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Few songs evoke Colombian pride like Grupo Niche’s salsa classic “Cali Pachanguero.” The moment the song’s opening trombone intro plays in a room full of Colombians, chairs and tables get pushed to the side, the space turns into a makeshift dance floor and a sing-along breaks out. So what if the song is a love […]
Marc Anthony’s remarkable dominance on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart adds yet another chapter this week as his latest single, “Punta Cana,” debuts at No. 1 on the ranking dated Feb. 3. The arrival extends his record for the most No. 1s in the chart’s history.
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“Punta Cana” storms in atop Tropical Airplay with 4.6 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. during the Jan. 19-25 tracking week, according to Luminate.
“Punta Cana’s” arrival at the summit secures Marc Anthony his unprecedented 36th No. 1 on the list, the most among all acts; a record he’s held since 1996, one year after Tropical Airplay launched. Victor Manuelle remains in second place, with 29 No. 1s.
The bachata, coproduced by Marc Anthony alongside Sergio George, was released Jan. 26 via Sony Music Latin and unseats another labelmate from the lead: Enrique Iglesias and Maria Becerra’s “Así Es La Vida” drops to No. 2 with a 19% decrease in impressions, to 4.3 million.
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Notably, out of the 36 champs on Marc Anthony’s Tropical Airplay account, “Punta Cana” becomes the third song to premiere at No. 1, following the six-week champ “Se Me Sigue Olvidando” (1995) and nine-week ruler “Ahora Quien” (2004). (Only 16 songs overall have debuted on at No. 1 on the chart.) Plus, “Punta Cana” is Marc Anthony’s first No. 1 in two years (since “Mala Santa” ruled for one week in March 2022) and his 27th No. 1 without any accompanying acts.
As Marc Anthony continues to beat the competition, here’s the recap of the artists with the most No. 1s on the 28-year-old chart:
36, Marc Anthony29, Victor Manuelle23, Prince Royce18, Romeo Santos14, Elvis Crespo14, Gilberto Santa Rosa13, Jerry Rivera12, Juan Luis Guerra 440
Beyond its Tropical Airplay coronation, “Punta Cana” gives Marc Anthony his 59th career entry on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, as the song debuts at No. 19. With the new entry, he continues to hold the record for the most chart appearances among tropical acts, and the sixth-most among all artists. Here’s the leaderboard:
85, Daddy Yankee68, Ozuna64, Intocable63, Los Tigres del Norte60, J Balvin59, Marc Anthony58, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga
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 January 2024 recommendations below.
Artist: Jimmy Rodriguez
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: I first heard Rodriguez when he auditioned for Telemundo’s La Voz second season. Like all the participants, he presented himself with great emotion and was full of dreams. But something that made him stand out, besides his impeccable voice, was that he arrived wearing a Carlos Vives shirt as a gesture of manifestation (Vives indeed becomes his coach). The Mexican-born, Miami-based artist, also known as “El Mexicano Salsero,” is a combination of cheerful energy, creativity and distinctive vocals. Forming part of a new generation of salsa stars, Rodriguez brings his Mexican roots and tropical fusions together when he’s performing live, where often times you’ll see him rocking his handlebar mustache, traditional “pantalones de charro” pants, and the Mexican flag proudly hanging around his microphone. Along with his live band, it becomes an experience, not just a typical show. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song For Your Playlist: “El Rumbón” feat. Motiff & Tony Succar
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Artist: Lara Project
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Composed by Venezuelan-born brothers Manuel and Félix Lara, the Lara Project duo brings retro dance sounds from the ’70s and ’80s to the forefront. Using synths, pulsing beats and live instrumentation, the siblings effortlessly navigate and intertwine diverse musical genres, casting a wide net for potential listeners. The head-bobbing “Comme des Garçons,” released earlier this month, thrives on an irresistible funk rhythm and a captivating mid-tempo beat. The duo is set to drop their upcoming new album, Sobrenatural, in March via Interscope. — GRISELDA FLORES
Song For Your Playlist: “Comme des Garçons”
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Artist: Maura Nava
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Nava is a rare hidden gem, one who has a story of admiration and resilience and who’s captivating vocals live to tell it. The Mexican-born, Miami-based rising act first gained exposure thanks to her cat — yes, her cat — via a TikTok video where she was flaunting her opera-singing skills and her furry pet crashed the video, only to perform with her. The video, which was blessed as “opera cat,” has garnered nearly 10 million views. But beyond her viral stint, it’s Nava’s enchanting aura and effortless soprano vocal range that ultimately got her into award-winning producer’s Julio Reyes Copello’s ArtHouse Academy, a deal with Universal Music Latin, and her own track on the soundtrack to Prime Video’s Zorro series. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “Encontrarme” (Carla Morrison cover)
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Artist: RENEE
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: There are few times when a streaming platform gets its recommendations right, but in this case, it led me to a musical treasure with RENEE. Hailing from Monterrey, Mexico, the singer-songwriter (whose full name is Sofía Renee Jiménez Alvarado) gives a new air to pop with her soulful voice, introspective lyrics, and sonic mix of jazz, soul, bossa nova and folk. Her lyrics address topics from the complexity of romantic relationships to her emotional state, while in her musical career she has reinvented herself on several occasions — both in her music and in her hair style.
She debuted in 2019 on Universal Music Mexico with RENEE, a three-song EP that goes from pop-soul and bossa-nova (and includes the single “Esperándote”), followed by the EP Viaje al Amanecer the same year, where she also showed her folk side. In 2020, she released her debut LP Breve Espacio. Highlights from her discography since include the bright funk “Quiero quedarme para siempre” with La La Love You, released in 2022, as well as the moving ballad “Extraños de nuevo,” and her 2023 album NMDQH, which includes her hit song “Nunca Tristes (Me Vale Madre).” RENEE started 2024 with the song “El Disfraz,” also showing her acting skills in the music video. With such an eclectic and captivating musical persona, it is certain that none of her songs will go unnoticed. — LUISA CALLE
Song For Your Playlist: “El Disfraz”
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Artist: Ximena Guzmán
Country: Colombia
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: A natural born singer and songwriter, Ximena Guzmán began her formal music training at the age of 11 at the Conservatorio del Tolima, before studying lyrical singing at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá. After collaborating and performing with national orchestras, mariachi ensembles and llanero groups, both nationally and internationally, she made her solo debut in October with the single “Duele,” showing a powerful, melodic voice with a contemporary style. She followed that in December with the infectious mariachi trap fusion “A Solas,” part of an upcoming EP produced by JC Karo (who has worked with stars such as Pedro Capó, Ricky Martin and Anuel AA), to be released this year by Ditto Music. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song For Your Playlist: “A Solas”
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The Conga Room — the nightclub that for years defined Latin entertainment in Los Angeles and featured artists like Celia Cruz, Carlos Santana, Fito Páez and Alejandro Sanz — is closing its doors after 25 years. Its final concert will be a private show March 27 featuring Puerto Rican salsa star Gilberto Santa Rosa and an array of friends, hosted by actor and producer Jimmy Smits and MC’d by comedian Paul Rodriguez, both co-owners.
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Established in 1999 by entrepreneur Brad Gluckstein, the Conga was — and still is — an anomaly in Los Angeles: an upscale, celebrity-studded nightclub devoted to Latin music and entertainment. Gluckstein’s co-owners at opening were luminaries Smits, Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez and Sheila E., all representing different sides of entertainment. In contrast with New York, which for decades boasted legendary nightclubs devoted to Latin music, Los Angeles didn’t have a Latin venue backed by star power and that sought to highlight a broad swath of Latin music.
Maluma performing at the Conga Room in 2016
The Conga Room
From the onset, the Conga did just that.
When it opened in its original Wilshire Boulevard location, it featured Celia Cruz as its first headliner, and artists who performed there included Buena Vista Social Club and Tito Puente, but also Carlos Santana and Alejandro Fernández. In 2008, the Conga Room moved to its current, ritzier location at L.A. LIVE, where it continued to expand its programming, bringing in reggaetón and Mexican acts; Maluma and Bad Bunny, for example, played there in the early days.
In 2013, Billboard hosted a show by norteño band Calibre 50, as part of its Mexican Music Awards. While the room also featured other genres, with shows by artists like Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran and Avicii, its core remained Latin music. All told, the venue hosted more than 500 performances in both locations, in addition to special events.
Gilberto Santa Rosa performing at the Conga Room in 2021
The Conga Room
“The Conga Room brought Latin music to the forefront, presenting both international and local artists in an intimate and upscale setting,” said Gluckstein in a statement. “It also became part of the cultural fabric of Los Angeles, hosting cultural, political and community events for a quarter of a century.”
However, offered Gluckstein, “Unfortunately, with the pandemic, the lack of events at the convention center, and the difficulty in booking national acts with AEG and Live Nation controlling national routing, our business model was changed. Coupled with an inflammatory economy and high interest rates, [it changed] consumer behavior significantly.”
Although the venue is shuttering, the nonprofit organization Conga Kids will continue to operate. Founded in 2016, the program reaches roughly 50,000 elementary school children per year in largely under-resourced communities in LA County, offering a curriculum of dance and music of the Afro-Diaspora.
Eladio Carrión shines bright with the highest debut of the week on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts, as Sol María, his sixth studio set, launches at No. 6 and No. 3, respectively, on the Feb. 3-dated rankings.
Sol María, a tribute to his mother, starts with 18,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Jan. 25, according to Luminate. The 17-track set blends trap, Afrobeats, reggae and ’90s pop, all genres that resonate with his mother. The set was originally set for a Dec. 23 release, but finally dropped Jan. 19, the first day of the chart’s tracking week.
Of Sol María’s 18,000-unit sum, 17,000 stem from streaming activity, which equals to 23.6 million official on-demand U.S. clicks of the album’s songs in its opening week. Album sales comprise 1,000 units, while a negligible amount of activity derived from track-equivalent units.
On Top Latin Albums, one unit equals to one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams for a song on the album.
With Sol María’s No. 6 entrance on Top Latin Albums, the new father of twins Carrión captures his fifth top 10, out of seven visits, on the Top Latin Albums tally and bests his album debut Sauce Boyz’s No. 8 debut and peak in 2020. Three other sets have peaked in the list’s upper region: Sauce Boyz 2 at No. 2 (2021), SEN2 KBRN, Vol. 2 at No. 4 (2022), and 3MEN2 KBRN at No. 3 (2023).
Beyond its top 10 debut on Top Latin Albums, Sol María gifts Carrión his fourth entry on the overall Billboard 200 chart, at No. 37. Plus, with Sol María, the Puerto Rican-American rapper notches his sixth top 10 on Latin Rhythm Albums, as it bows at No. 3 – matching the debut and peak of his last entry, 3MEN2 KBRN in April 2023.
As Sol María arrives, three of its tracks launch on the Hot Latin Songs chart –which blends streaming data, sales, and airplay– led by “Hey Lil Mama,” with Rauw Alejandro, at No. 36. The song is mostly powered by streaming activity, with 2.52 million clicks in its first week.
“TQMQA” follows at No. 39 1.7 million streams, and make progress in the radio realm. It rallies 41-31 on Latin Airplay with 4 million audience impressions (up 20%).
Meanwhile, the last of the album’s three debuting cuts on Hot Latin Songs, “Bendecido,” opens at No. 49, largely from its 2.1 million streams logged in the tracking week.
Carrión’s fresh chart achievements arrive on the heels of his first Latin Grammy win for “Coco Channel,” his Bad Bunny collab named best rap/hip-hop song at the awards in November.
Broadway legend Chita Rivera has died. She was 91. According to The New York Times, Rivera’s death was confirmed via a statement issued by her daughter Lisa Mordente. The iconic singer, dancer and actress graced the Broadway stage for nearly seven decades, originating iconic roles like Anita in West Side Story (1957), Rose in Bye […]
“These are real life situations,” Xavi tells Billboard Español, reflecting on the inspiration behind his gut-wrenching and fiery chart-topper “La Victima.” “I feel like we all go through obstacles or things like that in life. Sometimes you have to make songs out of that.”
In the booming landscape of música mexicana, Xavi, a 19-year-old Phoenix native, has rapidly emerged as a force to be reckoned with. His 2024 breakout, with the viral hits “La Diabla” and “La Víctima,” marks not just a high point in his career, but also a redefinition of genre boundaries.
Yet his story is one of triumph over adversity, marked by a life-altering accident and a bicultural upbringing that has influenced his musical craft.
His musical journey began in the church pews, watching his grandfather sing with a passion that ignited his own love for music. “Since we were little, we used to go to church with my grandparents,” he says. “Just seeing my grandpa playing with so much passion — and the truth is that when he sang, he sang with feeling, he sang with love and he did it for God. I remember that day I fell in love with music.”
This early exposure, coupled with influences from Mexican crooner bands like Camila and Sin Bandera and global pop icons like Justin Bieber, shaped his diverse musical palette. Despite a challenging childhood marked by his parents’ separation and living between Phoenix and Sonora, Mexico, Xavi found solace and expression in music.
A pivotal moment in Xavi’s life came with a near-fatal car accident at the age of 16. This harrowing experience, which resulted in a cracked skull and changed facial structure, could have been a setback. Instead, it became a source of inspiration.
“God gave me a second chance to go on and try harder,” he shares. “I saw it initially as a negative, but it ultimately changed my mindset. Now, I’m grateful for every moment I have.”
Videos of Xavi, bandaged and playing guitar while recovering, went viral on TikTok, deepening his connection with fans and marking the beginning of his rise as a tumbados románticos pioneer, inspired by Natanael Cano’s groundbreaking corridos tumbados which Xavi discovered on SoundCloud a few years ago. With his riveting blend of rebellious guitar-driven corridos infused with romantic lyrics, Xavi is not just riding the wave of Latin music; he is crafting his own niche.
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The teen signed with Interscope Records in 2021 and began releasing a string of singles that showcase his unique subgenre that blends corridos tumbados with a poignant emotional depth.
His 2023 summer EP, My Mom’s Playlist — a tribute to his mother which features renditions of Latin pop and rock en español classics she loved — reflects his deep-rooted family values, and the support he receives from the. Meanwhile, his chart-topping singles testify to his no-holds-barred lyrical prowess and bewitching vocals, leading to his Billboard chart breakthrough.
At the end of December, Xavi debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 with not one but two entries: “La Diabla” and “La Víctima,” which have since reached peaks of No. 22 and No. 55, respectively. His global appeal is further evidenced by his presence on the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, with “La Diabla” reaching the top five on both.
Backed by management that aligns with his vision, Xavi’s future in the industry looks bright. As he gears up for an upcoming tour and continues to release new music, his philosophy remains grounded: “I live each day as if it’s my last, as tomorrow is never promised,” he asserts.
An extended version of this interview was published Jan. 29.
Name: Joshua Xavier Gutiérrez
Age: 19
Recommended Song: “Right now I like them all. But the one you really have to listen to is “La Diabla” because we made it with a lot of love for you.”
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Major Accomplishment: “Since we were kids, my brother [Fabio Capri] and I used to make music. There came a time when we stopped and thank God music reconnected us.”
What’s Next? “We’re going to be releasing surprises on our platform soon. There will be a lot of new stuff coming out for you to listen to.”
Eladio Carrión has taken a heartfelt turn with his latest album Sol María, a deeply personal homage to the most important woman in his life — his mother.
“I want to make the world know who my mom is because she deserves it and she’s the best mom in the world,” Carrión tells Billboard Español in a new interview on TalkShopLive, where he also revealed exclusive merch for his fans to shop.
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“It’s different from the albums I usually drop, [which are] usually urban, like 80% trap, and maybe a few dancehall and reggaetón [songs],” he points out. “But with this one, I went more commercial, not worrying about getting songs to pop up in the club; doing what I wanted to do and getting my mother her flowers.”
Carrión spent an entire day at his parents’ house searching for the perfect photo for the artwork and found a picture of a young Sol María, his mother. “When I saw that pic, it just spoke to me,” he reveals. This week, the album debuts at No. 6 on Top Latin Albums and No. 3 on Latin Rhythm Albums.
The album’s uplifting sentiment echoes throughout all 17 songs, a reflection of Carrión’s current state of happiness. “It was a challenge to get in that [head] space. But it wasn’t that hard either, because right now life is good. I’m in a very happy place in my life,” he says. “I didn’t think about anyone else except her, but it’s cool because my fans get to experience it. I could have just made a mixtape and given it to her, and just kept on putting out the albums I usually put out.”
His positive outlook is palpable in tracks like opener “Bendecido,” where the 29-year-old manages to blend gratefulness with his signature sense of cool, or with the gut-wrenching ballad “Mama’s Boy,” featuring Spanish wordsmith Nach. In the latter song, Carrión delves into a well of raw, candid emotion that transcends mere words. “It was the intro [track] but I didn’t want people bawling out in the first song,” he reveals with a chuckle.
The idea for Sol María emerged about a year ago. Carrión had initially planned to take a break from music until 2025, but felt compelled to create something special for his mother. “I wanted to give her something to look forward to, something to be happy about,” he says.
Carrión chose the Afrobeats-laden “TQMQA” as the first single to prepare his hardcore trap fans for the album’s different style, while still maintaining elements familiar to his audience.
On “Sonrisa,” Carrión weaves a narrative about a captivating smile that leaves him utterly smitten, set against an invigorating Jersey club and dembow mix. “Sigo Enamorau’,” featuring Yandel, reinvents Sean Paul and Sasha’s “dutty rock” classic “I’m Still In Love With You,” and he turns up the vibe on “Todo Lit,” merging more raucous lyrics with a subdued trap beat alongside featured guest Duki. “I wanted to keep it more Latino,” he added about the collaborations, pointing out that his last album, 3MEN2 KBRN, had mostly brought American rappers as guests. Panamanian star Sech, Puerto Rican trailblazers Arcángel and De La Ghetto, and Rauw Alejandro also make appearances.
Reflecting on the journey from his first album, 2020’s Sauce Boyz to Sol María, the US-born star recognizes the growth and synergy in his team. “We’ve gotten better and better. Me and my producers, we understand each other better and better every day,” he boasts.
Watch the full Billboard TalkShop Live interview above.
Los Bukis has announced a headlining residency in Las Vegas, set to kick off Friday, May 3, at the Dolby Live at Park MGM. According to a press release, the 15-date stint will make history as the first-ever full Spanish-language residency on the Las Vegas Strip. Presented in partnership with Live Nation and MGM Resorts International, Los Bukis: The […]
The first time Ana Bárbara was nominated for a Grammy was in 2006, for No Es Brujería in the Best Mexican/Mexico-American Album category. Although she did not win (the award went to Pepe Aguilar), Ana Bárbara, signed at that time to Fonovisa, represented one of the few successful women in grupera and ranchera music — an artist who, beyond having a powerful voice and bringing sex appeal to the stage, also wrote her own songs.
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Now, almost 20 years later, Ana Bárbara (real name: Altagracia Ugalde Motta) has earned her second nod. Her exquisite Bordado a mano (Embroidered by hand) — which includes duets with Vicente Fernández, Christian Nodal, Paquita la del Barrio, Bronco and Christian Castro — is nominated for Best Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano) at the Grammys, competing at the ceremony on Sunday (Feb. 4) against Peso Pluma and three female artists: Lila Downs, Lupita Infante and Flor de Toloache.
In the group of nominees, Ana Bárbara is the pioneer, but she is still at the forefront. Bordado a mano is a work of art, but also of love and tenacity, recorded, produced and released by Ana Bárbara herself on her own label (Solos Music) with distribution by ONErpm. It took years to record, in part because it was logistically challenging to lock artists like Vicente Fernández (in his final collaboration before his death), and because Ana Bárbara paid for everything out of her own pocket.
The Mexican singer-songwriter — who this year celebrates the 30th anniversary of her first album, and who will be honored at Premio lo Nuestro on February 22 — spoke with Billboard about the meaning of the nomination at this stage of her life.
Your last Grammy nomination was 18 years ago. What are you most excited about this time?
Unlike the previous album, this one is completely independent. The last one included my songs but this one is also my production. And I am very proud of the work that was done, both with the songs and the teamwork, because it finally got to where it had to go, with a small, indie label. Solos Music is my label, and we are only five people. We’re small but we come through! [laughs]
ONErpm supports you with distribution and marketing, but this has been an independent job, and that’s difficult. Was it scary?
I can’t deny I was a little scared, because I didn’t know. I have to be honest. When Rose [manager Rosela Zavala] told me let’s go independent … she had a clear idea. But she was very honest and she told me, it’s a very difficult road, and it is. It is very expensive. I can tell you that it has cost me my life. If you ask me, was this a good deal, I’d say, “It’s a job that has given us something to eat.” We all have a family to support. But ultimately, as women, it was really about pride and strength and let’s go for it.
I’m not going to deny that it scared me at first, and it still scares me. Because although our goal was not to make the great business of our lives, we did say, “At what point are we going to start making money?” I tell you with great pride, I had to sell some of my assets at the beginning. I thought, if we’re going to do it, I’m putting everything into it.
It’s an album that took a long time…
Yes, and then came the pandemic. No no no. I was pulling my hair out. We were going crazy. But I believed. We already had the duet with Nodal, the duet with Paquita. It was already a reality. But all the promotion, the work, the album, the videos… doing all that as an independent [artist] is uphill, and for a woman, ten times more. Or twenty, to be honest.
Exactly how long ago was this album in the making?
I started working on it 11 years ago. The last album I released was Yo Soy La Mujer [in 2013]. The songs were written 11 years, 12 years ago. For example, the duet with Don Vicente, I dreamed it, I saw it, 11 years ago. He recorded it five years ago and the video was recorded before the pandemic. It’s been a long road.
Did you lose faith?
Actually, no. There were friends who told me, just record covers. But I wanted to leave my own legacy of my own songs. Yes, there were moments when I wanted to throw in the towel. For example, the duet with Christian Castro, he said yes, then six months went by. It was all very complex, because there is art in each of [the guest artists], but they also lead complicated lives.
All your guests have long careers and legacy, except Christian Nodal. Why him?
Nodal is a great artist. I call him an old soul. But all the others are classics: Bronco is classic. Christian Castro is the romantic balladeer, and he is one of my favorite balladeers. So I knew it was complex. When they’re established it takes a little more work to convince them.
You’re celebrating your anniversary this year, and you’re being honored at Premio Lo Nuestro. What else is coming?
I am celebrating 30 years of [my] recording career, which is easy to say, but the road has certainly been very difficult. We are preparing a symphonic album, basically the hits, with arrangements by maestro Eduardo Magallanes, who is one of my inspirations and did so much work for Juan Gabriel and Don Vicente. I also have duet and solo projects. It was hard enough to reach this milestone, so I’m going to celebrate with something special!