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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 new studio albums Fariana, Darell, and Manu Chao, to name a few. (Click here to vote for your favorite release).
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This week, Fariana dropped her first album in nearly 10 years (and her second set) dubbed Underwater. Home to 19 tracks, the set not only showcases the Colombian artist’s fierce rap verses and dynamic vocal range but also her ability to submerge into different genres. Sonically, she flirts with dembow, merengue, dancehall, and electronic music, and reeled in colleagues such as El Alfa, Sean Paul, Flo Rida, Omar Montes, and Oro Solido, to name a few.
“I’ve learned to dive into my own world and I’ve understood that even under pressure, I always find a way to do it my way and be a winner. That’s what this album is,” she expressed in a press statement.
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Manu Chao—the French-born Spanish musician known for his timeless reggae bop “Me Gustas Tu” (2001)—also delivered a new album, his first in 17 years, titled Viva Tu. The 13-song LP weaves nostalgic acoustic melodies with a rich palette of global languages and in true Manu Chao fashion is sung in French, Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
Other new releases this week include Omar Courtz’s debut album, Primera Musa; Chiquis’ “Que Siga Pasando”; Carin León’s “No Me Llores” in collaboration with Manuel Carrasco; and “Una Velita,” Bad Bunny’s surprise song reflecting on Puerto Rico’s political climate.
Last week, Kim Loaiza’s new album, X Amor II, won the poll, bringing in more than 42% of the votes. Who should win this week? Give these new releases a spin and a
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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Darell, Darell 2024 (Sony Music Latin)
Just last year, Darell proposed that “everybody go to the discotek,” with his album. Today, he continues to fuel that motto with Darell 2024, a 15-track set powered by club-ready reggaetón anthems. Showcasing a mix of smooth Caribbean rhythfms and hypnotizing percussion-driven beats, the album provides a canvas for the Puerto Rican artist to show off why he’s a genre OG. Besides reggaetón, the sonically rich LP — which puts his signature deep, raspy vocals at the forefront — also takes inspiration from Afrobeats for tracks like “Como Vos,” “Real,” “Te Extraño” and “Olivia Con Pluto.” Meanwhile, Darell makes a case for why he’s one of the best rappers in the game, with songs like “Profugo” introducing a bold trap sound. Also included on the album are previously released hits “Lollipop (Remix)” with Ozuna and Maluma, “Por Ti Conocí El Amor” and “Lambo Sport” with Clean Bandit. — INGRID FAJARDO
Fariana, Underwater (La Commission LLC)
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Nine years after her debut studio album, Fariana (formerly known as Farina) unleashes her sophomore album Underwater. In the 19-song set, the Colombian rapper submerges herself into different musical genres that have influenced her new era. While she still manages to captivate with her fierce rap bars and dynamic vocal range, sonically, she’s evolved and is more experimental than ever. She flirts with dancehall (“Booty Killa”), hip-hop (“Doggys”), afrobeat (“Pienso En TI”), electronic (“On Top of the World”), cumbia (“Mami Gantel”), reggaetón (“La Fotico”), dembow (“Margaret”), and merengue (“El Caballito”). Underwater also finds the Medellín-born artist collaborating with El Alfa, Sean Paul, Flo Rida, Omar Montes and Oro Solido, to name a few. But beyond its worldly beats, the album is a reflection of Fariana’s nearly 20-year trajectory. “I’ve learned to dive into my own world and I’ve understood that even under pressure, I always find a way to do it my way and be a winner. That’s what this album is,” she expresses in a press statement. — JESSICA ROIZ
Duplat & Manuel Medrano “Fresa” (M3 Records)
Duplat and Manuel Medrano’s “Fresa” is a delightful mix of soul pop with a retro feel that recalls the perfect music for a romantic comedy soundtrack. The trumpet and brass arrangements give it an almost classic, almost timeless feel that transports you to another era. When Medrano’s deep voice comes in on the second verse, his deep timbre cuts through the music, merging perfectly with the funky drum beat and guitar riffs. The saxophone solo in the bridge is captivating, and the soulful piano adds an emotional touch that elevates the song. “Fresa,” which could refer to a conceited woman, is certainly a gem for lovers of nostalgic sounds with a modern twist. — LUISA CALLE
Bad Bunny, “Una Velita” (Rimas Enertainment)
Bad Bunny hadn’t released new music since his October set Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va Pasar Mañana, but shedding a spotlight on the continued plight of his fellow Puerto Ricans — who were devastated by Hurricane Maria exactly seven years ago — seemed like the perfect moment to break his silence. With “Una Velita,” the global hit-maker doubles down on his efforts to call out the inaction of the island’s local government as Puerto Rico continues to deal with the aftermath of the catastrophic Category 5 storm, which not only left thousands dead but also weakened the already frail power grid. “Obviously the light will go out, God knows if it’ll come back,” he sings in Spanish over a hypnotizing folkloric beat that grows with intensity. “There were five thousand that they let die, and we will never forget that.” The track is produced by Tainy and La Paciencia. — GRISELDA FLORES
Darumas, “Francotirador” (Sony Music Latin)
On the heels of receiving a Latin Grammy nomination for best new artist — as predicted by Billboard — Darumas released “Francotirador,” or “sniper” in English, the Latin pop-funk band’s first single since its May debut album. The all-female trio — comprised of Aldana Aguirre, Ceci León and Vedala Vilmond — sings about being resilient and “bulletproof” over a funky rhythm driven by electric guitar and bass. “I fell, I stood up, and I silenced those who never believed/ They think I’m made of glass, but it made me harder than metal,” Vilmond sings. “Today nothing breaks my heart because I have it armored. I’m like a sniper: I never miss where I aim.” The track can empower anyone who comes across it. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Manu Chao, Viva Tu (Radio Bemba)
After a 17-year hiatus playfully referred to as his “Desaparecido” phase — a nod to his iconic 1998 song — Manu Chao returns with his first solo album since La Radiolina, titled Viva Tu. This LP weaves nostalgic acoustic melodies with a rich palette of global languages. Sung in French, Spanish, Portuguese and English, it unfolds like a love letter to his international fans, packed with earwormy guitar melodies, samples and dazzling embellishments in songs like “La Couleur de Temps” and the rumba-infused title track.
Of the 13 songs, the harmonica-laced “Heaven’s Bad Day” stands out as a delightful surprise, featuring country legend Willie Nelson, the only guest on the album. Another track, “La Colilla,” revisits the lively acoustic guitar sounds of 2007’s “Me Llaman Calle,” showcasing Chao’s ability to recycle rhythms and beats in an exhilarating way.
The Spanish-French artist’s hands-on approach to writing and producing every song is notable, particularly in today’s collaboration-heavy music industry. This autonomy not only adds authenticity but also imbues his work with a craftsman’s pride, making Viva Tu an introspective and joyous personal statement. With this latest work, Chao’s unparalleled artistry cements his timeless appeal across diverse musical genres in a sound that is uniquely his own. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
It’s been seven years since Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria, and Bad Bunny is taking this moment to reflect on the aftermath of the deadly Category 5 storm. In “Una Velita,” released on Thursday (Sept. 19), the Puerto Rican hitmaker is brutally honest about how the island’s infrastructure, particularly its continued blackouts due […]
Mr. 305 will bring his Miami swagger to Las Vegas again for a new musical residency, Billboard Español can exclusively announce on Friday (Sept. 20). Pitbull: Vegas After Dark the Residency will debut on Nov. 8 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, where the Cuban-American superstar will take the stage at the BleauLive Theater for a series of eight weekend concerts between the end of this year and the beginning of the next.
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The dates are Nov. 8-9, Jan. 24-25, and March 7, 8, 14 and 15. Tickets go on presale on Tuesday (Sept. 24) and to the general public the next day at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET on the Fontainebleau website.
“Fontainebleau’s legacy of top-tier entertainment stems from its Miami Beach roots,” said Fontainebleau Las Vegas Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Fedor Banuchi, in a press release. “We are honored to have Mr. 305 himself bring his Miami flair to BleauLive Theater for this iconic limited engagement.”
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Pitbull is in the midst of his Party After Dark Tour, a 26-city trek that began on Aug. 21 in Virginia and ends on Oct. 5 in Albuquerque, N.M. His new show in Las Vegas will include “state-of-the-art visuals, pyrotechnics,” and a repertoire of hits such as “Give Me Everything,” “Timber,” “Time of Our Lives,” “International Love,” “Feel This Moment,” “Fireball” and “Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor).”
“Backed by his incredible band, The Agents, and his dynamic dancers, The Most Bad Ones, the fusion of music, lights and special effects will create a sophisticated, high-energy party for everyone in attendance,” according to the press release.
Pitbull, who frequently performs in Las Vegas, opened a SLAM charter school in Nevada in 2016, expanding his commitment to education that began with the first SLAM school in Miami. According to the release, the schools — whose name is an acronym for Science, Leadership, Arts and Management — now serve nearly 10,000 students in various states.
The artist’s last residency in Sin City was Time of Our Lives, which opened at The AXIS on Sept. 23, 2015, and closed on May 25, 2019.
There’s a magnetism to Carin León that instantly captures your attention, and his first Boca Chueca Tour date at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday (Sept. 19) was a reminder of how dynamic the Mexican hit-maker can be. Just before 9 p.m., León — clad in jeans, a t-shirt, cowboy boots and one of his signature cowboy hats — took over the stage, which he commanded for over two hours, honoring the past, the present and the future of música mexicana and beyond.
“Tonight, we’re leaving our sorrows behind,” he told a multigenerational crowd that mirrored the artist’s cowboy aesthetic. But it was clear that the sorrows would eventually creep back in at some point during the show since León is one of those artists that can’t help but get emotional, especially when he’s singing some of his most heartfelt songs that can mend broken hearts.
Whether you were ready or not, León took you on a roller coaster, perfectly capturing how nuanced regional Mexican music can be. “Genres no longer exist. Borders no longer exist,” he declared. León is among a new generation of Mexican music artists who have clearly defied expectations that have haunted regional Mexican artists for decades — limiting them to some extent.
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León, on the contrary, is pretty limitless and his setlist is a declaration of liberation. With a hefty live band in tow — that quickly adapted from banda to norteño to rock and country — he of course performed fan favorites including “Te Lo Agradezco,” “Según Quién,” “The One (Pero No Como Yo),” “Que Vuelvas,” “La Boda del Huitlacoche,” “No Es Por Acá” and “Primera Cita.”
And he also paid homage to the artists that have influenced him along the way, including Hombres G’s “Te Quiero,” Joan Sebastian’s “Tatuajes,” Banda Zeta’s “La Niña Fresa,” Mi Banda El Mexicano’s “Ramito de Violetas,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen The Rain,” and Banda Toro’s “La Noche en Que Chicago Se Murió.”
His versatility, which he put on full display during the show, is what has made León stand out in a crowded field of a new wave of Mexican music artists since he had a breakthrough nearly five years ago. That and his infectious hip-swiveling cumbia dance moves and mesmerizing zapateado stomping. Since then, León has only cemented his status as one of the most exciting artists of this generation.
“Long live regional Mexican music, Latin music, long live American music,” he said. “At the end of the day, music is what reunited us here tonight.” By this point, León — sporting a Chicago Bulls jersey — had already chugged down some beers and had emptied a Clase Azul tequila bottle, which he took shots from directly while sharing the wealth with his fans. Throughout the show, he handed over the bottle to someone on his team so they could pour tequila in fans’ cups.
“Qué rifados, Chicago,” he said, noting the crowd’s enthusiasm. “Thank you for always showing up for me.”
León’s back-to-back shows in Chicago come on the heels of his four Latin Grammy nominations, including album of the year for Boca Chueca, Vol. 1. Produced by CMN and AEG, the trek continues with stops in Washington, D.C., New York, Austin and Nashville.
Karol G is back atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” jumps 2-1 to lead the chart dated Sept. 21. It’s her first champ, and fourth overall, since “Bichota” ruled for five weeks starting the Dec. 12, 2020 ranking.
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As “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” lands at the summit on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100, it ends Valentino Merlo and The La Planta’s “Hoy” 11-consecutive-week coronation,, the longest-leading song in 2024, so far.
With four No. 1s on her chart account, Karol G enters an exclusive group of women who have secured at least four rulers or more since the ranking launched in 2018. Here’s the recap of those female soloists with the most No. 1s:
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6, Maria Becerra5, Emilia5, Nicki Nicole5, TINI4, Karol G2, Shakira
Emanero earns his highest debut to date with “Si Un Día Estás Sola (Big One CROSSOVER #7),” with Valentino Merlo and Big One, as the song debuts at No. 20 with the Hot Shot Debut honors.
Big One, meanwhile, places four other simultaneous songs on the chart, starting with “Cuando Te Vi (Big One Crossover #5),” with Maria Becerra and Trueno, which dips 4-6. “A Dónde Vas Si Te Vas (Big One Crossover #6),” with Miranda! and Ciro, drops 31-33, “Un Finde (Big One Crossover #2),” with Ke Personajes and FMK, lifts 66-65, and “La Intimidad (Big One Crossover #1),” with Emilia and Callejero Fino, reenters at No. 94.
Salastkbron takes the week’s Greatest Gainer trophy as “Dimelo Mami” surges 21 spots, from No. 56 to No. 35, for the song’s new peak.
Elsewhere, Coldplay’s “We Pray,” featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna and TINI, opens at No. 45. Plus, La T y la M’s “Amor de Vago,” with Malandro de América, arrives at No. 48.
Below the top 50, three other songs debut this week, starting with Argentinians Uriel Lozano and Un Poco de Ruido, who both score their first entry thanks to “Conmigo Le Gustó,” at No. 79. Argentinian rock band Los Piojos, likewise banks its first chart visit through “Tan Solo” at No. 89. Lastly, Migrantes, J Mena and Emanero’s“Como Si No Nos Amáramos” bows at No. 91.
Aventura, Bad Bunny, Karol G, Luis Miguel and RBD are the five finalists for the coveted tour of the year award at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, airing Sunday, Oct. 20 — and Billboard is asking fans who should take the title home? The five treks—Aventura’s “Cerrando Ciclos,” Bad Bunny’s “Most Wanted,” Karol G’s […]
Colombian powerhouse hitmakers Blessd and Ryan Castro have joined forces to present their joint U.S. tour, the ¡Ay Bendito Ghetto! Tour. The 15-date tour, named after the pair’s respective nicknames (Blessd‘s “El Bendito” and Castro’s “El Cantante del Ghetto”), is organized by Touring the World and Seitrack US. It’s set to start on Oct. 31 […]
TelevisaUnivision has named Daniel Alegre as its new CEO starting Thursday (Sept. 19). The decision is part of the board of directors’ strategic succession planning. Alegre takes over for Wade Davis, who will become vice chairman of the board of directors and remain on the executive committee.
“On behalf of the board, I’m excited to welcome Daniel to TelevisaUnivision as we embark on the next phase of our strategic journey focused on further integration and optimization,” TelevisaUnivision’s executive chairman, Alfonso de Angoitia, said in a press release. “It’s been a very dynamic media environment, and we are grateful for what Wade has accomplished in the turnaround of Univision and the subsequent transformative merger between Univision and Televisa’s content business to create TelevisaUnivision.”
“The media landscape is undergoing a profound transformation and TelevisaUnivision is strategically poised to seize new opportunities while staying deeply connected to the communities we serve,” Alegre said in a release. “The U.S. and Mexico represent the most valuable and populous Spanish-language markets in the world, a demographic that is becoming more prominent both regionally and globally.”
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Originally from Mexico, the new network leader possesses operational-focused leadership experience within the Hispanic community and across the U.S., Mexico and Latin America. With over three decades working in media, entertainment and technology, Alegre was most recently CEO of Yuga Labs, a web3 company. He previously served as president and COO of Activision Blizzard.
“Building on TelevisaUnivision’s solid foundation, global content pipeline, ongoing investments in cutting-edge technologies, and unmatched reach, we are uniquely positioned to continue serving this vital audience,” Alegre continued. “Wade and the entire TelevisaUnivision team have created a strong multi-platform media business with world-class quality and breadth of entertainment, news and sports programming.”
Davis added, “We could not have picked a better successor than Daniel, who brings an incredible track record of operational and strategic execution. He is the ideal executive to take TelevisaUnivision into its next phase of growth. The Company’s future is bright, and I look forward to supporting Daniel and the TelevisaUnivision team in my role as vice chairman of the board.”
During Davis’ Univision tenure, the company completed a $4.8 billion merger with Group Televisa in 2022, forming TelevisaUnivision as it is known today. The broadcaster has made significant investments in streaming and traditional TV, with its ViX streaming platform approaching profitability. It also runs 35 radio stations across the U.S.
Already one of the most successful and prolific Latin music artists in Boxscore history, Luis Miguel has re-entered the record books with his ongoing world tour. According to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore, the Luis Miguel Tour 2023-24 has grossed $318.2 million and sold 2.2 million tickets in its first 146 shows. That makes it the highest grossing tour ever among Latin acts.
At an Aug. 28 show in Caracas, Venezuela, Miguel slid past Bad Bunny’s World’s Hottest Tour ($314.1 million) and Karol G’s Manana Sera Bonito Tour ($313.3 million) for the Latin Boxscore record and extended it a few days later with a concert in Juarez, Mexico.
Miguel’s current tour kicked off with a bang last summer, with 10 shows at Buenos Aires’ Movistar Arena, and then another 10 at the venue of the same name in Santiago, Chile. Those 20 kick-off dates brought in a combined $28.1 million and sold 227,000 tickets, already establishing it as the third highest grosser of his storied career. After that, he toured through the U.S., Mexico and Latin America, back to the U.S., over to Spain, and most recently, back to LatAm.
Miguel’s run in the U.S. was fruitful ($49.8 million), but the turn to his native Mexico was even bigger, bringing in $57.5 million in 20 shows. By the end of 2023, he had earned $141 million – still a way’s away from the all-time high, but enough to handily pass his own Mexico Por Siempre Tour from 2018-19 ($101.4 million) as his biggest tour yet.
Across stadiums in Latin America, Miguel added another $73 million in the early months of 2024, and another $65.6 million in North American arenas through mid-June. Twelve shows in Spain packed in $27.6 million, and his return to Central America padded the tour with another $10.7 million in five shows in August.
Not only is this Miguel’s highest-grossing tour, it’s his best-seller. At 2.194 million tickets so far, he has doubled (and then some) his previous run, where he moved 965,000 tickets. On the all-time leaderboard, he still trails Karol G’s 2.326 million, though he will easily pass that mark by the end of the month.
While Bad Bunny and Karol G had earned their all-time highs exclusively in stadiums around the world, Luis Miguel has mixed arenas and stadiums, with more than double the show count.
Already in unprecedented waters, Miguel has played another seven as-yet-unreported shows in Mexico and Las Vegas, with another 30 scheduled in Mexico through Nov. 25. The centerpiece of his remaining shows is a 10-show run at Mexico City’s Arena Ciudad de Mexico between Oct. 8-24. Seven shows at the same venue grossed $14.6 million last November, so his extended stint is expected to surpass that and be the entire tour’s biggest engagement.
Miguel’s 20 shows in Mexico last year averaged $2.873 million per date. Applying the same logic, the remaining dates (including September shows that he has played but not yet reported) could add another $100 million and make him the first Latin artist to stage a $400 million tour.
Dating back to a November 1991 concert at New York’s The Paramount, Miguel has grossed $633.1 million and sold 6.3 million tickets over 701 reported shows.