Latin
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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.
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Xavi, Next (Interscope Records)
Unlike the typical landscape of Latin music in 2024, Xavi’s debut album, Next, distinguishes itself through his singular vocal prowess and a selective ensemble of guest features that include Tony Aguirre, Los Dareyes de la Sierra, and his brother and co-songwriter, Fabio Capri. With 15 tracks that blend fresh revelations and familiar hits, this album sees the Phoenix, Arizona, native expanding his creative wanderlust and widespread appeal.
Next captivates with songwriting that paints scenes of young love caught in the throes of rebellious fervor and wholesome charm. His vocal delivery, both haunting and resolute, is supported by an eclectic mix of traditional instruments like the requinto and tololoche, enriched further by occasional brass accents. New song “La Luna X Mi” surprises and delights, offering the lustrous tones of a 12-string guitar. “Filosofía” boasts lush melodies and playful reflections on love. Meanwhile, ongoing hits like “Corazón de Piedra,” “La Diabla” and “La Víctima” invigorate the overall momentum, intertwining with the newer tracks to create a robust musical narrative.
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A particularly compelling collaboration is “Tu Casi Algo,” where Xavi and Fabio Capri exchange verses on the blossoming nuances of romance. With Next, the 20-year-old artist not only continues to cement his status as a breakthrough artist but also challenges the conventions of Latin music, presenting a debut that will surely resonate widely and affect deeply. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Becky G, Encuentros (Kemosabe Records/RCA Records)
Becky G continues to trace her Mexican roots in Encuentros, a gorgeous 16-track set powered by prickly requintos, wailing trombones and equally emotional lyrics that touch on the sadness and grief that come with heartbreak and, ultimately, joy from a healed heart. The 27-year-old Mexican American artist sings with pathos, the way música mexicana greats often do, as she brings to life stories through songs with the help of friends like Tito Double P, Oscar Maydon, Oscar Ortiz and Delilah — who all represent a new generation of regional Mexican hitmakers. Encuentros follows, and is a continuation, of Becky’s ultra-personal Esquinas, which she released last year.
“This album is deeply personal and raw, documenting a healing process that’s far from linear,” Becky said in a statement about Encuentros. “I’ve found peace within myself and embraced every part of who I am. I am grateful to música mexicana for allowing me to express the rawest version of myself.” The new album comes on the heels of her new tour, Casa Gómez: Otro Capítulo, set to kick off today (Oct. 11). — GRISELDA FLORES
Pedro Capó, LiL CaKe & DeMasters, “Si Alguien Me Ve” (ReLo-Co. Music/Globalatino Music Partners)
In a first collaborative effort, Pedro Capó and LiL CaKe deliver “Si Alguien Me Ve” (If Anyone Sees Me). Helmed by Venezuelan producers DeMasters, the bonafide team up kicks off with the pensive Argentine newcomer LiL CaKe backed by a melancholic ballad: “I know I messed up many times […] you deserve someone better than me, who doesn’t make you cry, who doesn’t make you suffer,” he chants. The track smoothly transitions into a rhythmic cumbia villera, where Capó continues with a just as nostalgic chorus: “If anyone sees me in the streets/ I’m looking for you/ I think you moved,” further emphasizing in the lyrics that no one compares to his ex. — JESSICA ROIZ
Jerri Di, “Asilo” (Universal Music Latino)
Venezuelan musician Jerri D releases an ode to Venezuela with “Asilo,” a song that marks the end of a conceptual project titled ASILO COLLECTIONS: VOL V – Aceptación. “Dedicated to the 8 million Venezuelans abroad. And to the 24 million within,” the singer said in a press release, “Asilo” is a love letter that evokes his longing from exile. “How much I miss you/ I want the old days to come back/ This love has me on strike,” Jerry sings urgently over shimmering synths and a haunting bass line. “Asilo” arrives with an emotional music video directed by Reinaldo Díaz and produced by Juan Diasparra, which features striking images of Venezuela and its people captured throughout the country over 33 days. “We wanted to show our land to those who have not known it,” a message reads at the beginning of the clip. “What we found was the reason why millions of us have never lost faith in Venezuela.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
In an industry constantly evolving with new musical trends, Yandel has opted to stay faithful to the genre that made him a household name, further proving on his new album why he remains one of the most elite artists in the game.
Titled just that — ELYTE (replacing the I with the Y in honor of his artistic name) — the Puerto Rican artist presents his eighth solo studio album. The 19-track production is for the most part an entire album of reggaetón music, fusing the old-school sound with modern elements. Notably, the collaborators on the set include Tego Calderon, J Balvin, Feid, Myke Towers, Farruko and Blessd, to name a few.
“I feel deeply blessed and happy that my music has managed to transcend at different stages of my career,” the artist born Llandel Veguilla Malavé tells Billboard. “I always seek to evolve by staying true to my essence, without losing what defines me, but making sure that my music continues to connect with the public.”
ELYTE follows Yandel’s Resistencia (2023), Quien Contra Mi 2 (2020), The One (2019), #Update (2017), Dangerous (2015), De Líder a Leyenda (2013), and Quien Contra Mi (2003). Both his 2013 and 2015 albums hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
The album’s release also comes ahead of Yandel taking center stage at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week, returning to Miami Beach on Oct. 14-18, with other confirmed artists including Feid, Young Miko, Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz, Maria Becerra and Peso Pluma, among many others.
Yandel — who’s also a finalist at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards for Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Duo or Group with Wisin y Yandel — will be joined by Dei V and Roberto Andrade (managing director at Warner Music Latina) for a discussion on the beginning and future of the genre. For tickets and more details, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.
Below, Yandel breaks down five essential tracks from ELYTE.
“Reggaetón Malandro” feat. Tego Calderón
Feid is set to light up Miami as Billboard Latin Music Week marks its 35th year in the heart of Miami Beach. But who is Feid, and how did this Colombian sensation ascend to the echelons of global stardom?
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The Colombian singer-songwriter began his music journey in Medellín, learning the clarinet before focusing on singing. He joined a children’s choir and performed in talent shows. In his 20s, he became a sought-after songwriter for major Latin artists — he co-wrote J Balvin’s first global hit, “Ginza” (2015) — and signed with Universal Music Latin Entertainment. Feid released his debut album, Así Como Suena, in 2017, and by his third album, Ferxxo, Vol. 1: M.O.R. (2020), he had reached No. 1 on Latin Airplay.
His success continued with albums such as Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo Te Pirateamos el Álbum (2022), and Mor, No le Temas a la Oscuridad (2023), which peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard 200. To date, he holds eight No. 1 hits on Latin Airplay and 10 Latin Rhythm Airplay charts.
Ferxxo’s journey is highlighted as he prepares to appear at Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami on Monday, Oct. 14, on a panel called From Clubs to Stadiums featuring Feid, presented by Live Nation. Get your tickets here.
Watch the video about Feid’s success above, then catch up on more Billboard Explains videos and learn about Peso Pluma and the Mexican music boom, the role record labels play, origins of hip-hop, how Beyoncé arrived at Renaissance, BBMAs, NFTs, SXSW, American Music Awards, the Billboard Latin Music Awards and more.
Cuban artist José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, best known as El Taiger, has died. He was 37 years old. The urbano singer passed away on Thursday (Oct. 10) a week after being shot in the head, his family confirmed in an official statement posted on El Taiger’s Instagram Stories.
“On the morning of Friday, October 4, 2024, Jose Manuel Carvajal, known as ‘El Taiger,’ was the victim of a senseless violent crime. He was found near Jackson Memorial Hospital and immediately transported to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit,” the statement reads. “From the moment of his arrival, a team of physicians at Jackson Memorial worked tirelessly to provide him with the care he needed. We are extremely grateful. During this incredibly difficult time, family, friends and supporters joined together in prayer, hope and support, seeking a miracle. To all who offered their prayers, we thank you. Sadly, this afternoon, El Taiger was pronounced dead and is now reunited with his beloved mother in heaven.”
One of the most popular Cubaton artists (a genre that fuses reggaeton with traditional Cuban rhythms), El Taiger is known for his Cuban-rooted urban sound heard in songs such as “La Historia,” “El Papelito” and “Habla Matador.” His debut album, Taiger, was released in 2016 on Puerto Rican hip-hop artist Cosculluela’s label Rottboyz, and in 2017, he was featured on the Fate of the Furious movie soundtrack on producer Pinto “Wahin” and DJ Ricky Luna’s track “La Habana.” His most recent production, “Rulay,” in collaboration with Ecuadorian newcomer Niko G, came out this summer.
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According to a press conference offered by the chief of the Miami Police Department last week, officers responded to a call just after 7 a.m. on Oct. 3, where they found a man inside a black vehicle who had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. El Taiger was then transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery and remained in critical condition until his passing. Billboard reached out to the Miami PD to get an update on the investigation, but did not hear back at press time.
“While this news is both shocking and heartbreaking, we encourage fans of El Taiger to honor his memory by celebrating the joy he brought to so many,” the family’s statement continues. “Turn up your music, dance and celebrate his life. El Taiger was the sentiment of the people, and now we must keep that sentiment alive through his music and his legacy.”
J Balvin has reeled in some of his biggest and personal celebrity friends for a new docuseries called A Great Day With J Balvin, premiering on Thursday, Oct. 17, via Peacock.
The six episode series will “take audiences on a personal journey” with the Colombian artist and “his captivating quest to uncover the secrets of a truly fulfilling life,” according to a press statement. Balvin is joined by Anitta, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, Demi Lovato, Jimmy Butler, Saweetie, and Xolo Maridueña “as they embark on a series of unexpected and transformative adventures together.”
“Whatever comes my way, I make it a great day … whether by playing sports, meditating, the zouk, cooking,” he said in the trailer that arrived Thursday (Oct. 10). “Join me on this journey. We are not what we have, we are what we are.”
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A Great Day With J Balvin sheds light on how Balvin (real name José Álvaro Osorio Balvin) — one of the first major Latin artists to publicly speak about his struggles with mental health — finds his balance.
“That’s why I said before, in the darkest moments, I didn’t lose control. But I take my pills daily,” he told Billboard in his cover story interview. “It’s perfectly normal, as if someone had an issue with high [blood] pressure. But there’s also meditation — I’ve been meditating since I was 19 years old — daily exercise, eating habits and the people you surround yourself with. The fact that I don’t do drugs or anything like that has also been part of having that mental, spiritual balance.”
Additionally, the “Mi Gente” singer is confirmed for a Superstar Q&A at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week, returning to Miami Beach on Oct. 14-18, with other confirmed artists including Feid, Young Miko, Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz, Maria Becerra, and Peso Pluma, among many others. For tickets and more details, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.
He will also receive the Spirit of Hope Award at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, recognizing his philanthropic efforts through his Vibra En Alta Foundation, which aims to elevate young individuals by supporting their educational journeys. The awards ceremony will air Sunday, Oct. 20 via Telemundo.
Watch the trailer for A Great Day With J Balvin below:
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards will honor some of Latin music’s biggest stars with special recognitions during the ceremony, which will broadcast Oct. 20 on Telemundo.
As previously announced, regional Mexican star Pepe Aguilar will receive the Hall of Fame Award, joining past recipients like Joan Sebastian, Marc Anthony and Vicente Fernández. Colombian hitmaker J Balvin will be honored with the Spirit of Hope Award, which was created more than 20 yeas ago in honor of Selena Quintanilla. Meanwhile, Spanish icon Alejandro Sanz will be bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award, which in the past has been awarded to acts like Los Temerarios, Ricardo Arjona and Los Ángeles Azules.
Days before receiving their special awards, all three artists will also speak at the 35th annual Billboard Latin Music Week, taking place Oct. 14-18 in Miami. Aguilar, Balvin and Sanz will participate in their respective Icon Q&As where they’ll sit with Billboard‘s Leila Cobo for a one-on-one conversation. (Check the weeklong event’s full schedule here.)
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The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards will broadcast Sunday, Oct. 20 at 9 p.m. ET on Telemundo, and simultaneously on the Telemundo App, Peacock, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional. Karol G leads the list of finalists with 17 nods in categories including artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and top Latin album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season). See the complete list here.
Below, the three artists who will be honored with special awards at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards:
Pepe Aguilar
Recognition: Hall of Fame Award
Past Recipients: José José, Vicente Fernández, Rocío Dúrcal, Marco Antonio Solís, Joan Sebastian, Marc Anthony, Franco de Vita, and Alejandro Fernández, to name a few.
“Receiving the Billboard Hall of Fame Award is an incredible honor, and it reminds me of the importance of continually evolving as an artist,” Aguilar says. “After 35 years in this industry, I feel just as passionate and driven as I did on day one. It’s exciting to see how música Mexicana is growing and evolving, and I’m proud to be part of that movement. What’s even more special is being able to connect with a new generation of fans while staying true to my roots. I’ve reinvented myself time and time again, and as music continues to evolve, I’m ready to keep pushing boundaries and creating something new.”
J Balvin
Recognition: Spirit of Hope Award
Past recipients: Carlos Santana, Carlos Vives, Daddy Yankee, Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra, Karol G, Los Tigres del Norte, Maná, Ricky Martin and Shakira, among others.
“I’m so grateful, and so honored, to be recognized with such a special award,” the Colombian hitmaker says in a press statement. “It’s important for me, as the artist I am today and that little kid with dreams I once was before – and still [am] to this day – to be able to support and guide the next generation into realities of their own. I am proud to be able to help the youth and new wave discover their passions through the Vibra en Alta Foundation and help turn those very dreams into realities.”
Alejandro Sanz
Recognition: Lifetime Achievement Award
Past recipients: Los Ángeles Azules, Los Temerarios, Miguel Bosé and Ricardo Arjona, and others.
“I’m very happy to return to the Billboard Latin Music Awards, it’s certainly special,” Sanz expresses in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for this recognition from Billboard, and I love that it takes place in Miami. It’s fantastic to be home.”
Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz will be honored with the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards. The singer-songwriter will receive the special award during the ceremony, which will broadcast Oct. 20 on Telemundo. “I’m very happy to return to the Billboard Latin Music Awards, it’s certainly special,” Sanz said in a […]
Latin music revenue hit a record high of $685 million in the first half of 2024, according to the RIAA’s mid-year Latin music report released Thursday (Oct. 10). According to the analysis, Latin increased 7% compared to the first half of 2023, led by paid streaming subscriptions, which account for two-thirds of U.S. Latin revenue. Furthermore, Latin music revenues in the first half of the year once again grew faster than the overall recorded music market.
While the report doesn’t specify which artists or genres are directly driving this mid-year record high, Latin music’s bump can be a contributed to a number of artists who are fueling a movement. From Karol G to Peso Pluma, who are still riding high from a historic 2023, and newcomers like Xavi, it’s safe to say that a diverse collective of acts have helped usher another record year for Latin music.
“Latin music keeps soaring to new heights — setting US revenue records as we report today and driving the culture forward across the globe,” Michele Ballantyne, RIAA president & chief operating officer, said in a statement. “There’s a reason Latin is the fastest-growing genre on US streaming services. Fans just can’t get enough of its undeniable energy, emotion, power and joy.”
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The RIAA’s mid-year report explains that paid streaming subscriptions contributed more than two-thirds of total revenues. Overall, U.S. paid subscriptions reached a record average of 99 million in 2024 and delivered 68% of total revenues for US Latin music. Combined revenues from ad-supported, on-demand streaming services (including YouTube, Vevo, the free version of Spotify and social media platforms) provide nearly 25% of the total value of Latin music, compared to 10% for overall recorded music revenues.
Meanwhile, digital services (including paid and ad-supported streaming, online radio options, and digital downloads) provided 98% of total Latin music revenues in the first half of 2024. Physical revenues experienced a growth, up 21% compared to the same period in 2022.
“Latin music in the US continues to break through and reach new heights, now providing nearly 8% of total recorded music revenues in the country. Strong growth across all major formats — including a doubling of physical revenues — has enabled Latin music’s diverse mix of new and established artists’ innovative styles to fuel sustained momentum for over a decade,” added Matt Bass, RIAA vice president, research.
In April, the RIAA reported that, for a second year in a row, Latin music revenues in the U.S. had exceeded the $1 billion mark on the wings of 16% growth that outpaced the overall market.
The 35th anniversary Billboard Latin Music Week, which will feature exclusive panels, conversations and performances by Latin music’s biggest stars, will take place Oct. 14-18 in Miami. Purchase tickets to the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week here.
Karol G claims a fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” rules the chart dated Oct. 19. The single enters a tie with Luck Ra and KHEA’s “Hola Perdida” for the fourth-most weeks at the summit in 2024.
Here’s a recap of the songs with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart this year:
Weeks at No. 1, Song, Artists11, “Hoy,” Valentino Merlo & The La Planta10, “Una Foto (Remix),” Mesita, Nicki Nicole, Tiago PZK & Emilia5, “Bésame (Remix),” Bhavi, Seven Kayne, Milo j, Tiago PZK, KHEA & Neo Pistea4, “Hola Perdida (Remix),” Luck Ra & KHEA4, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Karol G
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Valentino Merlo and The La Planta’s “Hoy” remains at No. 2 for a fifth week, after the song’s 11-week domination which began as the song jumped 2-1 on the July 6-dated ranking.
The Hot Shot Debut of the week goes to Lali’s “Fanático,” which opens at No. 5, for her second top 10 among 22 chart performances. Lali last landed in the upper region through “N5” in 2022.
Omar Courtz and De La Rose join for their second collab and highest-charting visit as “Qué Vas A Hacer” debuts at No. 30.
Plus, Shakira captures her second entry as a soloist, unaccompanied by any other act, with the No. 31 launch of “Soltera.”
Elsewhere, Billie Eilish takes the weekly Greatest Gainer honors –awarded weekly to the song with the largest jump among the 100 songs on the tally– as “Birds Of A Feather” climbs 42 spots, from No. 93 to No. 51.
One other song debuts this week, Sebastian Yatra’s “Los Domingos” at No. 89, for the Colombian’s 28th career entry.
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week is returning to Miami from Oct. 14 to 18 at the Fillmore Miami Beach with more than 70 artists confirmed.
This year, the week-long event celebrates its 35th anniversary as the one, steady foundation of Latin music in this country, becoming the single most important — and biggest — gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world.
The industry event will feature Superstar Q&A’s with artists such as Alejandro Sanz, Gloria Estefan, J Balvin, Pepe Aguilar, and Young Miko, as well as intimate and educational discussions including Thalía and Maria Becerra on mental health; Eslabon Armado and Yahritza y Su Esencia on family in the biz; and Feid’s touring success from clubs to stadiums.
Other artists confirmed to speak at Latin Music Week: Peso Pluma, Chiquis, Yandel, Belinda, Junior H, Fuerza Regida’s JOP, Pipe Bueno, NMIXX and many more.
The conference will also include various artist showcases throughout the week that pass holders will be able to enjoy. To purchase your ticket, visit here.
Among the most notable are “Billboard En Vivo” featuring Grupo Frontera and Majo Aguilar and “Next Gen Reggaeton Curated by J Balvin,” both events taking place at the Wynwood Marketplace on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, respectively. Additionally, the week will wrap with the “35th Anniversary Concert,” featuring performances by Young Miko, Tito Double P, Elvis Crespo, Ana Mena, Belinda, Elvis Crespo and FloyyMenor.
Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. See the full schedule of Latin Music Week-related showcases below:
Artist Showcase: New Originals – Golden