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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, who we discovered by scrolling on social media, networking, or coming across their music at a showcase, for example. See our May 2024 recommendations below.
Artist: Alex Ponce
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Country: Ecuador
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Hailing from Cuenca, Ecuador, emerging artist Alex Ponce has put himself on the radar for the quality of his voice and emotional performance, earning a place on the NEON16 artist roster. Among his most popular songs on Spotify are “Plan”, with more than 70 million plays, as well as “Traición”, “Fuiste,” and “Cerrando Ciclos.” On his latest EP Ruido, released this month, Ponce delves into contemporary pop, acoustic balladry and regional Mexican, showcasing the versatility of his voice and his adaptability to various genres. “Daría Todo,” a song with regional Mexican elements, stands out as one of the highlights of the EP. Alex Ponce is poised to become one of the outstanding voices in Latin pop. — LUISA CALLE
Song for Your Playlist: “Daría Todo”
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Artist: Delilah
Country: Mexican-American
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: In the chaos of Sueños’ festival day two on May 26 — which was ultimately canceled due to severe weather — Delilah offered an oasis for disgruntled festival-goers who really just wanted to enjoy good music. After a lineup shuffle, the 16-year-old corridos tumbados singer — who released her first single, titled “Amor Perdido,” earlier this year — ended up taking the stage at 4:00 p.m. (instead of her original time of noon), just as doors were opening.
While extremely short, her 10-minute set showcased why she represents the future of regional Mexican music. The Mexican-American artist, who is signed to Natanael Cano’s Los CT label, combines prickly guitar notes — signature to the Mexican subgenre — with emotive lyrics, which she sings with such pathos in her delicate yet puncturing vocals. At Sueños, it’s safe to say that those in attendance got just a preview of Delilah’s full abilities, as she is definitely one to watch. — GRISELDA FLORES
Song for Your Playlist: “Modelo”
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Artist: Fabiola Roudha
Country: Guatemala
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I first discovered Fabiola many years ago in Guatemala. I will never forget that little girl who came on television to sing with a sweet smile but with a grown-up, deep voice during her interview with Telehit’s Black and White TV series. She never gave up and has done significant work over the years, performing at festivals, gaining recognition. She was also the first Guatemalan artist to win a reality competition series (El Desafío de Estrellas in 2009). Her voice is a blend of blues, soul-pop, and Gospel that matcher her sweet and humble charisma. Her most recent release is her first collaboration with one of Mexico’s icons, Daniela Romo. The harmony of both voices and the depth of the lyrics are a testament to her unwavering talent. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song for Your Playlist: “Nada” (with Daniela Romo)
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Artist: Lismar
Country: Dominican Republic
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Dominican lyricist and rapper Lismar dropped not one but two Bizarrap sessions last week. Both “BRRP Music Session Vol 60” and “Subió La Temperatura” premiered at the Argentine producer’s show in New York on May 23. I first heard her previous single, “Delincuente Con Traje,” through her publicist and was amazed by her powerful, rapid-fire, compelling rap verses. The swag in her voice and storytelling make her unique and help her stand out — even Bizarrap says she’s the future of music. Honing her skills as a freestyler during the pandemic lockdown, she developed a unique skill that allowed her to create concise and relatable writing material around personal challenges. — I.F.
Song for Your Playlist: “BZRP Music Sessions #60”
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Artist: Nino Augustine
Country: Panamanian-American
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Nino Augustine arrived on my radar from the underground Latinx scene bridging Atlanta and New York, and he stood out for numerous reasons. His intriguing blend of Afro-Latin beats with the soulful vibes of the Georgian capital, his hometown, has resonated within his musical creations. Influenced by his Panamanian roots, he began releasing a string of singles in 2017, culminating in his debut album Me Toca a Mi in 2019, a project that solidified his distinct sound. With subsequent albums, the singer/rapper continued to evolve, leading to his fourth LP, 100%, released this month — a melting pot of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and soul-stirring lyrics in Spanish.
The opening track, “Encendido,” is a powerful display of the singer’s prowess, seamlessly transitioning from dancehall to reggaetón and amapiano. Another track, “Nirvana,” captivates instantly, glimmering with the luscious terrain of Afrobeats. “100% showcases me fully, encompassing everything I hold dear”, the artist says in a press release. “It’s a reflection of my current journey in life, authentically representing who I am and reflecting the sounds I love.” — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song for Your Playlist: “Sóltate” feat. Bomby, Landa Freak, Robbie Vida & Buay Press
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Artist: Yellow Outlet
Country: Dominican Republic
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: From the Dominican Republic, the pop-rock duo Yellow Outlet, formed by singer-songwriter María Taveras and producer Cristian Guillen Santillan, offers a perfect combination of talents that captivates from the first listen. The unique color of Taveras’ voice and her ethereal performance, coupled with Guillen’s futuristic pop sound with electronic elements, create an experimental but well-structured mix that results in a magnificent contrast. His debut album, No Es Muy Tarde (2022), includes standout songs like “Sueños Sobre Ti” and “Lluvia Eléctrica”, which serve as a good introduction to their music. They recently released their new album Carrusel, which features songs like “222”, “Donde Empieza,” and the album’s eponymous track. Yellow Outlet proposes a sound that is urgent to know to break the stereotypes of Latin pop and draw a broad panorama of creativity. — L.C.
Song for Your Playlist: “Lluvia Eléctrica”
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Los Tigres del Norte aren’t mincing words in their new single, “Aquí mando yo” (I’m in Charge Here). The track, which they are releasing on Thursday (May 30) along with an EP of the same name, talks about the legendary Mexican group’s struggles as immigrants, as well as the price of fame, with verses that may — or may not — refer to the current state of Mexican music and its new stars.
“Aquí mando yo, y este colmillo no lo tuve que comprar […] Ya veníamos de la tienda cuando tú ibas por el pan (I’m in charge here, and I didn’t have to pay for this fang […] We were already back from the shop when you were going in for bread),” they sing in the chorus.
But group leader and lead singer Jorge Hernández, who spoke with Billboard from his home in California, says the words aren’t meant for anyone in particular.
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“I saw this theme as the story of so many immigrants who come from their towns with nothing. That was my first reaction,” says Hernández. “Then, the sentiment in other parts of the lyrics is that suddenly those of us who tell the truth are judged and those who lie are the heroes […] Also suddenly there are people who don’t quite see the roots of the tree. And many of these new elements today, I don’t know if they ignore this — or if this is an example so they can see who came before them, just as we’re also thankful for those characters who were interesting in their time.”
“Aquí mando yo”, with its clear message of empowerment as well as advice (“Many students have been swallowed by money; they forgot their roots and became arrogant”), is released as Los Tigres announce the rest of their world tour, including their first date at legendary Madison Square Garden, set for May 24, 2025.
After playing what will be more than 50 dates between the United States, Mexico, and South America — with stops including Foro Sol in Mexico City, three nights at the Movistar Arena in Bogotá, and dates in Spain — 12 months of touring will culminate for Los Tigres with their MSG date, their first ever in that venue.
Details of the concert, presented by Zamora Entertainment, which is producing the group’s tour, will be announced May 30 at a press conference at MSG.
“I never imagined I would be in that place, and I think it’s very important for our career and for our style of music,” says Hernández — noting the group have been ambassadors of norteño for over five decades. “We have fought to dignify this music, and to carry it and showcase it around the world. We’ve managed to visit large and small towns in the United States, and now we travel the world dignifying this music in the best way. And it has been a very big job, ensuring the music endures and and it’s looked at with good eyes.”
Also on Thursday night, Los Tigres will release their new five-song EP, also titled Aquí Mando Yo, on Fonovisa. The album includes songs by various writers, including Héctor Guerrero, who penned the title song. As has historically been customary for Los Tigres, the group listens to a lot of music, from many writers — even new ones — before choosing what to record. Guerrero, whom Hernández had never met, presented 15 songs to the group.
“I always listen to them all,” says Hernández, who unlike many current artists, does not put his name as a composer unless he’s actually participated in the songwriting. “You know we respect everyone and all our colleagues,” he adds. “I don’t try to compare myself to anyone […] I always say that when music does well, there is a great opportunity for the music movement to continue, and that makes me very happy. If someone is successful, somehow I will be successful. The selfish never succeed.”
Here are the complete lyrics of “Aquí mando yo,” available beginning Thursday (May 30).
Singing to our peopleFelt like an incoherent dreamWe broke a thousand barriers, starting from the bottom Without a dime, that was tough.
In the world of mythLies finally floatAnd there’s a lot of students eaten up by moneyThey forgot their roots and became arrogant.
I think many students won’t liketoday’s classThere’s several names missing from the list, their run is overand what was strong starts to crumble.
I’m in charge hereI didn’t have to pay for this fang. It’s years of trajectory, we’ve tasted glory We were back from the store when you came in for the bread. You have to face the truth.
(SPEAKS)These verses I speak todayWere made for many now running their mouthsin a hypocritical world, those who speak the truth becomes villains,Loose lips full of fake wordstelling stories they never lived, but in this jungleThe crown isn’t passed around, and the TIGER is respected, his head held higheven if you look own on me, know that I’M IN CHARGE HERE
Lying is common I’ll refresh your memory, now that you’re sitting down,when it comes to the boss of bosses, you never talk down.
I think many students won’t liketoday’s classThere’s several names missing from the list, their run is overand what was strong starts to crumble.
I’m in charge hereI didn’t have to pay for this fang. It’s years of trajectory, we’ve tasted glory We were back from the store when you came in for the bread. You have to face the truth. I’m in charge here!
Ryan Castro won a multimillion-dollar lawsuit in an arbitration process against King Records, owned by fellow Colombian artist Kevin Roldán, for breach of contract. According to a resolution by a Colombian judge, the arbitration tribunal ruled that King Records must pay Castro an amount exceeding $2 million. In addition to this, the ruling grants the […]
It’s a sunny May afternoon in Miami’s lush Coral Gables neighborhood, and Camila Cabello greets me at her family’s one-story home accompanied by a small menagerie: four dogs — including her golden retriever, Tarzan, and German shepherd, Thunder — along with her rescued cockatoo, Percy. Cabello is home “to recharge” amid a hectic few days […]
Karol G is set to be honored with Woman of the Year at the Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024, Billboard and Telemundo announced on Wednesday (May 29). Just months after being named as Billboard‘s 2024 Woman of the Year in March, Karol will be recognized once more on June 9 for her extraordinary milestones and unparalleled impact […]
Draco Rosa and his company Phantom Vox have established an alliance with La Buena Fortuna Global, an artist management, booking and event production company with a focus on promoting Puerto Rican talent internationally, Billboard Español can announce. The agreement is aimed at expanding Rosa’s career internationally. “It is with deep emotion that I share a […]
After navigating the spaces between funk, disco and rock in his first two albums, Colombian singer-songwriter Manuel Medrano reveals that his third studio album, Perfecto, is mostly pop. The set, which will be released on June 1 under Warner Music México, includes the previously released singles “Verano en NY” and “Este Cuento” among its 14 songs.
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“I think it’s a tribute to pop,” Medrano tells Billboard‘s Leila Cobo in an interview for Billboard News. “It’s also a way to show a little bit of everything I’ve learned in my processes.”
Since he debuted in 2015 with a self-titled album that earned him the 2016 Latin Grammy Award for best new artist and best singer-songwriter album, Medrano has taken several years between one project and another. His second LP, Eterno, came out in 2021.
“I feel it’s normal for an artist to take four or five, sometimes seven years to release an album,” he said. “The processes of modern music involve many people working for an artist, many songwriters, many producers, with a huge infrastructure for an artist to release songs every weekend. I come from another school.”
Continuing, Medrano added that he was “not criticizing the processes of other artists either, they seem fabulous and I’m connecting more and more with them.” But, when it comes to his own personal release strategy, the singer said that he leans “a little more traditional — me with my guitar, in special moments of my life, in my happy place. More intimate, getting everything out, putting everything on the table.”
Dressed in a cream suit over a black silky shirt, Medrano also spoke about his tattoos — he revealed what the next one he plans to get is — and even sang a snippet of one of the new unreleased songs from the album, “Mojado”. Watch the full interview in the video above.
Bad Bunny is no stranger to the top of Boxscore charts. In 2022, he led four monthly rankings and then crowned the year-end list of the highest grossing tours worldwide. Naturally, he also topped that year’s Top Latin Tours tally, before Karol G took over in 2023, staging her own sold-out North American stadium tour. Now, as Billboard recaps the biggest tours of April 2024, Bad Bunny and Karol G team up at Nos. 1 and 2 on Top Tours and Top Boxscores.
According to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore, Bad Bunny grossed $63 million and sold 210,000 tickets in April, logging his second consecutive month at No. 1. The Most Wanted tour’s three-night run at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center contributed $17.8 million of that total, taking the lead on Top Boxscores. Five of his 14 shows in April marked all-time venue highs, among the 16 venue records he’s set since beginning the tour in February.
Including 14 shows in May, the Most Wanted Tour has grossed $207.8 million and sold 703,000 tickets since kicking off in Salt Lake City. Bad Bunny has three more shows to go at San Juan’s Coliseo de Puerto Rico on June 7-9.
Just beneath, Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito Tour banked $45.1 million and sold 419,000 tickets from nine shows. It’s No. 2 on the gross-based Top Tours chart, but is the best-selling tour of the month, as the only trek to move more than 300,000 and 400,000 tickets. It’s April highlight was three shows at Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile, which is No. 2 on Top Boxscores with a gross of $15 million from 168,000 tickets sold.
It’s the first time that two Latin artists top both charts in succession. On Bad Bunny’s five previous No. 1s, stadium rock and country supported at No. 2, via Elton John, Def Leppard & Motley Crue, and Zach Bryan. When Los Bukis and RBD were on top, Dead & Company and Coldplay were runners-up, respectively.
Both artists have been major contributors to Latin’s growing prominence on the Boxscore charts in the post-pandemic era. Bad Bunny was the first artist to finish at No. 1 on the year-end Top Tours ranking who primarily performs in any language other than English, after BTS wound up at No. 3 in 2019. Karol G’s nine-figure gross in 2023 assured that Bad Bunny’s success was not a one-off or a fluke.
Before COVID-19 turned venues dark in 2020, no Latin artist had a tour that grossed more than $200 million. Now, there have been five, two of which are Bad Bunny and Karol G’s ongoing highlights atop the April recap. In addition to Most Wanted Tour’s $207.8 million, the Mañana Será Bonito Tour has earned $263.8 million and sold 1.8 million tickets since launching last August.
To add to the current noise, the Luis Miguel Tour 2023-24 (No. 6) is up to $258.5 million, current through May 19. Plus, RBD concluded its reunion tour in December, with a final gross of $227.1 million.
The other $200-million Latin tour is Bad Bunny’s own World’s Hottest Tour, which grossed $314.1 million in 2022. Both current tours by Bad Bunny and Karol G are ongoing, but it’s unlikely that either will break the all-time high mark among Latin artists set by World’s Hottest Tour. While the former has just three shows remaining, the latter will play 18 dates in Europe in June and July.
Karol G has averaged $6 million and 41,800 tickets per show across North and South America. That pace would guarantee her the Latin touring record, but her shows in Europe will be mostly in arenas, which cuts the potential per-show attendance in half, at least. To boot, ticket prices are lower in Europe than the U.S., across genres.
Europe is an uncommon territory for Latin artists to sell out arenas and stadiums, but the final leg of the Mañana Será Bonito Tour, especially its final four shows at Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeau, will likely push its overall haul very close to, or over the $300 million mark.
In addition to Latin’s dominance, country artists take another three of the top 10 spots on Top Tours. Luke Combs is No. 3 with $35.7 million, Kenny Chesney is No. 7 with $18 million, and last month’s runner-up, Zach Bryan, is No. 10 with $12.3 million. Beyond the top 10, Kane Brown and Tyler Childers follow at Nos. 11-12, with $11.5 million and $11.4 million, respectively.
Madonna (No. 4) and Nicki Minaj (No. 5) solidify a woman-dominated top five, while pacing the month’s tours among pop and rap artists, respectively. The former is No. 3 on Top Boxscores, with a five-night engagement at Mexico City’s Palacio de los Deportes. Rounding out the proper routing of her Celebration Tour, those shows grossed $14.8 million and sold 82,400 tickets on April 20-21, 23-24 and 26.
While New York is often represented atop the Top Venues (15,001+ capacity) chart via Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center takes the No. 1 spot for the first time in April, with $26.7 million and 99,200 tickets sold across seven shows. That’s an all-time high monthly rank and gross for the arena, having previously inched past the $20 million mark last July, when it sat at No. 2 behind MSG.
Following the success of his inaugural U.S. tour, Regional Mexican rising star Codiciado is kicking of a second leg that will take him to 14 U.S. cities.
Codiciado’s Ando Enfocado tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off September 27 at BK Paramount in Brooklyn, and will make stops in Miami (The Fillmore), Chicago (Rosemont) and Los Angeles (YouTube Theater), before wrapping up in Reno, NV at the Grand Sierra Resort October 26.
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Codiciado (real name Erick de Jesús Aragón Alcantar), who hails from Tijuana, is a former farmworker who co-founded the successful Grupo Codiciado in 2015, placing three hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. As a solo act since 2021, Codiciado has collaborated with the likes of Grupo Firme, Natanael Cano, Santa Fe Klan and Peso Pluma, among others, and currently boasts close to 5 million monthly listeners.
The second leg of Codiciado’s tour came about quickly after a first limited, five-city run on the West Coast that included a sold-out date at the Hard Rock Live in Sacramento.
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Tickets for the second, far more extensive leg, will be available via an artist presale starting Thursday (May 30) at 10 a.m. local time, with the general onsale kicking off on Friday (May 31) at 10 a.m. local time on LiveNation.com.
See the full list of dates and venues for the second leg of the Ando Enfocado 2024 U.S. Tour below:
Sept. 27 – Brooklyn, NY @ BK Paramount
Sept. 29 – Rosemont, IL @ Rosemont Theatre
Oct. 3 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
Oct. 4 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach
Oct. 6 – Atlanta, GA @ Coca Cola Roxy
Oct. 10 – Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Oct. 11 – San Antonio, TX @ Majestic Theatre
Oct. 12 – Hidalgo, TX @ Payne Arena
Oct. 13 – Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
Oct. 18 – El Paso, TX @ El Paso County Coliseum
Oct. 20 – Palm Desert, CA @ Acrisure Arena
Oct. 24 – San José, CA @ San Jose Civic
Oct. 25 – Inglewood, CA @ YouTube Theater
Oct. 26 – Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort*
*Not A Live Nation Date
Las actuaciones del festival Sueños fueron suspendidas y los asistentes evacuados debido a la lluvia y tormentas eléctricas, justo minutos después de que Maluma subió al escenario en el Grant Park de Chicago el domingo (26 de mayo).
Alrededor de las 8 p.m. (hora local), los organizadores del festival enviaron un correo electrónico con la última actualización, recibido por Billboard, y también la publicaron en redes sociales. “Evacuación por clima, por favor diríjanse con calma a la salida más cercana”, escribieron en Instagram. “Desafortunadamente, el evento ha terminado debido al clima. Las puertas no volverán a abrirse”.
El abrupto final del festival llega horas después de que el segundo día del evento se retrasara debido a alertas meteorológicas de clima severo. La primera actualización llegó alrededor de las 8 a.m., con el anuncio de que el festival se retrasaría. Cinco horas después, los organizadores dijeron que las puertas abrirían a las 4 p.m. (en lugar del mediodía) y revelaron un programa modificado y más corto. Y apenas minutos antes de que las puertas abrieran, volvieron a agregar al cartel artistas que habían sido previamente eliminados como Bad Gyal y Gabito Ballesteros.
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Peso Pluma iba a cerrar el evento el domingo y, minutos después de que el festival se cancelara oficialmente, recurrió a sus historias de Instagram para compartir la actualización con sus casi 14 millones de seguidores.
“Les tengo malas noticias”, dijo. “Ahorita vengo del festival, parece ser que están evacuando a todos, a mí también me evacuaron. Al parecer se canceló mi tocada porque viene una lluvia muy fuerte aquí en Chicago, con rayos, y parece ser que el gobierno y la autoridad no va a dejar hacer el concierto el día de hoy. Estoy esperando qué han dicho los promotores para poder darles más respuestas. Espero y comprendan esto queda fuera de nuestras manos, es por el clima y no por otra cosa. Aquí estoy yo en Chicago y espero poderles dar un buen concierto cuando me lo permitan”.
Las muchas actualizaciones y retrasos a lo largo del día causaron confusión, lo que llevó a quejas de los asistentes al festival en redes sociales. Algunos escribieron que todo se había convertido en una “pesadilla” y pidieron un reembolso, mientras que otros reiteraron que esto era por la seguridad de todos. “No pueden controlar el clima”, escribió una persona. “No es su culpa, dejen de quejarse”.
Mira la última actualización de Sueños a continuación: