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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!
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:
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:
Fernando Cabral de Mello has been named CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Brazil, Sony Music Latin Iberia announced on Thursday (March 27). His appointment comes as part of a new organizational structure for Sony’s operations in the country. The “newly unified entity” will encompass Sony Music Brazil, Som Livre and also oversee the joint venture […]
Yailin La Más Viral is no stranger to making headlines, whether it’s for her high-profile love affairs or her bold reinventions, such as surgically changing her eye color. But in early March, the Dominican rising star drew attention in a whole new way with a career-making achievement: She made history by selling out her first headlining concert at New York’s iconic United Palace for two consecutive nights, becoming the first Dominican woman to do so, and the third Latina after Karol G and Becky G, the venue’s CEO confirmed to Billboard Español.
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“I feel very proud and it was something very important,” Yailin tells Billboard Español, reflecting on her growing success and the overwhelming support she has been receiving from the Caribbean community and beyond in the U.S. “It’s a very big pride to do it as a Dominican, as a woman, representing the Dominican youth, and the gender of us; the support that the fans gave me and putting my culture on high.”
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At just 22 years old, Yailin is not just commanding stages but living up to her moniker — “the most viral” — with her latest breakout hits. Released in November 2024, “Bing Bong” has amassed an astonishing 175 million views on YouTube to date, with an additional 75 million streams on Spotify. On this track, inspired by a spontaneous encounter with Brazilian artist Veigh during Billboard. Latin Music Week in Miami, Yailin dips into Brazilian funk and infuses her signature Dominican dembow flair. The result? A fresh and infectious sound that’s all her own, provocative and unapologetically original. The song earned a spot on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, debuting at No. 28 — her first solo chart achievement. Meanwhile, tracks like “Silla” and “Chapa” — all three produced by Puyalo Pantera and Yailin — continue to rack up ten of millions of streams.
Adding to her growing buzz, she further made waves online when she was seen celebrating New Year’s Eve in Santo Domingo alongside Spanish superstar Rosalía. “I had my first encounter with Rosalia when I was in a relationship with Catta’s father,” she says in reference to Anuel AA and their daughter Cattleya. “[Rosalia] was a very warm person, she gave me her friendship, despite everything that was going on. We kept communicating and we created a friendship.” Around the NYE holiday, she also sang “Obsesión” alongside bachata megastar Romeo Santos when Aventura came to Dominican Republic Olympic Stadium in the Dominican Republic. “It was something very important, Romeo is someone very important for us,” she adds.
Yailin (whose real name is Georgina Lulú Guillermo Díaz) grew up in Santo Domingo, immersed in the rich sounds of her island, such as dembow. “The carnival music from here, with drums and things like that, was always something I heard here,” she recalls. “My dad passed away when I was little, and music always influenced me because of him. He always listened to Ana Gabriel, which is why I identify with Ana Gabriel so much. There was a dance they called el baile de Pakitín, where you danced with your hands and feet. And those were the things that influenced me the most.”
Like many rising Latin artists, Yailin looked to the icons of reggaetón and pop culture for inspiration, imagining herself on the same level as the legendary figures she grew up listening to. “You know, I’m not that old. I used to listen to Puerto Rican reggaetón artists like Daddy Yankee. Then we started listening to music in the Dominican Republic from American artists like Beyoncé, those people. You always think when you’re [very young] that one day you’re going to be something big just like them,” she says. Her ambition fueled her journey as she ventured into music, despite the challenges of breaking into a male-dominated genre.
Yailin La Más Viral
Christopher Nunez
Her rise has been anything but ordinary, with much of her early public recognition stemming from her high-profile romantic relationships. In 2022, she became involved with superstar Anuel AA, shortly after his highly publicized split from Karol G. Their whirlwind relationship led to a marriage and the birth of their daughter, Cattleya. During this time, Yailin also collaborated with the Puerto Rican rapper, appearing on “Si Tú Me Busca,” which scored her her first Billboard chart entry, reaching No. 12 high on Hot Latin Songs.
By 2023, Yailin and Anuel AA separated, and she began to face life as a young single mother. She began collaborating with Tekashi69 — a controversial rapper with a history of legal troubles — on tracks like the bilingual “Shaka Laka” and the romantic-leaning “Pa’ Ti,” which fueled rumors of a romantic connection, as she navigated public scrutiny. The latter track, however, secured her her first top 10 on Hot Latin Songs, debuting and peaking at No. 6 that year in July. This year, she inked a deal with Roc Nation.
“I always say that God takes you on a path where you can learn,” she says. “Those things that happened to me, I think they were kind of forging me into who I am. But I know that God put me through that, so that I can be who I am today.”
“Bing Bong” marks her first chart appearance as a solo artist. Its success is particularly special to her, as it serves as both a creative milestone and a personal one. The inspiration behind the track was none other than her daughter. “Catta was the one who did the ‘aayyyy…’ [heard in the song]. She is the inspiration for ‘Bing Bong,’” she shares with pride. Being a single mother and balancing her demanding career hasn’t been easy, but her child has become her driving force. “Catta is like the engine of my life, like the motor. Everything I do is so that she can have a future and a very different life than the one I had.”
From her new grey eyes to her striking pink hair and daring outfits, the singer’s bold style is yet another way she showcases her individuality. “My look, the different things I do to myself, I change them a lot because I really like experimenting to see where I find myself,” she explains. “One of my goals is for my fans to identify with the style I have, [clothes] to be able to use it day to day, and for it not to be too expensive, so they feel good and can be different.”
As she continues growing her career, Yailin is focused on leaving an impact — not just as an artist, but as a humanitarian, of helping single mothers and children in need, even expressing her desire to one day adopt. “I have plans to help single mothers. I want that to be on my record, that I can make a plan, a foundation, something to support young single mothers,” she says, also adding, “I’ve always had a dream of adopting a baby.”
“The first thing I always want is for people to remember me as a girl who came from low-income backgrounds, who came from the bottom, from the Dominican Republic, who made it, who was able to go out and represent her country, and that this helps to put my country on high,” she says. “And as a person, that they remember me as the best mother Catta could have. May I always be seen as someone who loves her family, who is very grateful to her fans, and who appreciates the support. I see myself in the future as one of the most remembered artists of the Dominican Republic, who inspired many young people and that they know that I will always be the same Yailin.”
Name: Georgina Guillermo Díaz
Age: 22
Recommended Song: “My song ‘Bing Bong’ is like the seal of Yailin La Más Viral, because it was the song where I found myself. But if I can tell you the most important song that I have recorded, apart from that one, is ‘Mía,’ because it is the song for my daughter, where I express what she means to me.”
Biggest Accomplishment: “Many great things can come and go in life, but being Catta’s mom is my greatest accomplishment. [Professionally], I still feel like my biggest accomplishment hasn’t yet arrived.”
What’s Next: “For Yailin, la chivirica, putona, toda la chivirica, a lot of music and many surprises are coming. We have many projects: to bring out a makeup and clothing line. That the fans can identify with me, see that I wear this [clothing] and that it is not so expensive. To finish an album and do an international tour.”
With her bubbly charm, dazzling aura and universal appeal, Selena Quintanilla revolutionized the Tejano genre in the ‘80s and ‘90s by lacing her authentic Mexican roots with bold new sounds such as R&B, pop, dance and rock. Known as the Queen of Tejano, she shattered ceilings in a genre that was dominated by men, and made history along the way. After earning four of her eventual seven No. 1 Hot Latin Songs hits in 1994 — “Donde Quieras Que Estes,” “Amor Prohibido,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” and “No Me Queda Más” — the Mexican-American powerhouse was well on her way to a major mainstream crossover before she was tragically shot dead on March 31, 1995, at the age of 23.
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However, her music has stood the test of time — and, throughout the years, she’s influenced a new generation of hitmakers, making her a bona fide Latin icon in pop culture 30 years later. As a testament to her enduring legacy, Mexican-American artist Becky G speaks with Billboard about her love and admiration for Selena, and how she’s influenced her own career. Read her heartfelt as-told-to essay below:
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I was born in 1997. That was two years after Selena’s passing.
My mom actually remembers when they were doing the casting calls for the movie…she actually wanted to audition. Everyone loved Selena and identified with her. Having such a young mom, she naturally played for me the music she would listen to. I may not have vivid memories of Selena, but this is the way she was introduced to me. I even have baby videos listening to her music. She’s always been a part of my life.
She’s influenced my career in so many ways. As a performer, she represented so much more than just herself. She started building a bridge for the 200 percenters like myself, who [are] no eran de aqui ni de alla (neither from here nor from there). Growing up, that identity crisis used to feel like such a curse for me. I felt that I wasn’t enough, and I felt that I had to sacrifice parts of myself to be accepted on this or that side. What Selena embodied was authenticity. She was so authentic in her sense of humor, the dreams that she had, and the way she connected with her family and fans. That’s something that we, as fans, crave today from our favorite artists, but it’s a lot easier said than done.
At Coachella in 2023, I decided to pay tribute to her. A part of me does it for Little Becky, because I think what Little Becky saw in Selena was that dreams can come true, and it’s almost a celebration of being here and of her. First and foremost, I think it’s important that we recognize who came before us, and for me, it’s a beautiful thing to pay respect to the people you know you wouldn’t be here without. I truly feel that I wouldn’t be here without Selena.
Throughout the years, I’ve been very blessed to have had many, many loving interactions with the Quintanillas. Suzette even became a pretty good friend of mine. This last tour that I was on, she came to see it, and she’s always been super supportive. I actually met [her] mom and dad at the Fiesta de la Flor Festival in Corpus Christi, and I’ll never forget that her dad couldn’t believe that I was going to perform without a band. I was just getting started! It’s always one of those things that he would tease me about. It’s been really cool to keep up with them. They’re truly dedicated to continuing her legacy, and I admire that about them.
Now, going back to the word authenticity, she represents something that still resonates and is relevant today, which is that 200 percent identity. You should always be yourself no matter what, pochos and all! I feel that from the way she showed up in interviews to the way she did some of her most iconic performances to personal stories you hear from her loved ones, there was a common thread: it was her genuine kindness.
As an artist, you are overworked, you are depleted of your energy… but when you’re meant for it, you really do it with gratitude. Selena lived in abundance and was always giving back to the community, and always had the best of intentions. So many artists throughout the years since her passing may have reminded us of her essence, but there will never be another Selena. She was one of a kind — and that’s what makes a true superstar. Selena’s legacy is to admire, to respect, and to continue protecting, because she’s a light to so many of us.