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Twelve songs from countries including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Peru will compete next year for the Silver “Gaviota” at the 62nd edition of the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, scheduled from Feb. 19 to 24.
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On Tuesday (Dec. 20), the Chilean festival’s organizers revealed the list of participants, which includes six for the Folkloric competition and six for the International competition. In addition to the Silver “Gaviota,” the winning song in each of the categories will receive a prize of about $15,000.
The list consists mostly of emerging artists like Argentine singer Mila Manes, Mexican Ely Blancarte, and Colombian band Bazurto All Stars, but also includes veteran Panamanian rock band Los Rabanes, which will participate in the Folkloric competition with “La Patineta.”
Co-written by Los Rabanes vocalist Emilio Regueira and Dominican singer Henry G, the song was recorded by Colombian duo 123 Andrés with Los Rabanes, Rubén Blades and Roberto Delgado & Orchestra, and forms part of 123 Andrés’ 2021 Grammy-nominated album Actívate.
“Taking ‘La Patineta’ to Viña del Mar is going to be a unique experience because this song contains roots of the Panamanian cumbia from Santeño, along with the murga from Panama, which was the arrangement that Los Rabanes provided for this song,” Regueira said in a statement published on the Instagram account of his Latin Grammy-winning group. “We are a fusion rock band, but the folklore is the backbone of what we do. We know very well the foundations of Panamanian culture and folklore. We are Chitreanos (Chitré), we are from the interior of Panama, and for this reason, this is not the first time that Los Rabanes bring Panamanian folklore to the world.”
Here is the complete list of songs chosen by the commission of the LXII Viña del Mar Festival, by category, along with the artist or group performing them and their country of origin.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION:
“No Me Haces Falta,” Mila Manes, Argentina
“Viento,” Yorka, Chile
“Chocolatico,” Teo, Colombia
“Lo Siento,” Tres Dedos, Ecuador
“Como Puedas,” Zelaya, Guatemala
“After Party,” Ely Blancarte, Mexico
FOLKLORIC COMPETITION:
“De A Poquito,” Camilú, Argentina
“Camino,” Laia, Chile
“La Manguera,” Bazurto All Stars, Colombia
“La Última Gota,” Frank Di, México
“La Patineta,” Los Rabanes, Panamá
“Warmisitay,” Milena Warthon, Perú
Viña del Mar previously announced that renowned Latin stars including Karol G, Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Christina Aguilera and Camilo are confirmed to perform at the festival, with additional artists to be announced.
Launched in 1960, the Viña del Mar International Song Festival is held annually at Quinta Vergara, a 15,000-capacity amphitheater located in the Chilean city of Viña del Mar, in the central coast region of Valparaíso.
Over the course of five days, the event features a mix of superstars, emerging singers and local artists competing for the Silver, Gold and Platinum “Gaviotas,” the name of its awards. These are decided by a jury with the help of viewers from their homes, although the so-called “monster” — the audience present at Quinta Vergara — undoubtedly has a great power of influence with its ovations and occasional boos.
The Viña del Mar Festival reaches millions of viewers around the world. Next year, it will be broadcast in Chile on TVN and channel 13, and will be available throughout Latin America on STAR Channel and its streaming platform Star+.
Tickets to attend in person can be purchased on the PuntoTicket website.
Latin music experienced another incredible year, and to highlight the genre’s global appeal, Billboard compiled 25 of the best songs released this year, according to our Latin editors.
The coveted year-end list brings to the forefront how experimental some artists got in 2022, led by Bad Bunny with his eclectic dembow “Tití Me Preguntó.” Currently No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, the MAG-produced combination of dembow and reggaetón perfectly embraces Dominican culture and the teteo lifestyle. Manuel Turizo matched him, though, showcasing how the Colombian pop-urban star dipped his toes in the bachata genre with his No. 1 Tropical Airplay hit “La Bachata,” helmed by Latin hitmaker Edgar Barrera.
Karol G and Rauw Alejandro are other great examples of artists who have stepped outside their comfort zones this year, and released bangers as a result — the former with her Ovy on the Drums-produced electronic track “Provenza,” and the latter with his alternative new-wave song “Dime Quien????” Música Mexicana is also well-represented on our list, including Camilo and Grupo Firme’s clever “Alaska,” Natanael Cano’s unapologetic “Que Me Importa” with newcomer Victor Cibrian, and Carin León’s heartfelt country-tinged track “ “No es por acá,” to name a few.
And of course, we couldn’t leave behind those certified hits that, fueled by their success on TikTok, have rocketed onto the Billboard charts this year, such as Lasso’s pop rock hit “Ojos Marrones,” Grupo Frontera’s norteño cover of Morat’s 2019 “No Se Va” and Yahritza y Su Esencia’s “Soy El Unico,” which earned the then 15-year-old lead vocalist, Yahritza Martinez, the title of the youngest Latin artist to have a Hot 100 hit.
Here are our 25 favorite Latin songs from this year, in alphabetical order.
RBD fans, get excited: The Mexican pop group just announced some exciting news on social media.
On Monday (Dec. 19), the @RBD_Musica Twitter and Instagram accounts shared a minute-plus video, captioned “Soy Rebelde,” which combines a scene from the telenovela Rebelde and recent footage of group members Anahí, Dulce María, Maite Perroni, Christian Chavez and Christopher Von Uckermann at an intimate dinner. Alfonso “Poncho” Herrera is not in the clip.
“You know what’s my dream?” Anahí said in the snippet from the telenovela. “I dream of being able to go back in time and that one day everything will be as before.” In that same clip, Von Uckermann replied “maybe we can’t go back but we can still hold it for a while.”
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The social video — which comes on the heels of all the members clearing posts from their Instagram accounts — is accompanied by a Soy Rebelde website that leads to a save the date. “Prepare your tie, January 19, 2023,” the site noted.
Though Anahí, Perroni, Chávez and Von Uckermann reunited in 2020 for the virtual event “Ser o Parecer,” and considering it’s been more than a decade since RBD’s last concert, fans on social media believe the group will announce its highly awaited comeback tour next month. The hashtag #RBDTour2023 also became a trending topic on social media. However, we will have to sit tight until the big announcement is unleashed on Jan. 19.
The band, inspired by the hit telenovela Rebelde (2004-06), became an unstoppable force, performing sold-out shows around the world. On the Billboard charts, RBD had a total of seven entries on the Billboard 200 chart, including Rebelde, Celestial and Nuestro Amor and eight entries on Top Latin Albums, with six hitting the top 10. Over on Hot Latin Songs, the band had 10 total entries and out of those, five hit the top 10.
In 2022, Spanish-language music comprised a big chunk of what was being streamed beyond just Spanish-speaking countries and households. This year, Latin – which is defined as music predominantly sung in Spanish – saw a continued steady growth in the U.S. market and across the globe.
Latin’s big year was led by Bad Bunny’s game-changing release Un Verano Sin Ti, which is (of course) included in our 25 favorite Latin albums of this year. The 23-track genre-hopping set became the first all-Spanish album to be ranked No. 1 on the Billboard 200 year-end albums chart, and it also earned the first-ever Grammy nomination for album of the year for an all-Spanish release.
Genre-blurring albums were a trend this year. Perhaps the most experimental was Rosalía’s Motomami, which is impossible to box into one particular style or genre. Instead, the 16-track set, which won album of the year at the Latin Grammys, was an invitation into the Spaniard’s global-spanning inspiration. She isn’t afraid to go on an exploratory journey where jazz and reggaeton can coexist in one song.
That experimental nature was also found in Mexican music albums such as Eslabon Armado’s history-making Nostalgia and Ivan Cornejo’s Dañado. The faces of a new generation of regional Mexican acts, these artists may be labeled as sierreño artists but, at their core, they’re fusing their songs with the sounds (rock, alternative, pop) that inspired them growing up as a Mexican-American kid in the U.S. There was also Natalia Lafourcade’s masterpiece De Todas Las Flores, Romeo Santos’ third installment of his La Formula series and Jorge Drexler’s poignant Tinta y Tiempo.
Here are our 25 favorite Latin albums from this year, in alphabetical order.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Finals between Argentina and France has arrived but one hour before the last match, a wave of artists took over the soccer field for an energetic closing ceremony held Sunday (Dec. 18) at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
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Dubbed “A Night to Remember,” the ceremony, which laces poetry and music, initiated with a sweet rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” as metallic dolphins floated around the stadium. A motivational poem in the Arabic language followed as a group of people held large, inflatable balls representing the 32 countries that participated in the World Cup. Argentina and France floated at the end.
The 10-minute performance included a mashup of songs from the official FIFA music soundtrack, kicking off with American-Nigerian artist Davido and Qatari singer Aisha singing “(Hayya Hayya) Better Together.” Rocking an all-yellow leather fit, Puerto Rican star Ozuna, and French-Congolese rapper Gims joined the artists for an uplifting set of “Arhbo,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart dated Dec. 17, marking Gims’ first No. 1 title on any U.S. chart. The closing ceremony wrapped with the full female lineup of “Light the Sky.”
“Writing the history in Qatar,” Ozuna expressed on Instagram about all the activations he’s been doing in the Middle East. “Thank you to my most real fans, I love you.”
Although Puerto Rico was not one of the countries that played at the World Cup, Ozuna has been very much involved with the tournament.
In addition to being a part of the FIFA soundtrack, the “Hey Mor” singer teamed up with Coca-Cola Puerto Rico for limited-edition collectible cans and graced the digital cover of L’Officiel Hommes magazine for its 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar edition.
“Thanks to you, we continue leaving a footprint around the world,” the artist noted.
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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Ryan Castro’s Fashion Adventure
Ryan Castro has ventured into the fashion world, officially announcing his first-ever clothing line this week. Dubbed “Ghetto Med,” and sold exclusively in Medellin, the vibrant and trendy brand is inspired by the streetwear from the barrios of Colombia and includes t-shirts, jogger sets, hoodies, accessories, and sneakers, to name a few. The Colombian artist, who has collaborated with artists such as J Balvin and Feid, to name a few, premiered the clothing line with an exclusive concert in Medellin. For more information, visit www.ghettomed.com.
The Willy Chirino Way
To celebrate his 50 years in music, the city of West New York, NJ paid tribute to Willy Chirino on Thursday (Dec. 15) by naming a street after the Cuban salsa star. Accompanied by personalities such as Paquito D’Rivera, the singer of hits including “Medias Negras” and “Pobre Diabla” unveiled, along with the mayor Gabriel Rodriguez, the blue sign for the Willy Chirino Way — at the corner of 54th Street and Boulevard East. “Thanks to everyone who had something to do with this great recognition in the best place it could be. In West New York, next to the monument to our Apostle José Martí and another that exalts the memory of the combatants of La Brigade 2506. I feel extremely blessed and grateful,” the artist wrote on Instagram, where he shared a video of the celebration. This week, Chirino also released Sigo Pa’lante, his first studio album in over a decade.
Gonzalo Rodriguez
Trueno on Live with Billboard Latin
In a new episode of Live with Billboard Latin on Instagram Live this week (and the last of the year), Argentine rapper Trueno talked all things FIFA World Cup and reflected on his eventful 2022. The artist first spoke about the significance of Argentina possibly winning its third World Cup, his favorite players on the national team, and how his Nathy Peluso-assisted “Argentina” became an anthem during the monthlong tournament. Then, he opened up about a successful year, which included a World Tour, three sold-out shows at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, and his first-ever Latin Grammy nomination, only to promise more new music and exciting collaborations coming in 2023. Watch the full conversation below:
Bad Bunny’s Spotify Streak
It’s a no-brainer that Bad Bunny is the top artist in the world right now. With over 18 billion streams in 2022, the Puerto Rican act becomes Spotify’s most-streamed artist for a third consecutive year. Bunny makes history as the first artist to accomplish that feat. In celebration of his “three-peat,” Spotify presented Bunny with three championship-styled rings designed by Jason of Beverly Hills. The rings were inspired by some of his albums including El Último Tour del Mundo and Un Verano Sin Ti. “An epic showing for a career-defining year,” said Jeremy Erlich, Spotify’s global head of music content during the ring ceremony in Mexico.
One Lucky Mariah Carey Fan
Mariah Carey is making many fans happy this Christmas, including one her faithful “lambily” from Uruguay. This week, a fan named Mai documented her journey to see Carey live on Twitter. “Today I’m traveling from my country, which is 8.598km (5.342,55miles) away from NY, just to see my idol @MariahCarey,” she wrote on Monday (Dec. 12). “I remember when I started saving for this day 5 years ago, wishing and hoping for this day. Words can’t describe my happiness rn, love u forever Mimi!” The pop singer not only noticed her tweet but also upgraded the woman to the front row for Tuesday night’s (Dec. 13) “Merry Christmas to All” show at Madison Square Garden.
THE @MariahCarey just dedicated me a song🥹🥹🥹 whaaat I’m dreaming, I was at the front row at her right, when I tell you the floor shaked while she sang Fly like a bird, Lord only knows!!!!! HER power!!!Thank you Mimi for giving me the most amazing experience of my life♥️ #l4l pic.twitter.com/ttIfQC3BBX— Mai🎄✨ (@uruguayanlamb) December 14, 2022
Another Friday, another round of new releases in Latin music.
This week, Ricardo Montaner‘s son, Héctor Montaner, released his first single in 10 years. Titled “Dale, Dale,” the track serves as the theme song for the Disney+ series about his famous family, Los Montaner. “Dale, Dale” is a contagious cumbia tune that’s also perfect for the holidays. Perhaps best known for the 2004 hit “Amor del Bueno,” Hector never really strayed from music — he’s been producing and writing songs for artists including Thalía, Leslie Grace and his father.
Additionally, Danny Ocean goes experimental with a full electronic song. After releasing part one and part two of his album @dannocean, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter is back with new music. This time, he’s gifted fans a feel-good Spanglish anthem that’s all about living in the moment and embracing a newfound love.
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Also, rising Colombian acts Dekko and Totoy El Frío teamed up for “Antes de que muera.” Written and produced by Dekko himself (real name: Daniel Esquiaqui Lecompte), the acoustic corrido tumbado-inspired track sheds light on a bucket list they wish to accomplish before passing away, starting with “becoming a millionaire” and “owning the world.” “The life that I have led was not the one that mommy wanted/I became more badass that I guarantee/And they criticize me because I do what I want/But they need to know that ‘He who does not risk does not win,’” says part of the motivational lyrics.
Other releases include Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera‘s collaboration “Bebé Dame,” Jowell & Randy and Wisin & Yandel‘s “Si Te Pillo” and Quevedo and Myke Towers‘ first team up “Playa De Inglés.”
Which release is your favorite? Cast your vote — or enter in your favorite selection — in the poll 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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Paula Cendejas & Marc Seguí, “a tu manera” (Warner Music Spain)
Spanish artists Paula Cendejas and Marc Seguí join forces this week for a breezy pop song about a modern love story. The faces of a new generation of artists coming out of Spain, the pair trade verses in “a tu manera” about loving each other their own way and in their own terms. “Just to see if it’s true that this time around it’ll work,” they sing in the chorus. “How do I explain to you that I want to leave and then come back?” — GRISELDA FLORES
Quevedo, Myke Towers, “Playa Del Inglés” (Taste the Floor Records/Warner Music Spain)
Following his breakthrough hit, the Bizarrap-assisted “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” Quevedo teams up with Myke Towers on “Playa del Inglés.” On the Ovy on the Drums-produced electro-dancehall track, the Spanish artist and Puerto Rican rapper sing about a memorable fling that happened at the Canary Islands beach resorts. “You weren’t the first one not you’re the last one but how I wish you were the only one/ Who I present to my family and people/ Come to the party so that you’re in another vibe,” the Spanish newcomer chants. Meanwhile, Towers’ vocals assure: “Every time I see you, I remember of that time, the perreo at the plaza in Playa del Ingles/ I don’t want to be your ex.” — JESSICA ROIZ
Héctor Montaner, “Dale, Dale” (Hecho A Mano Music)
Ten years after releasing “Apariencias,” his last single, Héctor Montaner takes the mic once again for “Dale, Dale.” Written by himself as the theme song for the Disney+ series about his famous family, Los Montaner, “Dale, Dale” is a contagious cumbia tune that’s also perfect for the holidays. “We spend the whole year like Christmas/ There is always a good reason to celebrate/ Always putting God first to start/ We are better off, we are better off”, the artist sings in Spanish. Perhaps best known for the 2004 hit “Amor del Bueno,” Hector never really strayed from music — he’s been producing and writing songs for artists including Thalía, Leslie Grace and his father, Ricardo. But “Dale, Dale” is a welcomed return to his role as a talented vocalist, with a joyous video starring the entire Montaner clan. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Jowell & Randy feat. Wisin & Yandel, “Si Te Pillo” (Rimas Entertainment)
Jowell y Randy are closing off the year with a super collaboration alongside Wisin y Yandel. In their second collaborative effort — the first in more than a decade — the two iconic reggaetón duos join forces on “Si Te Pillo,” which loosely translates to “if I catch you.” Co-written by Jowell y Randy, Rios, and Yartzi, and co-produced by Georgie Milliano and Nesty, the infectious reggaetón-meshed-with-perreo track has saucy lyrics about a man who’s after the girl of his dreams. “Baby if I catch you, I’m not going to let go,” goes part of the chorus. Notably, the four artists boast signature vocals that have stood the test of time, resulting in the ultimate union of “two of the strongest names in the urban movement,” as Wisin states at the beginning and end of the track. — J.R.
Danny Ocean, “amor tonight” (Atlantic Recording Corp)
After releasing part one and part two of his album @dannocean, Venezuelan singer-songwriter Danny Ocean is back with new music. This time, he’s gifted fans a feel-good Spanglish anthem that’s all about living in the moment and embracing a newfound love. “You’re a surprise, you’re super nice, amor tonight, one love one life,” he sings over a hypnotic electronic beat. — G.F.
Alvaro Diaz, “SUPRA 94TRO” (UMG Recordings)
Alvaro Diaz has unleashed a new track, which surprisingly enough marks his first reggaetón song as a solo act. Produced by Jotarosa, Oceanvi, and Caleb Calloway, “SUPRA 94TRO” is an edgy futuristic reggaetón track that references the classic 1994 Toyota Supra while narrating the story of the ultimate power couple. “She has a couple of men behind her who think they are gangsters/ If when they see us together they feel the pressure, then hold on,” goes part of the track. “SUPRA 94TRO” will appear on Diaz’s upcoming studio album Sayonará, set to drop in 2023. “In the video, I’m wearing the signature look that I’ve worn on my US tour which is inspired by some of my favorite movies like Blade, Matrix, and Fight Club,” the Puerto Rican artist says in a statement. — J.R.
Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera, “Bebe Dame” (Rancho Humilde/Sony Music Latin)
All eyes have been on Grupo Frontera since the local McAllen band skyrocketed to virality (and the Billboard charts) with their cover of Morat’s “No Se Va.” Now moving away from their innovative covers and tapping into original music, most of them helmed by Edgar Barrera, Grupo Frontera teams up with Fuerza Regida for “Bebe Dame.” Produced by Regida’s frontman Jesus Ortiz Paz, the track is a romantic cumbia-grupera song about an unforgettable special person. “Bebe Dame” marks Regida and Frontera’s second collaborative effort this year, and follow’s Frontera’s latest single “Que Vuelvas” alongside Carin León. — J.R.
DEKKO, Totoy & El Frio, “Antes De Que Muera” (Interscope Records)
Manifesting nothing but good vibes and a successful year, rising Colombian acts Dekko and Totoy El Frío team up this week for “Antes de que muera.” Written and produced by Dekko himself (real name: Daniel Esquiaqui Lecompte), the acoustic corrido tumbado-inspired track sheds light on a bucket list they wish to accomplish before passing away, starting with “becoming a millionaire” and “owning the world.” “The life that I have led was not the one that mommy wanted/ I became more badass, that I guarantee/ And they criticize me because I do what I want/ But they need to know that ‘He who does not risk does not win,’” goes part of the motivational lyrics. — J.R.
Soccer and music have always meshed well. Some of Latin music’s biggest artists, such as Maluma, Carlos Vives, Melendi, and Fito Paéz have proven to be passionate fútbol aficionados and vice versa. Soccer stars such as José Manuel Pinto (former goalkeeper for Barcelona FC) and Jese “Jey M” Rodriguez (former striker for Real Madrid), for instance, have not shied away from kicking off music careers. The former has collaborated with CNCO and Lali; The latter has a remix with Alexis & Fido, De La Ghetto, and Alex Rose.
Soccer and music are also a match made in heaven when it comes to romance. The best example is soccer superstar David Beckham and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, whose dreamy love story began 25 years ago, and who have since welcomed four children: Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper.
Another popular soccer-and-music power couple was Shakira and Gerard Piqué, who met during the 2010 World Cup and share two children, Sasha and Milan. Unfortunately, after a 12-year relationship, the Colombian artist and Barcelona defender announced their split in June this year. “We regret to confirm that we are separating,” the two said in a joint statement released by Shakira’s public relations firm. “For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”
There have been several famous soccer WAGS (the term given to the wives and girlfriends of athletes) from the Latin pop world over the years. Below, check out some past and present real-life couples who blended the two worlds.
For this year’s update of our ongoing Greatest Pop Star by Year project, Billboard is counting down our staff picks for the top 10 pop stars of 2022 all this week. At No. 1, we remember the year in Bad Bunny — who made the jump from being the world’s greatest Latin pop star to simply the world’s greatest pop star.
In the summer of 2021, Billboard talked to Bad Bunny about him producing Tommy Torres’ new album, El Playlist de Anoche – his first run at producing an album outside the urbano realm. “Everything in life is a risk,” he said then. “I made this album because I wanted to do it and because it fulfilled me.” If there’s one that’s clear about the Puerto Rican chart-topping artist, it’s that any project he works on, he does it for those two reasons — which allows him to deliver genuine projects that connect with countless millions of fans across the globe.
Billboard’s Greatest Pop Stars of 2022:Introduction & Honorable Mentions | Rookie of the Year: Steve Lacy | Comeback of the Year: Sam Smith | No. 10: Nicki Minaj | No. 9: Future | No. 8: Jack Harlow | No. 7: Doja Cat | No. 6: Lizzo | No. 5: Drake | No. 4: Beyoncé | No. 3: Taylor Swift | No. 2: Harry Styles
Benito Antonio Ocasio Martínez, or in his own words, “Benito Martínez el más hijueputa (the biggest motherf–ker),” has proven to be a force to be reckoned with — and, in a matter of two years, has unsubtly transitioned from Latin star to global superstar, penetrating the mainstream in a way that no other Latin artist has. Just last year, Bad Bunny was No. 10 on our Greatest Pop Stars of 2021 list. This year, he’s unequivocally No. 1.
Statistically both Billboard’s Top Artist of the Year and (for a third consecutive year) Spotify’s most streamed artist globally, El Conejo Malo been on a wild ride since he made his grand return to the stage with El Último Tour del Mundo at the top of 2022, winding his way to the spring release of his blockbuster album Un Verano Sin Ti — which catapulted Bunny to unprecedented heights, on and off the charts.
By 2022, Bad Bunny’s success was already an anomaly. Between 2020 and 2021, he had released three consecutive Top Latin Albums-topping sets (YHLQMDLG, Las Que No Iban a Salir and El Último Tour del Mundo), had a WWE sting during a tag-team match against The Miz and John Morrison at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, and produced that album for Torres — which landed the veteran singer-songwriter his first top 10 entry on Top Latin Albums in nearly a decade. He’d also announced an ambitious tour for 2022, which would mark his grand return to live touring since the pandemic. “POR FIN!!! ESTÁN LISTOS??? (Finally! Are you all ready?),” he captioned the announcement on social media.
Boy, were they ready. After becoming the fastest-selling trek since 2018, with 480,000 tickets sold in less than a week, Bad Bunny finally kicked off his El Último Tour del Mundo stint in the U.S. in February, marking the start of a blockbuster year for the artist. With El Último Tour, Bunny embarked on his biggest stage tour yet, earning $116.8 million in North American arenas, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. It then became the highest grossing Latin tour in Boxscore history, breaking local records in more than half of the markets where he played. (It’s worth noting that even before he began the U.S arena tour, in January, he announced an ambitious 29-date stadium tour that would kick off in the summer, following El Último Tour.)
It made sense that he’d tour again. When Bunny revealed plans for a second trek, he also announced he was releasing a new album. The new set would be a follow up to 2020’s El Último Tour del Mundo, which earned him his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking the first all-Spanish-language album to reach No. 1 in the then-64-year history of the all-genre chart. Could Bad Bunny best his last album? Probably, given his career-long upward trending. But no one was expecting that Un Verano Sin Ti, which was released in May, would rewrite records broken not just by a Latin artist, but by any artist in general.
Un Verano Sin Ti debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (dated May 21), earning 274,000 equivalent album units in the U.S., according to Luminate. And with 356.66 million on-demand official streams for the set’s songs in its first week, the album registered the largest streaming week ever for a Latin music album. Verano – which spent 13 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 – also placed 22 songs from the set on the May 21-dated Billboard Hot 100, the most in a week for a core Latin music artist and the most in a week performed all in Spanish.
There’s no one reason for the unprecedented success of this particular album, but there are many contributing factors. For one, Latin music market share has been on the rise for some five years now after “Despacito” opened the floodgates for a wave of Spanish-language songs to become global. And, for the first time ever, Latin music expected to reach billion dollars in revenues by year-end in the U.S., according to the RIAA. Its 23% increase is outpacing overall market growth.
Then there’s the obvious. Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti is packed with back-to-back hits that, sonically, all sound completely different (from dembow to mambo and alt-rock). He’s completely deviated from the traditional to innovate, pushing all popular music forward and expanding pop in a way few major artists are right now. There weren’t just one or two singles that were being pushed from Verano — rather, the entire album was being streamed on repeat. Everyone had a different answer when asked which song was their favorite from the set, because there’s a song that just about everyone can relate to – which helps explain why a stunning 11 of the tracks stuck on the Hot 100 for double-digit weeks.
Within a few months, Verano had grown into easily the biggest non-English-language album of the century — without Bunny having to record in English or do a major non-Latin collaboration – and in early August, he expanded his multi-platform stardom with his first major film role, as an assassin in the Brad Pitt-starring action-comedy Bullet Train. But despite being intended as a summer album, UVST’s dominance carried over to Fall — thanks to Bunny’s stadium tour, which kicked off with three sold-out performances at El Choli in his beloved Puerto Rico in July.
The U.S. leg officially opened in August, with shows that began very much on brand for the album: a seagull call filled the stadium; Bad Bunny appeared sitting on a beach chair with a neverita (cooler) next to him. His UVST vision literally came to life in every show. Later that month, his Yankee Stadium performance was beamed into the VMAs, with the superstar stealing the awards show without even attending. “I always knew that I could become a huge artist without changing my culture,” he said while accepting the artist of the year award — the first Latin act to win that category.
His second tour of 2022 doubled the gross of his prior record-breaking trek: The World’s Hottest Tour grossed $232.5 million and sold 944,000 tickets from just 21 shows in the U.S. The combination of El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo & World’s Hottest Tour landed him at the top of Billboard‘s annual Boxscore recaps. Moreover, Un Verano Sin Ti became the first non-English album to ever top the year-end Billboard 200 albums ranking, and tied Drake’s Views and Disney’s Frozen soundtrack for the most weeks at No. 1 on the chart in the last decade. In November, it also earned the first ever nomination for album of the year at the Grammys for an all-Spanish release, one of three nods Bad Bunny garnered for the 2023 ceremonies.
Bad Bunny wasn’t the only artist who dominated this year. There were Harry Styles and Taylor Swift, too, and many other stars who had stellar years with new album releases. But while those artists had years that felt momentous, Bunny’s was truly historic — capturing the zeitgeist not just of Latin music, but for all of global pop.
