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This week, our First Stream Latin roundup — which is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors each week — is powered by new music from Abraham Mateo, Mike Bahía and Alejandro Fernández, to name a few.
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The list includes Abraham Mateo’s “La Idea,” an upbeat punk rock song with heart-rending lyrics about a guy who can’t fathom the fact that he’s no longer dating the girl of his dreams. “Because the idea was not never separate/ The idea was that you’d be the mother of my kids/ Because the idea was for you and me to be a team/ And now this love is done, and even though that was not the idea/ I know it’s better this way,” he passionately belts.
You can also find Bahía’s new track “De Qué Manera,” where he steps into a new musical genre: salsa. Written and produced by the Colombian artist alongside Keityn and La Créme team, the track pays tribute to the tropical style that Bahía grew up listening to in his hometown, Cali, Colombia. “Many people think that I’m from some other city in Colombia, but I come from Cali — the salsa capital of the world, where salsa is lived and breathed everywhere you go,” he expresses in a statement.
Additionally, Fernández dropped “Inexperto En Olvidarte,” the first single off his forthcoming album due this year. The song is a signature Alejandro Fernández heartbreak ballad powered by a mariachi and an accordion. Also in the poll are new releases by Yahritza y Su Esencia and Ovy on the Drums and Ozuna‘s new collaboration”CHAO BEBE,” a reggaeton track fused with electronica.
What’s your favorite new Latin music release this week? Vote below!
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Alejandro Fernández, “Inexperto En Olvidarte” (Universal Music Latino)
For his first song of the year, Alejandro Fernández goes the traditional route, releasing the heart-wrenching ranchera “Inexperto En Olvidarte.” It’s a quintessential song for Fernández, who’s long mastered the mariachi ballad — and this one is no exception. Penned by Amanda Coronel and Fernanda Díaz, the track thrives thanks to its delicate mariachi arrangement, accompanied by an accordion for the ultimate norteño touch. “Inexperto” is the Mexican artist’s first single from his upcoming album, due later this year. — GRISELDA FLORES
Yahritza y Su Esencia, “Cambiaste” (Lumbre Music/Columbia Records)
Weeping requintos and a soulful, yearning voice bring to life Yahritza y Su Esencia’s first single of the year, “Cambiaste.” Penned by the 16-year-old vocalist, the heartfelt sierreño narrates the story of a person who’s juggling their emotions in a relationship and has the other person confused. “Out of nowhere, you changed/ One day you say you love me and the next, you throw me to the trash as if I were no one/ What happened to those days that you told me/ ‘I love you, I’ll always be by your side’?” she chants. The music video finds the three siblings navigating Lake Xochimilco in Mexico. — JESSICA ROIZ
Abraham Mateo, “La Idea” (Sony Music España)
Abraham Mateo kicks off the year with “La Idea,” setting the tone for what his loyal “Abrahamers” can expect this 2023 — a more experimental Abraham. Co-produced by the Spanish pop star and David Cuello, “La Idea” is an upbeat punk rock song with heart-rending lyrics about a guy who can’t fathom the fact that he’s no longer dating the girl of his dreams. “Because the idea was not never separate/ The idea was that you’d be the mother of my kids/ Because the idea was for you and me to be a team/ And now this love is done, and even though that was not the idea/ I know it’s better this way,” he passionately belts. — J.R.
Ozuna & Ovy on the Drums, “CHAO BEBE” (Warner Music Latina/King Ovy)
For their first track together, Ovy on the Drums and Ozuna place all bets on an infectious reggaetón beat fused with electronic elements. Showcasing both their strengths, Ozuna on vocals and Ovy in the producer seat, this new track marks the new phase of Ovy on the Drums as Dr. Drums, “a genius who has mastered the science of producing and has his own formula for creating the biggest urban hits in his lab,” according to a press statement. “‘CHAO BEBE’ has all the makings of a global hit,” Ovy says about the song. “When I was in the studio working on the track, I immediately had the idea of calling Ozuna to jump on this song.” — G.F.
Mike Bahía, “De Qué Manera” (Warner Music México)
Bahía is a hopeless romantic on his new track “De Qué Manera” — but beyond its honest and devoted lyricism, he’s stepping into a new musical genre: salsa. Written and produced by the Colombian artist alongside Keityn and La Créme team, the track pays tribute to the tropical style that Bahía grew up listening to in his hometown, Cali, Colombia. “Many people think that I’m from some other city in Colombia, but I come from Cali — the salsa capital of the world, where salsa is lived and breathed everywhere you go,” he expresses in a statement. Fusing his sugary vocals with a touch of rap and the participation of renowned pianist OILO, “De Qué Manera” also samples the 2000s classic “Ya no es igual” by the Colombian group Two Flow. — J.R.
Twelve days after Christmas comes Dia de los Reyes — or Three Kings Day (also known as Epiphany) — during which many Latino communities around the world gather with family to celebrate the arrival of the three kings, or magi (Wise Men).
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Los Tres Reyes is believed to have brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Bethlehem to honor the baby Jesus. Some families in Mexico and South America eat Rosca — candied bread fit for a king. Other families in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean nations build on the parranda, an Afro-Indigenous tradition that calls for the house-to-house “caroling” of friends and families.
In honor of Three Kings Day 2023, Billboard has compiled a playlist of some traditional classics you and yours can use to set the festive mood.
The playlist includes the timeless holiday track “Cantares de Navidad” by the Puerto Rican group Trio Vegabajeño, which was originally composed in the early 1950s and forms part of Bad Bunny’s album El Último Tour del Mundo. There’s also the heartfelt bolero “Regalo de Reyes” by the late Mexican singer and actor Javier Solís; Luis Miguel’s rendition of “Noche de Paz,” part of his Navidades Luis Miguel album; “Caspar, Melchor, y Baltasar” by Mexican trio Pandora; and Thalía’s gitty “Los Reyes Magos,” part of her children’s album Viva Kids – Volumen 2, to name a few.
Many Villancicos (similar to a Christmas carol) are also on the playlist, such as “Vamos, Vamos Pastorcito” and the all-time favorite “Mi Burrito Sabanero.” The latter has both a merengue version by Elvis Crespo and a catchy banda tune by Banda El Recodo.
Listen to the full playlist below, and enjoy!
Gloria Trevi is denying allegations in a newly filed sexual lawsuit that claim she and her former producer Sergio Andrade “groomed” and “exploited” two underage girls in the 1990s.
“My words are directed to everyone who may have seen recent allegations about me but do not know the background and my story,” the Mexican pop star began in a statement published on her social media accounts Jan. 6. “Being a victim of physical and sexual abuse is one of the worst things that can happen to a human being. I say it, and I know it, because I am a survivor. And, my thoughts go out to anyone who, like me, has ever been the victim of any kind of abuse.
“But I will not remain silent while I am unfairly accused of crimes I did not commit. These false accusations, which were first made against me 25 years ago, have been tried in various courts and, in all instances, I have been completely and totally acquitted,” she continued. “For these old, disproven claims to resurface now is tremendously painful for me and for all my family. The accusations were false when they were made and remain false today.”
The new civil complaint was filed Dec. 30 in Los Angeles County. In the suit, which was obtained by Billboard, two Jane Does allege that the Mexican pop star along with Andrade “groomed” and “exploited” them when they were 13 and 15 years old. The 30-page lawsuit — which does not specifically name Trevi or Andrade, though the timeline and album details mentioned make clear they are the defendants — also includes allegations of childhood sexual abuse and harassment and/or assault.
In the ’90s, Trevi was one of the biggest Latin pop stars in the world, but her successful career came to a halt in 1999 when criminal complaints were filed against her and Andrade. The complaints accused them of corrupting minors, kidnapping and rape. Trevi fled to Brazil, where she was captured and arrested, and the singer was held behind bars for nearly five years. In 2004, a Mexican court acquitted the pop star and found her not guilty on the charges of rape, kidnapping and corruption of minors.
She has maintained her innocence since, which she addressed in her Jan. 6 statement. “A trial court carefully examined all the evidence during a judicial process which lasted almost 5 years, and they ruled in my favor,” Trevi wrote. “The verdict was upheld on appeal. That is why I filed a lawsuit in the United States to expose and hold all those who are trying to defame me accountable.”
The singer concluded: “I will continue to move forward and work to get justice in this case — and I will do so knowing that the truth is on my side.”
Trevi previously discussed the impact the 1999 allegations had on her livelihood in a September 2022 interview with Billboard. “I felt that I lost my career,”she said at the time. “But I kept a positive attitude and believed in myself. You can lose a battle but not the war, and that mindset was very constant in me.”
The same year she released from prison, Trevi put out Cómo Nace el Universo, which was written while she was incarcerated, and addressed her time behind bars. The album peaked No. 2 on the Latin Pop Albums chart and No. 4 on Top Latin Albums.
Read Trevi’s full statement — which she shared in both Spanish and English — below.
Manuel Turizo makes his ascent back to No. 1 with “La Bachata.” The tune logs its 15th week atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated Dec. 31) and sends Argentinian artist La Mosca Tse-Tse’s “Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar” below the top 10 (at No. 19) after its one-week command.
With 15 weeks at the summit, Turizo’s “La Bachata” ranks third overall since the chart launched in 2018. It trails only Karol G and Nicki Minaj’s “La Tusa,” which led for 25 weeks in 2020, and the 16-week reign of “Entre Nosotros” by the all-star team of Tiago PZK, LIT Killah, Nicki Nicole and Maria Becerra in 2021.
Cris MJ, Duki and Nicki Nicole’s “Marisola,” featuring Standly and Stars Music Chile, holds at No. 2 in its second week. Rosalía’s “Despechá” rebounds to No. 3, while Bizarrap and Quevedo’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” climbs 5-4. Plus, Ke Personajes earn their first top five thanks to “Ya No Vuelvas,” their collab with Luck Ra and La K’Onga, which ascends 10-5.
This week, NewJeans takes home the Greatest Gainer honors as “Ditto” soars 88-43. It’s the highest ranking for the K-pop ensemble.
The Hot Shot Debut goes to Gusty Dj and Ecko’s “Session En El Barrio #7” which arrives at No. 58.
Further, Ñengo Flow clocks his third entry on the chart as a soloist thanks to “Gato de Noche,” his second team-up with Bad Bunny, which debuts at No. 63.
Lastly, DJ Alex secures his first visit thanks to “La Traidora,” his first partnership with La Joaqui, at No. 81.
The new year comes with an endless amount of opportunities for new collaborations between Latin artists. Last year was packed with unprecedented collabs, such as Grupo Firme and Camilo — whose “Alaska” peaked at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart — and Christina Aguilera and Ozuna‘s “Santo,” part of her Latin Grammy-winning album Aguilera.
While 2023 may have just started, we already have a few dream collabs in mind that we’d love to see happen over the year. For starters, ever since Karol G and RBD‘s Anahí took the stage together over the summer in Mexico City — where they performed the Mexican group’s anthem “Sálvame” — fans have hoped that there could be more to their team up. A new version of “Sálvame”? A whole new heartbreak track featuring Karol? After all, the Colombian hitmaker is a self-described RBD fan. And with news of RBD’s recently teased comeback, this could be the perfect moment for Karol and RBD to collaborate.
Meanwhile, Manuel Turizo‘s “La Bachata” has taken the world by storm — and even Coldplay‘s Chris Martin has acknowledged the song’s force, calling it “the best song at the moment in the world” during his concert in Bogotá, Colombia in September. After Martin gave the song its flowers, Turizo joined the band onstage to sing an acoustic version of his track, which peaked at No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart in October. Given that Martin is a big fan of Turizo and vice versa, it wouldn’t be totally wild if we saw the colombiano collaborating with Coldplay in the near future.
From Christian Nodal and Cazzu to Silvana Estrada and Ángela Álvarez, here are our Latin editors’ picks for dream collaborations in 2023:
Puerto Rican Maldy starts off the new year with a new career success as “Gatúbela,” with Karol G, captures first place on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart (dated Jan. 7). The song gives the reggaetón singer his first champ as a soloist on any airplay chart.
“Gatúbela,” produced by DJ Maff, arrives at the summit with a 3-1 jump, generating 7 million in audience impressions, up 1%, earned in the U.S. in week ending Dec. 29, according to Luminate. The track was released Aug. 26 via Universal Music/UMLE and reaches a No. 1 in its 18th week.
Maldy, one-half of veteran reggaetón duo Plan B, scores his first chart-topper on any airplay ranking a decade after he earned a first Latin Rhythm Airplay entry. He reached a No. 21 high prior with “La Formula Sigue,” with Zion, Arcangel, Lennox, Chencho, and RKM & Ken-Y, in 2012. During his Plan B era, Maldy went as high as No. 4 with “Mi Vecinita” in 2014.
Karol G, meanwhile, enters a tie for the eighth-most No. 1s on Latin Rhythm Airplay. She matches Don Omar, Nicky Jam and Yandel, all with 14 leaders.
Here’s the scoreboard since the list begun in 2005:
34, Daddy Yankee
34, J Balvin
28, Ozuna
19, Bad Bunny
19, Maluma
19, Wisin
19, Wisin & Yandel
14, Don Omar
14, Karol G
14, Nicky Jam
14, Yandel
We’re only three and a half months away from the 2023 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, which means this year’s headliners should be announced any day now.
However, before that big reveal comes, we want to know who you think should take the main stage in Indio, Calif. this April.
Frank Ocean is, obviously, the best bet for this year’s festival in the desert, considering he was originally supposed to headline the 2020 iteration along with Rage Against the Machine and Travis Scott before it was canceled by the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic. He’s also previously been announced as one of the main acts this April, so if that holds true, two other headliners will be joining him on the lineup.
Both Bad Bunny and Rihanna are also strong contenders among Billboard‘s predictions. The former capped off 2022 as the top touring act of the year, with his combined El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo & World’s Hottest Tour grossing a total of $373.5 million and selling 1.8 million tickets across 65 shows while the latter will make her triumphant return to performing just two months ahead of Coachella by headlining the Super Bowl LVII halftime show. Could Bad Bunny walk back his plan for a quiet 2023 to bring Un Verano Sin Ti to the desert? Will Rihanna double down on her hotly anticipated Super Bowl show by turning Coachella into RiRichella?
Other possibilities for headliners include Dua Lipa, SZA and Drake — the latter of whom last headlined back in 2015 before he ever had a single Hot 100 No. 1 under his belt. BLACKPINK could also make a victorious return to the Empire Polo Club in between the Asia dates of the Born Pink World Tour after making history at the festival four years ago. Even still, less likely candidates such as Olivia Rodrigo, Kate Bush or someone else entirely could serve as this year’s biggest surprise.
Vote for who you want to see headline Coachella 2023 in Billboard‘s poll below.
Alba Egan, the genial public and talent relations executive who was instrumental in boosting the careers of Chayanne, Ricky Martin and Juan Gabriel, among many others, has died after a long struggle with kidney disease. Egan passed away at her Miami home on Sunday evening (Jan. 1). She was 69.
A no-nonsense but cheerful woman, Egan — widely known as Albita — was easily identifiable by her signature bright red hair (which would later turn gray) as she helped some of Latin music’s biggest stars navigate the media. As one of the first women to head press and publicity divisions at major labels, Egan worked at BMG Latin, Sony Discos and EMI Latin in Miami, coordinating campaigns for artists ranging from Ricardo Montaner to Shakira. Egan, who was born in Cuba and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, at one point managed the career of beloved Mexican icon Gabriel, with whom she remained close until his death in 2016.
Many of Latin music’s most prominent publicists credit Egan with having opened major doors for them in their profession.
“She was one of the most beloved people in the music industry,” says publicist Marlene Maseda, founder and COO of Fusion 4 Media. “She was a pioneer who, with her originality and creativity, climbed to the peak of her profession in every label she worked with […] As a professional, she was one of the few who always helped others and who was genuinely happy for others’ success.”
Egan’s Facebook page was flooded with homage posts and anecdotes from people from all walks of the industry.
“She was a mentor to me and it surprised me to see that she was a mentor to so many,” wrote Nevarez Communications founder Mayna Nevarez, whose client list includes Daddy Yankee, recalling that Egan would often call to give her pointers after seeing her clients in the media.
“You always had the perfect word of advice, and sometimes, the perfect word to calm one down. I take your advice very deeply with me,” wrote Nini Veras, who reps Nicky Jam, among others.
“Elegant,” “generous,” “respect” and “loyalty” are the words that recur again and again in the many posts on Egan’s page.
“You were an icon in the music industry loved and respected by many…You always had a way with words and were giving out constant encouragement and kind compliments to your friends,” wrote Angela Rodríguez, founder of AR Entertainment.
Egan’s last job in the industry was as a talent booker at TV network America TV, closing an extraordinary professional arc that began in the 1980s and that covered multiple generations of artists and executives.
“We met in this amazing music industry world at the end of the 1980s, and since then, we were colleagues and competition, but always friends,” wrote Alvaro Rizo, the former president of EMI Colombia. “You only ever spoke sweet words and generous comments, and always, that broad smile.”
Egan’s funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
In May 2021, Gera MX and Christian Nodal made Billboard history with their collaboration “Botella Tras Botella,” becoming the first-ever regional Mexican title to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart in its 64-year history. The country-tinged hip-hop fusion debuted and peaked at No. 60.
“This song did not have a marketing strategy or a plan. It has soul,” Gera MX, a former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, previously told Billboard. “I wrote it thinking about someone very important to me and people can tell that it hurt me a lot. I can’t find any other explanation and it’s beautiful. You’re not only showing off your artistic side, but also your human side.”
That same year, two other Regional Mexican titles entered the Hot 100 chart, which blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay, and sales data: Ivan Cornejo’s “Esta Dañada” and Grupo Firme’s “Ya Superame.”
But it was sibling trio Yahritza y Su Esencia, who as of now, has earned the highest ranking for a regional Mexican song on the chart with “Soy El Unico,” debuting at No. 20 in 2022. The then 15-year-old lead singer’s feat was historic, becoming the youngest Latin performer to enter the all-genre tally.
“I know that the words are very strong, but honestly, when it comes down to me writing my songs, it’s more like a research process,” Yahritza, who penned the song at 13, explained to Billboard at the time. “I see other people’s stories on TikTok — that’s how I found ‘Soy El Unico,’ because I saw a clip that said, ‘It’s crazy how someone can leave you when you’re the only one who’s best for them.’ No one’s going to believe me when I say that I get my inspiration from TikTok.”
Like “Soy El Unico,” most of these tracks have been fueled by their massive success on TikTok and social media, such as Grupo Frontera’s “No Se Va” last year. The song, which the group released independently and is a Norteño cover of Colombian group Morat’s 2018 single, debuted at No. 99 with 4.8 million U.S. streams (up 43%) and 1,000 downloads sold (up 278%) in the Sept. 23-29, 2022, tracking week, according to Luminate.
Their latest collaborations, “Que Vuelvas” and “Bebe Dame,” have earned Carin León and Fuerza Regida, each respectively, their first No. 1s on the Hot 100 dated Jan. 7, 2023.
As of now, only seven Regional Mexican tracks have entered the Hot 100. Prior, only three other regional Mexican acts have visited the chart since its inception in 1958, all through pop songs: Kumbia Kings and A.B. Quintanilla with their collaborative tune “U Don’t Love Me” (2000), and Marco Antonio Solis with his featured role on Enrique Iglesias’ “El Perdedor” (2014).
Check out every regional Mexican song to enter the Hot 100 below: