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RodeoHouston will once again take over The Lone Star State’s biggest city when the music event returns to NRG Stadium on March 4-23, 2025.
This year’s lineup is packed with both country and Latino performers, with Carín León and Grupo Frontera on the lineup alongside country music luminaries including Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn, as well as hot-shot newcomers such as Zach Top and Warren Zeiders. Also on the bill is the genre-fluid hitmaker Post Malone, who made an indelible foray into country music in 2024 with his Billboard 200 chart-topping collaborative country album F-1 Trillion, which included the six-week Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “I Had Some Help” with Morgan Wallen and “Pour Me a Drink” with Blake Shelton.
Beyond music, the longstanding festival will feature an array of activities for RodeoHouston attendees, including light shows, drone shows, a carnival, animal rides, a petting zoo, an array of food and beverage vendors and much more.
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Tickets for RodeoHouston will go on sale starting Jan. 16 at rodeohouston.com, in two waves through AXS. Wave 1 tickets for March 4 – March 13 performances go on sale at 10 a.m. (with the waiting room opening at 9:30 a.m.), and Wave 2 tickets for March 14 – 23 performances go on sale at 2 p.m. (with the waiting room opening at 1:30 p.m.).
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See the RodeoHouston concert lineup below:
March 4: Reba McEntire – Opening Day presented by Shell Federal Credit Union
March 5: Riley Green – Armed Forces Appreciation Day presented by Crown Royal
March 6: AJR
March 7: Bun B Birthday Bonanza – Black Heritage Day Presented by Kroger
March 8: Bailey Zimmerman
March 9: Carín León
March 10: Brad Paisley – First Responders Day Presented by BP America
March 11: Zach Top
March 12: Lauren Daigle – Community Day Presented by TC Energy
March 13: Jon Pardi – Volunteer Appreciation Day Presented by Phillips 66
March 14: Journey
March 15: Warren Zeiders
March 16: Groupo Frontera – Go Tejano Day Presented by Fiesta Mart
March 17: Charley Crockett
March 18: Post Malone
March 19: Old Dominion
March 20: Cody Jinks
March 21: Parker McCollum
March 22: Brooks & Dunn
March 23: Luke Bryan
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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Kapo, “ALOH ALOH” (Sony Music Latin/La Industria Inc.)
Kapo kicks off the year with his new single “ALOH ALOH,” following the feel-good sound and uplifting lyrics that have made him a household name. Penned by the Colombian newcomer and co-produced by Gangsta and Jeyjenm, the track is charged with a certain charm that will make anyone feel beautiful and confident—similar to his 2024 Billboard hits “Ohnana” and “UWAIE.” “You’re more than a kiss/ More than a few hours/ More than two caresses and a coffee,” he chants in the chorus, backed by his signature Latin Afrobeat sound. “‘Aloh Aloh is about capturing the moment, the joy, the rhythm, and the vibe,” he said in a press statement. “I wanted a name and a sound that felt alive, effortless, and uniquely me.” — JESSICA ROIZ
Adriel Favela & Octavio Cuadras, “Esquizofrénico” (Fonovisa/UMG Recordings)
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Adriel Favela and Octavio Cuadras team up on “Esquizofrénico” to deliver a “happy corrido” that combines the vivacity of Mexican music with bold storytelling. It portrays the intense and extravagant lifestyle of a rock star, touching on themes of mental strain, sleepless nights, and the daunting side of fame. Musically, the track captivates with a vibrant horn section and requinto melodies. The music video may cause initial backlash among those concerned about propagating mental health stigmas by featuring images of a person in a straitjacket. However, Favela himself has openly dealt with bipolar disorder, which adds layers to the video’s interpretation and suggests personal reflection. His deep delivery of the song and compelling narrative bode well for Favela’s upcoming album, Origen, to be released on Jan. 23. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Paulo Londra feat. Luisa Sonza, “Itamambuca” (Paulo Londra/DALE PLAY Records)
It may be winter in most parts of the world, but Paulo Londra and Luísa Sonza are heating things up and transporting us to the beaches of Brazil with “Itamambuca.” Produced by Mr. Naisgai, the euhphoric track kicks off with a slowed down baile funk rhythm that later transitions into more uptempo, powered by a sped-up reggaetón beat. Londra and Sonza sing about fate bringing them together and set the scene for what could be an idyllic rendezvous. “Just imagine, you and I kissing in Itamambuca .. dedicating you to the moon … Caipirinha with ice and hookah,” they propose. According to a press release, the Argentine hitmaker traveled to Itamambuca where he was introduced to the world of surfing and decided to turn his trip into a musical project, joining forces with Brazilian star Sonza. — GRISELDA FLORES
Alfredo Olivas, “Noche De Enciclopedia” (Fonovisa/UMG Recordings)
Alfredo Olivas starts off 2025 with his new single titled “Noche de Enciclopedia” (Encyclopedia Night). This song highlights his unique lyrical style, telling a poignant story about someone who rises from the depths of despair after being disappointed by a loved one. The imagery in the lyrics compares this transformation to that of a vampire who, after a long period of darkness, is finally ready to embrace the light again. Musically, “Noche de Enciclopedia” features a lively polka melody, enriched by soulful harmonica tones and the powerful sounds of an accordion. — INGRID FAJARDO
Guaynaa & Tropikal Forever, “QNPLC” (Guaynaa Records)
Guaynaa begins the new year with “QNPLC,” a catchy preview of what he calls “the most important project I have worked on so far.” The song, performed with the Mexican group Tropikal Forever and whose title is the initials of “Que No Pare la Cumbia” (Don’t let cumbia stop), honors the genre originated in Colombia that has gained strength throughout Latin America. “Time will pass and fashions come and go/ But don’t let cumbia end when you dance,” says part of the lyrics, also saluting icons of the genre such as Los Ángeles Azules from Mexico, Los Wawancó from Argentina, Armonía 10 from Peru and Los Corraleros and Carlos Vives from Colombia, among others.
“With a lot of dedication, with love, and with a lot of respect, we bring you #cumbiayamor,” added the Puerto Rican musician on an Instagram post, implying that Cumbia y Amor would be the title of the album (which means Cumbia and Love). “A new chapter begins in my career, in the search to highlight the greatness and beauty of the Latin American identity, especially giving visibility to new generations. As a Caribbean, from the tropics, and with a lot of flavor, we prepare this for you to enjoy!!!!” Guaynaa also released an “Intro” in which a female voice explains the relevance of this tropical genre. It is a solid and exciting sample of what promises to be an album that will make you dance and rejoice. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
Maná has spoken out about the devastating ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, asking their fans and colleagues to make donations. “Los Angeles is like hell. There are devastating fires that are affecting the houses…it’s tremendous how the fire is raging,” frontman Fher Olvera said in a video message posted on Thursday (Jan. 9). He continued: […]
The worlds of hip-hop and reggaeton have been intertwined in both style and sound since the origins of both genres, particularly in their common affinity for opulent jewelry. Large, flashy bling has for years marked the elites of these two musically akin cultures, representing a display of wealth and a symbol of defiance, a bold claim to hard-won success and status.
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Parallel to this trend, the current Mexican music generation has also absorbed hip-hop’s aesthetics into its contemporary revival. Yet, some of the most successful artists in the scene have opted for more refined choices.
Van Cleef & Arpels — known for its sleek designs of metal and precious stones inspired by nature, like the four-leaf clover — has notably emerged as a favored brand among a bevy of corridos tumbados stars. The subtle luxury of these pieces has become a symbol within the genre — whether flaunted in outfits seen in music videos or lyrically celebrated in tracks.
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This was evident in 2023 when Peso Pluma was spotted donning a Van Cleef chain in the billion-stream music video for “La Bebé – Remix” alongside Yng Lvcas. The trend was underscored again in June when Natanael Cano sported the chic chain in the video for “Vino Tinto” with Peso Pluma and Gabito Ballesteros.
In a recent interview, Oscar Maydon, who arrived at the Billboard offices in New York wearing a Van Cleef bracelet, commented, “It’s something that became fashionable. They’re very pretty, they’re very practical, they go with everything. People like them, they are very youthful, all the kids adapted them very well.” The Mexicali artist — whose hit “Tu Boda” with Fuerza Regida has been at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart for 11 weeks — also talked to us about an unreleased corrido that mentions the French brand.
And there’s more. For example, last September, Interscope artist El Padrinito Toys released a romantic turned ominous sierreño directly titled “Van Cleef,” further articulating the brand’s appeal: “Si no te tengo no me palpita el corazón/ Eres como una pesadilla, la neta ya te compré una Van Cleef amarilla/ Te está esperando tu silla, voy bien jalado y atrás viene la policía” (If I don’t have you, my heart doesn’t beat/ You’re like a nightmare, I already bought you a yellow Van Cleef/ Your chair is waiting for you, I’m riding hard and the police are coming).
Others have expressed their spirit of camaraderie by gifting such jewelry. Darey Castro, the leader of Los Dareyes de la Sierra, for example, has given Van Cleef & Arpels products to colleagues, a source told Billboard Español.
When Billboard Español reached out to a Van Cleef & Arpels representative for comment, they stated, “Regarding the use of Van Cleef & Arpels pieces by Mexican artists, I would like to confirm that we do not currently lend to celebrities; therefore, this phenomenon is completely organic.”
While the incorporation of Van Cleef & Arpels into Mexican music culture has become notable, its influence has also been felt in other fields of Latin music. Myke Towers included the track “Van Cleef” with Pirlo on his latest album, and AMF recorded “Exoticón (Van Cleef)” with Victor Mendivil, illustrating the brand’s far-reaching cultural resonance.
In her 2023 book Fashion Killa: How Hip-Hop Revolutionized High Fashion, Sowmya Krishnamurthy delves into the intersection between hip-hop and fashion and how their relationship is deeply symbiotic. She highlights how the DIY ethos of hip-hop artists and their communities has progressively influenced luxury fashion houses.
Because of the way Latin music artists are wearing Van Cleef, their chains feel more like an integral aspect of their musical and cultural identity than a simple accessory.
Just days after dropping his new album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Bad Bunny (real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) released a music video for “Baile Inolvidable,” the third song on the LP. The sweet six-minute clip begins with Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales, the protagonist on Benito’s Debí short film, who joins a salsa dance […]
Here are the collabs our Latin editors are hoping for this year.
As an artist, Joy Huerta says she likes a good challenge. So when the producers of Broadway‘s upcoming adaptation of Real Women Have Curves reached out to her in early 2020 to see if she could write the songs for the musical, she was swept off her feet.
“I said, ‘For sure!’,” the Grammy Award-winning singer of Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy — who had never composed music for theater before — tells Billboard Español. “I saw [the 2002 movie] and said, ‘I love the idea, of course, let’s do it.’ I think it was the weekend before we went into lockdown.” She adds: “You dream of challenges, but you don’t know what those challenges are going to look like.”
Five years later, Real Women Have Curves: The Musical is finally giving a glimpse of Huerta’s work ahead of its spring Broadway opening. First, the production released an acoustic performance video of “If I Were A Bird” three weeks ago, in which she sings with fellow Mexican actor and singer Aline Mayagoitia. Now, on Thursday (Jan. 9), arrives “Flying Away,” which Huerta — who is not part of the cast — performs in the clip accompanied by Nadia DiGiallonardo, Rich Mercurio and Yair Evnine. “They gave up so much so I could have more/ And if I don’t go what was all of it for,” say part of the lyrics.
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“’Flying Away’ is a song of longing of this teenage girl becoming a woman, who is growing up in a double culture [as the daughter of Latin American immigrants.] She’s becoming her own person while she’s trying to discover who she wants to be, who she is supposed to be, and who her family need her to be,” Huerta explains. “It’s a big struggle for her, and I think she doesn’t wanna let anyone down, but she ultimately has to think about her, without forgetting about her family. ‘Flying Away’ is that type of song about, how can I spread my wings, how can I fly, how can I be who I was born to be without leaving everyone behind.”
Additionally, fans can stream four demo tracks from the show, including “Make It Work,” “Flying Away,” “Daydream,” and “Real Women Have Curves,” all performed by Huerta, here. All songs were written by the Mexican star along with composer/lyricist Benjamin Velez, whom she calls “a very talented guy.”
Known for Hot Latin Songs hits including “Corre!”, “Me Soltaste” and “Ecos de Amor” as part of Jesse & Joy, the duo she shares with her brother, Huerta — who could relate to the story as the Mexican daughter of an American mother — has enjoyed learning the craft of writing songs for a different form of art in this project.
“Also understanding in what way you are telling the story, because the way I tell stories is in 3 minutes. Here, I especially had time to strike a certain nerve, knowing that what I did or said was going to have a domino effect half an hour, 45 minutes later,” she says enthusiastically. “And that’s been phenomenal because for me now writing songs for Jesse & Joy, knowing what I know after five years of working on this project, it’s been fascinating — it’s like I’m stealing little tricks from different sides for both worlds, and it’s been quite fun.”
Based on the play by Josefina López and the HBO’s movie adaptation, Real Women Have Curves: The Musical is set in East L.A. in 1987 and follows 18-year-old Ana García, a daughter of immigrants who struggles between her ambitions of going to college and the desire of her mother for her to get married, have children, and oversee the small, rundown family-owned textile factory. The 2002 movie, directed by Patricia Cardoso, put a young America Ferrera on the map.
Now Huerta hopes the show helps people see real immigrants in a different light.
“Something that’s really affected me with this story is that all these issues that were happening in the 80s are still happening today, and you would think no, it’s 2025, so many things have changed, it should be easier, and it’s not,” the artist says, wiping tears from her eyes.
“I have dual citizenship, I feel very privileged, but it is very difficult for those who are going to live right now in this new change of government,” she adds. “One of the reasons I’m very excited about this play is that I feel like, whenever you try and tell the story through a family perspective, a family point of view, I feel like maybe we can stop looking at our differences and we can start looking at each other as people. And when that happens, I think change really starts happening.”
As for her aspirations not only to write but also to perform on Broadway, Huerta would love to do it one day, but right now she is enjoying the ride behind the scenes. “I would definitely love to do it at some point. I would also love writing more for musicals,” she says. “This has been such a rewarding and such a beautiful experience.”
Real Women Have Curves: The Musical is produced by Waitress producers Barry and Fran Weissler, and Jack Noseworthy. It has a book by Lisa Loomer with Nell Benjamin, music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo, and direction & choreography by Tony and Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo. Cast and additional creative team will be announced at a later date.
It arrives on Broadway following its 2023 world premiere at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T) at Harvard University, with previews beginning on Tuesday, April 1, and an opening night set for Sunday, April 27 at the James Earl Jones Theatre (138 West 48thSt). Tickets can be purchased online now at Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200.
Watch Joy Huerta singing “Flying Away” from Broadway’s Real Women Have Curves: The Musical above.
Bad Bunny may be a global hitmaker, but at times, he still feels like a rookie. That’s what the Puerto Rican superstar (real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe during an interview in which he spoke about his latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, and how he’s been reflecting on his own career and life now that he’s been in the industry for a decade.
“I’ve been reflecting about my whole life, my history, and also about my career, when I’ve been doing all these years, I’m about to turn 10 years in the industry,” he told Lowe. “And that’s f–king crazy because sometimes I feel that I’m a rookie, this is my first year! This is my first album to me.”
Debí is Bad Bunny’s sixth studio album, and it’s a celebration of Puerto Rico and the sonic heritage that has influenced his music. The 17-track album, released Sunday (Jan. 5), includes collaborative efforts with Chuwi, Dei V, Omar Courtz, Pleneros de la Cresta and RaiNao — all Puerto Rican acts. Throughout, he takes traditional Afro-Puerto Rican styles such as plena and jíbara, and fuses them with contemporary reggaetón and synths.
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During the interview, he also revealed that his favorite track is the third one on the set, titled “Baile Inolvidable,” which was recorded with young musicians from Escuela Libre de Música. “It’s a song that I have in my mind for maybe two years. The whole composition, the whole song, it was in my mind way before the song was created,” he expressed.
Benito also spoke about aging, and recalled a dark moment in his life. He shared that in his 20s, he felt depressed.
“I remember when I turned 20, I was depressed. I thought that I was I was going to die. It was the end of my life. I was, Oh, my God, I’m 20! I’m a f–king old man! I’m about to die! This is the end! I remember,” he said. “I’m just learning not to think too much and just trust in the life and God and the process and everything and enjoy the moment. But now I’m 30, people start to ask you, ‘Are you going to marry? Are you going to have kids?’ You start to think, ‘Am I wrong?’”
Check out the full interview above, in which Bad Bunny also reveals whether he’ll be touring in Europe this year.
Corridos singer-songwriter Netón Vega is igniting curiosity with new single “Loco.” His first venture into reggaetón, the track rallies 18-2 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart (dated Jan. 11), to become his fourth top 10 and ties his best rank. The chart blends streams, airplay and sales to rank the most popular Latin songs of the week in the U.S.
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The Mexican singer-songwriter (from La Paz, Baja California Sur) is set to release his debut album, De Mi Vida Mi Muerte, on Jan. 20 (his birthday), which will house “Loco” as its first single. The song traces its new No. 2 peak largely to 8 million official U.S. streams (up 166%) registered during the Dec. 27-Jan. 2 tracking week, according to Luminate. It unlocks Vega’s second No. 1 on Latin Streaming Songs. With the percentage increase, “Loco” also launches at No. 44 on the all-genre Streaming Songs chart and locks a No. 50 debut on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.
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Vega, known more for corridos and penning songs for Peso Pluma and Tito Double P, has also collaborated with Natanael Cano, Gabito Ballesteros, Luis R Conriquez and other regional Mexican greats, with songs that have earned him three other top 10s on the Hot Latin Songs chart. Among them are “Si No Quieres No” with Conriquez and “La Patrulla” with Pluma; both reached a No. 2 high in June and September 2024, respectively.
In comes “Loco,” released Dec. 20 via Josa Records, for Vega’s first Hot Latin Songs top 10 of the new year and a new sound that has conquered the Latin rhythm audience. The reggaetón track has generated a combined 63,000 videos on TikTok. No video for the song has been released yet.
On a global leval, “Loco” earns Vega his highest debut on the Billboard Global 200, starting at No. 57, the Hot Shot debut of the week, with 20.3 million streams worldwide. Plus, it launches at No. 132 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart, with 12.4 million clicks outside the States.
Further, following his change of sound, Vega secures his first appearance on the Billboard Artist Hot 100. The chart measures artists’ activity across key metrics of music consumption: album sales, track sales, radio airplay and streaming. Using a methodology comprising those metrics, the chart provides a weekly multi-dimensional ranking of artist popularity.
Bad Bunny’s Second Single From New Album Debuts
Also on Hot Latin Songs, two songs from Bad Bunny’s sixth solo studio album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, rank in the top 10.
“El Clúb” moves 10-9 with 4.6 million audience impressions and 4.5 million official U.S. streams. “Pitorro de Coco,” meanwhile, visits the chart for the first time, starting at No. 10, for Benito’s record-extending 79 career top 10s. The song registered 5.2 million official streams, suffice for a No. 9 debut on Latin Streaming Songs.
Elsewhere, “Pitorro de Coco” makes its debut across four other charts: No. 91 on Billboard Hot 100, No. 103 on Billboard Global 200, No. 135 on Global Excl. U.S. and No. 2 on Latin Digital Song Sales.
El Alfa announced that he’s retiring from music this year and also taking a social media break following the death of his beloved grandmother earlier this week. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I know that life goes on but my feelings don’t go unnoticed. My grandmother […]