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.
Sebastián Yatra scholarship goes to …
The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation awarded the Sebastián Yatra Scholarship, or Prodigy Scholarship, to Cuban double bass player Leo Luna Roblejo during a ceremony in Miami on Aug. 7.
“Music has the power to change lives and unite cultures, and I am excited to see how these young people, like Leo, will carry forward the legacy of Latin music with passion and dedication,” Yatra said in a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their education and artistic development.”
The scholarship holds a maximum value of $250,000, allowing Luna Roblejo to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston starting this fall.
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“Music has been my calling and my passion ever since I was a young child, and to have the opportunity to pursue my dream thanks to the support of Sebastián Yatra and the incredible Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation is beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Roblejo. “I am committed to making you all proud, and I will take full advantage of this opportunity, working hard every day to make the most of this gift.”
Los Ángeles Azules to receive special award
Los Ángeles Azules will receive the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Award for the Arts Award during the 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Opera House on Sept. 5, which will be featured on the PBS broadcast, online and PBS video app.
“Los Angeles Azules have literally moved audiences around the world through their music and messages for decades,” Antonio Tijerino, HHF president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to honor this remarkable group of musical giants with our Arts Award, and we look forward to sharing our collective cultural pride, achievement and vision, along with the other Honorees, at the Kennedy Center and on PBS with all of America and beyond during Hispanic Heritage Month.”
The iconic Mexican cumbia group added, “We are very grateful to the Hispanic Heritage Awards for this great recognition of our long artistic career. We also want to thank all our followers and those who have supported us throughout this time. It is thanks to them and to those who enjoy and dance to our songs that we will continue building this great career.”
Coldplay confirms collab with Tini
Mark your calendars: Coldplay is set to drop “We Pray” on Aug. 23, which features Argentine star Tini, along with other international artists such as Palestinean-Chilean artist Elyanna, Burna Boy from Nigeria and British rapper Little Simz. “This is so exciting,” Tini commented on the post shared by Coldplay on social media.
Listen to a preview of the song below:
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Lele Pons’s IG Live with María Corina Machado
Lele Pons, the Venezuelan influencer and singer with the most followers on social media (53.3 million on Instagram alone), had Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado as a guest on an IG Live on Friday (August 9) to talk about the current situation in their country, where tensions and repression by the government have increased since the presidential elections of July 28.
Almost two weeks after the Venezuelan electoral authority declared Nicolás Maduro the winner and the opposition published records according to which its candidate Edmundo González won with close to 70% of the votes — something that has been widely recognized, even by the U.S. — Machado reiterated her message that they will continue to press through peaceful means and her faith that they will get “to the end.” She also answered questions from Pons’ followers and said that in the coming days they will be announcing a massive event in which the international community will be able to participate.
Announced just three hours in advance in a post shared by Pons and Machado, the Live attracted some 135,000 people and received mostly positive messages. Watch it below.
Celia Cruz gets her coin
The image of the legendary singer Celia Cruz is now depicted on a U.S. quarter. The late Cuban artist, known as the Queen of Salsa, was chosen along with four other women from history to be featured on the U.S. quarter as part of the American Women Quarters Program this year. She also makes history by becoming the first Afro-Latina to appear on the coin.
The four-year American Women Quarters Program “celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women of the United States,” states the U.S. Mint’s website, which also sells the coins individually and as a set. The other 2024 honorees are Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color to serve in Congress; Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a women’s rights advocate and Civil War era surgeon; poet, activist, and lawyer Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray; and Native American writer, composer, educator and political activist Zitkala-Ša.
—Additional reporting by Sigal Ratner-Arias.
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music from artists such as DannyLux, Morat, Kim Loaiza, and more. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In a first collaborative effort, Kim Loaiza and Codiciado […]
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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DannyLux & 8onthebeat, “Soltera” (Warner Music Latina)
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DannyLux wasn’t sure how his fans would react when he released his first EDM track, “House of Lux,” as part of his 2023 album DLUX. But once it was out, the sierreño artist previously told Billboard he was surprised to see just how much his fanbase had embraced his experimental song. Now, he’s keeping the momentum going with “Soltera,” featuring producer 8onthebeat, an EDM-powered, club-ready track that has summer anthem potential. The head-bobbing tune showcases DannyLux’s chameleonic ability to feel right at home with this style, which is completely different from his guitar-led sierreño ballads. “Soltera” is just a preview of his forthcoming house music project. — GRISELDA FLORES
Pj Sin Suela, “Nunca Es Suficiente” (El Efecto Secundario)
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In an ode to self-love, PJ Sin Suela unleashes “Nunca Es Suficiente,” produced by David B and penned by the artist himself. The track laces bolero music with lo-fi beats, and transitions into a smooth hip-hop melody, while shedding light on the importance of embracing who you are and what you have to offer. “It’s never enough/ If you shine with your own light/ Don’t compare yourself, there’s no one like you,” the Puerto Rican singer chants in the chorus, reminding listeners that not everything you see on social media is true and that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side… but nonetheless, life is beautiful and every soul is unique. “Nunca Es Suficiente” is the third single off of PJ’s upcoming studio album Toda Época Tiene Su Encanto set for Sept. 6. — JESSICA ROIZ
MORAT, “Antes de los 30 (En Sueño Desde Madrid)” (Universal Music Group)
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Colombian band Morat releases sentimental ballad “Antes de los 30,” the sequel to their track “Antes de los Veinte.” The song was recorded live at the start of their Antes de Que Amanezca Tour in Madrid on June 21. In the lyrics, the group reflects on the passing of time and the inevitable existential crisis that comes with the arrival of a new decade of life, while they themselves are in need of finding meaning and purpose. “We decided to update ‘Antes de los Veinte’ and create ‘Antes de los 30’ to make it more relevant to what we are doing and experiencing today, hoping that many of our fans can relate to it as well,” the band says in a statement. — LUISA CALLE
Tiago PZK, Anitta & Emilia, “Alegría” (Warner Music Latina)
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Tiago PZK continues to demonstrate his musical versatility by dabbling in baile funk, alongside Brazilian superstar Anitta and Argentine sensation Emilia. Living up to its name, “Alegría” (which means joy or happiness) includes fun lyrics in Spanish and Portuguese (and even some English) and an irresistible drum beat that invites you to dance. The captivating collaboration is a great complement to Tiago PZK’s eclectic album GOTTI A, released on July 4, with rhythms including merengue, salsa, cumbia, hip-hop and R&B — and the song, which had previously been unavailable to listen to on streaming services, has now officially joined the album’s tracklist as a playable song on DSPs. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
ARON, “Especial” (UMG Recordings)
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After releasing his first single “Invisibilidad,” actor and singer-songwriter Aron is honoring a special love with his new single “Especial.” The high-energy track showcases the Spanish-German Elite star in a rock-inspired mood, combining his raspy vocals, electric guitars and a strong drum beat. In the song, he reflects on a love that has moved on by singing, “It seems like I don’t even know what ‘I love you’ means/ This song is especially for you,” repeating the sentiment throughout the track. — INGRID FAJARDO
Kim Loaiza & Codiciado, “QuesoXTE” (Space Music / Warner Music Latina)
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Brimming with conviction and brash energy, Kim Loaiza and Codiciado fuse their talents in the defiant corrido, “QuesoXTE,” a clever twist on “Qué Soporte.” The track erupts with an invigorating blend of guitars and brass, setting the stage for a narrative steeped in resilience. In a brisk two and a half minutes, the pair swap bold lyrics about ephemeral success and handling envy (“Me queda claro que la envidia es una enfermedad/ Y de verdad espero que se mejoren,” the YouTuber quips), supported by robust arrangements that amplify the song’s confrontational vibe. Codiciado’s seasoned voice alongside Loaiza’s cheeky sass forge a dynamic interplay, crafting an anthem that celebrates overcoming adversity and seizing the moment. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
“Life has shown me that pauses are necessary for human growth,” J Balvin wrote last month on social media, which almost served as a prelude to what seems like a momentous event in his career: releasing his first album in three years. “I’m here again, recharged with energy, grateful and enjoying music like I did […]
Maluma solidifies his status as a winner on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart thanks to “Por Qué Será,” his first partnership with Grupo Frontera, as the song jumps from No. 3 to rule the Aug. 10-dated survey.
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“Por Qué Será” was released May 9 as the fourth single from Grupo Frontera’s album Jugando a Que No Pasa Nada, its second studio album, which earned the Texas group a first top 10 debut (among two top 10s overall) on both Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums in May, at No. 10 and at No. 6, respectively.
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On Regional Mexican Airplay, “Por Qué Será” lifts from No. 3 in its eighth week after a 23% gain in audience impressions, to 7.4 million, in the tracking week of July 26-Aug. 1, according to Luminate. The move sends Becky G and Oscar Maydon’s “Mercedes” to No. 4, with 4.9 million impressions, which translates to a 23% decline from the prior week.
With the new champ Frontera captures its 10th No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay, and ties with Grupo Firme for the ninth-most among groups since the chart launched in 1994. The song follows and equal winner, “(Entre Paréntesis),” with Shakira, which earned the pop icon her first leader on a regional Mexican tally (May 18-dated list).
The ranchera “Por Qué Será,” meanwhile, gifts Maluma his third champ. The Colombian singer topped the tally twice before, through “Cada Quien,” with Grupo Firme, for two weeks in charge in 2022, and with Carin León on “Según Quién” in Dec. 2023.
“Por Qué Será” joins one other song from its parent album Jugando a Que No Pasa Nada, that reached the summit on Regional Mexican Airplay: “Ya Pedo Quién Sabe,” with Christian Nodal, topped the radio ranking for one week in May.
Further, “Por Qué Será” also gains terrain on the overall Latin Airplay chart, pushing 5-2.
Ahead of the release of his highly awaited studio album Rayo, J Balvin continues to crown YouTube’s Billion Views Club as the artist with the most titles in the coveted club. He has a total of 15 music clips with more than 1 billion views, at time of publishing, and surpasses previous titleholders such as Ozuna and Justin Bieber.
The Colombian artist’s most recent BVC entry is his collaboration on Tainy’s “Agua,” part of the 2020 The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run movie soundtrack. The next visual clip that’s closest to the 1 billion mark is “Sensualidad” with Bad Bunny and Prince Royce (currently at 930 million views).
In 2023, Balvin reclaimed his crown as the artist with the most videos in YouTube’s Billion Views Club, climbing to the top with the entry of David Guetta’s 2018 “Say My Name,” in collaboration with Bebe Rexha and Balvin.
“With the move, Balvin breaks a three-way tie with Bad Bunny and Ozuna for the artist with the most entries in the Billion Views Club as a lead, featured artist or collaborator,” according to former press release. At that time, “Say My Name” marked the French DJ’s fifth title with more than one billion views, as well as Rexha’s third entry, and Balvin’s 14th entry.
The artist born José Álvaro Osorio Balvin made his comeback in early 2023 after a nearly 10-month hiatus from social media and creating music.
“Really right now, I’ve been focused on my family,” he previously told Billboard about his break. “I left social media to be connected to my reality and to my family. That has taught me a lot — to live more in the present. Obviously, I miss my fans, but when the time is right, I’ll be back.”
Balvin’s sixth studio album, Rayo, is set to drop Aug. 9, following his sets La Familia (2013), Energía (2016), Vibras (2018), Colores (2020), and José (2021).
In celebration of his new set, Billboard spotlights all of his music videos in the coveted BVC, below:
“Mi Gente,” J Balvin & Willy William
With the raw energy of corridos and the dance-floor fervor of Jersey club, Fuerza Regida’s latest creation, Pero No Te Enamores, forges a bold, unprecedented fusion. At the helm, frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz, a.k.a. JOP, embraced the risk of blending these distinct styles.
“When I first heard [Jersey club] about one to two years ago, I loved it. I was like, ‘Man, I wanna do something with it.’ I just didn’t know how. But I knew that when I did, they were gonna talk sh–t,” he tells Billboard Español. “So when it got to the point to make a new album, I was like, ‘I wanna do Jerseys and dance music, I want to move something different but still keep the original Fuerza Regida [essence], with the guitars.”
The gamble paid off. This week, the album, which was released on July 25, made an immediate impact on the Billboard charts, debuting at No. 2 on the Top Latin Albums and No. 23 on the Billboard 200. The focus track, “Nel,” marked by its emotional-yet-disillusioned tone, entered the coveted Billboard Hot 100 at 91. Additionally, eight cuts from the album appear on Hot Latin Songs.
For this new sound, Fuerza Regida enlisted music producers Gordo — known for his work on Drake’s Baltimore club hit “Sticky” — and Synthetic, the architect behind Lil Uzi Vert’s Jersey club smash “Just Wanna Rock.” “Gordo has the dance s–t on lock, he’s the man; and Synthetic, he’s killing it with the Jersey club,” adds JOP.
The San Bernardino band’s innovative leap into Jersey corridos does more than fuse two disparate genres: It carves out a fresh niche in the musical lexicon, affirming that the barrios and dancehalls can, in fact, share a singular, resonant heartbeat.
Below, Billboard ranks all 15 songs from Pero No Te Enamores, from worst to best.
“Britney”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fuerza Regida
Peso Pluma‘s Double P Records has signed a global administration deal with Downtown Music Publishing, Billboard has learned.
Serving as the global admin for the label’s publishing arm, the company will also provide sync placement across Double P Records’ current and future releases as well as administration for Peso Pluma’s own publishing interests, including his latest double album, Éxodo, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
The label and publisher was founded in April 2023 by Peso and his manager George Prajin. Besides Peso, it’s also home to Música Mexicana singer-songwriters Jasiel Nuñez, Tito Double P and Estevan Plazola. “We are looking forward to joining forces with Downtown and continuing to grow our partnership,” Prajin, CEO of Prajin Parlay and co-founder of Double P Records, said in a statement. “I am confident that together we are going to do great things.”
While Peso is not the first regional Mexican act to join Downtown’s roster (including Luis R Conriquez and Código FN), the partnership reflects the ever-growing overall interest in a genre that’s seen exponential growth in the past year alone, in part spearheaded by Peso Pluma. Regional Mexican music is now the largest Latin subgenre in the U.S., according to Luminate’s 2024 Midyear Music Report.
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Mexican music’s growth is something Ben Patterson, Downtown Music’s president of artist & label services, has been keeping an eye on, while also “tripling” his staff focused on the genre. “First and foremost by investing in the clients,” he says about adapting to the changing landscape. “By making resources — financial, creative and human — available to support the global demand. Ensuring we remain as responsive and reactive as we can be in creating commercial support, audience growth that is organic and ad-driven and marketing strategies that fit the label, artist or project. This is a full company focus.”
The deal, adds Jedd Katrancha, chief commercial officer of Downtown Music Publishing, “reimagines what independent music culture can be like — it’s modeling a future of a lot of other artists and songwriters.” Most recently, Katrancha and his team scored Peso’s “TEKA” an Apple TV placement for the 2024 Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX.
“That’s what we’re excited about, to bring in mainstream global brands that are looking at what Peso is doing and wanting to be a part of if in a really authentic way,” he says. “That’s really encouraging and we’re just scratching the surface.”
Just six months after Fuerza Regida debuted in the top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart with Dolido Pero No Arrepentido (EP), the group sets foot in the album ranking’s upper region with Pero No Te Enamores, its eighth studio album, which debuts at No. 2 on the Aug. 10-dated list.
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Pero No Te Enamores, released July 25 on Street Mob/Rancho Humilde/ Sony Music Latin, launches with 23,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. during the tracking week ending Aug. 1, according to Luminate. Most of the 15-track set’s first week total is powered by streaming activity equating to 30.5 million official on-demand U.S. streams for the album’s songs. The album also bows at No. 19 on the all-genre Top Streaming Albums chart, where it ranks as the only Latin album debut of the week. It’s one of two Latin sets in the top 20, behind Peso Pluma’s Éxodo, which lifts 13-11 after its No. 3 debut in July.
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On Top Latin Albums, one unit equals one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams for a song on the album.
With Pero No Te Enamores, Fuerza Regida ties regional Mexican music with contrasting genres such as jersey club, Latin rhythmic, pop, dance and drill in collaborations that include Major Lazer and Alok, Maluma with Gordo, Afrojack and Bellakath. The album was also produced by Afrojack, Alok, Gordo and Major Lazer.
Further, as the album debuts at No. 2, Fuerza Regida banks its seventh top 10 and its second No. 2 start, after Pa Las Baby’s y Belikeada (November 2023), which landed at the summit in its 26th week where it held for three consecutive weeks starting the April 27-dated survey. Beyond those two, the San Bernardino, Calif.-based band has collected five other top 10s dating back to 2019 when it earned its first top 10 through the No. 8-peaking Del Barrio Hasta Aquí.
Fuerza Regida becomes the second regional Mexican act to debut in the top two rankings on Top Latin Albums in 2024, trailing only Ivan Cornejo whose album Mirada bowed at No. 1 on last week’s chart (dated Aug. 3). Notably, only two other acts of any genre have debuted that high this year, both female pop artists: Kali Uchis with Orquídeas and Shakira with Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, both which launched at No. 1 on the Jan. 27 and the April 6-dated tallies, respectively.
Elsewhere, Pero No Te Enamores starts at No. 25 on the overall Billboard 200 tally, for the group’s fifth chart entry.
As Pero No Te Enamores arrives, eight of the project’s cuts debut on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, giving Fuerza Regida a total of 46 career visits on the airplay-, streaming- and digital sales-blended list. That said, the Mexican-American act enters an exclusive group of regional Mexican bands with as many or more entries on Hot Latin Songs since its inception in 1986. The list is led by Los Tigres del Norte with 67 total entries, followed by Intocable (57), Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga (54), Los Tucanes de Tijuana (47) and now Fuerza Regida (46).
In addition to the new arrivals on Hot Latin Songs, “Tu Name,” the first single from Fuerza’s Dolido Pero No Arrepentido (EP) holds at No. 6 for a fifth week, after the song reached No. 2 high in March. Here’s the rundown of Fuerza Regida’s simultaneous songs on the current Hot Latin Songs chart:
No. 5, “Nel” (debut)
No. 6, “Tu Name”
No.12, “Pero No Te Enamores” (debut)
No. 24, “TUQLO” (debut)
No. 27, “Secreto Victoria” (debut)
No. 32, “Sofia,” with Major Lazer & Alok, (debut)
No. 40, “Kylie” (debut)
No. 41, “Bella” (debut)
No. 42, “Valeria,” with Maluma featuring Gordo, (debut)
It’s official! LISA and Rosalía’s collaboration, “New Woman,” is arriving this month. The superstar duo took to Instagram to share the fun cover art for the track, featuring the two singers sitting in lawn chairs with racetrack-inspired outfits. The caption indicates that the song will be arriving on August 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. […]