Latin

Director: Ramón

Kicking off our list of top 18 music videos, Jay de La Cueva dazzles in the stunning visual for “Perdóname.” The video evokes the dramatic essence of a Black Swan ballet, showcasing the Mexican artist playing a grand piano in an empty theater, and dazzling glam-rock sparkly boots. The video for the tender power ballad transitions to a mountainous landscape, where Jay’s cool charisma complements the dancers’ synchronized movements, creating a visually captivating experience. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Director: Freeka Tet

Anitta not only brings Brazilian baile funk to the forefront in this collaboration with The Weeknd, but she also showcases just how unconventional she’s willing to be in every project she’s attached to. Shot in New York City and filmed with an iPhone, the music video is cryptic and jarring, opening with a very pregnant Anitta wearing a Jason Voorhees-like mask and dressed as Serleena from Men in Black II, as she walks down the streets at night. Then, the video takes a very dark turn as it seems like she’s about to give birth — but, instead, a singing face emerges in her belly. Anitta’s baby bump is an animatronic machine puppeteered remotely by the director. The video is twisted, but it was a perfect release that dropped just in time for Halloween this year. — GRISELDA FLORES

Channeling a Lords of Dogtown vibe, “Vida Rockstar” captures Jhayco’s skater punk essence. Filmed with an analog camera, the video sees him lounging in a graffiti-covered skate park surrounded by a crew of skateboarders performing tricks and sipping from red cups. Decked out in classic Converse sneakers and box braids, the Puerto Rican artist embodies the quintessential rock star skateboarder, perfectly complementing the track’s rebellious spirit. — I.R.

Director: Malu Boruchowicz

This music video is almost a contradiction to what Tini is singing about in the euphoric “el cielo,” which in theory is a breakup song. “I wish I was still in love with you,” Tini sings. “It was nice while it lasted. And I don’t regret it, even though there’s nothing left.” But in the three-minute clip, Tini is as free as ever dancing under the rain surrounded by her friends, expressing an almost infectious joy. The visual perfectly captures that transition from heartbreak to self-liberation. In this music video, “Tini reflects her autonomy and the importance of achieving peace and acceptance for a fulfilling life,” according to a press release. — G.F.

Director: Nono + Rodrigo

Infused with religious symbolism, Spanish artist Judeline — born Lara Fernández — is depicted wearing a thorny crown reminiscent of Jesus Christ, while also donning a white Romani gown and later a stark black lace outfit. Filmed in Andalucía, Spain, the visual weaves in striking shots of historical landmarks such as the Mezquita, the Arab Baths and the Aljibe within the Alcázar walls, alongside the Arabic-style courtyard of Colegio Montaigne. These folkloric Andalusian elements with pop combine to enrich the video with a deep cultural heritage, making it a compelling narrative. — I.R.

Director: Elias López

Mexican artists Bruses and HUMBE immerse viewers in a realm that teeters between dark fantasy and surrealism. It opens in a mystic, rocky landscape shrouded in darkness and imbued with a brooding atmosphere. A costume change later shifts the scene to a fiery red vista, where unnerving branches protrude ominously around them. A standout moment occurs when the artists’ heads, captured in profile, mirror their own, somehow evoking Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face” video. It culminates in a mesmerizing scene framed by heavenly, cloudy and rosy hues, leaving a lasting impression of ethereal beauty wrapped in mystery. — I.R.

Two of Mexico’s most enigmatic singers, Porter’s Juan Son and Enjambre’s Luis Humberto Navejas, have collaborated to release a mystifying song and music video titled “Laberinto.” Set against a vintage red backdrop, the very DIY video portrays them as pied pipers donning feathered caps and embodying a playful demeanor. The whimsical video features portraits of brick castles and horses, and as it progresses, the scene shifts to them jubilantly sipping coconut water and wine beneath the moonlight before the visuals turn kaleidoscopic. It’s weird and psychedelic, both visually and audibly, but wildly intriguing. — I.R.

Director: Hermann Neudert

This trippy video serves as a preview to a short film, and it’s effective because it leaves you wanting more. In “Esta Noche,” you’re introduced to two people (one played by Kaarl) who are really hurting after what seems to be a messy breakup. It’s unclear how they got to this moment where both are so broken they are almost wandering aimlessly. Here’s to hoping the other two music videos that make up this trilogy of visuals give us more context to this relationship. According to a press release, “Each video will serve as a piece of a cinematic puzzle, with interconnected storylines that invite audiences to discover hidden connections throughout each release.” — G.F.

Director: Facundo Ballve

Emilia’s music video commemorates the Y2K era, merging her modern pop flair with retro elements. Filmed against a setting that evokes a Blockbuster store, this Argentine pop sensation — who in a scene wears Gwen Stafani’s iconic starry eyebrows look — is enveloped by quintessential late-‘90s artifacts, including a fuzzy pink notebook, teen magazines, a lime green iMac and an iPod stocked with her favored “playlists.” This release spearheads her “MPEG” phase following her “MP3” themed tracks, while she “taps into a shared cultural nostalgia, suggesting that love and sensuality transcend time,” according to the press release. — I.R.

Director: Patricia Alfonso

J Balvin and Chencho Corleone join forces on the sensual perreo “Polvo de tu Vida,” produced by Jeremy Ayala. While the lyrics refer to being the “best sex” anyone has had, the sci-fi music video — directed by Patricia Alfonso — immediately grabs your attention, with its eccentric tones and the futuristic visuals that allude to a dystopian theme. Filmed at Dubai’s Museum of The Future, Balvin and Chencho are seen exploring different rooms, where robots are being constructed and tested — but they have their eyes set on one special one. The Colombian and Puerto Rican urban stars became the first artists to shoot a music video at the coveted museum. — JESSICA ROIZ

Director: Daniel Eguren

More often than not, music videos for regional Mexican songs can feel trite and raunchy, portraying the typical lavish lifestyle that includes luxurious cars and women seemingly at their disposal. So Peso Pluma and Tito Double P’s “Los Cuadros” was striking (and stood out immediately) for its cinematography, aside from its deep storytelling. The music video captures the innocence of two young boys — who could easily represent real-life cousins Peso and Tito — who run free in the woods, letting their imaginations run wild. The black-and-white video, which adds to the element of nostalgia, follows the boys, who embark on an adventurous journey, sharing laughs and stories along the way. While the story takes an unexpected turn at the end of the video, it does a great job of underscoring the song’s theme of trust, creating an emotional experience. — G.F.

Director: Pedro Artola

Karol G traveled to the Dominican Republic to capture the perfect background to her summer-friendly merengue smash “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” In the music video, directed by Pedro Artola and produced by WeOwnTheCity, the Colombian artist works at a local beach bar, where the crowd is unimpressed with the town’s karaoke singers. She then saves the day by performing her feel-good tropical bop, starting a party at the tiki bar that has people of all ages on their feet. The clip then transitions from the beach to the town, where Karol is surrounded by the island’s colorful houses and people. — J.R.

Director: Joseph Ros

In this stunning black-and-white visual, Chilean singer/songwriter Javiera Mena injects vampiric allure into the timeless Nosferatu narrative. As the film’s fanged protagonist, Mena weaves a dark romance with a striking tattooed woman, framed by evocative symbols like crosses, roses, coffins and the looming walls of a medieval castle. The chilling scenery contrasts with Mena’s melodious voice as she sings, “Renacer y morir es volver a vivir” (Rebirth and death is to live again), capturing the cycle of existence and reincarnation. The narrative deepens as the woman inks a teardrop of blood onto Mena’s cheekbone, enriching the gothic theme with a modern twist. This cinematically rich video revives the otherworldly charm of classic horror while beautifully melding it with contemporary visuals. — I.R.

Director: Ricky Alvarez

This song alone is quite emotional. Becky G sings about the deep love she has for her three siblings, with heartfelt lyrics like “We are the true meaning of real love” and “for you, I would do things I wouldn’t dare to do.” So watching the song’s official video just adds another layer to the emotional aspect. Tugging at your heartstrings, Becky’s “GOMEZX4″ displays homemade videos that capture the four siblings as kids, just how close they are, and how much they care for each other. From dance parties to car rides, Becky G showcases the unique bond she has with her brothers and sister in this beautiful tribute. She ends the video with a poignant message: “Our parents leave us too early, and our kids and partners come later, but our siblings are forever.” — G.F.

Director: Felipe Mejía

In the heat of the 2024 Copa América, where Colombia and Argentina went to finals, Ryan Castro released “El Ritmo Que Nos Une” with the special participation of two of the national team’s players: Luis Díaz and Juan Fernando Quintero, who rap some verses. Directed by Felipe Mejía, the vibrant music video perfectly embodies Colombian culture, love for soccer, and its passionate community as Castro and soccer star James Rodriguez play a friendly tournament at a block party. — J.R.

Director: Frederick Venet

Elsa y Elmar’s video illustration is a potent narrative about femininity and the societal stigmas surrounding menstruation. With Colombian art decor throughout the video, it boldly challenges taboos associated with womanhood, while simultaneously celebrating cultural heritage with vivid colors. It further addresses themes of insecurity through its portrayal of a woman who grapples with the idealized images on Instagram. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the surreal imagery of Pink Floyd’s 1979 “What Shall We Do Now” visual (notably the scene of a lotus flower and tulip in a sexual encounter). Overall, Elsa y Elmar’s video entertains and ignites meaningful discourse on feminine power and self-perception. — I.R.

Director: Stillz

With thumping house beats blended with traditional Afro-Puerto Rican plena, “EL CLúB” encapsulates “the longing for a life chapter that still holds a special place in memory,” according to a press statement. The music video, directed by Bad Bunny’s longtime director Stillz, vividly captures the sentiment, showing the Puerto Rican artist as he enters an elevator en route to “the club,” surrounded by psychedelic imagery amid a large crowd. It culminates with him carrying a box that appears to contain the ashes of a burned house, which he solemnly buries and marks with the Puerto Rican flag, echoing the theme of his previous single “Una Velita.” — J.R.

Director: René Pérez Joglar

An introspective journey through mourning and reflection, “313” is an orchestral tribute to the importance of living in the present — it’s also a personal ode to his late friend and close collaborator, Valentina Gasparini. The meaningful, deeply cinematographic music video, directed by the Puerto Rican artist himself (real name: René Pérez Joglar) and produced by Carolina Wold, stars Penélope Cruz and features Catalan artist, Silvia Cruz. Set in an enchanting autumn garden in Spain, the clip also showcases a mesmerizing group of lyrical dancers floating in the air. “I started to make the music and I was writing the ideas, adjusting to the weather conditions,” Residente previously said to Billboard Español. “It was quite difficult to shoot in November in Madrid, there was not much light. It snowed, it rained, everything happened during the shoot.” “313” won best short-form music video at the 2024 Latin Grammys. — J.R.