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Latin

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Danny Ocean’s new studio album, Reflexa, has topped this week’s new music Latin poll. In a poll published on Friday (May 3) — in support of the weekly New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — music fans voted for the Venezuelan artist’s latest production as their favorite […]

Anitta and Pabllo Vittar helped Madonna bring her career-spanning Celebration Tour to a close in Rio de Janeiro, where the pop icon finished her global trek with a free concert at Copacabana Beach on Saturday (May 4). Anitta was the last star invited to guest judge the pop icon’s dancers during her performance of “Vogue,” joining a […]

Every year, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a hits-stacked playlist curated for our readers. For 2024, Billboard went all out, bringing together the best songs from our playlists through the years, including patriotic songs, party anthems, rock, mariachi, pop and banda — to make sure there’s something for everyone. Although many think this much-celebrated […]

The series of concertsthe Jonas Brothers were scheduled to perform in Mexico City and Monterrey this weekend and early next week have been postponed to August due to Nick Jonas‘ health issues. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Due to health issues, Nick Jonas is unable to offer […]

This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new albums from artists such as Danny Ocean, Kany García, Eladio Carrion and Fonseca, to name a few. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Dubbing it […]

Vallenato, a folkloric genre with roots in the department of Cesar, northern Colombia, has seen many artists take its essence beyond their homeland. Taking as a basis its typical instruments, such as the accordion, the snare drum, and the guacharaca — and adding modern musical arrangements that have given it a contemporary sound — artists […]

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard’s Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

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Kany García, GARCÍA (5020 Records)

“García,” the title track of Puerto Rican singer songwriter Kany García’s new album, is a letter from García to herself, addressing the young, vulnerable Kany, and the present day star, equally vulnerable (“Tengo miedo de meterme en esta ola de ficción/I’m afraid of losing myself in this wave of fiction”). García has always delighted us with her beautifully written songs and the storytelling in her lyrics, and here, with the attention turned to herself, we fully get why her songwriting works: Even when she tells other people’s stories, it’s always in her voice and words. That essence is in every track in this meticulous, but very commercial album, which includes previously released collabs with the likes of Young Miko (a longtime fan of García’s who met her at last year’s Billboard Latin Music Week), Carin León and Christian Nodal, a nod to García’s natural inquisitiveness as an artist willing to explore other genres. García the album is happy reminder that quality and commercial success can coexist. — LEILA COBO

Piso 21 & Wisin, “La Misión” (Warner Music México)

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In a first collaborative effort, Piso 21 and Wisin unleash “La Misión” (The Mission). Produced by iCON Music, the track is the perfect blend of both worlds: Piso’s melodic pop sound and Wisin’s ferocious reggaetón beats. In “La Misión,” the Colombian group and Puerto Rican rapper are on the ultimate mission of breaking up a relationship (or rather yet, stealing the girl of their dreams from their partner). “They told me life goes by fast/you’re too much to be with someone so basic/I’m not like that, but I got romantic/I hope she doesn’t say no/if he doesn’t take care of her, I will,” they sing in the infectious chorus. — JESSICA ROIZ

Silvestre Dangond & Carlos Vives, “Tú o Yo” (Sony Music Latin)

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“Either you sing to her, or I sing to her,” says the chorus of the catchy vallenato pop “Tú o Yo,” in which Colombian stars Silvestre Dangond and Carlos Vives join forces for the first time. The song, co-written by Vives and Dangond, and produced by Andrés Castro, tells the story of two friends who compete for the love of a woman.

In a statement about the release, Dangond expressed his excitement about the collaboration. “Carlos Vives was my idol and he still is,” he says. “I always saw him, I had him as a reference and I feel very happy, I feel that I achieved something that I had inside, which at any moment I knew was going to happen, but I didn’t know when.” The cheerful music video was recorded in Miami, and starring Mexican actress Bárbara De Regil, shows all the strategies that both use against each other to sabotage any effort to conquer the protagonist. — LUISA CALLE

Fonseca, Tropicalia (Sony Music Latin)

Fonseca presents TROPICALIA, an extraordinary production that pays tribute to his tropical roots and influences, which have inspired his career and are also an intricate part of his sound. The 11-track album features collaborations of remarkable artists, including Juan Luis Guerra, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Chucho Valdés, Alex Cuba and Grupo Niche, marking the first and only collaboration that the iconic band has released.

This set features a diverse mix of tropical sounds that represent Latin American music, from the lively sound of a patio vallenato in the track “Canto a la Vida,” to the upbeat merengue rhythm of “Pedacito de Playa,” which was produced entirely in the Dominican Republic with the help of local musicians such as Janina Rosado (of 4:40) on the piano and her husband “Chocolate” on the drums and the Dominican güira. The album also includes “La Terquedad,” a ranchera that narrates heartaches with melancholic acoustic guitars, violins and trumpets accompanied by mariachi. — INGRID FAJARDO

Lasso & Mau y Ricky, “Bilingües” (Universal Music Group México)

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Love may not be as universal a language as it is believed. At least that’s what Lasso implies in his new song with Mau y Ricky, “Bilingües.” The pop rock track — the first single from the upcoming album by the Latin Grammy-winning Venezuelan singer and songwriter — talks about the complicated relationship between a man who only speaks Spanish and a woman who speaks only English. “When you tell me I love you, I know that you don’t feel nothing, nothing, nothing/ You tell me I miss you, and you don’t miss me nothing, nothing, nothing/ I don’t know if you’re playing with my heart, or it’s just a bad translation,” goes part of the earworm chorus. In recent days, Lasso published a series of videos on Instagram titled “The worst time I’ve been rejected in my life,” in which he passionately recounted a failed attempt at a bilingual relationship. Hey, at least it left him with the inspiration to write a really lovely song. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Eladio Carrión, Porque Puedo (Rimas Entertainment)

On his latest EP, Porque Puedo, Eladio Carrión doesn’t just double down on his Latin trap bravado — he fully embodies it, living up to the album’s bold title. After the more mainstream release of Sol María, Carrión returns to the forefront with a display of effortless ingenuity and razor-sharp wordplay across five tracks. From the ominous “Don KBRN Freestyle” to the bilingual prowess of “Códico G,” he flexes his lyrical mastery against menacing beats and riveting hi hat patterns.

However, it’s “Heavyweight” that truly steals the spotlight, as the Humacao rapper unleashes verses about dripping in diamonds and confidence while “smoking heavyweight.” Accompanied by visually grim music video, Carrión exudes laid-back luxury, adorned with his signature rose necklace, against a backdrop of night-vision aesthetics that deepen the EP’s moody atmosphere. The new drop arrived a day prior to his return to the stage at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico on May 2. “As I was home spending time with my family I started to work on music,” Eladio Carrión says in a statement. “It all turned into Porque Puedo, and I thought what perfect timing to give this to my true fans as they get ready to see me at El Choli,” — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Danny Ocean, Reflexa (Atlantic Recording Corp.)

The Venezuelan artist’s music doesn’t sound like anything out there right now, and that’s probably why Danny Ocean is labeling his latest album as pop of the future. The 12-track set, the singer-songwriter’s third studio album, is perhaps Danny’s most personal album yet, but it’s also his most sonically experimental — and yet still manages to sound very much like Danny Ocean.

As he navigates through the life’s most relatable topics — heartbreak, lust, love and the desire to live authentically as yourself — he elevates his signature pop sound in a mishmash with edgier and more in-your-face styles like electro and Middle Eastern influences. Reflexa cements Danny Ocean as an artist who can deliver pop hits without having to rely on lyrics that are trite or borderline cheesy. He’s real, raw and overly honest about life, and a fierce protector of the art he puts out in the world. — GRISELDA FLORES

Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:

From laid-back jeans to skirts, suits and designer clothes, Bad Bunny has been rocking it all with confidence and edge since the beginning of his career. If his major red carpet or concert looks are any indication, the Puerto Rican superstar is not one to shy away from innovative outfits. 
“My style influences what my music is and everything that surrounds me within it,” he told Billboard in 2019. “The way you dress is, to say the least, a type of art. Everyone must dress, and use their creativity, express themselves in that way, their feelings, their way of thinking. Everyone must be free in that area and let the mind flow.” 
With that mindset, the “Monaco” singer has turned many heads with his fashion-forward style.
Take, for example, his look at the 2018 American Music Awards, where a then-emerging Bunny walked the red carpet with J Balvin and performed “I Like It” with Cardi B. For that appearance, he rocked a casual-yet-strange fit: black-and-white striped pants, mint-colored shirt with skeletons on fire, and an eye on his forehead. 
“The eye represents many things,” he explained at the time. “Power, trusting yourself, seeing things that others don’t see and don’t understand, both in the world and in yourself, and most of all always having the vision to move forward, grow, and improve.” 
For his Met Gala debut in 2022, the Latin star opted for a custom Burberry boilersuit complete with gold floral hair clips, and later shared he hit the studio in that very same outfit after the high-profile event to continue working on Un Verano Sin Ti. “People at the studio were looking at me like, ‘Really? You’re going to record a reggaeton song with that look?,’” he said an interview with The View.
Check out Bad Bunny’s fashion evolution in the images below:

2017 Premios Juventud

Image Credit: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

Bad Bunny backstage during Univision’s “Premios Juventud” 2017 Celebrates The Hottest Musical Artists And Young Latinos Change-Makers at Watsco Center on July 6, 2017, in Coral Gables, Fla.

2017 Latin American Music Awards

Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at the 2017 Latin American Music Awards at Dolby Theatre on Oct. 26, 2017, in Hollywood, Calif.

2017 Latin Grammy Awards

Image Credit: Mindy Small/FilmMagic

Bad Bunny at the 18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 16, 2017, in Las Vegas.

2018 Premio Lo Nuestro A La Musica Latina

Image Credit: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at Univision’s 30th Edition of “Premio Lo Nuestro A La Musica Latina” at American Airlines Arena on Feb. 22, 2018, in Miami.

2018 Music Choice

Image Credit: Manny Carabel/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at Music Choice on March 1, 2018, in New York City.

2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Image Credit: JA/Everett Collection

Bad Bunny at the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas on April 26, 2018.

2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival

Image Credit: Denise Truscello/Getty Images

Bad Bunny backstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival Daytime Stage at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Sept. 22, 2018, in Las Vegas.

2018 American Music Awards

Image Credit: Image Group LA/Getty Images

Bad at the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Oct. 9, 2018, in Los Angeles.

2018 Latin Grammy Awards

Image Credit: JA/Everett Collection

Bad Bunny at the 19th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards held at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas on Nov. 15, 2018.

2019 Madison Square Garden

Image Credit: Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

Bad Bunny performed live in concert at Madison Square Garden on April 27, 2019, in New York City.

2019 MTV MIAW Awards

Image Credit: Medios y Media/Getty Images

Bad Bunny on the red carpet of the MTV MIAW Awards at Palacio de los Deportes on June 21, 2019, in Mexico City, Mexico.

2019 MTV Video Music Awards

Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, N.J.

2019 MTV Video Music Awards Backstage

Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/VMN19/Getty Images

Bad Bunny backstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, N.J.

2019 Latin Grammy Awards

Image Credit: JA/Everett Collection

Bad Bunny at the 20th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas Nov. 14, 2019.

2020 Spotify Awards

Image Credit: Victor Chavez/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at the 2020 Spotify Awards at the Auditorio Nacional on March 5, 2020, in Mexico City, Mexico.

2020 Billboard Music Awards

Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/BBMA2020/Getty Images

Bad Bunny backstage at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, broadcast on Oct. 14, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

2021 Grammy Awards

Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Los Angeles Convention Center on March 14, 2021.

2021 Billboard Music Awards

Image Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards held at the Microsoft Theater on May 23, 2021, in Los Angeles.

2021 American Music Awards

Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Nov. 21, 2021, in Los Angeles.

2022 CinemaCon

Image Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Bad Bunny backstage during Opening Night and Sony Pictures Entertainment Presentation at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon on April 25, 2022, in Las Vegas.

2022 Met Gala

Image Credit: Christopher Polk for Variety

Bad Bunny in Burberry at the 2022 Met Gala celebrating In America: An Anthology of Fashion held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022, in New York City.

2022 ‘Bullet Train’ Premiere

Image Credit: Elizabeth Goodenough/Everett Collection

Bad Bunny at the Los Angeles premiere of Columbia Pictures’ ‘Bullet Train’ at Regency Village Theatre on Aug. 1, 2022, in Los Angeles.

2022 Made In America

Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Bad Bunny onstage during 2022 Made In America at Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sept. 4, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pa.

2023 Grammy Awards

Image Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Bad Bunny accepted the Best Música Urbana Album for ‘Un Verano Sin Ti’ onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles.

2023 Met Gala

Image Credit: Michael Buckner for Variety

Bad Bunny at the 2023 Met Gala: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023, in New York City.

2023 Milan Fashion week

Image Credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Bad Bunny at Gucci Ancora during Milan Fashion week on Sept. 22, 2023, in Milan, Italy.

2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero for Billboard

Bad Bunny at the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2023 held at Watsco Center on Oct. 5, 2023, in Coral Gables, Fla.

Imagine the scene: One of the greatest pop artists in history is in the middle of the Palais Garnier, the imposing house of the Paris Opera. Then, with her blue eyes fixed on the camera, she says an entirely off-script phrase: “Brazil, I’m coming.”

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But back then, in November 2023, there was nothing certain, not even close, for Madonna to take her Celebration Tour to Brazil. On the contrary, it was rumored that this would be an almost impossible mission due to technical reasons.

“At the time, we thought: Why don’t we ask her to record the phrase ‘Brazil, I’m coming soon’ as an extra for the commercial?” says Pedro Smith, head of Strategic Brand Relations at Itaú, the biggest bank in Latin America, whose centenary campaign stars Madonna. “She would express a reciprocal interest in making the show happen if she agreed. Well, she recorded that speech, but we still didn’t have a way to use it!”

 It was up to the bank to pull strings to make it happen. But they were running out of time.

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“The day after the shoot, we watched her show in Paris and realized that the structure would be complicated to adapt to a large crowd like the one we wanted. Because of this, Guy Oseary [the singer’s manager] poured cold water on us,” Smith says.

The following week, legendary businessman Luiz Oscar Niemeyer from Bonus Track, a “key player” in the process, appeared on the scene. For those who are not familiar with the intricacies of the music business, Niemeyer is a pioneer in the international concert market in Brazil, responsible for Paul McCartney’s record attendance at Maracanã in 1993 (and for all of McCartney’s subsequent visits to Brazil) and the performance by The Rolling Stones on Copacabana Beach, among many other historic events.

So there were two players: the biggest bank in Latin America that already had a close relationship with Madonna, and an experienced producer used to dealing with the biggest names in showbiz. But destiny sometimes plays tricks.

“I had already tried to bring Madonna in 2006, without success, and I had already been talking to Live Nation, responsible for the Celebration Tour, but Madonna had that health problem last year, and the tour was postponed,” explains Niemeyer, or “LON” for those closest to him.

At the end of 2023, Madonna returned to action, recorded the commercial and sold out dates in Europe, but Niemeyer, who had gone on vacation at the beginning of the year, also had to deal with his own health. The producer suffered a severe accident, was hospitalized and was out of action. “I broke down completely,” he laughs.

In mid-February (just over two months before the show date), negotiations intensified with Niemeyer back on track. “We became very close [to Niemeyer] and exchanged lots of info, like a task force to make this show possible, because Itaú had a contract with Madonna and Bonus Track, with Live Nation,” says Smith. “It was Saturday, Sunday, sometimes 3 am, and Luiz Oscar and I were in meetings with teams from outside Brazil.”

And the teams for everything related to Madonna, of course, are quite rigorous. “We have to deliver a show complying with the level of production that it presents around the world, naturally adapted for a much larger space. Only when we had the resizing of this structure, sponsorships, television broadcasting and technical issues approved was the deal finally closed,” explains Niemeyer, stressing that leaks about the show that took over the Internet in the weeks before the official announcement did not interfere in the negotiations.

According to him, from the beginning, the idea was that the show at Princesinha do Mar would close the Celebration Tour as “a great gift for Brazilian fans.” “It was a great choice – a Saturday, we have a holiday in the middle of the week, and more people can visit the city,” says Niemeyer.

We hope Madonna enjoys it too.

Imagine Dragons have released a remix of their new single “Eyes Closed” featuring an unexpected guest: Colombian reggaetón star J Balvin, rapping in Spanish and delivering some of his best lyrics in recent memory. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The pairing brings additional edge, bass and an […]