of the year with “No Es Normal,” featuring Maffio and Nacho), the rising Colombian artist returns to his roots with Origen, his second album. The set, featuring a roster of local Colombian talent, from DJs to rappers, marries Venesti’s signature melodic urban sound to Afro Caribbean rhythms, from the Pacific Coast’s currulao (in the catchy “Taca Tu Tacu”) to the Afro Pop of “Felina,” featuring Nacho. The mixes are layered and subtle, yet convincing. This is an artist coming into his own with a singular sound that touches many borders. — LEILA COBO
Debi Nova, “Tu Manera de Amar” (Sony Music Latin)
An infectious drum and bass line invites the listener to move from the first chords of “Tu Manera de Amar,” the electrifying new love song from Debi Nova. “If you could feel what I feel, you would reach high, to the sky” the Costa Rican singer-songwriter sings over a soft, surrounding pop-rock rhythm. “Your way of loving is what I want.” “‘Tu Manera de Amar’ is a kind of ritual for me, a cleansing, a dance, a shaking off of everything I want to leave behind and the perfect beginning for this new era,” she wrote on X. “So I hope you shake it off and dance to it and make it your own.” For example and inspiration, just watch her dance in the video. – S.R.A.
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
Buoyed by the meteoric rise and popularity of Latin music, Billboard is expanding its Latin chart offerings with four new 25-position genre rankings, which — effective with the lists dated April 12 (to post on Billboard.com Tuesday, April 8) — will employ the same model as the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Latin Songs chart.
The new Hot Latin Songs sub-genre charts — Hot Latin Pop Songs, Hot Regional Mexican Songs, Hot Latin Rhythm Songs and Hot Tropical Songs — aim to recognize the achievements of Latin artists based on today’s consumption methods: across audio and video streaming platforms, at radio and via purchased tracks in the U.S., with data according to tracker Luminate.
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“We are thrilled to see these sub-genre charts become a reality,” says Salomon Palacios III, Universal Music Latino svp marketing and artist strategy. “The implementation of these charts continues to demonstrate the growth of Latin music and all of its diverse sub-genres and, as a result, a need to have additional charts beyond Hot Latin Songs. These sub-genre charts provide additional spaces to highlight the successes of more emerging artists from different Latin sub-genres, allowing these artists more opportunities to reach new achievements and enrich their narratives, storytelling and overall awareness.”
The new charts will also serve as a complement to the continuing airplay and album rankings for Latin pop, regional Mexican, Latin rhythm and tropical.
Here’s a recap of all Billboard Latin charts (all updated weekly on Billboard.com), in order of their premiere dates:
Launch Date, ChartJune 29, 1985, Latin Pop Albums, Regional Mexican Albums, Tropical AlbumsSept. 6, 1986, Hot Latin SongsJuly 10, 1993, Top Latin AlbumsOct. 8, 1994, Latin Pop Airplay, Regional Mexican Airplay, Tropical AirplayNov. 12, 1994, Latin AirplayMay 21, 2005, Latin Rhythm AlbumsAug. 13, 2005, Latin Rhythm AirplayJan. 23, 2010, Latin Digital Song SalesApril 20, 2013, Latin Streaming SongsApril 12, 2025, Hot Latin Pop Songs, Hot Regional Mexican Songs, Hot Latin Rhythm Songs, Hot Tropical Songs
Yolanda Saldívar, the 64-year-old woman who was sent to prison for the murder of Latin music superstar Selena in 1995, has been denied parole, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles announced Thursday (March 27) in an official statement posted on its website.
“After a thorough consideration of all available information, which included any confidential interviews conducted, it was the parole panels determination to deny parole to Yolanda Saldivar and set her next parole review for March 2030,” the statement reads. “The reason provided by the panel for denial was the Nature of the Offense: The record indicates that the instant offense has elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim’s vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety.”
In October 1995, Saldívar was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 30 years after being found guilty of murdering the tejano music icon, whose full name was Selena Quintanilla. It was initially reported that Saldívar had begun the review process earlier this year since she was up for parole on March 30.
The Quintanilla family and the late star’s widower, Chris Pérez, issued a statement just after the board announced its decision. “Today, we are grateful that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has chosen to deny parole for Yolanda Saldívar,” the post reads. “While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon.”
One of the most consequential artists of her generation, Selena revolutionized Latin music with her tejano twist on norteño music and hip-swiveling techno-cumbias that showcased her versatility. With anthems like “Amor Prohibido,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” “Como La Flor” and “No Me Queda Más,” to name a few, Selena’s music has endured decades after her death.
On the Billboard charts, Selena earned 24 entries on Top Latin Albums, 16 of which hit the top 10 and seven of which hit No. 1 — among them Amor Prohibido, which spent 20 weeks at the top in 1994, and the posthumous Dreaming of You, which spent 40 weeks at the top in 1995. On the Regional Mexican Albums and Latin Pop Albums charts, the late artist placed seven and six titles at No. 1, respectively. Amor Prohibido topped the former chart for nearly 100 weeks.
Read the family’s entire statement on the parole decision below:
La T y La M’s “Amor De Vago,” featuring Malandro de América, rebounds for an 11th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated March 29). The song trades places with Jombriel, Ryan Castro, Jotta and Alex Krack’s “Parte & Choke (remix),” which dips 2-1 after one week in charge. Explore […]
