Latin
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From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Gushing Over Karol G
Thalia reacted to Karol G’s Netflix documentary, Tomorrow Was Beautiful, with a heartfelt post on social media. “Seeing you shine and hearing that, in some way, I was part of your inspiration touched me to the core,” the Mexican singer and actress expressed. “Thank you for that lovely detail in your documentary. You also inspire me with your strength, your authenticity, and that enormous heart you put into everything you do.”
In the documentary, a young Karol G is seen talking about Thalia’s impact and even singing “Piel Morena” during a local TV interview. “How beautiful it is to see how women can push each other forward, rise up, and celebrate every step together. Here I am, always applauding and admiring you, beautiful babe. Keep flying high, this is just the beginning!” Thalia continued.
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@thalia @Karol G… verte brillar y escuchar que, de alguna manera, fui parte de tu inspiración me emocionó hasta el alma. Gracias por ese detalle tan lindo en tu documental. Tú también me inspiras con tu fuerza, tu autenticidad y ese corazón gigante que dejas en todo lo que haces. ❤️ Qué hermoso es ver cómo las mujeres podemos impulsarnos, elevarnos y celebrar juntas cada paso. Aquí estoy, siempre aplaudiéndote y admirándote, bichota hermosa. ¡Sigue volando alto, que esto apenas comienza! #MujeresQuelnspiran #OrgulloLatino #BichotaPower ♬ sonido original – Thalia
Blessing the Block
Fuerza Regida’s frontman Jesus Ortiz Paz (JOP) hit the streets for his birthday that took place on May 13. But, instead of flaunting his gifts on social media, he opted to give back to the community. In a short clip posted on social media, the Mexican-American singer is seen giving one of his neighbors money, to which she reacts with a thank you, wishes him a happy birthday, and gives him a tight hug. “Blessed the block for his birthday,” reads the video’s caption on TikTok.
Also this week, Fuerza Regida’s new studio album, 111XPANTIA, debuted No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, becoming the highest-charting Regional Mexican album on the chart and highest-charting Spanish-language album ever by a duo or group. Watch the sweet JOP and vecina encounter below:
Taking Over New York City
This week, the Empire State Building in New York City honored Gloria Estefan’s 50-year music career. In celebration, the iconic building lit up in blue, green, and hot pink to not only tribute her five decades in music, but also commemorate all of her No. 1 hits, including “Raíces,” which is currently at the top of the Billboard Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Airplay, and Tropical Airplay charts. “Wow wow!!! Thank you Empire State Buildingfor lighting up theNew York sky in celebration of 5 decades of No.1s. We feel the love!!” the Cuban-American artist expressed, along with a recap video of her, and Emilio Estefan Jr.s, visit to the coveted building.
Gloria Estefan visits the Empire State Building on May 12, 2025 in New York City.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust
Celebrating a Queen
Olga Tañón has been named the Queen of the 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade set to be celebrated along fifth avenue in New York City on Sunday, June 8. The Puerto Rican merengue star, who was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music Awards, “will lead the parade alongside other notable figures, sharing a day of music, pride, and celebration with her people,” according to an official statement.
“Being part of this tradition that celebrates with such love our roots, culture, and the unbreakable spirit of Puerto Ricans in the diaspora is an immense gift,” the renowned “Mujer de Fuego” (woman of fire) expressed on Instagram. “My heartfelt thanks to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade for this special distinction. Let’s bring all our love, commitment, flavor, and fire! Let’s represent it properly!”
Carín León is the latest Latin star to perform his very own Tiny Desk concert for NPR Music. The Mexican superstar went all out for his set, which included a 16-piece band that helped him bring to life “Ese Vato No Te Queda,” “Lado Frágil,” “El Amor de Mi Herida” and “Por la Suave.” León […]
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music, including new albums by DannyLux (Leyenda), Sebastián Yatra (Milagro), and Astronomía Interior (Hélices), to name a few. Cuban duo Gente De Zona also released its new album, Reparto, as a nod to the genre’s growth in popularity. “We’re showing […]
Sebastián Yatra’s new album, Milagro, is a perfect example of how the simple things in life can be a gift, and a reminder that every moment we experience is unique, almost a miracle.
Over the past few months, the Colombian singer-songwriter hinted at his highly anticipated new album, which was released on Friday (May 16) under Universal Music Latino. Through a series of images, videos and personal reflections on the “miracles” that inspired this project, Yatra has gradually unveiled the essence of his fourth studio album.
Each song represents a unique everyday miracle that shifts our perspective of the world: “Energía Bacana” reflects on memories; “2 AM” symbolizes freedom; “Vagabundo” embodies dance; “Lienzo” stands for imagination; “Una Noche Sin Pensar” captures complicity; and “Disco Rayado” tells the story of a heart unwilling to let go of a bond the other person has already left behind.
With this album, he aims to tell deep, meaningful stories and forge a genuine connection with his listeners through 17 songs, each representing a miracle. “I’ve experienced this emotion in my other albums as well, as they express where I am in my life at that moment,” Yatra tells Billboard. “However, right now, this emotion feels particularly strong. In my previous albums, I was a person searching for many things, like happiness, which seemed like a distant goal. Today, I feel that I have discovered everything I could ask for in life, and I found that perspective at quite a young age.”
The name for the LP was inspired by a phrase written by Yatra’s brother, the writer Andrés Obando Giraldo: “Life denies you miracles until you realize that everything is a miracle.” Yatra saw this as a sign that reinforced the name he had in mind for his album.
He explains, “I found this definition of a miracle to be different from what I had encountered before. It suggests that a miracle can be something as simple as seeing things from a different perspective.
“My nature, the first things that always come to me are very heartfelt things; that’s what I listen to the most,” he adds. “But that doesn’t mean that just because it’s what I listen to the most, I don’t enjoy partying and also like to organize and create songs for those moments, for that type of sensation. Milagro mostly leans more towards that celestial experience, from the ballads and lyrics to those melodies that give you hope. But there are also some songs like ‘Vagabundo,’ which is pure party and happiness.”
Below, Yatra breaks down five essential tracks from Milagro. Listen to the full album here.
“Milagro”
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
DannyLux, Leyenda (VPS Music/Warner Music Latina)
DannyLux’s sixth studio album Leyenda is a dazzling dark fantasy affair that weaves tales of eternal skies, mermaids, and otherworldly legends through whimsical sierreño constructs. Anchored by lush acoustic guitars, the album pushes the boundaries of Mexican music, effortlessly genre-hopping into ’90s-inspired trip-hop (“2025”) and lo-fi electronic music (“Q.D.E.P.”) across 19 tracks. He also invites Jasiel Nuñez to join him in a sierreño reverie on “Cielo Eterno,” Yng Naz on the whimsical corrido “Viaja Conmigo” and Juanchito on the tololoche-driven “Mis Loqueras.” With its fusion of regional Mexican instrumentation and subtle electronic elegance, DannyLux delivers intricate storytelling throughout.
Accompanying the album is a short documentary of the same name. Directed by Elías López, the 17-minute film delves into a surreal, medieval-inspired realm, exploring themes of creative doubt and transformation. The visual — evoking the spirit of ’80s films like the David Bowie-starring Labyrinth — combined with the album’s haunting-yet-allegorical themes, further cements DannyLux’s place as a trailblazing artist in his genre. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
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RØZ & Peso Pluma, “Apaga La Luz” (ALT:Vision Records/Queens Road Music/Atlantic Recording Corp.)
Mexican artist and producer duo RØZ recruit Peso Pluma for a head-bobbing electronic track that showcases not only Peso’s vocal versatility but RØZ’s knack for creating hypnotizing beats powered by euphoric melodies. The collaboration between the Mexican acts came about through an Instagram DM resulting in a standout release, which follows RØZ’s breakout hit “flashes” with reggaetón hitmaker Yng Lvcas. The song’s ethereal canvas allows Peso to deliver a more intimate performance, nearly whispered, in contrast to his in-your-face delivery when singing corridos. RØZ most recently inked a deal with Queens Road Music/ Atlantic Records, setting them up for a busy summer with confirmed performances in festivals across Mexico. — GRISELDA FLORES
Gente de Zona, Reparto (Altafonte/Gente de Zona)
“La Conga,” a nearly three-minute intro, kicks off Gente De Zona’s new studio album, Reparto. The rhythmic track—where there are no lyrics, only shout outs to the album’s collaborators—sets the perfect tone for the cultural-statement-making production: a strong blend of Cuban timba, rumba and hard-hitting bass and claves. Named after the latest movement in the Cuban music scene, reparto is “a genre that draws from the roots of Cuban timba, guaracha, guaguancó, rumba, and with this album, we fuse it with the tropical and urban rhythms that define Gente de Zona’s sound,” Alexander Delgado of Gente de Zona says in a press statement.
With the hopes of taking the genre from the barrios of Cuba to the masses, the duo composed by Delgado and Randy Malcolm team up with a wave of up-and-coming producers and artists such as Dale Pututi, Dany Ome, Kevincito El 13, and L Kimii, as well as one of the genre’s pioneer, Chocolate. Lyrically, most of the tracks on the album are uplifting and motivational, whether it’s about having confidence, feeling successful and blessed, or having a healthy relationship.
“With Reparto, we’re showing the world an evolution of Cuban reggaetón that defines our culture, taking it to new frontiers so people can enjoy it and recognize it,” Malcolm adds. “At the same time, we want to shine a light on these new artists who are leading the authentic Reparto movement in our country.” Standout tracks include “Rico Cantidad,” “Se Trata” and focus track “La Guagua,” featuring Wow Popy and Zurdo MC. — JESSICA ROIZ
Ricardo Montaner, Camilo & Evaluna Montaner, “Si Tuviera Que Elegir” (Hecho A Mano Music)
Twenty-three years ago, a young Evaluna appeared in the music video for her father Ricardo Montaner’s song “Si Tuviera Que Elegir.” Today, the artist, mother and wife once again accompanies her dad on this song — this time as a performer — in a new version that features Latin music star Camilo (also her husband). “Having Camilo and Evaluna singing by my side gives the song a different meaning,” Montaner said in a press release. “Camilo, with his unique voice and at the peak of his career, and Evaluna, with her angelic and original way of performing, make this song a gem.”
Written by Montaner and Yasmil Marrufo, the new version of “Si Tuviera Que Elegir” remains a soft-yet-poignant pop ballad, much like the original one, only this one becomes a family affair, giving the track a new meaning. The music video, set to be released later today, is directed by Marlene Rodríguez, Montaner’s wife and Evaluna’s mother, who created a tender collage of images from past and present. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Astronomía Interior, Hélices (Universal Music Group)
Bassist Ángel Mosqueda and keyboardist Jesús Báez are Astronomía Interior, the alternative project of this duo of musicians who are also members of the Mexican rock band Zoé. In Hélices, their second studio album, the duo presents 11 tracks that transport the listener from the most subtle atmospheres to an explosion of experimental rhythms and introspective lyrics. From the album cover, which depicts the shimmering wings of a dragonfly against a fiery red background, the pair project freedom and change.
Electronic touches with some acoustics incorporated, in a minimalist style, power songs like “Mineral”, “Mar Universal,” “Materia y Espacio,” “Siento la Noche,” “Abril” and “Una Canción,” which showcase the transforming spirit of this album. Meanwhile, “Ahí Estaré” and “Hélices” reflect the U.K. pop stamp of British producer Phil Vinall, an important part of Zoé’s sound identity. The band’s drummer, Rodrigo Guardiola, also participated in several songs. — NATALIA CANO
Camila Fernández, “No Puedo Dormir Sin Ti” (Universal Music México)
The heiress of the Fernández dynasty presents “No Puedo Dormir Sin Ti,” a ranchera ballad led by Camila’s soft voice and profound delivery, which turn it into a song of sadness over the absence of a loved one. This is the sixth advance of her upcoming album La Fernández (as she likes to be called) set to be released in August, with which she will continue to represent Mexican music accompanied by mariachi. — TERE AGUILERA
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
After surprising her audience in Charlotte, N.C. with special guests Alejandro Sanz and Wyclef Jean earlier this week, Shakira brought another star to the stage on Thursday (May 15), on her first of two nights at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and […]
Bad Bunny is ready to take summer by storm, but first, he’s performing as the musical guest during the season finale of Saturday Night Live this weekend. In promos for the May 17 finale of season 50 shared on Thursday (May 15), the superstar appears alongside host Scarlett Johansson and SNL mainstay Kenan Thompson, with […]
Fifteen years after achieving his first top 10 on Hot Latin Songs and his first No. 1 on Tropical Airplay with his take of “Stand by Me,” Prince Royce gifts his fans an entire album filled with pop classics in bilingual versions (English/Spanish) and bachata rhythms.
Titled ETERNO, the 13-track LP will be released Friday (May 16) under Sony Music Latin. It includes everything from “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest and “How Deep is Your Love” by the Bee Gees to “I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder and “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac, with “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys as the focus track. All the Spanish lyrics were written by Royce himself.
“For me, these are songs that are eternal, iconic, legendary,” the Latin star tells Billboard Español. “The intention with the album was somewhat similar to ‘Stand by Me.’ I wanted to bring back that nostalgia from a time when there was no Auto-Tune, when everything was raw, very real, into today’s world.”
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With a tracklist that also includes “Stuck on You” (Lionel Richie), “Right Here Waiting” (Richard Marx), “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (Elvis Presley), and “Yesterday” (The Beatles), Royce says it took his team about nine months to secure all the rights.
“When I was seeing that a song was going to go in, I was already like, ‘Okay, it fits in bachata,’” he explains about the selection process. “For me, the important thing was that the songs worked well in bachata, that the Spanish was good, that it flowed with the genre. Also I didn’t wanna force songs — it was important to keep the Prince Royce essence while also respecting the original song.”
Among the classics he felt were essential for this album, he mentions “Dancing in the Moonlight” as a song with a “positive vibe” that had always reminded him of bachata; “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as a perfect “wedding song” that was somewhat difficult to adapt; “My Girl” by The Temptations as an iconic “doo-wop” he wanted to tackle even though it reminded him of his previous hit “Stand by Me”; and “Stuck on You” by Lionel Richie, one of his personal favorites.
ETERNO follows Prince Royce’s 2024 album Llamada Perdida, a deeply personal set that included several heartbreak songs. This new project was very different, and Royce says he had fun learning and researching the original artists and embracing the challenge of adapting himself to their songs.
“It was just like a fun, music-geek project. I ended up really enjoying it and really like dissecting each harmony and background vocal and recording it,” he says enthusiastically. “I’d like for people who know these songs to bring those memories back, and maybe the younger generation in Latin America who doesn’t know them creates new memories. I hope we can achieve that.”
Prince Royce ‘ETERNO’
Courtesy Photo
History was made in Latin music when two Spanish-language albums hit No. 1 and No. 2 at the same time on the Billboard 200 albums chart this week. Both Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos and Fuerza Regida’s 111XPANTIA occupied the spots, making it a first in the all-genre chart’s 69-year history. The Puerto Rican […]
Yeri Mua, the Mexican influencer who became TikTok’s No. 1 most-viewed musical artist globally in 2024, officially releases her debut album under Sony Music México, De Chava, tonight (May 15).
“It’s an album that totally captures my essence, who I am as a person,” the 23-year-old artist tells Billboard Español. “I’m not that grown-up, I’m young, but I’m at that stage in life where you start to understand many things — even though I never stop having fun, enjoying myself and falling in love. Literally, it’s about chava (girl) things.”
The 15-track set — which includes previously released singles like “Traka,” “Croketita” with La Lokera, “Avión Privado” with El Malilla, “Él No Es Tuyo” with Bellakath and Uzielito Mix, and “Modo Antidepresivo” alongside Snow The Product — arrives with the focus track “Morrita (Tinker Bell),” a song featuring Chilean artist Lewis Somes, in which she sings to an ex that he’s already lost her, and that he doesn’t have a brain.
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Produced (among others) by SAAK, Uzielito Mix and Jocsan La Loquera, it also includes collabs with La Joaqui (“Salida de Chicas”), Chris Tales (“Viña Mari”), and Marcianeke (“Combi”) — all with very colloquial and explicit language.
Yeri Mua signed with Sony Music México in mid-2024, when she was already amassing more than 600 million streams of her solo music and collaborations, according to a statement issued by the label at the time. From giving beauty tips and undergoing a remarkable physical transformation to becoming one of the top “reggaetón Mexa” performers, she is now entering a new phase in her rising career as a singer.
“I feel very proud of what I’ve achieved so far, much more confident than ever — and above all, deeply in love with what I’ve created with Sony Music — so, I’m ready for whatever comes next,” she says in her signature carefree style.
After a series of performances in the U.S. and Costa Rica, Yeri Mua is preparing for an important milestone in her career: her first solo concert in Mexico City, scheduled for May 30 at the Pepsi Center. She will then take her Traka Tour to other Latin American countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Guatemala.
But today, as De Chava is being released, she reflects on her beginnings, opens up about her fears, and looks forward to the future.
As an influencer, you were used to everything happening quickly. The process of building a career as a singer is different. How have you handled that?
I’m not going to lie, it’s been a very long process — because, obviously, things happen along the way. I even questioned myself about whether I really wanted this, and I lost a bit of motivation. But ultimately, here I am, happy.
How do you feel after transitioning from influencer to singer?
It was difficult, because now I have to earn people’s respect as an artist. Sometimes I even felt embarrassed to say I was a singer — but I am, and I’ve learned to believe in myself and trust in my ability to make this work. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here facing this head-on. I haven’t stopped being who I was — in fact, the album talks a lot about beauty, wanting to look spectacular, the things I enjoy doing, and what I love. I think many people can relate to my songs, regardless of their age.
I’m aware of my privilege, and I think there’s nothing wrong with that. Obviously, an influencer lives much more comfortably than most ordinary people who earn a minimum wage and work long hours. Yes, it’s a privilege to dedicate yourself to social media, but it’s not easy — it’s taken me a lot of effort to get to where I am; I’ve worked hard for this. I worked other jobs before becoming an influencer. Being an influencer was like a period of preparation for what God had planned for me.
Now as a singer, what’s your opinion about this profession?
My dreams have materialized, and it’s largely thanks to my team. An artist can’t achieve something like this alone, so I’m grateful and happy to have them.
There have been restrictions in many Mexican states on narcocorrido singers because of the lyrics. Are you prepared if this happens with reggaetón?
I think it was somewhat logical that this would happen with regional Mexican music because of words connected to drug trafficking. As for reggaetón, I don’t think explicit words will be censored. They might make some people uncomfortable, but they don’t offend or harm anyone.
Your upcoming Latin American tour is another big step forward in your music career.
I did very well on the tour I did in the United States, as well as in Costa Rica. Now it’s time to visit my fans in several countries, and I want to thank them for their support — so I’m going to give it my all.