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The Latin music world has been abuzz about the reunion of Mexican pop band RBD, who played their last show as a group in December 2008 in Madrid. Since that day, fans have been clamoring for a reunion, but the likelihood of that happening had seemed far. Now, five of the original six members — […]
From career milestones and 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.
Music 101 in Puerto Rico
SESAC Latina and Rimas Publishing joined forces to produce Music 101 in Puerto Rico on Thursday (Aug. 24). According to a press release, the event was an effort to “empower and educate songwriters and producers with the necessary tools to succeed in the music industry.” Featuring six panels, the topics ranged from the significance of a performing rights organization, the role of a publisher and creative and legal assessment, among other topics.
“We are thrilled with the results of Music 101 in Puerto Rico. We were looking forward to bringing back this seminar and what better way to do it than at one of the hubs for Latin Music. Our gratitude goes to Rimas Publishing for their invaluable support in making this event a real success,” said Celeste Zendejas, vice president of SESAC Latina. “We remain committed to fostering the development of the music industry ecosystem in Puerto Rico and in the region, therefore events like Music 101 are necessary to educate the new generations and those who want to learn how to navigate this industry,” added Emilio Morales, managing director of Rimas Publishing.
Becky G Announces New Album
Mexican-American star Becky G has announced the name of her upcoming album, which will be her first Mexican music set. During her performance in New York on Friday (Aug. 25), as part of Citi Concert Series on Today, the “MAMIII” singer said her album’s new name is Esquinas and went on to explain what inspired the title. “I have always identified as not this side or that side of the streets that raised me but the corner where two flags, two cultures, two languages meet,” she said. Becky G is set to kick off her first-ever headlining tour Sept. 14 in Boston. See the tour dates here.
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2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists
Mexican music star Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists for the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, with 21 nods across 15 categories including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year, and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.
Following Peso Pluma are Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera with 15 nods each. For a second year in a row, Karol G is the female artist with the highest number of entries on the list of finalists. The Colombian star has 13 nods.
See the complete list of finalists here.
Grupo Frontera at the Zócalo
Viva México! Grupo Frontera is set to help celebrate Mexican Independence Day with a special performance at the Zócalo — the country’s most important public square — on Sept. 15. The Texas-based group joins a long list of national and international artists who have set foot in the second-largest public square in the world. Musicians such as Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the late icon of regional Mexican music Vicente Fernández, among many others, have performed at the Zócalo.
The attendance record for free concerts held in the so-called Primer Cuadro in the Mexican capital is held by the Argentine rock band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, which achieved the milestone of gathering 300,000 people on the night of June 3.
Nicky Jam’s Scholarship
The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation has awarded the Nicky Jam Scholarship to 19-year-old Dominican Pianist Leomar Cordero. The award was granted during a special presentation with the reggaetón Puerto Rican hitmaker on Thursday (Aug. 24) in Miami, Florida. “When I received the news, I could not believe this was happening to me!,” Cordero told Billboard Español. “I feel very fortunate to have been selected for the Nicky Jam Scholarship and very happy at the same time to see that all my hard work is yielding results.”
The four-year scholarship holds a maximum value of $200,000 and it will allow Cordero to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston starting this fall.
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The Mexican music star showcased his hitmaking prowess on Thursday night.
08/25/2023
This week, our New Music Latin roundup — a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — is powered by new music from Manuel Turizo and Grupo Frontera, Gian Marco, Myke Towers and Luis Fonsi, to name a few. For the first time ever, Turizo and Grupo Frontera team up for a […]
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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Luis Fonsi, “Pasa La Página (Panamá)” (Universal Music Latino)
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Luis Fonsi’s new single “Pasa La Página (Panamá)” fuses funk with electric guitars and electronic keyboards. The catchy track is inspired by the common phrase “turn the page” and was produced by by Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo (the team behind “Despacito”). Fonsi explains to Billboard Español that the phrase serves as a reminder to those stuck in a moment or a phase, and keep talking about the same thing, that “life is too short to keep dwelling on the same old things. Let’s move on!”
“Pasa La Página (Panamá)” is the second single from Fonsi’s upcoming album Viaje, which will trace his journey in music. The new song’s music video, created and directed by Carlos Pérez, follows a person who is constantly in the public eye, with a focus on microphones and cameras. – INGRID FAJARDO
Manuel Turizo & Grupo Frontera, “De Lunes a Lunes” (La Industria Inc./Sony Music Latin)
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If “La Bachata” and “El Merengue” are any indication, it’s no surprise that Manuel Turizo is diversifying his sound one single at a time. This time, he teams up with Grupo Frontera — no, not for a song called “La Cumbia,” but rather “De Lunes a Lunes.” Produced and written by Edgar Barrera, the slow-tempo norteño track finds Turizo and the sextet group chanting about a heartbreak so severe and unfair that it has them drinking from Monday to Monday.
“This song speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the lengths we go to numb the pain,” Turizo says in a press statement. “Collaborating with Grupo Frontera has allowed us to channel these emotions into a powerful and relatable track.” “De Lunes a Lunes” is also the surprise sixth track on Frontera’s debut studio album El Comienzo, which peaked at No. 4 on the Top Latin Albums chart and No. 2 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart. — JESSICA ROIZ
Maluma, Don Juan (Sony Music Latin)
Maluma has been a “Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy,” a “Papi Juancho,” and now, he’s a “Don Juan,” per the title of his new album. It’s a set that the Colombian star describes as “magical,” and far lighter than its more emotional predecessor. “I want to go out and listen to the whole album in a club,” he told Billboard. Certainly, there’s much of that in down and dirty club tracks like “Ave María” and “Luna Llena,” the latter with Ryan Castro. But Maluma shines brightest when he veers into unexpected territory: “Bikini” is a refreshing, lovelorn, mid-tempo track with 60s vibes, “Según Quién,” is a guitar-anchored waltz with Carin Leon that turns the tables on the concept of spurned women — and if you want to get your reggaetón in, our top choice is the old-school “Nómina” with Jowell & Randy. — LEILA COBO
Myke Towers, “Bajo El Sol” (Warner Music Latina)
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Still riding high from his global hit song “Lala,” Myke Towers delivers an equally catchy and magnetic new track titled “Bajo El Sol.” Powered by a trap-like beat, the Puerto Rican singer and rapper uses his lyrical prowess to win a girl over. Singing over sensual melodies and head-bobbing drums, Myke Towers confidently chants, “Yo te quiero ver bajo el sol (I want to see you under the sun).” The track follows a handful of Myke Towers single releases, including “Kiki” and “Hora Cero.” Earlier this year, Myke released the eclectic set La Vida Es Una, which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart. — GRISELDA FLORES
LOUTA & Elsa y Elmar, “Diamante” (LOUTA)
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The Argentine singer-songwriter LOUTA fuses his alternative pop with the “spiritual pop” of the Colombian singer-songwriter Elsa y Elmar to create “DIAMANTE,” a song about happiness. The theme echoes that the often-elusive happiness is not pursued or found on the outside, but is within each one. “Away from the eyes of others/ There was a diamond, it was hidden, it was back there,” they affirm in the contagious chorus.
The video, set in a house with design, shades and lights that recreate a vintage style, shows the two artists performing in different rooms, and accompanied by a live band. The repeat-worthy collaboration between the two artists feels organic, and with the mix of all the elements of both the song and the video, they manage to evoke that feeling of contentment and peace. — LUISA CALLE
Gian Marco & Rubén Blades, “Aún Me Sigo Encontrando” (Enjoymusic Records)
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For the first single of what will be his 17th album, Gian Marco recruited Panamanian salsa master Rubén Blades, achieving a rich fusion of their musical styles. Honest and nostalgic, the song talks about the sometimes-painful path of self-discovery in order to live a genuine life. “Look deeply inward/ With all that that implies/ Life does not replicate/ Brave those who go to meet it,” the Peruvian singer-songwriter narrates in the first verses, before breaking into song. “So many times I got lost, and I still find myself,” both artists repeat in the chorus.
“‘Aún Me Sigo Encontrando’ encapsulates reflections from a distinct period in my life,” Gian Marco explains in a press release. “It extends an invitation to delve inward, an endeavor that few are willing to embark upon, as the song’s opening aptly suggests, due to the profundity it entails.” The music video, directed by Rodrigo Dulanto and Kenneth O’Brien, shows Gian Marco in different everyday scenes; Blades does not appear in it, but his voice is dubbed by people, including a child and a female senior citizen. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Edén Muñoz & Fuerza Regida, “La Tierra del Corrido” (Rancho Humilde / Street Mob Records)
“Esto no es moda, esto es cultura,” declare the heavyweight trio against an energetic corridos backdrop. Bolstered by a menacing accordion riff, “Mi Tierra del Corrido” also isn’t just a modern-day corridos single, it’s a mission statement where three generations of música mexicana giants unite to uplift the Mexican movement that’s taking over the culture. The legendary Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Sinaloense norteño-banda sensation Edén Muñoz, and Mexican-American hitmakers Fuerza Regida represent distinct corners of this ever booming norteño sound, and together they pay homage to Chalino Sánchez, tradition, heritage, and the new belikada lifestyle. Above all, it’s a tribute to the evolution of corridos, the century-old borderland style that came to notoriety during the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
“This song is very important to me because I am singing alongside legends like Los Tucanes and Edén Muñoz,” says Jesús Ortiz in a press release. Written by Muñoz, the song, in his words, “honors the stories that make history.” “Music is for living together, not for competing,” adds Mario Quintero. “So creating together is very beneficial for culture, history and for the genre.” — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.
Listen to this week’s New Music Latin playlist below:
Sabrina Carpenter made her Eras Tour debut Thursday night (Aug. 24) in Mexico City, an opening performance for Taylor Swift she christened with a cover of one of the most famous Mexican-American artists of all time: Selena Quintanilla. Performing in front of thousands of fans at Foro Sol, the first of four stops Swift has […]
While J Balvin still hasn’t shared the name of his upcoming album, he notes that he had decided on the title before he recorded a note. “My albums have always started with their names,” the Colombian star says. “That way, we let ourselves be guided by the vibe.” In the past, he has mostly used one-word titles: Jose (2021), Colores (2020), Oasis (2019), Vibras (2018) and Energía (2017).
He says that the mood of his latest, arriving this fall, was sheer joy. Recorded at RAK Studios and Abbey Road during a monthlong stay in London, Balvin’s first full-length album in nearly two years features a variety of producers, including Tainy, Mura Masa, Michaël Brun, Hear This Music/DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz and Súbelo NEO. The project also boasts “precisely” curated collaborations, including tracks with Stormzy and Anuel AA.
“I like to explore other cultures and genres,” he says. “But as far as my DNA and my essence, I represent Medellín, Colombia.”
London Nightlife
Coming out of the pandemic, Balvin and his team looked around at a world mired in negativity. “The vibe wasn’t right for inspiration,” Balvin says. “We decided, from within ourselves, to focus on giving happiness to our listeners and change the vibe from negative to positive.” A key element was London’s vibrant club scene, which became a living, breathing experiment to discover and test beats. Balvin and his team hit two or three clubs every weekend to take inspiration from dancefloors and observe what fans were connecting with. And, on occasion, he would even play demos. “We wanted to see fan reaction,” he says, “and it was amazing.”
Usher
Though Balvin has known the veteran hit-maker for years, their first collaboration was the result of a chance encounter during Paris Fashion Week in July. “When I saw him, I had that flashback to the songs that defined my childhood,” recalls Balvin, who, on the spot, asked Usher if he could sample his 2004 smash “Yeah!” in a new track that wasn’t even done yet — and whose title he hasn’t yet divulged. “He said of course, but then I thought, ‘It’d be great to actually do something with him.’ Recording the track and filming the video with someone so legendary fills me with nostalgia and gratitude. I think this song will have huge global impact.”
Work-Life Balance
Balvin and girlfriend Valentina Ferrer welcomed son Río in June 2021. “Having my son has changed my perspective, but my competitive spirit, that drive to improve as an artist and a person, is part of my day to day,” says Balvin, who often takes Río on his global travels. Daily workouts, he says, are also key — as is maintaining mental health, a topic he has been outspoken about. In that regard, his new album is a way to actively put positivity to work: “It’s not just talking about mental health, but actually applying the concept,” he says. “This album is a mood that will make people happy just by listening to it. I’m contributing by raising serotonin levels.”
This story will appear in the Aug. 26, 2023, issue of Billboard.
Bebel Gilberto embodies the essence of bossa nova’s modern evolution. Last Wednesday (Aug. 16), the singer-songwriter showcased this on stage at a sold-out show at Poisson Rouge, nestled in the heart of New York’s storied bohemian neighborhood Greenwich Village, where she gave audiences an early preview of her latest album João (out Friday, Aug. 25), a heartfelt tribute to her late Brazilian father, João Gilberto.
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As the daughter of the bossa nova legend — and also of Brazilian music icon Miúcha — Bebel’s art is deeply rooted in her musical heritage. Yet the singer has carved a distinct path of her own, fusing traditional Brazilian rhythms with electronic flourishes and global influences. On João, she brings it all back home. With her ethereal voice and innovative production, Bebel effortlessly transcends the classic genre, reimagining the sonic boundaries of Brazilian music with a New York state of mind, and a thrust for cultural exploration.
Last week on stage, the Brazilian chanteuse — who wore a vintage-style black Prada dress and her carefully messy hair pinned up — was a musical force: spunky yet elegant with a dashing sense of humor. “Sorry, but for some reason I’m feeling Beyoncé,” she said as she gave the sound engineers feedback to take out some reverb. Applying red lipstick, she declared, “I’m not just bossa nova, I’m punk. I lived in New York City for 29 years.” She then proceeded to invite a cute shih tzu dog on stage while crooning, “I love you.” For the encore, she came out sipping on a Corona, while her mellifluous melodies weaved an intricate tapestry of emotions.
New York City was just one stop of her international João Tour, where she’ll make her way to major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Quebec City, Stockholm and London. Recorded at Reservoir Studios in New York, João was created alongside producer Thomas Bartlett, with Bebel gathering a collective of musicians such as her nephew drummer Chico Brown, as well as guitarist Guilherme Monteiro and music arranger and trombone player, Clark Gayton.
Billboard Español caught up with the artist to discuss five essential songs from João.
“Adeus América”
I would start with the opening song, “Adeus América.” It’s a song that I discovered through my father’s voice. He had done a live presentation [of it] at the [19th] Montreux Jazz Festival, the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival [in Switzerland]. He was coming back to Brazil after being in the United States, and touring around the world for the last 20 years. The fact that he sang that song [to me] inspired me to open the album with it. It was the first song I recorded.
The guitar is from Guilherme Monteiro, who’s been touring with me. He did incredible work, researching my father’s chord changes, dissecting the way that daddy played, and the right vibe. I love the production by Thomas Bartlett — who was super open, opinionated, as he’s not Brazilian, you know? It was like a trip into my dad’s music. I have deep love for “Adeus América” in particular, and I love the result. It is catchy and I hold it in my heart. It’s one of my favorites.
Editor’s note: the original song was recorded in 1985, and released two years later on the album Live in Montreux.
“Eu Vim Da Bahia”
My second selection is “Eu Vim Da Bahia,” a song that’s on another album from my dad’s, which is known as the White Album [Ed. Note: It’s João Gilberto’s 1973 self-titled album]. “Eu vim da bahia” in English means “I came from Bahia.” The original song is from Gilberto Gil, who actually shares the same name as my father, and people kept confusing them. Gil’s recording has a totally different vibe.
When daddy did it, it was so intense — and it tells the story of Bahia, the background, why he came from Bahia and why he wants to come back. It’s also a nostalgic song, and I believe that is one of my best interpretations. I was a big fan for a long time, but I never thought I was going to one day record it. It was one of the songs that I easily did. I’m very happy with my vocals. It took me two or three takes; it wasn’t a big effort. I really took a trip on it and it was really beautiful. I love the results.
“É Preciso Perdoar”
“É Preciso Perdoar” is one of the most beautiful songs of the album, and maybe my favorite song ever. My father also recorded it on that same White Album and it’s been recorded by Cesária Évora, [Ryuichi Sakamoto and Caetano Veloso] on the Red Hot & Rio album that got so famous, [where] David Byrne also participated. But the words reflect the state of mind that I am currently in.
There is also an electronic effect that Thomas did. It’s really beautiful, and I think it captures the mantra that the song has. I’m very courageous to take the chance to re-record such a classic. I have beautiful drummers playing on it. One of them is my nephew, Chico Brown, Carlinhos Brown’s son. He did incredible work and programming. I also really love Guilherme Monteiro’s guitar.
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The video is really beautiful. When I created the vibe, I wanted to do a little bit of acting on it. [The song has] very deep words. I decided to do something inspired by Sinéad O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” [music video]. Later, she left us. I wish she knew. She inspired so many people around the world, and probably she didn’t even know that.
“Undiú”
That one is my father’s composition. It’s an instrumental song my father created on his guitar. My father loved yoga and he loved mantras. He really practiced yoga as [much as] the guitar. His obsession with religion was also the way of playing the guitar. That song sounds like a mantra, it’s beautiful. Thomas Bartlett also plays accordion on that song. It’s quite psychedelic in a way. I’m very happy to take that step away from the classics and do an untouched song from my dad.
“O Pato”
The fifth one is called “the duck.” It’s a song that my father got very famous for at the beginning of his career. It’s very funny; it sounds like a song from a cartoon. I was involved in all the arrangements and invited this great, incredible trombone player, Clark Gayton, who developed all the arrangements with me. It sounds a little playful — [to have] the horns, which are adorable, playing against the guitar and the drums. I love it. It sounds a little funky and childish at the same time. It’s very fun and I’m very happy that I recreated such a classic in a totally different approach.
Full stream of João below:
Sibling trio Yahritza Y Su Esencia are the latest to perform for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. Composed of Yahritza, Mando and Jairo, the band serenaded fans with their ultra-emotional songs on love and heartbreak. Singing with such pathos, as ever, 16-year-old Yahritza first belts out the melancholic “Soy El Único,” their debut single released last […]
Zabdiel de Jesús is a force to be reckoned with: He sings, he dances, he plays the guitar, he composes, and he produces. After forming part of Latin boy band CNCO for the past eight years, the Puerto Rican artist is officially launching his solo career.
“There are many mixed emotions because obviously I have spent many years in the comfort of being in a group,” he tells Billboard. “Now, it’s a totally different reality. On one hand I am nervous and anxious but on the other hand I am very happy and excited. It’s going to be something really cool and I’m ready to move on.”
De Jesús, whose artistic name will only be Zabdiel, is kicking off his new era with a debut single called “Aventura” via WK Records. On the track—a new sugary pop rendition of Toby Love’s 2006 bachata hit “Tengo un Amor—Zabdiel is joined by Spanish pop star Ana Mena.
“I have loved this song since I was a very young child. In Puerto Rico, they played it all the time,” he explains. “It was pretty random because I met one of the guys who worked on the original song and he encouraged me to do a new version. We also wanted to add a female voice to the track and we came up with Ana Mena, who I had already worked with when I was in CNCO. She loved it and she jumped on. The tone of her voice was the icing on the cake.”
Zabdiel de Jesus and Ana Mena
WK Records
As part of CNCO, Zabdiel has placed many titles in the Billboard charts, including No. 1’s in Top Latin Albums, Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Albums, and Latin Pop Airplay. Now, he’s starting with a clean slate.
His short-term goals include releasing more music, connecting with other artists, performing solo concerts, and networking with more producers to excel his craft behind the scenes. He’s pumped to kick off his solo career but with the support of a powerful work team.
“I learned a lot of things in CNCO. That was our school and how we discovered the music industry,” he shares. “Really, I could give you a long list [of life lessons] but one that comes to mind is that you can’t do everything by yourself. You have to know how to work as a team. Knowing how to listen to others, knowing how to negotiate, that’s all very important. I take that with me and it is something that I am grateful to have learned in the process.”
Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.