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For the third year running, Bad Bunny was the most streamed artist in the world on Spotify in 2022, the music streamer announced Wednesday (Nov. 30). While the Puerto Rican artist last year did not have an album among the five most streamed on the platform, this time, his Un Verano Sin Ti ends the year as the most streamed album globally and the most streamed in the U.S., besting Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo.
In the most streamed songs category, Styles’ “As It Was” leads, but Bunny still placed two songs in the top five: “Me Porto Bonito” with Chencho Corleone and “Tití me Preguntó” at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.
Beyond Bunny, the most streamed Latin artists on Spotify in 2022 were J Balvin, Rauw Alejandro, Daddy Yankee and Karol G., with slight variations in order between the U.S. and the world. While Balvin came in second in streams in the U.S., Alejandro bested him globally, with Yankee coming in at No. 4 and Karol G at No. 5.
The “Provenza” singer was the most streamed female Latin artist in the world for the third consecutive year. She was followed by Shakira and Rosalía, while Latin heritage artists Camila Cabello and Selena Gomez came in at Nos. 4 and 5 respectively.
All told, there are 10 Latin artists within the Top 50 global most-streamed artists: Rauw Alejandro is the 11th most-streamed artist of the year, followed by J Balvin (#19), Daddy Yankee (#25) and Karol G (#27). Additional artists within the top 50 include Ozuna (#38), Anuel AA (#39), Feid (#48), Bizarrap (#49), and Lin-Manuel Miranda (#50).
Here are Spotify’s year-end Latin ranks:
Most Streamed Artists Globally
Most Streamed Latin Artists Globally
Most Streamed Latin Female Artists Globally
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Latin songs have long been part of the American songbook for more than half a century — when in 1957, a 17-year-old teenager named Ritchie Valens decided to fuse American rock with the Mexican music he grew up with; or in 1969 at Woodstock, when Carlos Santana redefined Mexican-American rock with his guitar; or in the late 1960s in New York, when a fiery pack of salseros known as the Fania All-Stars created riveting Caribbean-driven dance music for the ages.
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As Latin music becomes increasingly part of the mainstream Stateside, a bevy of genres from Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain continue to increase in relevance and popularity. At the same time, the presence of Latin music has been growing in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, which includes songs and albums that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States.”
In 2015, Santana’s Abraxas entered the audio history library, and in 2017, Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine’s “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” joined the list. The following year, Valens’ timeless hit “La Bamba” entered the registry, while Selena Quintanilla’s Ven Conmigo joined in 2019. Earlier this year, Linda Ronstadt’s mariachi-led Canciones De Mi Padre, Ricky Martin’s party banger “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and Buena Vista Social Club’s debut album were also added, showcasing the diversity of Latin music.
Last week, Texas Democratic congressman Joaquin Castro tweeted a call to action: “Latino artists have long contributed to the soundtrack of our lives. The @librarycongress needs recommendations for songs/albums (+10 years old) by your favorite Latino artists or groups to preserve in the National Recording Registry.”
This sparked a whole Twitter debate about which Latin song or album is worthy of making the registry. We’ve compiled those suggestions and a few other classics into a poll. Now all you have to do is choose which one you think should enter the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2023.
Vote below! (And if you want, suggest another one — but remember, it must be at least 10 years old).
Following Argentina’s nail-biting 2-0 win over Mexico during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Saturday (Nov. 26), social media was flooded with clips of the team singing triumphantly in the locker room. The song is “Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar” (which translates loosely to “Boys, We Have Our Hopes Up Again”) by La Mosca, the Argentine nine-piece band that plays a blend of ska, rock and pop, laced with tango pathos.
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“Muchachos” has been on global fans’ radar ever since striker Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the best soccer player in the world, claimed during an interview with an Argentine channel earlier this year that it was his favorite soccer song amongst dozens — and actually sang a bit live. On Saturday, after Argentina averted disqualification from the World Cup with its two goals, one scored by Messi himself, the song was again on the spotlight, and very appropriately so. After all, it mentions Messi in the opening line: “I was born in Argentina, land of Diego and Lionel, of the kids from the Falkland Islands, whom I’ll never forget.”
But it didn’t use to. Originally titled “Muchachos, Esta Noche Me Emborracho” (“Boys, Tonight I’ll Get Drunk”), it was a heartbreak song written in 2003 by La Mosca lead singer Guillermo Novellis and Sergio Cairat. In July 2021, fan Fernando Romero wrote new lyrics celebrating Argentina’s road to the final of Latin American soccer tournament Copa América. A chance encounter with a camera crew outside the final in Brazil made the song with new lyrics go viral, and caught the attention of Messi and his teammates.
It also caught the attention of Novellis and La Mosca, who recorded and released the new version (where Romero gets credit) just two weeks prior to the kickoff of the World Cup. Billboard caught up with Novellis, who, like Messi, is celebrating his high hopes.
Billboard: “Muchachos” is a rather melancholy song. Are you surprised it’s become a soccer anthem?
Guillermo Novellis: It’s a song that has a lot of tango in its lyrics and melody. But like all La Mosca songs, it’s put in a rhythmic, danceable context. Some five, six years ago, a local team Racing Club adapted the lyrics, and then, other clubs did too. But this version started with Copa América, and the new lyrics are really good. They have to do with our frustrations, our success, our hopes, the Falklands, finals lost and finals won. And of course, the hope of being champions again. Maybe that’s why it resonated so much with fans and players.
You released this new version the week prior to the World Cup. When did you decide to re-record the song?
If was something that our manager Santiago Ruiz pushed. We recorded it, and then a couple of weeks before the World Cup, they interviewed Messi and asked him what his favorite song was. He said “Muchachos” and actually sang it. I mean, it’s like arriving in Rome and being introduced to the Pope.
Do you personally know Messi?
Yes. We’ve seen him several times and even played for his birthday party when he turned 20. We’ve crossed paths several times. I can’t say we’re friends, but we’ll likely be from this moment on.
Just last week, Argentina lost against Saudi Arabia. Had you lost on Saturday, you would have been out of the World Cup. How worried were you?
We were all thinking about that match. But things have a way of shaking out. The World Cup is very short, and I want to win every game. You can only lose one match. And Argentina lost it at the very beginning. Argentina was coming from a great run, winning every single match they played, and maybe that bucket of cold water got our pride up again. There’s always a silver lining. Soccer is a marvelous sport and it doesn’t respond to statistics, like tennis or American football. With the band, we have a little mantra: We wish each other a Merry Christmas, because if it’s merry, it means everything fell in place.
Do you think Argentine fans are different from other fans?
I really do. We see it not only in soccer but also in music. The Argentine fan isn’t happy just being a spectator; he wants a starring role, from the stands, from the audience. And that’s great. As far as soccer goes, every single person in Argentina has played soccer at some point in their lives.
You’re in the middle of a tour. Will you also perform in Qatar this year?
That all depends on whether or not we have a Merry Christmas!
Watch the new version of “Muchachos” below.
Manuel Turizo’s “La Bachata” spends an 11th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated Nov. 19). It’s the longest reign for any song in 2022, and the fifth-most among all titles.With Turizo adding another week at the summit, let’s look at the longest leads since the chart launched in 2018:
25 weeks, “Tusa,” Karol G & Nicki Minaj16 weeks, “Entre Nosotros,” Tiago pzk, LIT Killa, Nicki Nicole & Maria Becerra13, “Otro Trago,” Sech, Darell, Nicky Jam, Ozuna & Anuel AA12, “Hawai,” Maluma & The Weeknd12, “Calma,” Pedro Capo & Farruko11, “La Bachata,” Manuel Turizo
Meanwhile, Rosalía’s “Despechá” holds strong at No. 2 for an 11th nonconsecutive week. Bizarrap and Quevedo’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” rebounds to No. 3 for a fifth week after its eight-week atop the ranking, while María Becerra’s “Automático” dips 3-4.
Further, Argentinian Ysy A scores his 15th entry as every song from his latest album, Ysysmo, debuts on the tally. One song from the 12-track set, which released on Nov. 11 through Sponsor Dios, scores the week’s Hot Shot Debut: “Cómo Chilla Ella,” with Sponsor Dios and Evlay, at No. 5.
Here’s Ysy A’s complete takeover:
No. 5, “Cómo Chilla Ella,” with Sponsor Dios & EvlayNo. 13, “A Por Todo,” with Sponsor Dios & OniriaNo. 14, “Cuánto Vale Hacer El Amor?” with Sponsor Dios & EvlayNo. 16, “Cuántos Términos?” with Sponsor Dios & BaxianNo. 24, “Relojes Reventados,” with Sponsor Dios & OniriaNo. 29, “Uoh Oh Oh,” with Sponsor Dios & BaxianNo. 31 “Un Piso Más,” with Sponsor Dios, Club Hats & KokiNo. 33, “Cuál?” with Sponsor Dios & Rucci VazquezNo. 36, “Pa Esta Soledad,” with Yesan & Sponsor DiosNo. 39, “Ser El Trap,” with Sponsor Dios & BaxianNo. 42, “Heridas Al Fuego,” Sponsor Dios & OniriaNo. 45, “Todo Pago,” Sponsor Dios & Halpe
Elsewhere, Bizarrap adds a 35th entry as his latest collab with Duki, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 50,” debuts at No. 11. With the new arrival, he ties with Anuel AA, Ozuna and Rauw Alejandro for the third-most, trailing only Bad Bunny’s 53 entries and J Balvin’s 49. Duki, meanwhile, adds a 34th appearance to his account.
La K’onga takes the Greatest Gainer honors of the week thanks to “El Mismo Aire,” which ascends 97-81. Lali collects her 14th entry as “Motiveishon” starts at No. 83. Lastly, David Guetta and Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue)” opens at No. 85.
Arthur Hanlon does it again. After thrilling audiences with his 2021 HBO Max special Piano y Mujer, the “gringo with a Latin soul” returns in time for the holidays with Piano y Mujer II, along with a diverse group of Latin female stars that includes reggaetón queen Ivy Queen and Mexican sibling duo Ha*Ash.
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The special concert, which also features Costa Rican singer/songwriter Debi Nova, Colombian singer Catalina García (of eclectic popsters Monsieur Periné) and Mexican singer Lupita Infante, is out Nov. 25 in album format on Sony Music Latin, and will stream on HBO Max beginning Nov. 29.
“I’m extremely proud. When we filmed the first Piano y Mujer, it was like a tribute and a celebration of strong, intelligent and creative women, like the women in my home,” Hanlon told Billboard. “I grew up with three sisters, my mom and my grandmother in the house – five women who listened to me play the piano every single day, who pushed me and supported me. Now, with this second concert, I am so very happy.”
The first Piano y Mujer, where Hanlon had Kany García, Natalia Jiménez, Goyo, Evaluna Montaner and Nella as guests, is still streaming on HBO Max. This makes the piano virtuoso the only music artist currently with two concerts available simultaneously on the streaming service.
Pianist Arthur Hanlon and Catalina Garcia during the HBO Max concert special “Piano y Mujer II”
Basilio Silva
Piano y Mujer II was filmed on a stage decorated with an exuberant garden, where each female artist took turns to sing next to Hanlon, accompanied by an all-female band, performing both Latin standards and new versions of their own hits. The repertoire includes classics like “Bésame mucho” by Consuelo Velázquez (Catalina García), “Quizás quizás quizás” by Osvaldo Farrés (Debi Nova) and “Ya te olvidé” by Marco Antonio Solís and originally recorded by Rocío Dúrcal, performed here by Ivy Queen in one of her most sublime renditions. New takes on current hits include “Lo Aprendí de Ti” (Ha*Ash) and “La Canción” (García).
“The formula is a smash hit by each singer, and a second song that each of them have always wanted to sing,” explains Hanlon, who did all the musical arrangements and co-produced along with Eddie Pérez.
For example, Ha*Ash, the duo of Mexican-American singers Ashley and Hannah Pérez, harmonize beautifully on their hit “Lo aprendí de ti” and also on a gorgeous version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” And Lupita Infante shines with a powerful bilingual rendition of Harry Nilsson’s “Without You.” The ’70s star had recorded a little known Spanish version of the song, titled “Sin Ti,” before the English version became a hit in the 1990s when Mariah Carey covered the song.
Hanlon met Nilsson when he moved to Los Angeles as a young pianist fresh out of Manhattan School of Music who dreamt of a recording career in Latin music. Nilsson, says Hanlon, became a kind of mentor, and personally played him the Spanish version of “Without You.”
“He was way ahead of his time,” says the pianist. “I was very impressed […] And now, when we were looking for the right song, I remembered that one. I thought, now is really the perfect time to record this, with someone like Lupita who’s an amazing vocalist.”
Hanlon also performs two of his own compositions: The instrumental track “Toccata,” which he wrote in Colombia during the Feria de Cali, inspired by the music he heard late at night; and “We’re Going To Make It Tonight,” a bilingual song conceived especially to close the concert and performed by all the guests together onstage.
In the video, Hanlon says the seeds for Piano y Mujer were planted during his teen years in Detroit, where, as a 15-year-old, he played in a local band at events and parties. Often, when hosts couldn’t afford the full band, Hanlon’s agent would offer the pianist with a female singer. Being able to bring that concept to life in a big way with not one but two HBO specials “is a dream come true,” says Hanlon.
Piano y Mujer II took about six months to bring to life, from January 2021, when the project was approved, until July, when it was filmed in a Miami studio. Hanlon says it was important to him, particularly coming out of the pandemic, to take time to personally meet with every one of the singers and work on the arrangements.
“I feel people know when something has been forced or rushed,” he says. “I totally believe in connecting over empanadas, coffee and wine.”
With so many great female Latin artists, and such a rich and wide songbook, he hopes for new renditions of the project.
“Some of my artist friends have said, ‘Ay Arthur, how cool, congratulations — and what about me?’” he says with a laugh.
“For me, the thrill of the music, is that the piano, more than an instrument, is a vehicle to transport people to another place, and with these women I have the opportunity to do so. This project is out of this world for me.”
Pianist Arthur Hanlon and Debi Nova during the HBO Max concert special “Piano y Mujer II”
Basilio Silva
Y Mujer… The Guest Artists Speak
Catalina García: One of the beautiful things for me was to return to the origin of the song: The voice, accompanied by such a special instrument, which can create rhythm and harmony. And of course, knowing it’s a project that honors women as interpreters and composers, and of course, being part of a group of powerful women who have listened to each other during our lives.
Ha*Ash: It’s always a pleasure and a joy to work with Arthur and we feel honored to be part of this beautiful project with him and such talented women. We were able to perform “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” a song that is particularly significant for us, and that made the experience all the more special.
Lupita Infante: When he brought me the song and he told me the story behind it and why it’s so special to him, I knew we were making history together. I’d never heard a Spanish version of “Without You” and when I did, it brought tears to my eyes.
Debi Nova: The experience of being part of Piano y Mujer II was wonderful. Not only is Arthur a musician I profoundly admire, but I also have the honor to be surrounded by women who greatly inspire me. Both songs I perform are very close to my heart.
Ivy Queen: For me it’s about listening to my songs in different way, from a different perspective, because I feel the piano is as pure as the guitar, as intimate and romance. And we gave my song a different twist here.
Editor’s Note: Hanlon is married to Billboard’s Chief Content Officer, Latin/Espãnol, Leila Cobo.
On Saturday (Nov. 26), Mexico and Argentina will meet up for a highly anticipated game between two 2022 World Cup favorites.
It’s the second game for both teams — part of Group C along with Poland and Saudi Arabia — who each played their first match on Tuesday (Nov. 22). The Argentina team led by fútbol icon Lionel Messi was expected to win against Saudi Arabia, but was humbled after losing 2-1. Argentina will be looking to rebound from their stunning loss.
Meanwhile, La Selección Mexicana was able to walk away with a scoreless draw thanks to their goalie, Guillermo Ochoa, who delivered a heroic save on Robert Lewandowski’s penalty kick. With a missed opportunity to gain any points in their group where, like in all other groups, only two teams advance to the next round, Mexico is looking for a win or tie against Argentina.
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With all that being said, is anyone in the mood to stream some Argentina and Mexico anthems ahead of the big day? There’s nothing like music to bring us together regardless of which team you’re rooting for. The obvious ones that come to mind for Argentina are Diego Torres‘ hopeful and uplifting “Color Esperanza” and Trueno and Nathy Peluso‘s “Argentina.” For Mexico: Vicente Fernández‘s “El Rey” or the mariachi anthem “Cielito Lindo” — the latter is traditionally sung by zealous Mexican fans during matches.
Below, we’ve put together the ultimate 16-song playlist to stream ahead of the Mexico vs. Argentina game. Enjoy, and may the best team win.
It’s been 20 years since Jennifer Lopez dropped This Is Me … Then, and in honor of the set’s anniversary, the star has announced a follow-up to that album titled This Is Me … Now, set to drop next year.
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Calling it a “musical experience,” the project will chronicle the “emotional, spiritual and psychological journey” that Lopez has taken over the past two decades, according to a press release. In a teaser in which she announces This Is Me … Now, J.Lo says: “We captured me at this moment in time. If you have, like me at times, lost hope, almost given up, don’t. And that’s real. And I want to put that message out to the world.”
Lopez talked about this new album in her recent Vogue cover story describing it as a “culmination of who I am as a person and an artist.” She added: “People think they know things about what happened to me along the way, the men I was with — but they really have no idea, and a lot of times they get it so wrong. There’s a part of me that was hiding a side of myself from everyone. And I feel like I’m at a place in my life, finally, where I have something to say about it.”
This Is Me … Then — which featured tracks such as “The One” and “All I Have,” featuring LL Cool J — peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart (dated Dec. 14, 2002). After releasing a handful of singles and the soundtrack for her film Marry Me over the past near-decade, This Is Me … Now will mark J.Lo’s first album in eight years, following A.K.A. in 2014. The tracks on the 2023 album, whose exact release date has not yet been revealed, are described as “plaintive, confessional songs, reflections on the trials of her past, upbeat jams celebrating love and sex.”
See the exclusive This Is Me … Now teaser below:
When GALE wrote her first song at age seven, she thought she might be a superhero.
Titled “Amor Sincero,” the salsa track was dedicated to a boy who didn’t like her back. “When I finished writing it, I was like, ‘Wait, did I just create something that didn’t exist just by using a melody and chords?’” she recalls. “I thought I had a superpower. Since then, I’ve just kept going.”
Expressing herself through music came easily to the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, who grew up surrounded by artistic minds. Her father is also a musician — who, along with his band, performs at local events. Her grandfather was a professional cuatro player. Meanwhile, her mother was an actress who performed theater. “I was always free to experiment,” says the 29-year-old, who’s written songs for artists such as Fanny Lu, Juanes and Manuel Turizo, and is currently working on her first album.
Even before learning to perform professionally at Escuela Libre de Música, her father had been preparing her for the big stage since she was a little girl. “He used to make me perform every single time at every family reunion,” GALE says. “He would tell me, ‘If this is what you want to do your whole life, you need to practice.’ I was like, ‘I just want to go play hide and seek with my cousins!’ But then I’d sing 10 songs and I’d enjoy it.”
Now, GALE has become a go-to songwriter for a handful of artists — and on Nov. 17, she won her first Latin Grammy, thanks for songwriting credits on Christina Aguilera’s Aguilera, which scored best traditional pop vocal album, and is also nominated for best Latin pop album at February’s Grammys. “If you work hard and you manifest it, it happens. It’s grounding.”
Creating a path for herself is what GALE — who grew up listening to Shakira, Avril Lavigne and Selena Quintanilla — focused on since moving to Miami from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. “First, I knew had to work my ass off to make things happen,” she explains. “What I always wanted was to have my own project as an artist and that’s what I was going to do no matter what. But how would I get there? I figured I’d start writing with other artists and build those relationships. Then get a publishing deal and get signed by a label.”
So, she started door-knocking and visited publishing companies to show them the catalog of songs she had recorded in her closet. Her first big break came in 2019, when peermusic invited her to a session with Colombian artist Fanny Lu, which is when they co-wrote “En Mis Tacones.” Since then, she says, doors opened thanks to “word of mouth because producers started recommending me, Fanny Lu wanted to work with me again.”
She eventually got a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and a record deal with Sony Music Latin. Then, she landed on Aguilera’s project — co-writing (along with DallasK and Josh Berrios) the Ozuna-assisted “Santo,” which peaked at No. 12 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart in February.
She remembers meeting Aguilera during a writing session for “Brujería.” “She sat next to me and asks, ‘Is that you singing [on the demo]?’ I was like, ‘Yeah,’ and she said, ‘What a beautiful voice.’ In my mind I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve practiced singing Mi Reflejo every single day, I know the album from top to bottom. I’ve practiced performing all your songs…’ But what I really said was, ‘Thanks, you have a beautiful voice as well.’ It was a moment,” she says laughing.
Thankful that songwriting for other artists has opened doors, she’s now also focused on her own project, with plans to drop her debut album in 2023 — which would include her three singles, “Inmadura,” “Prolemas” and “D-Pic.” Describing her style as “Bad Bunny meets Dua Lipa meets Avril Lavigne,” her first songs showcase her raw, edgy songwriting skills and her pop-punk and rock influences. And, instead of going the collaborations route, she decided her first wouldn’t feature other artists. “It’s me saying, ‘This is who I am and this is it, I hope you like it,’” she says. “Collaborations will come because they’re also important and valuable. But for now, it’s just me.”
Below, learn more about this month’s Latin Artist on the Rise, in her own words:
Name: Carolina Isabel Colón Juarbe
Age: 29
Recommended Song: Oh snap, that’s hard. Because my three singles are all different, but they’re similar in that they’re raw and honest. I guess if someone is more into the romantic, nostalgic vibe, then listen to “Inmadura.” But if someone is like in their badass era, then they have to listen to “D-Pic.” And “Problemas” is like the perfect mix musically of what I do: pop, rock and urban. But if I had to pick, I’d say “D-Pic,” because it’s a statement. You’ll get a real representation of who I am as an artist.
Biggest Achievement: Starting to take my songs that are born from a vulnerable and intimate place and perform in front of a live audience. One of my favorite performances was the one I did at Latin Music Week in September. It felt magical. The connection with the people was amazing. I thought, “D–n, I am ready for this.” I will share that before going onstage, I called my dad and he said, “Mi amor, don’t worry, from the stage you can’t see anyone because of the spotlight. You just do your thing.” First thing when I go up on the stage, I see everyone’s faces.
What’s Next: I am working on my debut album, which is almost done. It’s very special, because it’s born after a breakup, the exact moment when I decided to end things with this person that I knew, since the very beginning, that this person was not my person. But I wanted to make it work. When I broke up with them, all these songs started coming to me and they represent different stages. Because it hurts to hurt someone, it’s a roller coaster of feelings.
I’m very excited for the album. It’s coming early to mid-next year. And I’m definitely doing more shows next year. In fact, I’m performing at Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián in Puerto Rico in January, which is a huge event. It’s legendary in my country.