Latin
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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.
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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.”
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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:
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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Mika Bahía, Calidosa (Warner Music México)
Mike Bahía — known for his feel-good reggae and urban-pop fusions — has delivered tropical mastery on his fourth studio album, Calidosa (an expression to describe a friendly, generous person). In the 12-track production (his last to be released under Warner), the Colombian artist explores the musical roots deriving from his native, Cali. Nicknamed “the salsa capital of the world,” Bahía experiments primarily with salsa music (brava, romantica and modern) in “Amor A Mitad,” “Cali Buenaventura,” “Desaparecida,” “La Pena,” and “La Indocumentada,” performed by his partner and artist Greeicy. Not limiting himself, he also flirts with bachata (“Hola Mi Amor” & “Algún Día”), bolero (“Bolerito”), merengue (“La Depre”) and cha cha cha (“Cha Cha”). The sweet “Verdad Verdad,” backed by his signature chilled reggae vibes, closes off Calidosa.
“I felt that returning to my city with a desire to explore, get to know, and reconcile with it — to contribute to it, draw inspiration from it, and reconnect with both the place and my friends — was essential,” Bahía expressed in a statement. “Working with Cali producers and team members I hadn’t collaborated with before, along with those I’ve known for years, reignited that connection. This desire to reunite with the city and its people is what inspired me to create this album in Cali. I sensed that the public there didn’t fully recognize me as an artist from the city, and that realization drove me to reconnect with Cali. I felt that my roots needed to be solid to be able to build from there.”— JESSICA ROIZ
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Jasiel Nuñez, La Odisea (Double P Records)
If you’re just discovering Jasiel Nuñez’s music, you’re in luck. Today, the Mexican singer-songwriter releases La Odisea — which isn’t technically his debut album, since he released Vueltas de La Vida in 2020, but it is his first full-length since becoming a breakout star. It’s safe to say that Nuñez is one of Peso Pluma’s favorite artists; in fact, Peso signed him early on to his Double P Records, taking him under his wing even when he was just starting his own career. And it’s no surprise Peso is such a fan: This new set positions Nuñez as one of the most genre-defying música mexicana artists today.
The LP is comprised of two parts: corridos and sad corridos. The first part kicks off with a head-turning intro that starts with a gorgeous bar-blues piano tune, which after a few seconds turns into a guitar-led corrido. The set is a corridos album through-and-through, although Nuñez is clearly not afraid to rock the boat, fusing corridos tumbados with other styles. He also brings in some of the biggest names in the genre, including Peso Pluma and other acts like Luis R Conriquez, Eslabon Armado and Adriel Favela. The first part is packed with introspective lyrics about fame, the changing landscape for regional Mexican and achieving legendary status. The second part, sad corridos, is powered by lyrics of love and loss. I’d argue that sad corridos is Nuñez’s biggest strength. His velvety and light vocals were made to sing romantic songs. — GRISELDA FLORES
Danny Ocean x Kapo, “Imagínate” (Atlantic Recording Corp.)
With a vibrant collaboration that connects Colombia and Venezuela, Kapo and Danny Ocean present “Imagínate,” a single that fuses reggaetón pop and Afrobeats, loaded with romanticism and tropical rhythms. From dancing salsa in Cali with Kapo, to walking through Los Roques with Danny, the artists weave a romantic fantasy in idyllic settings, having good times far away from worries. “You are a mix of sand with sun, sand with sun and breeze/ You are what is needed/ For a happy life,” goes part of the lyrics. The delivery, the lyrics and the production truly transport one to a tropical paradise. — LUISA CALLE
Marc Seguí, “Un Domingo Triste Vol. 1” (The Floor Records/Warner Music Spain)
As if taking us on a journey into vocalizations and melodies, Marc Seguí presents his new single “UN DOMINGO TRISTE VOL. I,” an intimate and melancholic ballad that marks this first preview of his long-awaited album NO TENGO TRISA, scheduled for 2025. His narrative voice and deep interpretation, accompanied by the strings of electric guitars, captures the essence of pain after a love breakup. The lyrics transport us to those ultra-lonely Sundays where memories of a past relationship overwhelm us. The song, wrapped in a nostalgic atmosphere, talks about the sadness felt when reliving every moment shared with that special person — and the emptiness that remains when, sadly, they are no longer there. — INGRID FAJARDO
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
Edgar Barrera‘s prowess has been widely recognized not only by the Latin Recording Academy, with nine nominations for the 2024 Latin Grammys alone, but also by the Recording Academy. For the second year in a row, the Mexican-American hitmaker is competing for songwriter of the year, non-classical at the Grammys thanks to Spanish-language songs written with or for stars such as Ivan Cornejo, Carín León, Shakira, Karol G and Peso Pluma.
In the list of nominations for the 2025 Grammy Awards, announced Friday (Nov. 8), Barrera was once again included in a non-Latin genre category, along with English-language songwriters Jessi Alexander, Amy Allen, Jessie Jo Dillon and Raye. Songs cited this year under his name are “Atención” (Ivan Cornejo), “(Entre Paréntesis)” (Shakira and Grupo Frontera), “It Was Always You (Siempre Fuiste Tú)” (Carín León and Leon Bridges), “No Se Vale” (Camilo), “The One (Pero No Como Yo)” (Carín León and Kane Brown), “Por El Contrario” (Becky G with Ángela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar), “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”(Karol G), “Sincere” (Khalid) and “Tommy & Pamela” (Peso Pluma and Kenia Os).
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The nominations in general include other Latin artists, but not in such prominent categories as songwriter of the year. Among others, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel is nominated again in the classical music categories, along with Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz, and Puerto Rican saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón appears in the jazz categories.
In the Latin music-specific categories — which include pop, urban, rock or alternative, Mexican music and tropical music — there are superstars who have been nominated or awarded in the past, such as Anitta, Bad Bunny, Shakira, Kali Uchis, Peso Pluma, J Balvin, Residente, Juan Luis Guerra and Marc Anthony, among others. Plus, first-time nominees include Feid, Young Miko and Rawayana.
Karol G, who won last year’s Grammy for best música urbana album for Mañana Será Bonito and now has eight nominations at the 2024 Latin Grammys — including album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) — was surprisingly not among this year’s Grammy nominees.
Below are the nominees for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in the Latin music and Latin jazz categories. Winners will be announced in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Best Latin Pop Album
Funk Generation, Anitta
El Viaje, Luis Fonsi
García, Kany García
Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Shakira
Orquídeas, Kali Uchis
Best Música Urbana Album
Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, Bad Bunny
Rayo, J Balvin
Ferxxocalipsis, Feid
Las Letras Ya No Importan, Residente
Att., Young Miko
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Compita del Destino, El David Aguilar
Pa’ Tu Cuerpa, Cimafunk
Autopoiética, Mon Laferte
Grasa, Nathy Peluso
¿Quién trae las cornetas?, Rawayana
Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)
Diamantes, Chiquis
Boca Chueca, Vol. 1, Carín León
Éxodo, Peso Pluma
De Lejitos, Jessi Uribe
Best Tropical Latin Album
Muevense, Marc Anthony
Bailar, Sheila E.
Radio Güira, Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional), Tony Succar, Mimy Succar
Vacilón Santiaguero, Kiki Valera
Best Latin Jazz Album
Spain Forever Again, Michel Camilo & Tomatito
Cubop Lives!, Zaccai Curtis
Collab, Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Time and Again, Eliane Elias
El Trio: Live in Italy, Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, John Beasley & José Gola
Cuba and Beyond, Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet
As I Travel, Donald Vega feat. Lewis Nash, John Patitucci & Luisito Quintero
Grupo Niche‘s “Cali Pachanguero” has transcended generations, cultures and language barriers. The fast-paced track, penned by the legendary Jairo Varela in 1984, took on a life of its own, becoming an unofficial anthem for Colombians around the world. Forty years later, the song continues to have a lasting impact not only on the new generation […]
It’s a tight race for album of the year at the Latin Grammys, where both commercially and critically acclaimed albums are vying for the award. This year, the 10 nominated LPs are Bolero by Angela Aguilar; Camilo’s Cuatro; Xande Canta Caetano by Xande De Pilares; Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season); García by Kany […]
Colombia has a new reggaeton anthem at the helm of genre giants Karol G, J Balvin, Maluma, Feid, Blessd, and Ryan Castro titled “+57” out Thursday (Nov. 7).
Named after the area code in Colombia, the sensual, mid-tempo futuristic perreo finds the Colombian powerhouses singing about a girl from Medellín who’s all-that, fierce, unstoppable, and the center of attention—even though she’s in a relationship. “They ask her if she has a boyfriend, it depends,” says part of the lyrics.
Helmed by Latin Grammy-winning hitmaker and Karol’s longtime producer, Ovy on the Drums, “+57” was co-written by all of the artists alongside Keityn and newcomer DFZM, who’s signed to Keityn’s management hub, La Creme. It was recorded in one session in Los Angeles after Ovy presented the song to Karol and she ultimately gathered her colleagues for the statement-making collab—none of them aware of the song until they met at the recording studio.
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“It’s a dream that I assure you that neither I, nor my team, nor my family could have imagined. We always saw ourselves as super big but we never imagined it would happen so quickly,” singer-songwriter DFZM, who originally penned the track with Keityn before presenting it to Ovy, tells Billboard exclusively. “For me it’s very important to be representing the Valle del Cauca, Buenaventura, those young people with dreams and talent. Representing black people, the culture, it’s very nice for me to be able to be part of history.”
Ovy was the first to tease the track, posting a short video on Instagram where fans can hear Balvin shouting out all the collaborators. Meanwhile, Ovy and Karol are dancing along to the reggaetón beat.
A couple of days later, a group photo in the recording studio was shared by each of the artists on social media, hinting that something major was dropping on November 7. The title was also revealed in the description.
Listen to “+57” below:
The winner of the best new artist category at the Latin Grammys this year is almost impossible to predict. The 10 nominees reflect a wide-ranging group of acts who are eclectic, offering a fresh breath of air in the Latin music scene. From Mexican trio Latin Mafia, to girl band Darumas, Spanish phenomenon Íñigo Quintero […]
With its first Latin Grammy nomination, the Mexican rock trio The Warning crowns 2024 as a great year after several proven achievements. The group’s latest album, Keep Me Fed, consolidated the Villarreal Vélez sisters on the international scene; in addition, it managed to debut on multiple Billboard charts, and embarked on an ambitious tour through Europe and the U.S.
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Furthermore, Paulina Villarreal received the Drumeo Award for the best rock drummer, at only 22 years old.
“These achievements are the reaffirmation that as a Mexican I can also make a rock band and I can take it internationally,” Paulina says excitedly to Billboard Español. “It doesn’t have to stay only in my country, only in my community; I can explore new facets, meet new people, and I can have an international career. And for us to have achieved this, sometimes we don’t believe it!
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Their first Latin Grammy nomination, in the category of best rock song for the single “Qué Más Quieres”, represents a significant achievement in the history of the group –- also made up of vocalist and guitarist Daniela Villarreal and bassist Alejandra Villarreal — as it symbolizes the pride of singing in Spanish, their native language.
The Warning’s repertoire is mostly in English, their second language, since the band is originally from Monterrey, a city bordering the U.S.
“Singing in Spanish has always been fundamental to our musical and personal identity, and this nomination celebrates our dedication to keeping that connection with our roots alive,” Daniela says.
“Qué Más Quieres” was co-written by Anton Curtis Delost, Far and Crosses guitarist Shaun López, Kathryn Ostenberg, Mónica Vélez and The Warning. In it, the band captures the strength and energy that characterizes it.
The single is included on Keep Me Fed, The Warning’s fourth full-length album, recorded in Monterrey and released at the end of last June. In the words of the band’s vocalist: “It is the result of our rawest emotions and the most meaningful connections with the people we have met and worked with in recent years.”
With Keep Me Fed, The Warning has established itself on the international rock scene, debuting on a variety of Billboard charts, including No. 1 on Emerging Artists, No. 2 on Top Rock Albums, No. 4 on Top Hard Rock Albums and No. 6 on Top Album Sales. On sharing a rock band as sisters, Daniela says that it has been a pleasant experience, with many funny and enjoyable moments.
“Obviously sometimes we argue, but we work very well together,” she says. “We started music from a very young age, so we grew up with a mentality of taking care of ourselves and knowing how to work together for the goals that we want to achieve for all of us. We are very attentive to taking care of ourselves and our feelings.”
Recently, The Warning performed in October at the 2024 Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California, where the group shared the bill with icons from the metal scene such as Iron Maiden, Pantera, Slipknot and Mastodon. They also opened shows for Evanescence in Canada.
In Mexico, tickets for their Feb. 6 and 11, 2025 shows at the capital’s Auditorio Nacional sold out in 48 hours. They will also perform on Feb. 13 at the Telmex Auditorium in Guadalajara, and on Feb. 22 in Monterrey, at the Citibanamex Auditorium.
The 2024 Latin Grammys are a week away, and in celebration of its 25th annual ceremony this year, Billboard has curated a timeline of notable winners at the ceremonies throughout the years.
The first annual awards, which took place on Sept. 13, 2000 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, was co-hosted by Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Antonio Banderas, Andy Garcia, and Jimmy Smits. Luis Miguel, Santana, and Maná were the top winners of the night, taking home three gramophone’s each. The former of the three nabbed album of the year for Amarte es un Placer, and the latter two won record of the year for their collaboration “Corazón Espinado.”
Emilio Estefan Jr. was named The Latin Recording Academy’s first-ever person of the year. He has since been joined by prestigious titleholders Julio Iglesias, Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Rubén Blades, and Laura Pausini, to name a few. Carlos Vives has been named the 2024 person of the year.
Over the years, the Latin Grammys has hosted its gala in different locations — including Miami, Houston, Las Vegas, and most recently abroad in Seville, Spain for its 2023 edition.
As the 2024 awards approach, take a look back at the top winners including record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, and best new artist, as well as person of the year of the last 25 years in the timeline below.
The 25th annual Latin Grammy Awards will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Nov. 14 via Univision, Galavisión and ViX. Preceding the telecast will be the Latin Grammy Premiere, where the winners in most categories will be announced. To see the complete list of nominees, click here.
2000
From October 14 to 18, 2024, the Fillmore Miami Beach came alive with the return of Billboard Latin Music Week, celebrating its 35th Anniversary in style. This year’s event showcased over 70 artists, reinforcing its position as the premier gathering of Latin artists and industry executives globally. Since its inception, it has highlighted the growth and cultural impact of Latin music in the U.S.
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The vibrant lineup featured exclusive panel discussions, electrifying performances, and a range of workshops that engaged both fans and industry professionals. Attendees gained valuable insights from industry leaders and participated in events that celebrated the rich culture of Latin music.
A standout element of this year’s celebration was Chevron’s Re-Fuel Zone. Guests were able to refuel their devices at a charging station, helping them continue capturing special moments throughout the week.
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Additionally, fans had the opportunity to pose in front of a Chevron-themed car for a fun photo moment, creating lasting memories of the event. Attendees enjoyed a selection of snacks, refreshing beverages, and delightful paletas, keeping everyone energized. Plus, stylish branded tote bags were given away as keepsakes from the event.
One of the week’s highlights was the special appearance by Latin GRAMMY Award-winning artist Luis Figueroa. Chevron Rewards members had a special opportunity to meet and greet with him, and he participated in a rapid-fire interview, sharing captivating stories about his tour experiences and life as a rising star.
Singer-songwriter Luis Figueroa has merged his innate musical talents with his Puerto Rican heritage to become an up and coming force in the Latin music scene.
As Billboard Latin Music Week continues to evolve, this year’s celebration not only honored the rich history of Latin music but also set the stage for its vibrant future. If you weren’t able to join us in Miami, stay tuned to Billboard.com and Billboard’s socials for more content from the 35th anniversary of Billboard Latin Music Week.
Chevron is a paid sponsor of Billboard Latin Music Week.