State Champ Radio

by DJ Frosty

Current track

Title

Artist

Current show
blank

State Champ Radio Mix

12:00 am 12:00 pm

Current show
blank

State Champ Radio Mix

12:00 am 12:00 pm


Latin

Page: 233

Legendary Argentine rockers Los Fabulosos Cadillacs accomplished something few imagined on Saturday (June 3); they drew a crowd of 300,000 to their free concert at Mexico City’s Zócalo, breaking the attendance record set by Grupo Firme last year, according to data supplied by the local government.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Up until last night, Grupo Firme, the boisterous Mexican music group, had drawn the biggest crowd ever (280,000) to the historic Mexican site. But last night Los Cadillacs bested Grupo Firme and other seminal acts, including Rosalía, Sir Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, Shakira, the late ranchera icon Vicente Fernández, and even pop star Justin Bieber.

“¡Winds of liberty, blood of a fighter!” tweeted Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, quoting the lyrics of Cadillac’s famous song “Matador.” “We’ve made history again, breaking attendance records with 300,000 people in the Zócalo of Mexico City, enjoying an epic concert from Los Fabulosos Cadillacs,” she added.

🎶 ¡Viento de libertad, sangre combativa!Volvimos a hacer historia, rompimos récord de asistencia con 300 mil personas en el Zócalo de la Ciudad de México disfrutando del épico concierto de Los Fabulosos Cadillacs con saldo blanco. Gracias a todo el público asistente por… pic.twitter.com/QRsYlHIDGl— Dra. Claudia Sheinbaum (@Claudiashein) June 4, 2023

The band — headed by singer Gabriel Fernández Capello, better known as Vicentico, bassist Flavio Cianciarulo and saxophonist Sergio Rotman — took over the second largest public square in the world (behind Tiananmen Square in Peking) with their blend of rock, ska, reggae and punk.

From early in the morning on Saturday, people from different parts of the city, and the country, lined up at el Zócalo in an effort to get access to the front rows of the stage. By the time the show started in the evening, the crowd was so large and tight, that some opted to move to the back to breath better.

The now-historic performance, which lasted around 90 minutes, is part of the group’s El León del Ritmo tour, which celebrates 30 years of one of its most celebrated albums, 1992’s El León, and three decades since the release of their fabled single “Matador.”

The fact that Cadillacs have been around for so long, and that they perform rock en español – a genre many say is fading — makes their accomplishment even more impressive. “They called them old, they made fun of them, and they answered with 300,000 people,” tweeted one fan.

300,000 attended Los Fabulosos Cadillacs’ show at Mexico City’s Zócalo. Photo Courtesy of Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México.

“What happiness! How enormous and indescribable to be playing for all you! Thank you, eternal thanks. We receive this with our hearts,” said a visibly moved Vicentico to an adoring audience that sang to every song in their repertoire.

Following their performance at Coachella in April, the Cadillacs will take their El León del Ritmo Tour to different countries, including Mexico, the Viña del Mar Festival in Chile, Spain and the U.S.

Here is the full setlist from Saturday Night:

1. “Demasiada Presión”

2. “El Muerto”

3. “Carmela”

4. “Estoy Harto De Verte Con Otros”

5. “El Genio del Dub”

6. “Calaveras y Diablitos”

7. “Los Condenaditos”

8. “El Aguijón”

9. “Nro. 2 En Tu Lista”

10. “Saco Azul”

11. “Siguiendo La Luna”

12. “V Centenario”

13. “Carnaval Toda La Vida”

14. “Mal Bicho”

15. “Matador”

16. “Mi Novia Se Cayó en un Pozo Ciego”

17. “Vasos Vacíos”

18. “El Satánico Dr. Cadillac”

19. “Yo No Me Sentaría en Tu Mesa”

From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Karol G Meets Barbie

The upcoming Barbie movie — starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken — has unleashed its second single from the motion picture soundtrack called “Watati,” from Karol G featuring Aldo Ranks. A hard-hitting reggaeton with EDM tones produced by Ovy on the Drums, the uptempo track finds the Colombian singer and Panamanian veteran singing about having a good time at the club. “Watati” follows the soundtrack’s lead single “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa. Other artists featured on the album include Nicki Minaj, Lizoo, Ice Spice, Tame Impala, and many more. Listen to Karol and Aldo’s number below: 

Puerto Rico Celebrates Victor Manuelle

This week, the House of Representatives in Puerto Rico celebrated Victor Manuelle’s 30-year prolific music career with an intimate ceremony. “Honor to whom honor deserves […] Thank you Victor for always putting our island so high,” wrote a tourist Instagram account called “Enjoy Isabela Puerto Rico.” “Puerto Rico! this would not have been possible if it were not for the love you have given me during these 30 years of experience,” Manuelle shared on Instagram. “Thank you for watching me grow as a performer and loving me so much! I will always be grateful to you.” The salsa singer, known for hits such as “Tengo Ganas,” “He Tratado,” and “Si Tu Me Besas,” is set to perform two concerts on June 3rd and 4th at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, as part of the commemoration.

She Said, Yes!

Chiquis is an engaged woman! Earlier this week, the Mexican-American singer revealed the exciting news via an Instagram reel, where she shared a getaway recap with her now-fiancé and photographer Emilio Sanchez. “Today really took a turn … for the better,” she said of what was meant to be her boyfriend’s birthday but turned into a wedding proposal. “Thank you for making me feel safe enough to believe in love again. Thank you for choosing to love me even on the ugliest of days. Simply, thank you for being you, and loving me the way you do,” she expressed in the sweet post.

Get Ready for Latin Music Week

Billboard announced this week the official launch of the 2023 Latin Music Week website. Now open, the online platform offers new and up-to-date information on all things Latin Music Week, which is set to return to Miami the week of Oct. 2nd to 6th. Tickets and confirmed lineup announcements are coming soon. Billboard‘s Latin Music Week is the longest-running and biggest Latin music-industry gathering for more than 30 years. The weeklong event brings together emerging and renowned artists, industry leaders, creators, and decision-makers in Latin music from around the world for showcases, networking, exclusive conversations, panels, workshops, activations, and concerts. The 2022 star-studded edition included Romeo Santos, Chayanne, Camilo, Bizarrap, Ivy Queen, Grupo Firme, Nicky Jam, Maluma, and many more. 

Camilo, Eduin Caz and Edgar Barrera speak onstage during “Superstar Q+A with Camilo” panel at Billboard Latin Music Week 2022 held at Faena Forum on September 27, 2022 in Miami, Florida.

Gus Caballero for Billboard

Latin Recording Academy’s 2023 Person of the Year

Italian-born singer Laura Pausini, known for Spanish-language hits such as “En Cambio No,” “Vivemé,” and “Se Fué,” was named the Latin Recording Academy’s 2023 Person of the Year. With a 30-year trajectory, Pausini, “will be honored for her career as a multifaceted, multi-lingual performer as well as for her continued commitment to supporting social justice causes that are close to her heart, including equality for women and LGBTQ+ people and world hunger,” according to an official statement. Read more on the exciting news here.

Laura Pausini

Nima Benati

This week, our New Music Latin roundup — a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard‘s Latin and Billboard Español editors — is powered by new music from Daddy Yankee, Young Miko and Gocho, to name a few.
To everyone’s surprise, Daddy Yankee came out of retirement to drop a new collaboration with newcomer Omar Courtz (who he discovered on Instagram) for a summer-ready track called “BEACHY.” Co-written by Yankee, Courtz, Justin Quiles, and BCA, the song — part of the upcoming LEGENDADDY Goat Edition album — narrates the story of a girl who’s getting tanned at the beach and enjoying the sun while she’s living her best single life. The single, produced by Yankee, Dimelo Flow, BK, and PM, fuses reggaetón with Afrobeats, backed by Yankee’s signature sugary vocals and Courtz’s raspier tones.

Another rising act, Young Miko, also teamed up with reggaeton veterans Jowell y Randy on “ID.” With flirty, NSFW lyrics, the collab meshes reggaeton, reggae, and hard-hitting perreo melodies. 

A notable release this week is “Los Del Espacio,” an infectious cumbia-reggaeton track released by eight of Argentina’s hottest names right now: Lit Killah, Emilia, Duki, Maria Becerra, Rusherking, FMK, Tiago PZK, and Big One. “In slow motion/ You stuck with me and you didn’t realize/ That tonight I let you go’/ I know it tempts you,” says part of the chorus of the catchy song written by the octet of friends and produced and mastered by Big One. 

Additional releases this week include Francisca Valenzuela’s heartfelt pop ballad “¿Dónde Se Llora Cuando Se Llora?;” Gocho’s first solo project in eight years, a six-track EP titled No Soy el Mismo (Lado A); Sky Rompiendo’s adventurous “Cielo” with Feid and Myke Towers; Nico Hernández and Pipe Bueno’s “Una Noche;” Los Aptos and Cuco’s whirling love-letter ballad “Miel;” and many more. 

Last week, the new generation of Menudo and their single  “Feelin’” won the poll with over 54 percent of the votes. What’s your favorite new Latin music release this week? Vote below!

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.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Young Miko and Jowell & Randy, “ID” (The Wave Music Group)

Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko recruits renowned reggaetón duo Jowell y Randy for her new single “ID.” Produced by Mauro and Caleb Calloway, the track is infectious reggaetón infused with smooth Jamaican reggae beats, which halfway through transitions to Jowell & Randy’s hard-hitting perreo sound. In “ID,” the newcomer and urban genre veterans not only exchange NSFW verses about admiring a girl’s behind and her sexy movements, but also deliver a new summer obsession for our playlist. — INGRID FAJARDO

LIT killah, Duki, Emilia, Tiago PZK, FMK, Rusherking, Maria Becerra & Big One, “Los Del Espacio” (Warner Music Latina)

Each one of them is a star in their own right; now, together, they intend to take you to another dimension with “Los del Espacio.” LIT Killah’s new single with Duki, Emilia, Tiago PZK, FMK, Rusherking, Maria Becerra and Big One brings together some of the most prominent artists on Argentina’s current music scene with an up-tempo reggaetón perfect for the summer (or to warm the souls in the southern hemisphere, where winter is kicking in.) “In slow motion/ You stuck with me and you didn’t realize/ That tonight I let you go’/ I know it tempts you,” says part of the chorus of the catchy song, which will undoubtedly make you dance, whether you’re at the beach or on the dancefloor. Written by the octet of friends and produced and mastered by Big One, “Los del Espacio” arrives with a cheerful music video directed by Facundo Ballve — released on June 1 to great hype at an event covered by Billboard Argentina — in which each of the stars has a chance to shine. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Daddy Yankee & Omar Courtz, “BEACHY” (El Cartel Records/Imperial)

An Instagram post is what drove Daddy Yankee to collaborate with newcomer Omar Courtz (featured in Billboard’s On The Radar Latin) on his latest single “BEACHY.” Just in time for the summer, the sultry track—produced by Yankee, Dimelo Flow, BK, and PM — fuses reggaetón with Afrobeats, backed by Yankee’s signature sugary vocals and Courtz’s raspier tones. Co-written by Yankee, Courtz, Justin Quiles, and BCA, “BEACHY” narrates the story of a girl who’s getting tanned at the beach and enjoying the sun while she’s living her best single life. The music video, filmed by Marlon P, brings the song’s breezy essence to life, showing both artists at the beach surrounded by inclusive models. “BEACHY” is part of Yankee’s upcoming LEGENDADDY Goat Edition album. — JESSICA ROIZ

Francisca Valenzuela, “¿Dónde se llora cuando se llora?” (Fantastic Records)

Where does one cry when one cries? It’s a question that Chilean singer-songwriter Francisca Valenzuela is trying to get an answer to in her new pop-ballad track “¿Dónde Se Llora Cuando Se Llora?” Penned and produced by Valenzuela and Francisco Victoria, the song puts the artist’s transformative journey at the forefront, giving the audience a sneak peek of her trek to self-discovery where she’s learned to embrace her vulnerability. “Where does one cry when one cries?/ At the bathroom in my party, in the middle of a reunion/ In the car, in the shower, drugged on an airplane,” she wonders. The raw and ultra-personal new single is the first single from her upcoming sixth studio album. — GRISELDA FLORES

Gocho, No Soy El Mismo (Lado A) (Forgiven Music)

Eight years since his last solo project, singer-songwriter and renowned producer Jose Angel Torres Castro, better known as Gocho, returns with the EP No Soy el Mismo (Lado A) (I am not the same, Side A). In the six-song urban EP, which also features pop and tropical fusions, the artist expresses himself freely about his spirituality and reflects on his life. “I definitely don’t see music the same way as before… I think we have to be aware of the impact we have when we write a song,” he states in a press statement. The album includes “Mi Mejor Cancion” (My best song), released with Farruko, a slow and very personal reggaetón collab written by Gocho and dedicated to his wife, in which he apologizes for his faults and expresses his desire to improve their relationship. “God gives me a new time, so we can build a love that, despite everything, nothing can destroy,” Farruko chants.

Gocho, who reached the top of Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with “Si Te Digo la Verdad” and co-produced reggaetón hits like “Dale Don Dale” by Don Omar, is currently on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart with the Funky-featuring “Solución,” the first single of the album. No Soy el Mismo (Side A) also includes other team-ups, such as “Hablaré” with Alex Zurdo, “Te enseñaré” with Onell Diaz and “Soledad” with Jay Kalyl. “Each one of them gave the album that unique touch to take it to the next level,” he says of his collaborators. The EP is a good introduction to this new facet of the artist, with an implied continuation to come with the eventual Side B. — LUISA CALLE

Los Aptos x Cuco, “Miel” (Warner Music Latina/VPS Music)

Propelled by sparkly synths and a steel-string guitar, Los Aptos and Cuco conjure up a whirling love-letter ballad that harkens back to the whimsical, romantic era of The Beatles’ Rubber Soul and the gruperas of Los Yonics — equipped with hooded eyes and their heart on their sleeve. “You’re as strong as a ray of sunshine/ To my world you’re so essential/ And those beautiful honey-colored eyes/ Like chocolates on Valentine’s Day and a sunset,” sings frontman Juan Ortega against a hazy sierreño backdrop. The charming quality is that “Miel” oozes with pure idealism and sweetness. It’s a perfect laid-back summer jam for your newfound crush. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Puerto Rican rapper Pacho El Antifeka died on Thursday (June 1) after being fatally shot in Puerto Rico. He was 42 years old. 
The artist born Neftalí Álvarez Núñez was found dead inside a black 2008 Infinity car near the Plaza Tropical shopping center in Bayamón, according to Telemundo Puerto Rico. Law enforcement responded to the location after receiving calls of shots being fired.

The rapper’s death was later confirmed on his official Instagram account with a post featuring a powerful drawing created by “Arte Cardé.” It shows the musician in the passenger seat of a car and God taking the wheel. 

“A great one has left us, but the most important thing is that he will be eternal in our memories and hearts because of those huge marks that he left, nobody will erase them. Impossible to forget someone so special and someone as friendly as Pacho was. Your legacy is still here, and your family and work team will not let your music die because we all know that you made music from the heart for your fans…because that was what you loved to do music,” read part of the caption.

With a career that spanned nearly 20 years, Pacho El Antifeka was known for hits such as “Como Soy” with Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny; “Pa Morir Se Nace” with Farruko; “Tu No Eras Asi” with Rauw Alejandro; “Triste” with Nicky Jam; and “No Te Veo” with Jay Wheeler and Wisin y Yandel, to name a few. Last year, Pacho went viral on social media for replying to Residente’s “Bzrp Music Session” aimed at J Balvin. Pacho was signed to the indie urban label Duars Entertainment. 

Many of his reggaeton colleagues including — Daddy Yankee and Hector El Father — reacted to the news of his death on social media.

“I am not the one to judge anyone’s personal life but I can judge the way people treat me; based on that judgment, I can choose my friends. I am aware that you have always treated me with respect, appreciation, honesty, sincerity, and loyalty,” Daddy Yankee wrote in an Instagram post. “For me those qualities are worth a lot because they are not easily found in these times […] And I assure you brother that you were a real person with me from our beginnings at an early age, dreaming of this career. I am glad to know that I was able to contribute to you in life.”

“Only God knows how much your departure hurts me,” Hector El Father shared, also on Instagram. “You always called me to ask for prayer and to take my services to the caserios (barrios). You always let me know the desire you had to get closer to God and all your struggles. I only ask God that in that last second of life, you have remembered what I always told you: ‘Cry out to God and ask him for forgiveness.’”

See more reactions below:

Christian Nodal’s “Un Cumbión Dolido” surges to No. 1 from No. 4 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart (dated June 3). With the new coronation, Nodal cements his record for the most champs among soloists (eighth overall), with 15 No. 1s since the chart launched in 1994. Plus, he’s the only solo act to lead the chart in 2023.
According to Luminate, “Un Cumbión Dolido” crowns Regional Mexican Airplay boosted by a 27% gain in audience impressions, to 7.7 million, logged during the May 19-25 tracking week. Released Feb. 20 via Producciones Ladrón/Sony Music Latin, the cumbia with mariachi norteño, takes the lead in its 10th week.

“Cumbión” is a single from Nodal’s third EP, Forajido EP2, released May 29. The six-song set is a follow-up to Forajido (EP), which joined three full-length LPs when it debuted and peaked at No. 6 in June 2022 to grant Nodal his fourth straight top 10 on Regional Mexican Albums.

As “Cumbión” cracks the No. 1 spot on Regional Mexican Airplay, it trades places with Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s ‘Ella Baila Sola” after one week in charge. Now, with 15 champs to his name, Nodal strengthens his long-time rule as the soloist with the most No. 1s, a status he assumed April 24, 2021, when “Duele,” his team-up with Alejandro Fernández, landed at the summit.

Further, Nodal is the only act thus far to lead Regional Mexican Airplay on his own, unaccompanied by any other act in 2023, among the 15 acts who have reached the top. The last soloist to rule the ranking was Gerardo Ortiz with “Modo Crudo” last October (one week).

Outside of its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, “Cumbión” makes progress on the overall Latin Airplay chart, pushing to No. 6 after breaking the top 10 barrier the week prior, at No. 9.

Grupo Firme & Gerardo Coronel Take the Lead

Elsewhere on the Latin charts, Gerardo Coronel nabs his first top 10 on Latin Airplay thanks to “Que Onda Perdida” with Grupo Firme, which rallies 21-8 in its sixth week.

“Que Onda,” originally released Feb. 17 via RB/Union Music, breaks new ground after the Grupo Firme collab released through Music VIP, had a robust 52% increase in audience impressions to 7.2 million, earned during the same period, becoming the Greatest Gainer of the week.

Coronel takes home a first champ after he reached No. 32 with “Te Felicito” in May. Grupo Firme, meanwhile, picks up its seventh top 10, after the Tijuana, Baja California-based band landed at No. 7 with “Alaska” in November.

As “Onda” surges 13 rankings on Latin Airplay, the track joins three other songs that have ascended as much — or more — in 2023, notably all regional Mexican titles: Pepe Aguilar and Intocable’s “No Me Hablen de Amor” (chart dated Jan. 28) and Yuridia and Angela Aguilar “Que Agonía” (Feb. 11-dated list) both soared 28-10, while Carin Leon and Grupo Frontera’s “Que Vuelvas” climbed 21-6 (Jan. 28).

Bad Bunny has switched gears from global superstar to pool lifeguard in his first-ever Pepsi commercial out today (June 1). 
Directed by Dave Meyers and co-directed by Mia Barnes, with choreography from Sherrie Silver, the 90-second spot shows the Puerto Rican rapper overlooking a community pool where everyone is tired and drained from the summer heat. In an effort to get the vibes going, he discovers that his latest single “Where She Goes” easily turns up the party once a bottle of Pepsi is opened. 

The summer-themed commercial is part of Pepsi’s latest “Press Play On Summer” campaign with Apple Music that offers new and qualified returning subscribers up to three months of free, unlimited listening on the music streaming platform. The campaign, available in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, also includes over 100,000 instant prizes and the opportunity to travel with the purchase of select limited-edition PepsiCo beverages.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Courtesy Photo

“Pepsi has a rich heritage of creating iconic music video style commercials with some of the world’s biggest artists – from Britney Spears to Ray Charles, Madonna to Dr. Dre, Beyonce to Chloe Bailey and so many more,” said Todd Kaplan, CMO of Pepsi, in a statement. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Bad Bunny to the Pepsi family with his very own spot, bringing in all the summer vibes with his newest track ‘Where She Goes.’ This song is already the soundtrack of the summer, so it is a perfect way to kick off our Press Play on Summer program that gives fans up to three free months of Apple Music with every 20oz ice-cold Pepsi.”

Bad Bunny’s Jersey Club-inspired track debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, becoming his third leader on the chart, after “Un x100to,” with Grupo Frontera, two weeks earlier in May, and “Dakiti,” with Jhay Cortez (now Jhayco), for three weeks in November-December 2020. He also becomes the first soloist with three Global 200 No. 1s; overall, he’s second only to BTS, with six. Justin Bieber, BLACKPINK, Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift each boast two.

Watch the new Pepsi commercial in the video above.

Carin León secures his first top 10 on any Billboard albums chart thanks to the dual debut of Colmillo de Leche on both the Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums charts (dated June 3). The 18-track studio effort bows at No. 10 on the former, while on the latter it launches at No. 5.
Colmillo de Leche also marks León’s first entry on an albums tally, dating back to “Me La Aventé,” his maiden entry on a Billboard chart, in 2019 (the song reached No. 16 high on Hot Latin Songs in 2020.) The set, a gumbo of sounds bookended by León’s regional Mexican imprint –blends soul, flamenco, salsa and pop– was released May 18 via Socios/Oplaai. The new entry also secures a first top 10 and entry for both independent labels.

In its first tracking week ending May 25, Colmillo registered 7,000 equivalent album units, according to Luminate. Streaming-equivalent album units contributes to the bulk of activity, which equates to 10.1 million official U.S. on-demand streams of the album’s songs. Track-equivalent album units, meanwhile, account for the negligible units left.

On the multimetric Top Latin Albums chart, each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.

Notably, Colmillo marks the fifth instance a regional Mexican album debuts in the upper region on Top Latin Albums out of the nine total top 10s debuts during 2023 so far. Here’s the regional Mexican recap:

Debut Date, Debut Pos., Title, Artist

Jan. 14, 2023, 5, Pa Que Hablen.: I., Fuerza Regida

Jan. 14, 2023, 6, Sigan Hablando.: II., Fuerza Regida

May 13, 2023, 1, Desvelado, Eslabon Armado

May 27, 2023, 9, Don’t Stop The Magic, Grupo Marca Registrada

June 3, 2023, 10, Colmillo de Leche, Carin León

As mentioned, Colmillo also arrives in the top 10 on Regional Mexican Albums, at No. 5.

The album was preceded by the No. 30-peaking “No Es Por Acá” on Hot Latin Songs last October. In between, León has placed three other songs (outside of Colmillo) on Regional Mexican Airplay, including a six-week domination through “Que Vuelvas,” with Grupo Frontera.

For his 55th “Bzrp Music Session,” out May 31, Bizarrap reeled in viral newcomer Peso Pluma. Unlike the previous Biza sessions, which are usually diss tracks backed by hip-hop and EDM fusions, the new collaboration finds both the Argentine producer and Mexican artist in a heartbreak corrido about trying to get over an ex. “I’m […]

Pride Month is officially here, and to celebrate, Billboard Latin has compiled a list of 11 LGBTQ Latin artists we’re currently obsessed with. But before we introduce the 2023 Latin Pride list, let’s trace back to some of the artists who had long kept their sexual identities a secret and became a new beacon of hope for the new generation of artists.

Most notably, Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin became one of the first mainstream Latin stars to come out in 2010. “I am very proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man,” he expressed in an open letter that he wrote on his website.

A couple of years prior, RBD member Christian Chávez used the group’s website to express that he “was not prepared to speak in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences,” but that it was “time to grow up, not only as a human being but also as an artist.” In the lengthy letter, he asked his fans to not judge him for his honesty and to feel proud of who they are. 

In addition to Martin and Chávez’s act of bravery, other Latin stars used social media to share their personal stories. Fifth Harmony alum Lauren Jauregui, for example, penned an open letter on Billboard during the 2016 presidential election, where she talked about her sexuality: “I am a bisexual Cuban-American woman and I am so proud of it. I am proud to be part of a community that only projects love and education and the support of one another.”

Earlier that year, Latin pop crooner Kany García revealed that she was in a relationship with another woman on Instagram, while acts such as Raymix and Pablo Alboran opened up as well during the 2020 global pandemic. 

“It’s like if I had taken a ton off my shoulders,” the former said during the Coming Out Latin panel at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Week. “I can now sing how I really feel and change the lyrics to make my love interest male instead of female. Also, I’m not the only one on the planet that’s living this and that’s the beautiful part about this all. If I was able to do it, you can too. Be free and enjoy life because we’re not here forever.”

Below, check out a new generation of LGBTQ stars:

Anitta

Image Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images