Latin
Page: 67
Karol G gave a lengthy response Monday (Nov. 11) to the criticism her new song “+57” — featuring J Balvin, Feid, Maluma and other Colombian acts — as it faces backlash over lyrics that some have construed as sexualizing minors.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Her post comes four days after dropping the reggaetón track, which brought together Colombia’s biggest hitmakers, also including Ryan Castro, Blessd and newcomer DFZM. Produced by Ovy on the Drums — Karol’s longtime producer — and co-written by Keityn, the song, even before it dropped, was being labeled as a new anthem for Colombia.
But shortly after it was released on Thursday (Nov. 7), the song’s lyrics received criticism online, with some people pointing out its over sexualization of minors. (In one line, they mention a woman who’s been a “mamacita,” or “hot mama,” since she was 14 years old.) Rolling Stone En Español published a column titled “The Disaster of +’57′” and the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) issued a statement saying that the song “reinforces the sexualization of children in our country” and that it “does not contribute to our fight against commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.”
Trending on Billboard
Karol wrote in her Instagram Stories that as artists, they are exposed to public opinion and that the song’s lyrics were taken out of context. She began her message by pointing out that she has always been grateful for her fans’ support and those who “know my project, the intentions of my work and the causes close to my heart, those that move me, that I am passionate about and for which I work every day with love and responsibility,” she continued. “I do care about my people and I am a person that every day I look for ways to get involved in projects where I myself can extend my blessing and impact in a positive way the lives of many people.
“As artists, we are exposed to public opinion, and to the individual interpretations of people who like us and people who differ with what we do. I feel a lot of frustration for the misinformation that has been given, about the false posts that I have supposedly made and deleted from twitter, an account that I have not used for more than six months. In this case, unfortunately, the lyrics of a song, with which I sought to celebrate the union between artists and put to shine my people … were taken out of context. None of the things said in the song have the direction they have been given, nor was it said from that perspective but I listen, I take responsibility and I realize that I still have a lot to learn. I feel very affected and I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” she added. It’s worth noting that Karol doesn’t sing the line about the “14 year old,” but rather some of the men on the track, yet she’s the one apologizing.
Feid, Balvin and Ovy on the Drums have all reposted Karol’s post in solidarity. “Queen, we are with you,” Balvin wrote. “You have given us so many wins that this doesn’t take away from your greatness, we’re here unconditionally.”
Karol ended her post once again thanking her fans for “their unconditional love and support.” She concluded, “I value it very much, and the artists who participated with me in the song, I keep in my heart the beautiful energy with which we worked that day.”
The Latin Grammys festivities officially kicked off with The Latin Recording Academy’s Special Awards gala held Sunday (Nov. 10) at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, Fla.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Hosted by Gloria Estefan, the intimate ceremony gathered industry leaders and artists celebrating this year’s Trustees and Lifetime Achievement honorees. The former award is voted on by The Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees and merited to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than in performance, to music during their careers. The latter is presented to performers who have made unprecedented contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music.
Trustees honorees were prolific hitmakers Ángel “Cucco” Peña and Chucho Rincón; while Albita, Alejandro Lerner, Draco Rosa, Lolita Flores, Los Ángeles Azules and Lulu Santos were honored with this year’s Lifetime Achievement titles. Other artists present at the coveted Special Awards gala included Carlos Vives, Maria Becerra, and Edgar Barrera.
Trending on Billboard
See some of the evening’s memorable highlights below:
Gloria Estefan speaks onstage during the Special Awards Presentation during the 25th Latin GRAMMY Awards on November 10, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
John Parra/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
Ángel “Cucco” Peña
Reflecting on his more than 60-year career, the Puerto Rican composer and artist talked about the impact of music in his life and the desire to continue in the industry. “Music has been universal, connecting me with different generations and cultures,” he said during his speech. “This award is a reflection of the collective efforts of those who have believed in me. It motivates me to continue creating music. My passion for art never fades. I hope to continue contributing to Latin music and inspiring the new generation.”
Chucho Rincón
Credited for discovering Joan Sebastian and helming some of Vicente Fernandez’s biggest hits, Rincón, 87, highlighted how a career in music “changes lives, creates magic, and has made me feel loved and special,” he stated. Notably, he shared an anecdote about working with the late Mexican icon José Alfredo Jiménez. “You were the start of my career when I was 20. You gave me access to the industry. Being able to sing with you was my first path. With you, I met our country and the roots of our music. You showed me the concept of loyalty and bohemianism. I am your only living musician… a witness of your greatness,” he said.
Albita
Cuban singer-songwriter Albita dedicated her award to Emilio Estefan Jr. for opening her the doors in the music industry; her loved ones in heaven and on earth; her entire work team; as well as her fans for “dancing, getting married, and getting drunk with my music.” During her speech, she honored her native Cuba, saying: “My beautiful island, my sad island — and with all the faith that one day I can say, it’s my free island.” She also thanked herself for never quitting, for falling and always getting up.
Alejandro Lerner
Carlos Vives had the honor to present the award to Argentinean singer-songwriter, Alejandro Lerner, who has worked with music giants such as Celine Dion, Luis Miguel, and Santana. Deeply moved by the presentation, Lerner thanked those who forged his path in music, including the late Armando Manzanero as well as Claudia Brant and Luis Enrique, who were in the audience. Topping off his speech, Lerner crooned the room with a powerful a cappella performance of 1983’s “Todo A Pulmón.” “I composed this song when I couldn’t even buy my own place,” he said. “It represents effort and being honest with our heart and language.”
Draco Rosa accepts an award onstage during the Special Awards Presentation during the 25th Latin GRAMMY Awards on November 10, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
Draco Rosa
Ahead of Draco Rosa receiving his award, his longtime colleague and friend Desmond Child got on stage to share a nostalgic audio of the day they created Ricky Martin’s “Living La Vida Loca.” A cancer survivor, Draco’s heartfelt speech included anecdotes of his beginnings in Menudo but mainly about having another chance at life. “I’m grateful for waking up today. I’m on the winning side of life,” he expressed. “This award is beautiful, being alive… so many times I asked God for one more album. Music has been my travel companion, a friend, and I owe a lot to my colleagues, to my fans, and my father’s passion for good salsa and classical music. Everything has shaped my musical career. Music is felt in the soul beyond. Thank you for making my music part of your journey. Here is a man with a joy for living.”
Los Ángeles Azules
With their cumbia sonidera revolutionizing the music industry since the ‘80s, Los Ángeles Azules reminisced about the days we would travel up to 48 hours by car to do shows in various towns in Mexico. “It was important for us to be with our people,” they said during their speech. The Mexican group has had 32 different vocalists and collaborated with artists such as Natalia Lafourcade, Maria Becerra, and Belinda. “We are renovating songs, making music, and we’re thankful to the academy for recognizing the 44 years of Los Ángeles Azules,” they added.
Lolita Flores
Spanish singer and actress Lolita Flores — sister of Rosario Flores — admitted that altough she captivated with her music, worked with big artists, and filled stadiums, she felt really small. She explained that she made the decision to retire from music because many doors were closed for her, and instead, she created a fruitful career in theater, where she was able to grow. “Even if I stopped singing, I still have music inside me,” she elaborated. “This Grammy gave me back the desire to keep singing. Get ready, I don’t need a record label, I’m going to produce it myself, and I want to record with all of you here. Rosario, I have a Grammy!”
Lulu Santos
“It’s a huge honor to be part of the community and one of the honorees,” Santos, a Brazilian LGBTQ singer, said during his speech. The artist and guitarist born Luiz Maurício Pragana dos Santos is the founder of progressive rock band Vímana, and has carved a path in Brazilian music for the past five decades. To wrap the night, Santos made a clever joke after the fire alarm went off at the venue earlier in the event. “The alarm went off because when all of these great honorees come together in one room, fire comes out,” he said.
The Special Awards Presentation during the 25th Latin GRAMMY Awards on November 10, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
John Parra/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
Argentine trap star Duki, widely recognized as a major pioneer of Argentina’s global urban music movement, is adding a 10-city U.S. leg to his global Ameri World Tour.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The tour kicks off March with previously announced stops in Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Italy, with more locations to be revealed soon.
Duki’s U.S. leg, produced by Live Nation, kicks off April 26 at SOMA in San Diego, Calif., and will stop in Los Angeles, New York and Miami, among other cities, before wrapping up at San Juan’s Coca Cola Music Hall in Puerto Rico May 18. Tickets will be available for presale Nov. 12 and for general sale Nov. 13 on Live Nation’s website.
This is Duki’s first major foray in the U.S., following huge touring success in other markets.
Trending on Billboard
Last December, Duki became the first urban artist ever to sell out Argentina’s biggest stadium — the fabled River Stadium in Buenos Aires — not once, but twice, selling 140,000 tickets across both nights. Earlier this year, he became the first urban artist to ever play and sell out Spain’s Bernabéu stadium in Madrid.
The Ameri World Tour follows the release of Ameri, the album, on indie Dale Play Records. The set garnered 13.5 million streams on its first day of release and premiered as a pre-listening event in front of over 15,000 people at the Movistar Arena in Argentina.
Here are all of Duki’s Ameri World Tour U.S. dates:
April 26 – San Diego – SOMA
April 27 – Los Angeles – Hollywood Palladium
April 30 – Philadelphia – Theatre of the Living Arts
May 1 – Boston – Citizens House of Blues
May 3 – New York – Theatre at Madison Square Garden
May 6 – Charlotte, N.C. – The Fillmore Charlotte
May 8 – Silver Spring, Md. – The Fillmore Silver Spring
May 10 – Chiago – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
May 14 – Atlanta – Tabernacle
May 17 – Miamia – Kaseya Center
May 18 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Coca Cola Music Hall
For anyone who grew up in a Spanish-speaking country or a Spanish-speaking home, telenovelas were not only part of the soundtrack of their lives, but of their very upbringing. Because watching telenovelas is not a lonely pursuit; it’s a shared experience with parents, siblings, friends, nannies, college roommates and grandparents.
Indeed, the origins of telenovelas date back to the factories of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with some historians specifically referencing tobacco factories in Cuba, where a “reader” would read stories to distract those who rolled the tobacco. From there, they evolved into the famous radio novelas, where daily chapters were narrated. These, in turn, became telenovelas, which are often equated with soap operas, but they’re more like cousins. Telenovelas air daily, both in daytime and nighttime slots, and their running time is far shorter than that a soap opera, usually between three to six months.
Produced throughout Latin America, but especially in Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela (previously), Colombia, and Brazil, the DNA of the telenovela is melodrama — love, betrayal, revenge, passion — all taken to the extreme. And of course, there’s the music: Each telenovela comes with its main theme, the song that announces the program’s beginning or its farewell, the siren that calls us to watch. It’s impossible to think of a telenovela without thinking of the song that identifies it, and for many artists, getting a song into a telenovela was a crucial marketing component to land a hit.
At Billboard, we set out to make a list of the 100 songs that made the most emblematic telenovelas memorable in our collective memories. Compiling the list was a titanic task, as there are literally thousands of telenovelas that have been successful on the continent, with ratings varying from country to country. We gathered all the editors and contributors of Billboard Latin and Billboard Español — 11 journalists in total, born and raised in Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, the United States, Peru, Colombia, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic — and asked each one to select their favorite theme songs.
Although telenovelas date back to the 1950s, our list starts in the 1970s. We focused on “traditional” telenovelas, those that are broadcast daily during the day or night. We did not include biographical telenovelas based on the lives of specific people, or weekly series. We zeroed in on productions from Latin American countries and the United States, but did not include Brazilian telenovelas, given the language difference, or those produced in Spain. But we did include “narconovelas,” those dealing with cartel themes, as they are a specific subgenre of the daily telenovela.
Although we consider the 100 songs on this list to be the pinnacle of the genre, we have ranked them in order of importance, considering their impact, history, performer, and their influence on the history of music and the telenovela. For the next five weeks, every Monday we will publish a list of 20 telenovela theme songs, starting with Number 100, until we reach No. 1 in December.
This week’s list counts down to No. 61. Enjoy!
100. Alfredo Gutiérrez, “La Mala Hierba” / Telenovela: La Mala Hierba (1982)
Maria Becerra has shuffled her management, Billboard has learned.
The Argentine star and her longtime manager, José Levy, have amicably parted ways. Becerra will now be co-managed by Natanael Real, who was been her longtime day-to-day manager, along with veteran Mexican manager Armando Lozano, who steps into a bigger role after working two years as a consultant for the artist for all territories outside Argentina.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to María for placing her trust in me over nearly seven years, from the very beginning. It has been a true pleasure and honor to be part of her professional journey, and I wish her every success in this new chapter,” Levy told Billboard in a statement.
In turn, Lozano, who until recently also managed Mau & Ricky, said: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to join María in this exciting new phase of her career. I am confident that remarkable achievements await her, further cementing her place as the global star she truly is.”
Trending on Billboard
Added Real: “From the start, I’ve been inspired by María’s extraordinary talent and charisma. It is a privilege to support her in this new chapter and help her reach even greater heights.”
Becerra started her career as a YouTuber in her native Argentina as a tween, posting all kinds of content that included music covers. By 17, she was focusing only on music and started working with Levy. In 2021, at 21, she released her debut album, Animal via 300 Entertainment and earned a Latin Grammy nomination for best new artist.
In 2023, Becerra signed a deal with Warner Music Latina as a joint venture with 300 Entertainment, still managed by Levy, and also received the Visionary Award at Billboard’s inaugural Latin Women In Music event.
Becerra is in the midst of her first major U.S. tour and released new singles with Yandel (“El sexo está de moda”) and Gloria Trevi (“Borracha”), the latter which she performed at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in October.
She currently has 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify, making her 240 in the world on the platform. Becerra has multiple entries on the Billboard charts, including two No. 1s on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart.
The Latin Recording Academy revealed the final batch of performers for the 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on Monday morning (Nov. 11), Billboard Español can exclusively announce. The concluding acts set to perform on Thursday (Nov. 14), include a stellar lineup of salsa icons and budding acts, including Christian Alicea, Grupo Niche, Luis Figueroa, Oscar […]
Nominees for the best children’s music album award at the 2025 Grammys were revealed with the full announcement of Grammy nominations on Friday (Nov. 8). Among the artists named are three family-centered acts with previous nominations in the category — Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band, Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats and Divinity Roxx and Divi Roxx Kids — plus newcomers to the category, John Legend and Rock for Children (in collaboration with Alice Cooper).
The 67th annual Grammy Awards are set for Feb. 2, 2025 at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. The event will be broadcast on CBS and streamed live and on demand via Paramount+.
For parents and kids who are curious about the children’s albums up for a Grammy at the 2025 ceremony, here’s an introduction to all five nominees from Billboard Family.
Trending on Billboard
Divinity Roxx, pictured in the jubilant photo above, is Beyoncé’s former bassist and musical director, and the composer and performer of the Lyla in the Loop theme song on PBS. Divinity Roxx and Divi Roxx Kids are up for the best children’s music album Grammy for the album World Wide Playdate, an upbeat collection of songs celebrating friendship, family, self-empowerment and going after your dreams that’s inspired by ’90s hip-hop and fit for a family party. It’s Divinity’s second time receiving a nod in the category following a nomination at the 2023 Grammys for Ready Set Go!, her debut children’s album.
“I am proud to create music that inspires, empowers and encourages future generations and I am overjoyed and honored that my peers in the Recording Academy recognized the power of positivity in World Wide Playdate. Mom says always expect a Miracle and right about now we all need one,” Divinity tells Billboard Family, after receiving the news on Friday that she’s a Grammy nominee again.
Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats‘ Creciendo — Kalantari’s first full-length, Spanish-language children’s album — is nominated for best children’s music album at the 2025 Grammys following Kalantari’s previous two Grammy wins: All the Sounds was named best children’s album in 2019, and All the Ladies took home the best children’s album honor in 2021. Creciendo means “growing up” in Spanish, and that’s the sweet theme of this new collection by Kalantari, who was raised by immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Drawing from her family’s roots, she even brings her own child on as a guest (playing cello in the album) on this album, a musical fusion of Latin and jazz.
“I’m moved to bits to have my Spanish album Creciendo nominated for a GRAMMY!” Lucy Kalantari tells Billboard Family following Friday’s Grammy nominations announcement. “It’s so wonderful to be nominated along side such incredible artists! I truly hope this nomination can help bring my big messages of joy, community and resilience to families all over the world.”
Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band receive their third Grammy nomination for best children’s music album this year with Brillo, Brillo!, having previously been nominated in the category for Crayon Kids at the 2023 Grammys and Los Fabulosos at the 2022 event. Also four-time Latin Grammy nominees, the husband-and-wife musical team (Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis) have won twice in the best Latin children’s album category: they’re award winners for ¡Fantastico! in 2013, and for Buenos Diaz in 2019 under the name The Lucky Band. With this year’s Brillo, Brillo!, they bring bilingual, whimsical pop-rock to the family-centered music space.
The band tells Billboard Family they are “deeply honored” by their latest Grammy nod: “This nomination is historical for our band — with seven nominations and two wins across the Latin Grammy and Grammy spaces, we’re the most nominated in the children’s category. That’s huge. This means that families continue to welcome us into their homes, year after year after year, and trust us to entertain their children. This is an honor we don’t take lightly, even though children’s music is full of silly joy and delight!”
They are also offering a warm welcome to a familiar name who’s brand-new to the children’s category: “Thrilled to welcome the legend, John Legend, into the category. Obviously, he is a talented star who we love — so it’s fabulous that he will bring more eyes to our category.”
John Legend has a longtime history with the Grammys, including 12 wins, but is a first-timer to the best children’s music album category with his debut children’s set, My Favorite Dream. The singer-songwriter, whose Sufjan Stevens-produced album is a mix of sweet originals and Legend’s version of children’s classics, was influenced by life at home with his young kids (two of which make musical cameos, as does wife Chrissy Teigen). He shared a statement about the Grammy nomination on Instagram, where he wrote, “My Favorite Dream holds a very special place in my heart. It’s my first children’s album, inspired by the heart of our family. Working alongside the incredibly gifted @sufjan brought this dream to life in ways I could have never imagined.”
Legend, whose album track “Always Come Back” is also up for the best arrangement, instrumentals and vocals Grammy with string arranger Matt Jones, gave a shout-out to his peers in children’s music.
“Thank you to the @recordingacademy for recognizing our labor of love, and thank you to the Children’s Music community for welcoming this rookie into your beautiful world. These nominations aren’t just for me and my family — they’re for everyone who believes in the magic of music, family, togetherness and L-O-V-E.”
Rock for Children receive their first Grammy nomination with Solid Rock Revival‘s nod in the best children’s music album category at the 2025 awards. Those unfamiliar with the collection, which was recorded with young musicians from an after-school teen center, might be intrigued to learn Alice Cooper is heavily involved with the album, and even guests on six tracks; other classic rockers playing on the project include Rob Halford and Slash, and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC also makes an appearance. Proceeds from the album benefit Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with bringing free music and arts programs to local aged 12-20, and the Norelli Family Foundation.
“It’s a takeoff on our own stuff,” Cooper, who’s been nominated for a Grammy three other times throughout his career, told The Arizona Republic of the Solid Rock Revival project earlier this year. “Instead of ‘I’m Eighteen,’ it’s ‘I’m Thirteen.’ ‘School’s In.’ And ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’ is ‘Now, I’m Mr. Nice Guy.’ It’s kind of a positive take on the stuff we used to do.”
See the roundup of 2025 Grammy nominations for best children’s music album nominees below, and find the complete list of nominees in all categories here.
2025 Grammy Nominations: Best Children’s Music Album
Brillo, Brillo!, Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band
Creciendo, Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats
My Favorite Dream, John Legend
Solid Rock Revival, Rock for Children
World Wide Playdate, Divinity Roxx and Divi Roxx Kids
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.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Peso Pluma to Headline Sueños Festival
After his headlining set at Sueños was canceled this year due to thunderstorms, Mexican music star Peso Pluma will return to Sueños in 2025 to headline the Chicago festival. Set to take place in Grant Park on Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-25), Peso is the first artist announced to perform at the two-day event — produced by La Familia Presented and C3 Presents. Furthermore, Sueños announced it will be expanding festival grounds, which will include a brand new second stage and dance zone equipped for additional performances and DJ sets. The full lineup for 2025 is yet to be announced but presale goes live on Thursday, Nov. 14th at 12 p.m. CT. For more info, visit www.suenosmusicfestival.com.
Rosalia Gives Back
Trending on Billboard
Rosalia has been spotted as a volunteer in Valencia following the catastrophic flash floods that killed over 200 people in Spain. Local media, as well as video and photos posted across social media, captured the Spanish singer-songwriter with no make-up, a messy bun, face mask, gloves, and black t-shirt providing meals to the community affected by the intense storm DANA. Rosalia accompanied three other women who volunteered with World Central Kitchen, a pro-bono organization that gives out food to victims of natural disasters and war devastation.
Celebrating Afro-Latino Excellence
On Tuesday (Nov. 5), Brasil hosted its fourth annual Potências Awards in São Paulo—celebrating the iconic figures and influential voices in the Black community. Ludmilla, a former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, was among the top honorees, celebrated for breaking boundaries in pop, funk, and pagode, while also championing visibility for the Black and LGBTQIAP+ communities.
“I never imagined receiving a tribute from people I admire and who influence me,” the Brazilian artist, who was introduced by Preta Gil at the awards, said ahead of her acceptance speech. “I work hard, I give it my all to live this life, but when it finally happens, I almost can’t believe it. It wasn’t easy to get here. I’ve been through so much—and still do. Only I know the weight of being Ludmilla, of being the biggest Black singer in Latin America.”
Ludmilla onstage at the 2024 Potências Awards.
Eduardo Martins/Brazil News
A Cross-Cultural Banger
In an effort to expand to new, global markets, Colombian urban artists Kevin Roldan and Valka have teamed up with Japanese hitmakers DJ Dr. Royo and OZworld. The cross-cultural collaboration, produced by Royo, is a hard-hitting reggaetón song fused with oriental melodies that’s sung in Spanish and Japanese. With his signature raspy vocals, Roldan chants about working hard and achieving his dreams in Japan: “KR has arrived in Tokyo and the pressure is felt,” he sings, while OZworld smoothly spits fierce rap bars in the Japonic language. Watch the music video below:
Mora’s Gonna Be a Dad!
Mora is the latest Latin urban artist to announce he will be a dad. The Puerto Rican artist-producer shared the exciting news in a joint post with his partner Paula Poletti, where they revealed three photos hugging and a photo of the sonogram. “+1” the description simply stated. In the comments, colleagues such as Justin Quiles and Sky Rompiendo wished the soon-to-be parents their best wishes. Other new music dads this year include Jay Wheeler who had a baby girl with his wife and artist Zhamira Zambrano, as well as hitmaker Tainy, who’s expecting his first child with his girlfriend. See Mora’s sweet post below:
Billboard’s Telenovela Songs List
This week, Billboard unveiled its “100 Best Telenovela Theme Songs” list, where editors rank the top songs from their favorite telenovelas produced in the U.S. and Latin America. For the next five weeks, every Monday we will publish a list of 20 telenovela theme songs, starting with this week’s list from No. 100 to No. 81. Theme songs such as Cristian Castro’s “Morelia”; Belinda’s “El Baile del Sapito”; Vicente Fernández, “Me Voy Quitar de En Medio”; and Daniela Romo, “De mi enamórate”; are among the first picks of the ranking.
We gathered all the editors and contributors of Billboard Latin and Billboard Español — 11 journalists in total, born and raised in Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, the United States, Peru, Colombia, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic — and asked each one to select their favorite theme songs. See the first part of the ranking here.
Pablo Alboran, Veronica Castro, Thalía and Enrique Iglesias
Illustration by Selman Hoşgör
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music from artists including Jasiel Nuñez, Marc Seguí, Danny Ocean and Elena Rose, to name a few. Emerging Mexican singer-songwriter Jasiel Nuñez released his new album, titled La Odisea, offering two parts to his set: corridos and sad corridos. For the LP, […]
Elena Rose always lived in her own world that, throughout the years, became a sacred home, her creative hub. Now, the home she built on the clouds is ready to receive visitors through the release of her debut EP En Las Nubes (Con Mis Panas) released via Kira Records/Warner Music Latina.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The eight-track set, which translates to “On the Clouds (With My Friends),” is symbolic for Elena, who prior to kicking off her artist career penned hits for artists including Rauw Alejandro, Bad Bunny, and Selena Gomez.
“It was a year of working on this project that for me represents a letter of introduction to the industry as a solo artist,” she tells Billboard. “It’s a project that embraces my most vulnerable side but at the same time, it sets a mark on what kind of artist I want to be in the industry.”
Trending on Billboard
Each song in En Las Nubes—some indie rock, some funk, some ballad, some música llanera—is backed by the Venezuelan artist’s potent and enchanting vocals sending messages of love, resilience, and hope. In songs such as “Me Lo Merezco” and the Neutro Shorty-assisted “Catira,” for example, Elena focuses on the importance of self-worth, self-love, and self-esteem.
“I really want to be a part of your lives. To accompany you to create beautiful memories with each song that comes out, but at the same time I want to encourage you not to have to walk alone,” she explains. “This year was very important to solidify the message of Guerrero de la Luz – the fan army is getting bigger. People are getting the message. They are really conscious and mindful, and in the end I continue to learn from the people who follow me. We are making this beautiful and intentional journey.”
And while she’s accompanied on the journey by some of her closest musical friends including Alvaro Diaz, Greeicy, and Scarlett Linares, the most challenging song to pen for Elena was “Guatapé” (named after the vibrant town in Colombia).
“While in Colombia for Christmas, a friend had to disconnect his brother because he was very sick. At the same time, I was in a relationship with someone from there and we made the decision to end it,” she elaborates. “Putting these two stories together showed me that love has so many colors. Loving a lot means you have to say goodbye. There are situations that you can’t control and you have to let them go. I really cried a lot writing this song.”
En Las Nubes (Con Mis Panas) is released just days before the 2024 Latin Grammys, where Elena is a three-time nominee including the coveted song of the year for “Caracas En El 2000” alongside Danny Ocean and Jerry Di.
“I would love to win!” she gushes. “It would be a very nice gift and a reason to make Venezuela smile at a time like this. It would also make Venezuelans feel happy to embrace their identity. This song has made the world know about Venezuela and its details.”
Stream and listen to En Las Nubes (Con Mis Panas) below: