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Itâs officially February, and as we turn the page on a new month, weâve got a whole batch of new music to soundtrack the lead-up to Valentineâs Day. And Billboard wants to know: Which release are you loving the most?
More than half a decade after 2017âs Now, Shania Twain reasserts her claim to the country-pop throne with her new album Queen of Me. Preceded by singles âWaking Up Dreamingâ and âGiddy Up!,â the new studio set also lifts the iconâs title track to her 2022 compilation Not Just a Girl (The Highlights) and incorporates the anthemic single into its 12-song track list.
Meanwhile, GloRilla feeds the haters and calls out the fakery in all our social media feeds on her delicious new single âInternet Trolls.â âWatch out for them internet trolls/ They be tryna satisfy them internet goals/ You just got locked up âcause the internet told/ Fake it âtil you make it, thatâs the internet code,â she spits on the Hitkidd-produced track.
Thereâs also RAYE, who caps off a long and arduous music industry journey of the past few years by finally releasing her debut album 21st Century Blues. âPlease get nice and comfortable and lock your phones, because the story is about to begin,â she declares at the top of the independent studio set, which arrives on the heels of her U.K. No. 1 hit âEscapismâ featuring 070 Shake and also contains highlights like âOscar Winning Tears,â âThe Thrill Is Goneâ and the Mahalia-assisted âFive Star Hotels.â
Plus, Morgan Wallen previews the massive 36-song track list of his upcoming album One Thing at a Time with a trio of new tunes; Karol G and Romeo Santos team up for the Spanish-language âX Si Volvemosâ; and more.
Vote for your favorite new release of the week in Billboardâs poll below.
This year, Sergio LizĂĄrragaâs Banda MS marks two decades in the music business, and itâs kicking off its celebrations with âUn Chingo de Tequila,â a song featuring Mario Domm â from Mexican pop group Camila â who was eager to test the waters of the Regional Mexican genre. Written by Domm, the track debuts Friday (February 3) at 5:00 pm ET.
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âAbout a year ago I wrote a song and I thought it was something very different from all I had done in my life and I asked myself who was the most important banda artist, and immediately I thought of Banda MS. Itâs something new for me; Iâm singing something different, new, but I feel comfortable doing it. I am happy to collaborate with Alan, with Walo, in short, with the whole team that has been incredible with meâ, Domm says to Billboard Español.
In recent years, the band from Sinaloa, Mexico has recorded with pop artists like Yuridia and Carlos Rivera. According to Banda MSâs singer Oswaldo âWaloâ Silvas, when it comes to collaborating, the main thing for him is to admire the other artistâs career, so that there is a connection.
âMario Domm is definitely one of my favorite artists. Iâm a fan of him and Camila â so when the opportunity to do this collaboration came about, we were very excited, being aware of the quality of what was going to be done,â says Silas. âWhen I heard the song, I was sure it would be a hit. I think people who are experiencing a heartbreak will relate perfectly, and I assure you it will be the song theyâll listen to on many a night of leisure and enjoyment. Weâre grateful to Mario and to all who made this possible.â
âUn Chingo de Tequilaâ is a song about heartache that combines the bravĂo and very Mexican style of Banda MS with Dommâs and Camilaâs romantic pop. Much tequila is added to these ingredients, and though liquor is no way to heal a broken heart, according to the song, at least it helps you not think about it. âA shot of tequila to forget/ Distance, time and someone else taking your place/ So that you never forget when you lied to me/ So that you regret what you have lost,â the lyrics go, in Spanish.
But this track is just the beginning of a year of celebrations, which will include new collabs with artists as varied as Ice Cube (check out the announcement on Instagram), as well as Christian Nodal and again, Yuridia. It also includes a 35-date tour, kicking off February 5 in LeĂłn, Mexico and ending on December 2 in Fort Myers, Florida. On September 2, they will return to Madison Square Garden in New York, where theyâve previously sold out two shows â the only band from Sinaloa to achieve that. (Tickets are already on sale in Mexico and the U.S.)
Over the years, Banda MS has sold more than 30 million records. It currently has 14 million monthly listeners on Spotify and its YouTube videos have amassed more than 2 billion views. On the Billboard charts, itâs had dozens of entries, including 10 top 10s on Hot Latin Songs, 23 top 10s on Latin Airplay and 18 No. 1s on Regional Mexican Airplay. Its album Que BendiciĂłn made it to the Billboard 200 albums chart, debuting and peaking at No. 71 in February 2016. It also reached No. 1 on Top Latin Albums, where it led for three weeks.
Banda MSâ story is a shining example of how an empire can be built from scratch. Thus, after more than a decade of being a part of an international record label, the group chose to create its own. Established in 2016, Lizos Music is an award-winning company that has become a benchmark for the Regional Mexican genre and among independent labels.
Below, the CEO and leader of Banda MS, Sergio LizĂĄrraga, talks to Billboard Español about their career and the plans for this yearâs celebrations.
How do you summarize what has happened with Banda MS these last two decades?
The truth is I feel proud that most of us, who started in 2003, continue to be together and continue together well. Saying what needs to be said, respecting ourselves, improving ourselves, wanting to continue innovating and moving forward. Twenty years is a life; so many things have happened that we have to celebrate it in a big way, and nothing better than celebrating it with this tour weâre now about to start. But above all, being at the MazatlĂĄn carnival this February 18 is the icing on the cake for us. In addition, we will return to Madison Square Garden in New York in September, and on September 15 we will also celebrate the national holidays in Las Vegas with our fellow Mexicans.
How did the approach to Mario Domm for âUn Chingo de Tequilaâ happen?
The way I like it â organically. We met one day and talked about doing a song together; time went by and we met again in Los Angeles, and thatâs when we had a deal. He went to MazatlĂĄn and there we finished putting together the song that weâre sure both audiences will like.
Lizos Music has shown that success in the Regional Mexican genre can be achieved by being independent.
We can say that it was our job to team up and move ahead, but in this world no one is totally independent; there are many people around who have been a part of what has happened. We have worked very well as a label and as artists. This includes order and discipline, but above all, overcoming problems that arise.
How have you adapted to the new trends in music?
You have to always be aware of whatâs going on, what is new â but above all you must be open to everything. Thatâs what we have done and it has worked. The proof is in collabs like [our song with] Snoop Dogg. Another duet with Ice Cube will happen very soon, one that will pleasantly surprise the public â and we can announce exclusively that we still have another duet with Yuridia, and a second one with Christian Nodal pending.
Banda MS âUn Chingo de Tequilaâ
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Morat officially met and shared the stage with Grupo Frontera â nine months after the Regional Mexican group covered and released their own version of âNo Se Va.â Â
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The encounter happened during Moratâs âSi Ayer Fuera Hoyâ tour stop in San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday night (Feb. 2) after the Colombian folk-pop group invited Frontera to perform the song live together. Lacing their individual signature sounds, both groups gave âNo Se Vaâ a pop-meets-norteño twist.
âThank you for being part of this craziness,â Morat shared on Instagram, while Frontera members Adelaido âPayoâ Solis III and Juan Javier CantĂș expressed how they âcouldnât believeâ this opportunity finally happened.Â
In the spring of 2022, Frontera â a six-member ensemble from McAllen, Texas â dropped its catchy norteño rendition of âNo Se Va,â which was originally released by Morat in 2019. Fueled by its massive success on TikTok, the new version debuted on BillboardâsHot Latin Songs chart in September 2022 and became only the fifth regional Mexican song in Billboard Hot 100 history. The original track has yet to appear on any Billboard charts (though Morat did reach the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart in June with âParis,â a collaboration with Argentine rapper Duki).Â
âHonestly, I think it was the seasoning that we put with the congas,â CantĂș previously told Billboard of the songâs runaway success. âIt doesnât sound like your typical norteño song; in fact, it sounds like something fresh with that reggaetĂłn vibe.â
CantĂș also credits his girlfriend for suggesting they cover the track in the first place, insisting Morat deserves all the credit. âWe wanted to pay tribute to a group that many of us admire,â he noted.Â
Watch the exciting concert moment below:Â
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this weekâs picks below.
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Maluma & Marc Anthony, âLa FĂłrmulaâ (Sony Music Latin)
It opens up with a subtle pop-reggaetĂłn rhythm against a glimmering melody, as Maluma yearnfully croons about love lost. Then suddenly, âLa FĂłrmulaâ transforms into an ebullient salsa banger, complete with blaring horns, anchored by the passionate wail of Marc Anthony. Produced by the two singers, as well as Edgar Barrera, Rude Boyz and Sergio George, the duet chronicles how no such formula exists for securing love and devotion with a certain someone â but thereâs always that hope. The music video captures the two superstars recording their single at The Hit Factory in Miami. â ISABELA RAYGOZA
JP Saxe & Camilo, âModeraciĂłnâ (Arista Records)
If thereâs one thing JP Saxe and Camilo have in common is that theyâre not fans of people who love in moderation: If youâre going to love, you have to love all the way. Thatâs the message they get across in their new collaboration âModeraciĂłn,â a sweet and spiritual bilingual ballad. âBaby, please, donât love me in moderation/ I donât know but I feel that you havenât given your 100%,â they sing. About the collaboration, JP Saxe says, âI am so happy I get to sing this song with Camilo for the rest of my life.â The Colombian artist adds, âIâm so grateful that we actually had the chance to sit down and write this song together, itâs something Iâm really proud.â The music video, which depicts the juxtaposition of moderation and excess, was directed by Evaluna and Ricky Montaner. Check out a behind-the-scenes clip of the making of the video here. â GRISELDA FLORES
RaiNao & paopao, âdale Playâ (Sonar LLC.)
Two of Puerto Ricoâs most promising female voices â RaiNao and paopao â have joined forces for the first time on âdale Playâ (press play). If their individual projects are any indication, this isnât just another reggaetĂłn song⊠on the contrary, itâs a soulful-meets-futuristic perreo explosion filled with cheeky lyricism such as ârewind to get you undressed, fast forward to forget you,â with their vocals effortlessly intertwining. Penned by the two Boricuas alongside toywapo, and produced by Wiso Rivera, GIOVA, and U.P. Wilson, âdale Playâ depicts a conversation between two people who want to be together again despite not being compatible. Both RaiNao and paopao were spotlighted on Billboardâs On the Radar Latin in 2022. â JESSICA ROIZ
Yeison JimĂnez & Jessi Uribe, âMe TirĂ© al Alcoholâ (Mano de Obra)
Yeison JimĂ©nez and Jessi Uribe join forces for the first time to release their new single âMe TirĂ© al Alcohol.â The Colombian artists unite in this collaboration full of sentimental melodies, acoustic guitar strings and accordion notes that are true to their signature genre mĂșsica popular. This track finds Uribe and JimĂ©nez in a story of heartbreak, where they seek to drown their sorrows in alcohol, searching for other loves to seek answers and forget. âBut I threw myself into alcohol/ And to give kisses to other mouths/ Iâve slept with strangers/ And it doesnât work for me either,â sings JimĂ©nez in one of the verses. âMe TirĂ© al Alcoholâ drops ahead of the artistsâ Titanes Tour 2023, which will run through 12 cities and towns in Colombia. â INGRID FAJARDO
Ptazeta & Lola Ăndigo, âTiki Tikiâ (Interscope Records)
Ptazeta and Lola Ăndigo team up for a Dominican dembow-fueled frenzy, where the pair contort their tongue-twisting verbiage in riveting ways, making it sound as simple as tiki, tiki. With gripping vocal prowess to complement the amped-up rhythm, the song is an irresistible hip thruster. The visual also entices, with the Las Palmas and Madrid twosome leading a night of debauchery, filled with saucy hot dogs, poppinâ and lockinâ, and mischief on the roller rink. â I.R.
Jay Wheeler, âSOSâ (Linked Music/EMPIRE)
Jay Wheeler is kicking off 2023 strong with a newly announced world tour, set to kick off on Valentineâs Day, and his new track âSOS.â The high-energy and hypnotizing track finds the reggaetonero experimenting with retro sounds reminiscent of the â80s. As for the lyrics, Wheeler sings about heartbreak, as heâs unable to forget his significant other now that their relationship has ended. âI was dying to release new music and show people all the new things that are coming,â the Puerto Rican artist shares in a statement. ââSOSâ is a track that people will enjoy because itâs part of my essence and what my fans expect. Itâs romantic, but danceable.â â G.F.
Emilia, Callejero Fino & Big One, âEn La Intimidadâ (Fifty One)
Emilia is not only flaunting a new era with her rosewood locks, but sheâs also tapping into new genres, as heard in the latest track âEn La Intimidad,â alongside Argentinean rapper Callejero Fino and Argentine producer Big One. Written by all three artists and produced by Big One, the track showcases the refreshing and innovative artistry deriving from the South American country. With its notable keytar beats, âEn La Intimidadâ is the perfect balance between reggaetĂłn and cumbia villera. Its lyrics are flirtatious and daring, telling the story of two people who are having a love affair. âIt is a fugitive love/ We like what is forbidden/ Without witness and punishment/ For me it is a pleasure/ In private, he says that I am his weakness/ But he becomes someone else when he has to hide,â chants Emilia with her sugary vocals. â J.R.
Legado 7, âLas Caravanasâ (Columbia Records/Sony)
On âLas Caravanas,â the corridos alterados storytellers Legado 7 belt out their signature lit norteñas for the plebada. Leading with whirling accordion riffs against percussive bombast, the O.C. conjunto highlight the grim realities of the outlaw lifestyle with equal parts grit and candor. Itâs their first single of 2023, leading to an upcoming album. The song was written by frontman Alex Guerra along with fellow composer/artist Noel Torres. â I.R.
Steve Aoki feat. CNCO, âDiferenteâ (DJ Kid Millionaire Ltd)
Before they disband (as they announced in May), CNCO continues to gift fans new anthems. This time, the boy band teams up with Steve Aoki for the upbeat and melodic âDiferente,â a dance track where the group â Christopher Velez, Erick Brian Colon, Richard Camacho and Zabdiel de Jesus â sings about a relationship changing from one day to another. âWhat we were before, is no longer there. Just stay and tell me everything will be different,â they croon. The song masterfully merges euphoric synthesizers and pop beats with the groupâs velvety voices. â G.F.
Vale, âAlgo Me Pasaâ (Rebeleon Entertainment/UMG Recordings)
On their new single âAlgo Me Pasaâ (something happens to me), twin sister duo Vale (formed by Valentina and Valeria PĂ©rez) delivers an enchanting pop ballad with subtle urban tones, accompanied by the pairâs ever-beautiful harmonizing vocals. Produced by Daniel âVagoâ Galindo and co-written by the Colombia-based sisters, the track focuses on that âbutterfly in my stomachâ feeling when you begin to like someone. âYou decide if you stay/ You decide if you go/ I donât want to waste this opportunity/ You have earned my love/ In such a short time/ You got me praying/ Let time stop,â manifests Vale, who was nominated for best new artist at the 2022 Latin Grammys. â J.R.
Karol G and Romeo Santos have come up with a clever way of saying goodbye to an ex lover. âIt didnât work out, we gave it our all, so weâre leaving but before we leave, letâs do it one last time,â they sing in the newly-released âX Si Volvemos.â
Following the announcement of her her highly anticipated fourth studio album Mañana Serå Bonito, the Colombian hitmaker dropped the track on Thursday with surprise collaborator Romeo Santos. The Ovy on the Drums-produced song marks the first time the two artists work together.
The sultry reggaeton bop finds the artists lamenting a failed relationship but leaving the door open because, âour relationship didnât work, but we understand each other in bed.â
How the collaboration came about? According to a statement, Karol had already recorded the song on her own and uploaded a teaser on TikTok. Then she thought Santos would be a good collaborator for this song and called to invite him.
Check out the lyrics translated into English âX Si Volvemosâ with Romeo Santos below:
We didnât work out (We didnât work out)
We gave it all, but it didnât work out for us (No)
Thatâs why weâre leaving (Weâre leaving)
But before we go
Letâs do it for the last time, baby (Baby)
Because not in love, but in bed we understand each other (Oh)
Itâs porn, I love how we do it
I wonât delete your contact and Iâll be aware in case we make up
But if not (Hey)
The little shore takes care of itself (Ey)
But call when you want me to give you in bed attended
The sex games are not forgotten (Are not forgotten)
No one trustworthy is denied a farewell sex, ey
Iâm down to repeat (Repeat)
You put the bed, I put the krippy (Krippy)
Now we hit it at beach in DR, Punta Cana (Ah)
In the window looking at the city
I know that in love we are a disaster (-aster)
Iâm a bandit, and youâre a gangster
I donât know how long you wasted trying something serious
I know Iâm not what you thought (Eh-eh)
But since you kissed me
You became addicted with my malice
This is not healthy but
Letâs do it one last time, baby
Because not in love, but in bed we understand each other
Itâs porn, I love how we do it
I wonât delete your contact and Iâll be aware in case we make up
But not like this
Our love is fâ-d
But what a feeling when the messes end in bed
Could it be that sex with you is my addiction?
Toxic loves only work for âless
We are so explicit, but it came to an end (So nasty)
Say goodbye naked, with my phone Iâm recording you
I tell you goodbye inside you
I save this video for when you need it
And youâre wet thinking of me
Letâs do it for the last time, baby (Baby)
Because not in love, but in bed we understand each other (We understand)
Itâs porn, I love how we do it (How we fâk, how we fâk)
I wonât delete your contact and Iâll be aware in case we make up
But not like this
Baby, give me one night
That never ends
Today is a night of sex
Are you coming?
Haha, you knew
My Romeo, The King
With La Bichota
O-O-Ovy On The Drums
Karol G has teamed up with Romeo Santos for her track âX Si Volvemos,â which dropped Thursday (Feb. 2). The sultry reggaeton bop finds the artists lamenting a failed relationship but leaving the door open because, âIt didnât work out, we gave it our all so weâre leaving but before we leave, letâs do it one last time. Our relationship didnât work but we understand each other in bed,â they sing.
Karol had already recorded the song, produced by Ovy on the Drums, on her own and uploaded a teaser on TikTok. Then she thought Santos would be a good collaborator for this song and called to invite him, according to a statement. He then told her that he had heard the song on TikTok and had made a video with the audio to upload to his social media, which he shared earlier this week.
âX Si Volvemosâ drops just a week after the Colombian star announced the title of her upcoming fourth studio album: Mañana SerĂĄ Bonito. The set will drop âsoonâ according to the sweet announcement made Jan. 25.
âFinally, finally,â she wrote on social media. âToday I announce a project that Iâve dedicated so much love and time to. I just know that for me and for everyone else, Mañana SerĂĄ Bonito (Tomorrow Will Be Pretty).â
In the sweet, short clip, Karol G appears sitting in a car in MedellĂn when a little note drops on the windshield that reads: âIf youâre sad, call me.â When she dials, a kid answers and suggests she write a letter to Santa Claus, perform at a show, or even record her own version of the hit song âLa Jeepeta.â
Mañana SerĂĄ Bonito is the name of her highly anticipated fourth studio album. It will follow her 2021 Grammy-nominated KG0516, which scored Karol her first No. 1 on Billboardâs Top Latin Albums. The set earned the biggest week for a Latin album by a woman since Shakiraâs 2017 El Dorado.
Most recently, the âProvenzaâ singer nabbed the No. 1 spot on Billboardâs 2022 year-end Top Latin Artists â Female chart for a fourth consecutive year. She was also No. 2 on the overall Top Latin Artists chart â the only female act in the top 10.Â
Listen to âX Si Volvemosâ with Romeo Santos below:
Alejandra GuzmĂĄn and Fey are two of the biggest Latin pop icons of the â90s. For decades, they have maintained a strong presence in Latin pop/rock with their timeless hits. So when the two Mexican powerhouse artists officially announced Thursday (Feb. 2) via an Instagram Live with Billboard that they would be joining forces on tour, fans lost their minds.
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âWe are excited, happy to celebrate one more day of life and career,â Alejandra Guzman tells Billboard Latinâs social media manager Ingrid Fajardo. âThe truth is that I am very thrilled about this day, to be able to invite everyone into our madness.â
âWe are exploding in love, in emotion, in energy, and in music,â adds Fey.Â
The two idols, who were thrilled to reveal the news live, also mentioned exclusively that they will be releasing a single together very soon, ahead of the tour that kicks off on May 4. âSince we were given the chance to be onstage together, we both know and are clear on who we are,â says GuzmĂĄn. âWe started to write and flow, we already have two songs together!â
âHits are eternal. The music becomes eternal when it becomes the publicâs,â continues GuzmĂĄn, alluding to the name of the upcoming tour.
The âEternamente Bellaâ and âMedia Naranjaâ singers will kick off their stint in their native hometown at Arena CDMX; on June 23th they will follow up with a performance at Arena Monterrey in Northern Mexico. After these two homecoming shows, the divas of Mexican pop will announce more dates throughout Latin America. They will also embark on a US tour which will take place in September.Â
Both women are forces to be reckoned with in Spanish-language pop. Establishing herself as a kitschy electro-pop artist with a buoyant dance flair, Fey rose to stardom with her earwormy eponymous debut in 1995 via Sony Music Mexico. With her breakout LP, she scored a handful of soon-to-be-timeless hits, such as âGatos en el BalcĂłn,â âLa Noche Se Mueve,â and the everlasting âMedia Naranja.â Her success kept building into the following decade, where she explored other Latin rhythms, like the pop-reggaetĂłn kiss-off of âNo Te Necesito.â To date, she has released a total of eight studio albums. On Sept. 25, 2020, the entertainer celebrated the 25th anniversary of her career with the English-language cut âThe Perfect Song,â featuring Paul Oakenfold.Â
Like the yang to Feyâs yin, in a way, the Mexican Queen of Hearts whipped up a storm with her electrifying pop/rock that was filled with revelry and rebellion with a tinge of seduction. GuzmĂĄn broke into the scene with her third album, Eternamente Bella (1990), and she continued to drop gems like Flor de Papel (1991) and Libre (1993) and well into the next decade. With over 30 million albums sold, the Latin Grammy winner is considered one of the most successful Mexican singers.Â
Tickets for the Eternas Tour go on sale Feb. 8.
Who will win in the Latin categories at the 2023 Grammy Awards?  Each year, Billboard offers its analysis of who will win, or who should win, in those categories, which include best Latin pop album, best mĂșsica urbana album, best Latin rock or alternative album, best regional Mexican music album (including tejano) and best tropical Latin album.
Leading up to Sundayâs 65th annual Grammy Awards, weâve gathered our Latin editorial team and embarked on a lively discussion, with educated guesses based on the marketplace and past voting behavior (not endorsements). Our participants are Leila Cobo, Billboardâs Chief Content Officer, Latin/Español; Jessica Roiz, Billboardâs Latin assistant editor; Griselda Flores, Billboardâs senior Latin writer; Ingrid Fajardo, social media manager & Latinâs staff writer; Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard Españolâs deputy editor; and Isabela Raygoza, Billboard Españolâs associate editor.
Hosted by Trevor Noah, the 2023 Grammy Awards will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday (Feb. 5) and will air live at 8p.m. ET. on CBS. Here are our predictions for the Latin music categories:
Best Latin Pop AlbumAGUILERA, Christina AguileraPasieros, Rubén Blades & Boca LivreDe Adentro Pa Afuera, CamiloVIAJANTE, FonsecaDharma+, Sebastiån Yatra
GRISELDA FLORES: The front-runners for me are Camilo, Christina Aguilera and SebastiĂĄn Yatra, because all three albums received both critical acclaim and had commercial success. Last year, Camilo was nominated for Mis Manos and it was a big upset that he didnât win, so this time he might take the award. Having said that, Christina Aguileraâs AGUILERA was a big deal, as it marked her return to Spanish-language music. Itâs a really solid album.
LEILA COBO: I think this is a really tough category. I agree that those are the front-runners, but out of those Iâm leaning more toward Camilo and Yatra, who has gotten notoriety with Encanto and âDos Oruguitas,â and now this song with Rita Wilson, âTil Youâre Home.â Although itâs not a nominated song, it still has put him in the eye of the mainstream, which gives him a slight edge. But Camilo has been touring all over the states, he has a song with Camila Cabello, and he can be a favorite among the Latin voters of the Academy. Â
SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS.: Christina Aguileraâs album is a beauty. SebastiĂĄn Yatra just won his first Latin Grammy, so Iâd love to see him win this one as well. Â
ISABELA RAYGOZA: I did like Christina Aguileraâs album. I thought that the way she utilized her bravado with rancheras translated beautifully in this album. Sheâs reclaiming her Latin roots, so for her to embrace that facet of herself, I definitely appreciate it. However, I want SebastiĂĄn to win, because I think he positions himself as Latin popâs next heartthrob, following in the steps of Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias. And his album is great, it has symphonic arrangements and reggaeton, it was very poppy. I would like to see him continue to rise in 2023. Â
INGRID FAJARDO: To be honest, I didnât love Camiloâs album from the get-go, but I got a different perspective when I saw him perform those songs live. Itâs another level! I realized how profound those songs are, something I didnât notice when I first listened to the album. Â
Likely winner: Camilo or SebastiĂĄn YatraÂ
Best MĂșsica Urbana AlbumTRAP CAKE, VOL. 2, Rauw AlejandroUn Verano Sin Ti, Bad BunnyLEGENDADDY, Daddy Yankee167, FarrukoThe Loe & Sex Tape, Maluma
JESSICA ROIZ: Isabela wants Rauw Alejandro to win. Sheâs going to make a case right now. Â
I.R.: I do! I think with TRAP CAKE, we can appreciate his foundation. Heâs mentioned that it has his earlier Soundcloud vibes, like when he first started making music. My favorite song on there is âGracias Por Nada,â because it starts off as a rock song with some guitars and suddenly it expertly transitions into this Latin drill song, and itâs so hooky. The whole album is great. I know itâs not going to win, but that was one of my favorite albums of the year.
J.R.: It was a good album. And he even said he was going to stick to trap because this was for his OG fans and ended up being edgy and innovative, fusing many different styles. But Bad Bunny is going to win. Â
S.R.A.: Bad Bunny has to win. Â
G.F.: The reality is that no other album had the same impact Bad Bunnyâs did. It wasnât just the Latin album of the year, it was the album of the year in general. Itâs a no-brainer for me.
L.C.: If he wins album of the year and not this category, it will seem odd and signal a big disconnect. These are all good albums, and LEGENDADDY is a significant album because itâs Daddy Yankeeâs âlast album,â and Farrukoâs La 167 has âPepas.â But when you have an album that has broken all records like Bad Bunny has, and heâs in the running for album of the year, itâs hard to beat. Â
Likely winner: Bad BunnyÂ
Best Latin Rock or Alternative AlbumEl Alimento, CimafunkTinta y Tiempo, Jorge Drexler1940 Carmen, Mon LaferteAlegorĂa, Gaby MorenoLos Años Salvajes, Fito PĂĄezMOTOMAMI, RosalĂa
L.C.: RosalĂa has already won this award with El Mal Querer, and this was such an acclaimed album and she has such international recognition among voters of the academy that I cannot imagine anyone else would win it. Â
S.R.A.: 100%. Thereâs no other way.
G.F.: A contender for me is Jorge Drexler, since he won song and record of the year at the Latin Grammys, but how can RosalĂa not win? I think people were already upset she didnât score an album of the year nod, so she has to win this one. She totally deserves to win.
I.R.: Cimafunk and Jorge Drexler did release pretty great albums, but RosalĂa blew it out of the water. She continued to showcase her musicianship in so many ways with that album. For her to do some reggaeton and experiment with jazz â each song has its own world, and her winning this category would be the right choice. Â
Likely winner: RosalĂaÂ
Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)Abeja Reina, ChiquisUn Canto por MĂ©xico â El Musical, Natalia LafourcadeLa ReuniĂłn (Deluxe), Los Tigres del NorteEP #1 Forajido, Christian Nodal QuĂ© Ganas de Verte (Deluxe), Marco Antonio SolisÂ
G.F.: Itâs a long shot, but Chiquis could win this category and take home her first Grammy. Sheâs been on a winning streak these past two years at the Latin Grammys, winning best banda album in 2020 and 2022. I think she has a shot, especially with an album like Abeja Reina with lyrics that are so raw and modern, but she sticks to traditional styles such as banda and cumbia. I think voters will really appreciate that. Â
S.R.A.: Natalia Lafourcade is a Grammy darling, but Iâd like to see Chiquis take this one home. Â
L.C.: Nodal is a great artist. Heâs young and makes music that is exceptional. What he does and how he takes the genre but modernizes, it is so clever. The results are really interesting. I donât see another artist like him at that age. This should be Christian Nodalâs year. Â
I.R.: Christian Nodal has modernized the genre, but still stayed true to his essence. Weâve seen the emergence of so much regional, but fusing it with external elements. He stays true to the essence of what the genre is, and thatâs what I appreciate about him. Â
I.F.: Nodal is like the Vicente FernĂĄndez of our generation. The power of his voice is unmatched. He truly represents this genre, and he should win.
Likely winner: Christian Nodal
Best Tropical Latin AlbumPaâllĂĄ Voy, Marc Anthony Quiero Verte Feliz, La Santa Cecilia Lado A Lado B, VĂctor Manuelle Legendario, Tito Nieves lmĂĄgenes Latinas, Spanish Harlem Orchestra Cumbiana II, Carlos VivesÂ
L.C.: I have a soft spot for Cumbiana, even though Carlos Vives has done it before. I liked Victor Manuelleâs album, I thought it was cool, but Iâm rooting for Vives here. Â
G.F.: Iâd like to see Victor Manuelle win, because it was an interesting to see him live in that duality of salsa and urban. It was a fun listen. I appreciate his experimental nature but what I respected most is that he didnât lose touch with who he is and what he represents in that album.Â
S.R.A.: I love Carlos Vives and I love how heâs been able to spotlight Colombian music. I think itâs spectacular. If he wins, Iâll be happy. But Victor Manuelle is also deserving. He has a good album.
I.R.: I think itâs Victor Manuelleâs year. Heâs celebrating 30 years in music, and being honored at Premio Lo Nuestro. And his album is pretty cool! Heâs always maintained his essence even while collaborating with other contemporary artists such as Miky Woodz, and he sounds great. He doesnât sacrifice his signature style for the sake of jumping on the bandwagon. Â
J.R.: I feel Carlos Vives is going to win. He really did the leg work, so much research for this album, thereâs a film component to this. But I agree that Victor Manuelle should win because heâs never done a concept album like this one and he sounds amazing. Â
Likely winner: Victor Manuelle Â
A year ago, Billboard predicted the trends we would see over the course of 2022 and 2023 in Latin music â including more urban, pop, and bachata fusions. With a growing number of Latin artists outside of the Bachata realm tapping into the Dominican-rooted genre, thatâs turned out to be precisely the case.
Though weâve seen these types of collaborations in the past, including Romeo Santos and Usherâs âPromiseâ in 2011 and Prince Royceâs âDeja Vuâ with Shakira in 2017, many urban artists, as of lately, have experimented with Bachata and released their innovative tracks. Most of them have even achieved viral success and entered the Billboard charts.
In August 2021, for example, Bad Bunny hoped on Aventuraâs âVolvĂâ for a saucy collaboration that earned the renowned bachata group its first Hot Latin Songs No. 1 in over a decade. Three months later, RosalĂa teamed up with The Weeknd for the all-Spanish âLa Fama,â which debuted and peaked at No. 2 on Hot Latin Songs. The track recently topped both the Latin Airplay and Tropical Airplay lists on the May 14-dated ranking.
In 2022, Colombian urban-pop sensation Manuel Turizo also tested his luck with âLa Bachata,â which snagged him his second No. 1 on Billboardâs Tropical Airplay chart â and first as a lead artist â on the Aug. 6, 2022-dated ranking.
Like Bad Bunny, RosalĂa, and Turizo, who are predominantly urban and pop artists, acts such as El Alfa, Myke Towers, Natti Natasha, and Maria Becerra have also not shied away from tapping into the sultry, romantic genre.
Below, see 22 artists â spread across 18 songs â who have dropped their very own bachata jam in the past five years:
Jimmy Humilde hits No. 1 on Billboardâs Latin Producers chart (dated Feb. 4) for the first time, thanks to nine production credits on the Hot Latin Songs survey.
Leading the charge is Fuerza Regida and Grupo Fronteraâs âBebe Dame,â at No. 2 on Hot Latin Songs. The track, which topped the chart two weeks earlier, tallied 15 million U.S. streams, 2.7 million radio airplay audience impressions and 2,000 downloads sold in the Jan. 20-26 tracking week, according to Luminate.
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Hereâs a look at all nine of Humildeâs production credits on this weekâs Hot Latin Songs chart:
Rank, Artist Billing, Title (co-producers in addition to Jimmy Humilde):No. 2, Fuerza Regida X Grupo Frontera, âBebe Dameâ (JesĂșs Ortiz Paz, Edgar Barrera, Miguel Armenta)No. 12, Junior H X Oscar Maydon, âFin de SemanaâNo. 21, Fuerza Regida X Edgardo Nuñez, âBillete Grandeâ (JesĂșs Ortiz Paz)No. 22, Fuerza Regida X Natanael Cano, âCh y La Pizzaâ (JesĂșs Ortiz Paz)No. 26, Fuerza Regida X Grupo Frontera, â911 (En Vivo)â (JesĂșs Ortiz Paz, Grupo Frontera, Edgar Barrera)No. 29, Chachito feat. Junior H, âEn ParĂsâNo. 36, Junior H & Gabito Ballesteros, âVamos Para ArribaâNo. 46, Junior H Con Banda, âEl Hijo MayorâNo. 49, Oscar Maydon X El Padrinito Toys, âLos Collaresâ
Humilde succeeds Bizarrap, who hit No. 1 on Latin Producers a week earlier, and now ranks at No. 2. Bizarrap supplanted MAG, Bad Bunnyâs go-to producer, who spent 38 weeks at the summit, including every week since the May 21, 2022, ranking, when Bad Bunnyâs Un Verano Sin Ti arrived on Billboardâs charts. Only Tainy has spent more time at No. 1 than MAG, with 119 total weeks.
Humilde is the founder and CEO of regional Mexican label Rancho Humilde, which finished at No. 4 on Billboardâs 2022 year-end Hot Latin Songs Labels recap. The labelâs roster includes Natanael Cano, Junior H and Fuerza Regida.
Humilde scored his first production credits on the Hot Latin Songs chart in 2018, via El De La Guitarraâs âA Lo Lejos Me Veranâ and âEl Monstro 7,â which peaked at Nos. 24 and 38, respectively.
âBebe Dameâ recently brought Humilde his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 as a producer, when the track debuted on the chart dated Jan. 7 at No. 91; it ranks at No. 32 on the latest list, a week after reaching No. 25.
Over on Billboardâs Latin Songwriters chart, Humildeâs collaborator Edgar Barrera logs a 15th week at No. 1, thanks for four songwriting credits on Hot Latin Songs. Hereâs a recap:
Rank, Artist Billing, Title (co-songwriters in addition to Edgar Barrera)No. 2, Fuerza Regida X Grupo Frontera, âBebe Dameâ (JesĂșs Ortiz Paz, Miguel Armenta)No. 3, Carin Leon X Grupo Frontera, âQue VuelvasâNo. 7, Manuel Turizo, âLa Bachataâ (Manuel Turizo, Casta, Rios, Juan Diego Medina)No. 26, Fuerza Regida X Grupo Frontera, â911 (En Vivo)â (Horacio Palencia, Nathan Galante, Salvador Hurtado)
Barreraâs 15 weeks at No. 1 mark the third-most in the chartâs history, after only Bad Bunny (95) and Tainy (24).
The weekly Latin Songwriters and Latin Producers charts are based on total points accrued by a songwriter and producer, respectively, for each attributed song that appears on the Hot Latin Songs chart. As with Billboardâs yearly recaps, multiple writers or producers split points for each song equally (and the dividing of points will lead to occasional ties on rankings).
The full Latin Songwriters and Latin Producers charts, in addition to the full genre rankings, can be found on Billboard.com.