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It’s the classic underdog story.
The genre of dembow — a Dominican style of music identified by its playful, rapid drum pattern and carefree energy — began as a musical pariah, rejected by both mainstream and underground communities in its birthplace. “When I’d go to the television and radio stations, they’d say, ‘No, we can’t play that,’” El Alfa told Billboard in March. “But you step in the streets, and all you could hear was dembow.”
At that time, dembow faced relentless criticism and resistance due to what one Dominican Republic government official recently referred to as “sexual and obscene content” (not too dissimilar to what reggaetón acts faced early on in Puerto Rico). But in recent years, the genre has taken the world by storm. Latin stars across the board, including J Balvin, Rosalía, Camilo, Natti Natasha, Daddy Yankee and Justin Quiles, have tapped into the genre in the last year alone, collaborating with dembow mainstays Chimbala and El Alfa, as well as the genre’s iconoclastic up-and-comer, Tokischa.
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The genre has experienced greater awards show presence (Tokischa and Rosalía live-debuted “Linda” at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards), as well as Billboard chart highs (El Alfa’s “La Mama de la Mama” reached No. 9 on Hot Latin Songs last May). Its biggest stars are now transcending local nightclubs, performing across the global and and even packing arenas (El Alfa played a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in 2021).
While many non-Dominicans were exposed to dembow by way of El Alfa, today, a number of dembow artists are sharing the spotlight, including Tokischa, Rochy RD, Yomel El Meloso, La Perversa, Braulio Fogon, Gailen La Moyeta, Leo RD, Kiko El Crazy and Bulova, among others.
“Dominican Dembow is survival hood music and embodies Dominican Black joy — its all ancestral from the dance movements to the diasporic drum patterns,” says dembow historian, Jennifer Motaval. “Throughout the years we’ve seen it evolve in production and lyricism, captivating global audiences. The music rose organically despite the many barriers — that is monumental.”
Below, Billboard explores the evolution of dembow by way of some of its most iconic musical moments.
1990: Shabba Ranks, “Dem Bow”
The genre dembow pulls its name from Jamaican dancehall artist Shabba Ranks’ anti-imperialist (and unfortunately, anti-gay) anthem “Dem Bow,” Jamaican Patois for “they bow.” The forever-sampled track became a catalyst for the Dominican genre, and sister genre reggaetón, both by way of “reggae en espanol.”
1993: DJ Boyo, “Mujeres Andadoras”
Within three years, Ranks’ riddim found its way to Quisqueya. Arguably the founder of Dominican dembow, DJ Boyo worked painstakingly to usher in a sound suited for a population responsible for the sweat-inducing tempo of merengue. “Mujer Andadora” arrived on the heels of Panamanian “reggae en espanol” godfather El General’s “Tu Pum Pum,” but was met with disdain from both radio DJs who mainly played salsa, bachata and merengue, and local spanish-language hip-hop artists. It remains the first example of Dominican dembow, before the sound became fully solidified.
2006: Los Andolocos, “Ando Loco”
Thanks to the rise of the internet and blogs, dembow was able to begin blossoming without the help of major television and radio stations. The track “Ando Loco” by Los Andolocos was the first to gain large-scale recognition in the Dominican Republic, being spun at clubs nationwide. This time period was also extremely fruitful for reggaetón across the way in Puerto Rico.
2010: Pablo Piddy, “Quisqueyano Dembow”
The 2010s can be understood as dembow’s springtime. An outpouring of popular tracks and artists bolstered the genre, like rapper-turned-dembowsero Pablo Piddy, Monkey Black, El Alfa and Chimbala, among others. Because of Piddy’s lyrical abilities, tracks like “Quisqueyano Dembow” brought a new level of composition and structure to the genre.
2012: Chimbala, “Baila Con Lo Pie”
While he started off producing records for dembow greats like El Alfa, Chimbala, aka el pequeñito, stepped into full artist mode with the danceable “Digo E” and “Con Lo Pie.” Both tracks mark a pivotal moment for the ever-rising dembowsero, and remain dance favorites two decades later.
2014: La Materialista, “La Chapa Que Vibran”
Standing tall as one of the most recognizable women in the dembow genre, La Materialista made waves with her 2014 single, “La Chapa Que Vibran.” Moments like this (including Milka la Mas Dura’s “Dale Ven Ven” in 2009) were extremely noteworthy in a genre that like many others, did not prioritize creating space for women artists until much later in its history. Around the same time, other Dominican women in the urbano genre were also rising, like Amara la Negra and La Insuperable.
2017: Bad Bunny feat. El Alfa, “Dema Ga Ge Gi Go Gu”
El Alfa and Bad Bunny’s “Dema Ga Ge Gi Go Gu” brought much of the larger Latin Urban music audience to dembow. The Puerto Rican megastar became a major supporter of the genre, collaborating again with El Alfa (2018’s “La Romana”) and sampling other dembow artists like Chimbala and Rochy RD. While Conejo Malo was among the first of mainstream artists to tap into the explosive genre, he certainly wasn’t the last, with Rosalia, J Balvin, Jowell y Randy, among others boasting a dembow track under their belts.
2020: Tokischa & Yomel El Meloso, “Desacato Escolar”
Dembow received the shake-up of a lifetime in 2020 by way of budding rapper-turned-genre mainstay Tokischa. Within a space historically dominated by male artists (save standouts like La Materialista, La Insuperable and Milka la Mas Dura), Toki burst onto the scene with sex-positive lyricism, bringing along a number of other female dembow acts, like Yailin la Mas Viral and La Perversa. She foreshadowed her mark on the genre with the opening line of “Desacato Escolar”: soy una nena rebelde.
2021: El Alfa, CJ & El Cherry Scom, “La Mama de la Mama”
It was the dembow single heard ’round the world. In summer of 2021, El Alfa, CJ and Cherry Scom’s “La Mama de la Mama” dominated the streets and the charts, marking El Alfa’s (and arguably the genre’s) most noteworthy mainstream breakout moment, outside of a major outside collaboration. The electrifying single peaked at No. 9 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, marking a career high for El Alfa and the dembow genre.
The woman who is believed to have inspired beloved Mamá Coco, the grandmother in Pixar animated musical film Coco, has died. María Salud Ramírez Caballero was 109 years old when she passed away Oct. 16 at her home in Michoacán, Mexico. Her death was confirmed by Michoacán’s Secretary of Tourism, Roberto Monroy, who on Twitter referred to Ramírez Caballero as “a tireless woman and life example who inspired this beloved character that went around the world.”
Pixar has not formally acknowledged that Ramírez Caballero was the inspiration for Mamá Coco, but the similarity between the real life woman and the animated character was undeniable. The similarities led many over the years to declare she had indeed been the template for Mamá Coco, and tourists were known to go to her home and take photographs with her next to a Coco poster.
Ramírez Caballero, a potter by trade, was born and died in the small town of Santa Fe de la Laguna, in Michoacán, one of Mexico’s many beautiful and colorful small towns. And like the film’s Mamá Coco, had children (three), grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her picturesque hometown is very close to Lake Pátzcuaro, one of Mexico’s best-known destinations for Day of the Dead, the crux of Coco. In the 2017 film, a young boy named Miguel goes into the land of the dead on Nov. 1 – Día de los Muertos — to find his great grandfather, father to Mamá Coco.
Ramírez Caballero is expected to be buried Tuesday in her hometown.
Mamá Coco was voiced by Mexican actress Ana Ofelia Murguía, who is now 88 years old.
After dipping her toes in the Los Angeles fashion industry as a merchandiser and “not really feeling it,” veteran music publicist Romina Magorno discovered her passion for public relations when she got her first big break at D Baron Media in 2006.
“I took the gig as an assistant at a 30K pay cut, which was insane, but it was in my gut. Something told me I was made to be in public relations,” says Magorno, who credits D Baron Media founder and CEO Diana Baron as the mentor who taught her how to be a true, traditional publicist.
At the agency, Magorno worked on projects like Los Lonely Boys, JoJo, Leann Rimes and All-American Rejects, to name a few. She relocated to Miami in 2010, where she worked at Nevarez Communications and tackled her first Latin projects, including Daddy Yankee, Chyno y Nacho, Elvis Crespo and Amelia Vega. Two years later, in September 2012, she decided to launch her own public relations agency.
“I realized that in order for me to really solidify myself in this space (Latin at that time), I needed to branch out on my own,” she explains. “I was also about to have a baby and wanted more flexibility with my time.”
Magorno now spearheads her own boutique public relations and marketing firm, Imagine It Media, with a foundation in music, entertainment and communications strategy for the U.S. Latin crossover markets, Mexico and Latin America. The Miami-based agency also specializes in talent wrangling, strategic brand partnerships and event media management.
In the past 10 years, Imagine It helmed major projects for Camila Cabello, The Spongebob Movie soundtrack, Justin Quiles and LMFAO’s Sky Blu, among others. Currently, the company’s roster includes Anitta, Tainy, Farruko, Myke Towers, Piso 21, Jorge Drexler, Steve Aoki, C. Tangana, Yahritza y Su Esencia and newcomer Un León Marinero, to name a few, as well as corporate clients NEON16, Sony Music Latin and NTERTAIN.
Below, learn more about Magorno and her agency.
What were some initial challenges when you first opened?
The credibility. I had shifted markets and did not really have super solid relationships and I found bookers, producers and journalists had their favorites and it was a challenge for sure. But I persevered and eventually, the phone calls and emails were answered. I am a people person, it’s hard to say no to this face. Ha! JK.
In your 16-year career, how do you keep motivated with your business?
Breaking new talent. Giving them my platform to really break into the market. Nowadays with streaming, it’s just so amazing to have an endless jukebox of artists and music to discover. For example, the Latin folk music movement is really making noise and having a revival. We most recently signed an indie artist from Mexico, Un León Marinero, who is in this space. He is an incredible songwriter and musician and I am so excited to show the world his talent. You have to check out his music.
What drives you to want to work with an artist?
There are many components to this question. Talent, of course, but also that I really connect with the person behind the music. It is something that is very important to me. Another component when I started my own thing, what drove me then, was to retain one big client so that I would have leverage on my hands. Having big artists means a lot of the opportunities are incoming, and although that is wonderful, what really drives me is moving things and opening doors for the up and comers. I have artists that have been with me for many years and at the beginning, media would shut the doors over and over again. Eventually, the doors opened and the feeling of accomplishment for me is so rewarding.
Who do you turn to for business advice or who has taught you the most about the business?
It’s always good to have a few people you can go to. My fellow PR colleagues Kary An Diaz and Nini Veras have been solid when it comes to advice on work-related things. But there are two people who have helped me see things clearly and supported me on so many facets, Ivelisse Malave and Lex Borrero. These executives have always been my cheerleaders and I am so thankful to have them in my life and to get to work together on projects.
What’s the most crucial advice you can offer to up-and-coming publicists?
Focus. Stay behind the scenes. Work with integrity and really learn to not only offer PR services but also to know and understand strategy. I see so many of the new schools of publicists who have no real understanding of what it is to sit and build a strategy. This is something I wish I would have learned a lot earlier on in my career, but things were a lot different then too.
Rauw Alejandro, Chiquis, Jesse & Joy, and Sebastián Yatra are set to perform at the Latin Grammy Awards, the Latin Recording Academy announced Monday (Oct. 17). The first group of confirmed artists also includes the 2022 Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís.
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All are nominated for the 23rd annual Latin Grammy Awards, which will be held on Nov. 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Alejandro, who was a 2020 best new artist nominee and won his first golden gramophone last year, has eight nominations this year that include recording of the year and song of the year for “Te Felicito” with Shakira, and “Agua” with Daddy Yankee and Nile Rodgers, respectively. Yatra, previously nominated for a Grammy and nine Latin Grammys, is a four-time nominee this year, including album of the year for Dharma and song of the year for “Tacones Rojos.” Jesse & Joy, winners of the Grammy and six Latin Grammys, are nominated this time for best pop vocal album for Clichés; and Latin Grammy winner Chiquis is nominated for best banda music album for Abeja Reina.
Marco Antonio Solís, meanwhile, has been honored with five Latin Grammys and nominated for six Grammys, and this year is recognized as Person of the Year 2022 by the Latin Recording Academy.
The 23rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards will air live on Univision on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
The Latin Grammy Premiere, a non-televised ceremony in which the winners in most categories are announced, will take place before the broadcast. Additional details about this ceremony will be announced soon.
Ahead of The Rudeboyz, Adam Levine and Maluma‘s upcoming collaboration, titled “Ojalá,” Billboard can exclusively share behind-the-scenes photos from the music video shoot.
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Directed by Diane Martel via NEON16 & Sony Music Latin, the pictures show candid moments between Levine, Maluma and his longtime collaborators, producing duo The Rudeboyz (Chan El Genio and Kevin ADG), who crowd together in front of a screen to watch the scenes and in one, the director makes an appearance where she’s huddling with the artists.
Los Rudeboyz, Maluma and Adam Levine with “Ojalá” music video director Diane Martel
Guillermo & Maria Juliah
“Ojalá,” where the Maroon 5 frontman sings in Spanish for the first time, marks the debut single from The Rudeboyz’s upcoming first album. Set to be released Thursday (Oct. 20), The Rudeboyz captioned a teaser of the track with the following message: ️”A very important release for us with people we admire a lot!! Keep your eyes on this !! @maluma @adamlevine.”
The Rudeboyz, who were recently signed by Tainy‘s NEON16, have produced hits for artists such as Shakira, Sech, Jennifer Lopez, Prince Royce and Sebastián Yatra, among others.
Back in June, Levine had already hinted at a possible collaboration with the Colombian hitmaker. He posted a photo of them on Instagram of the two hanging out in a studio and wrote, “World ain’t ready.”
Los Rudeboyz, Adam Levine and Maluma at the “Ojalá” music video shoot
Guillermo & Maria Juliah
The collaboration comes after allegations that the Maroon 5 frontman had been unfaithful to wife Behati Prinsloo, who is currently pregnant with the couple’s third child. In September, influencer Sumner Stroh claimed Levine had affair with her, and alleged that the rocker told her he was thinking of naming his upcoming baby Sumner.
Levine later issued a statement, denying that he had an affair. “A lot is being said about me right now and I want to clear the air. I used poor judgment in speaking with anyone other than my wife in ANY kind of flirtatious manner,” he wrote on Instagram Stories. “I did not have an affair, nevertheless, I crossed the line during a regrettable period in my life. In certain instances it became inappropriate; I have addressed that and taken proactive steps to remedy this with my family.”
From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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La Musa Awards
The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame hosted its 10th annual La Musa Awards for the first time at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla. on Thursday (Oct. 14). This year, the prolific gala that honors the outstanding songwriters and composers across all genres of Latin music, honored its 2022 inductees including award-winning songwriters and producers Desmond Child and Rudy Pérez, who co-founded the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame; composer of iconic Latin music standard Tony Renis; Dominican merengue pioneer Johnny Ventura, to be inducted posthumously, and Grammy award-winning Colombian artist Juanes.
“Being a composer is one of the most beautiful professions in the world… But at the same time, and because you are sensitive, you suffer more, you undress yourself to the world, and you become vulnerable,” Juanes, who also performed a medley of his hits at the event, said. “Being a songwriter is painting days full of feelings with the brushes of voice and guitar, sitting in eternal lonely nights full of anguish to know if this, the song I’m making now, is the one I’ve been waiting for so many years.”
The 2022 honorees including Emmanuel, Eddy Cue, Manuel Alejandro, Gustavo Menéndez, Walter Kolm, Elena Rose, and Jose Feliciano, as well as Yotuel Romero, Beatriz Luengo, Descemer Bueno, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Osorbo, Alexander Delgado, Randy Malcolm Martínez, and DJ El Funky, who all received the inaugural La Musa Medal of Freedom for “Patria y Vida.”
Juanes was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame at the 10th annual La Musa Awards in Miami, Fla.
@marioalzatee
Becky G teams up with Patrón Tequila
Becky G was officially welcomed into the Patrón Tequila family during an intimate dinner in Los Angeles on Tuesday (Oct. 11). During the event, the “MAMIII” singer shared a toast with those in attendance and thanked Patrón their alliance and for elevating Latin culture. The partnership with Becky and the tequila includes a Signature B cocktail, which includes hibiscus syrup, lemon juice, Patrón silver, among other ingredients. This year’s limited-edition Patrón Mexican Heritage Tin was designed by Mexico City-based sculptor Sebastian, who with the tin’s design tells the story of one of the oldest traditions in Mexico — the harvesting and cutting of agave piñas (pineapples).
PATRÓN X Becky G
Steven Blanco
First Look of “Los Montaner” Reality Show
After making the announcement earlier this year, Los Montaner reality show finally has a premiere date. The 10-episode unscripted docuseries—filmed using mixed-media formats including cellphone footage, confessional interviews, and content from the family’s private archive—is set to air November 9 on Disney+. Produced by multimedia company NTERTAIN Studios in collaboration with Disney Branded Television, Los Montaner will follow the daily life of the Montaner family — Ricardo, Marlene Rodriguez, Mau, Ricky, and Evaluna, as well as their significant others Camilo Echeverry, Sara Escobar, and Stefi Roitman — giving fans a look at their intimate moments as well as behind the scenes of their artistic careers and live music performances. See the first look below:
The new faces of regional Mexican
In a showcase that took place at The Paramount in East Los Angeles on Wednesday (Oct. 12), Universal Music Latin/Fonovisa featured eight emerging Mexican Music acts, whose styles all ranged from banda sinaloense to mariachi and corridos tumbados. During the two-hour show, the artists — Majo Aguilar, Neto Bernal, Uriel Barrera, Reflejo Nuevo, El de la H, Angel Higuera, La Nueva Estrategia, and Banda Fortuna — gave attendees (mostly executives and music reporters) a preview of their music each performing two songs. Toward the end, all eight artists joined forces to perform the banda anthem “Triste Recuerdo.”
Las Nuevas Caras del Regional Mexicano at The Paramount on Wednesday, Oct. 12.
Sergio Angon
The Ultimate RBD Reunion
This week, Mexican singer and actress Maite Perroni got married to her longtime boyfriend Andres Tovar. The private ceremony, held in the lake town of Valle de Bravo in Mexico, quickly became a trending topic after videos of Perroni and her former Rebelde group members—Anahi, Christian Chavez, and Christopher Von Uckermann—circled the internet. One of the wedding’s highlights was undoubtedly when RBD hugged and sang “Y Soy Rebelde” and “Salvame” together. “We did it! Taking the first steps of the life we want to build together. Surrounded by our family and the hand of God, today we receive a blessing. Happy to be able to take steps that strengthen our path through this plane in which we managed to coincide and fate gave us,” the newlyweds expressed on Instagram.
It was a busy release week in Latin music, with a number of artists gifting fans with new albums, including Piso 21 (777), Joss Favela (Aclarando la Mente) and Silvestre Dangond (Intruso). But which release is your favorite?
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Colombian boy band Piso 21 gifted fans with their fourth studio album 777 — home to 16 tracks. The set kicks off with the Manuel Turizo-assisted “Los Cachos,” which can be considered a sequel to their 2018 banger “Dejala Que Vuelva.” Unlike “Dejala,” about a guy convinced his ex will come back, “Los Cachos” is about a girl who has officially moved on from her cheating boyfriend, with no plans of taking him back. From there, the group navigates to “TDQ” in collaboration with the Puerto Rican duo Gigolo y La Exce. In this hard-hitting reggaeton, the group talk about a rebellious soul who’s breaking the quarantine rule because she’s single and ready to mingle. That same type of energy is heard in “Nadie La Controla,” a reggaeton-turned-merengue ripiao’ about a girl who’s the center of attention and can’t be controlled.
Meanwhile, Favela released his most personal album to date. The Mexican singer-songwriter sticks to his signature romantic lyrics to narrate stories of heartbreak, lust and love. As expected, the Sinaloan artist opts to go solo and doesn’t feature a single artist on the 12-track set. He also wrote the entire album — his most personal one yet that thrives on direct and raw lyrics. Aclarando leans more norteño-pop with his dad’s accordion heard throughout the LP.
Other notable releases include Paty Cantú‘s “Mi Película” and Farruko‘s “Viaje,” on which the Puerto Rican artist continues his spiritual journey toward enlightenment via song.
Which is your favorite new Latin music release of the 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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Piso 21, 777 (Warner Music Mexico)
Piso 21 has gifted fans their fourth studio album, 777, home to 16 tracks that continue to consolidate their title as Latin music’s most prolific pop group right now. The set kicks off with the Manuel Turizo-assisted “Los Cachos,” which can be considered the sequel to their 2018 banger “Dejala Que Vuelva.” Unlike “Dejala,” which is about a guy convinced his ex will come back, “Los Cachos” is about a girl who has officially moved on from her cheating boyfriend, with no plans of taking him back. From there, the group navigates to “TDQ,” in collaboration with the Puerto Rican duo Gigolo y La Exce. In this hard-hitting reggaetón track, the group talks about a rebellious soul who’s breaking the quarantine rule because she’s single and ready to mingle. That same type of energy is heard in “Nadie La Controla,” a reggaetón-turned-merengue ripiao’ about a girl who’s the center of attention and that can’t be controlled.
In 777, we get Piso 21 in all its creative splendor, where they deliver chill, Afrobeat vibes as heard on “Apaga El Celular,” innovative ranchera as heard on “Que Triste” with Carin Leon, soulful hip-hop as heard in the Santa Fe Klan-assisted “Equivocado,” and even punk rock alternatives as heard in “Elevarte” and “Mató Mi Corazón.” The lyricism throughout the album is as ever witty, heartfelt and relatable, Produced in Miami, Medellin and Mexico, the Colombian group reeled in producers Federico Vindver, Mr. NaisGai, Súbelo NEO and Sky Rompiendo; Piso member Dim also demonstrates his producer skills on the set. Other collaborators include Ñejo, Marc Segui, Totoy El Frio, Khea and Danny Ocean on the focus track “Felices Perdidos.” — JESSICA ROIZ
Farruko, “Viaje” (Sony Music)
Following last year’s wildly successful club tropical banger “Pepas” — which scored four trophies at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Streaming Song of the Year — is “Viaje,” where Farruko continues his spiritual journey towards enlightenment via his music. At times interpolating Héctor Lavoe’s timeless salsa hit “El Cantante,” the Puerto Rican hitmaker reflects on his past, present and future against an insatiable guaracha rhythm and larger than life choruses. “Love, for life is short and unforgiving,” he soulfully croons in Spanish. “Enjoy, live life because it’s beautiful.” — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Joss Favela, Aclarando la Mente (Sony Music Latin)
A year after releasing Llegando al Rancho, Joss Favela is back with his fourth studio album, Aclarando la Mente. A prolific singer-songwriter and a storyteller at heart, Favela sticks to his signature romantic lyrics with which he narrates heartbreak, lust and love stories. As expected, the Sinaloan artist opts to go solo and doesn’t feature a single artist on the 12-track set. He also wrote the entire album — his most personal one yet, which thrives on direct and raw lyrics. While Favela has dabbled in multiple regional Mexican sub-genres (such as banda and mariachi), Aclarando leans more norteño, with his dad’s accordion heard throughout the LP. — GRISELDA FLORES
Pablo Alborán & Carin Leon, “Viaje a Ningún Lado” (Warner Music Spain)
Pablo Alborán recruits Carin Leon to dip his toes into regional Mexican for this magical collaboration, “Viaje a Ningún Lado,” which will be part of Alborán’s next album La Cuarta Hoja. Accompanied by a beautiful fusion of acoustic guitars, mariachi and flamenco melodies — and the deep power of interpretation of both singer-songwriters — the lyrics wrap around a story of a love that may have already left, and it’s time to let go. “I rather you leave now before I start feeling alone with you, before I learn more about you from the things you don’t say, before doubts raise another wall between us,” they sing in the chorus. — INGRID FAJARDO
Silvestre Dangond, Intruso (Sony Music Latin)
On his new studio album, the 16th of his career, Silvestre Dangond went full experimental, even dubbing the set Intruso — perhaps because he feels like an intruder in the urban realm? On the contrary, Dangond keeps his vallenato and tropical essence alive even while tapping into other rhythms, and in true fashion, all 13 tracks were penned by him. In “Pa Que,” Dangond laces sultry trap beats with his signature accordion sound, while on “No Tenemos La Culpa,” his first collaborative effort with his son MONACO, he opts for an infectious pop-urban melody. And for “Manzana Prohibida,” he reeled in Dominican newcomer La Ross Maria for a heartfelt tropical-reggaetón.
Intruso is also home to previously released bangers such as the Natti Natasha-assisted “Justicia,” “Vivir Bailando” with Maluma, and the ultimate wedding proposal song “Cásate Conmigo” with Nicky Jam. The set’s focus track, “Se Que Estas Con El,” a collaboration with Reik and Boza, kicks off the album. Other collaborators include Zion y Lennox and Ñengo Flow. “I feel very happy with the result of this new album, I had a lot of fun and I admire each of the artists who collaborated with me, including my son who makes me extremely proud. I hope you enjoy it and enjoy all the songs,” Dangond explained in a press release. — J.R.
Rosa Pistola & Los Xxxulos, “Ella Me Dijo” feat. Young Miky (La Checkera REC)
Mexico-by-way-of-Colombia DJ Rosa Pistola has been helping spearhead the neoperreo explosion since the mid-2010s, offering a freakier, more digitized take on reggaetón. This round, the tatted alchemist teams up with perreo pesado purveyors Los Xxxulos and producer BrunOG on “Ella Me Dijo,” featuring Mexican rapper Young Miky. The song already sounds like a banger, with incendiary beats and a hyper-tropical transition that collides with maniacal merengue and EDM. It’s the epitome of Mexican reggaetón. — I.R.
Paty Cantú, “Mi Película” (OCESA Seitrack)
Mexican singer-songwriter Paty Cantú is placing all bets on a bubbly and romantic pop song to stand out in a crowded field of release this Friday. Cantú’s sweet vocals take center stage as she sings about finally getting her fairytale ending. “My movie is next to you, you know my movie is next to you, from beginning to end,” she sings. But you’ll have to watch the music video for a plot twist, because it might just really be all in her head? — G.F.
Nino Augustine, “Noche” (SOON COME Entertainment)
Atlanta-based artist Nino Augustine makes music with Panama in his heart — his native country and the home of reggae en español. After releasing a string of delectable singles of an Afropop and reggaetón persuasion, the artist returns with “Noche.” Produced by Capo Musica, the sultry new song bathes in nighttime radiance while bouncing along to a reggae-en-español bop and Augustine’s seductive lilt. The track is from the singer’s upcoming album Champion Nins, out in November; the visual, which takes place in Medellín, is directed by Jimmy Usma and Alejandro Gutierrez. — I.R.
Adam Levine is getting ready to tap into the Spanish market. On Thursday (Oct. 13), the Maroon 5 frontman shared a snippet of a forthcoming track — in which he sings in full Spanish for the first time — titled “Ojalà,” a collaboration with Maluma and The Rudeboyz.
The 43-year-old singer teased a 20-second clip of the upbeat track on his TikTok page, captioning the post, “#Ojala @RUDEBOYZ @Juan Luis.” Maluma shared the snippet to his Instagram Stories and as a post, writing on one Story, “What do you think about this?”
The Rudeboyz — a duo consisting of Chan El Genio (real name Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra) and Kevin ADG (real name Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño) — shared their excitement, and revealed the single’s release date on Instagram. “#OJALA OCTOBER 20,” the duo captioned a post that included the single’s official cover art, which features all four artists posing in front of a yellow car. ️”A very important release for us with people we admire a lot!! Keep your eyes on this !! @maluma @adamlevine.”
The collaboration comes after allegations that the Maroon 5 frontman had been unfaithful to wife Behati Prinsloo, who is currently pregnant with the couple’s third child. In September, influencer Sumner Stroh claimed Levine had affair with her, and alleged that the rocker told her he was thinking of naming his upcoming baby Sumner.
Levine later issued a statement, denying that he had an affair. “A lot is being said about me right now and I want to clear the air. I used poor judgment in speaking with anyone other than my wife in ANY kind of flirtatious manner,” he wrote on Instagram Stories. “I did not have an affair, nevertheless, I crossed the line during a regrettable period in my life. In certain instances it became inappropriate; I have addressed that and taken proactive steps to remedy this with my family.”
“Ojalà” will be released on Oct. 20. Check out Adam Levine and Maluma’s snippets below:
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