Latin
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Ángela Aguilar was destined for stardom.
As third generation of the Aguilar musical dynasty — her father is Mexican music icon Pepe Aguilar, and her grandparents are the legendary Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre — Ángela inherited the vibrant falsetto from her grandma, her grandfather’s knack for storytelling and her father’s passion for mariachi. She also inherited the great responsibility that comes from being part of a musical dynasty, especially when her last name is synonymous with regional Mexican royalty.
“To know just how much my grandma and grandpa had to work for their success, it makes me proud of where I come from,” the 20-year-old singer-songwriter says from her home in Texas, where’s she’s spending a day off from touring with her father, her brother Leonardo Aguilar and her uncle Antonio Aguilar Jr., in the family’s Jaripeo Hasta Los Huesos Tour, which continues the legacy of the equestrian shows pioneered by her grandparents in the 1960s. “To this day, I don’t want to disappoint our last name. I want to do the best of my abilities to represent in a respectful way.”
Ángela made her onstage debut at just three years old while she and her family accompanied her father on tour. Five years later, she released her first album at the young age of eight. It was a joint album with her brother Leonardo titled Nueva Tradición (which translates to New Tradition), that was powered by banda, mariachi and norteño sounds. At that moment, she says, she really understood that she was part of something bigger than herself.
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“When I was three years old, I really thought the stage was my playground but when I released my first album, that was my realization of, ‘Oh my gosh, this is way bigger than I thought.’ I felt I had become less of an individual and more of an institution, and that was more important to me,” she explains.
Born in Los Angeles, Ángela is a fixture in música mexicana, one of a handful of women that have forged their own path in the decades-old genre that continues to be overwhelmingly dominated by men. So far, she has landed three No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart — including “Dime Como Quieras” with Christian Nodal, which ruled the tally for five weeks — and four top 10 hits on Latin Airplay, including her first No. 1 on that chart, “Por El Contrario” with Leonardo and Becky G. She also scored a Latin Grammy best new artist nomination in 2018.
On the touring front, she’s perhaps the most successful regional Mexican woman today with back-to-back U.S. arena tours (Jaripeo Sin Fronteras and Jaripeo Hasta Los Huesos) since her father launched the family show concept in 2018. In the middle of it all, in 2023, she went on her eight-date Piensa En Mí Tour, a solo trek across the U.S.
“Singing is a very lonely career because you go on stage and sing in front of 20,000 people and then you go back to a hotel room and you’re all by yourself,” Ángela shares. “But I have the privilege of having three people in my family that experience the same thing I do every single night. I get to learn from them every weekend.”
Most recently, Ángela released Bolero, a nine-song set produced by her father in honor of the genre that originated in the 19th century and inspires her ever expanding musical palate. With this LP, she doubles down on her effort to expose a new generation of fans to the styles that soundtracked her childhood home.
“That’s been my message for many years; wanting the younger generation to appreciate the music,” she says with pride. “I think people often question whether I’m singing the music I want to sing but I am. Truly this is my biggest passion. And I’ve inherited not only the passion for it but also the love passed on from generations of fans because I’m part of this musical dynasty. You don’t need to be part of one but when you are, it’s beautiful.”
Chiquis, who is on the road in support of her new album, suffered a miscarriage while getting ready for her concert Saturday (June 1).
Although she’d not yet shared the news of her pregnancy, the Mexican singer told fans in an Instagram update on Sunday that the miscarriage was the reason she had to postpone her concert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Revel Entertainment Center Saturday night.
It would have been just the second date of her Diamantes Tour, following opening night in El Cajon, California, on May 30.
“To my fans in Albuquerque,” she wrote in an emotional note posted in both English and Spanish, “With a heavy heart, I wanted to let you know that my concert postponement last night happened because of a medical emergency that made it impossible for me to take the stage, physically as well as emotionally.”
“While I was at the venue getting ready for the show I suffered a miscarriage. I had not announced my pregnancy as it was in an early stage,” Chiquis said.
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With her fans in mind, she added, “I am sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused you. I promise to make the date up to you as soon as possible and your tickets will be honored. Your understanding means the world to me. My doctor has said I will be able to continue with the tour for my next dates in Texas, June 7th, 8th and 9th.”
The Latin-Grammy winning artist, who won best banda album for both Playlist (2020) and Abeja Reina (2022), has described her tour as “a celebration of empowerment, self-expression and unity” and said she’ll create an “inclusive and uplifting atmosphere where fans can come together, connect and bask in the joy of live music.” Her return to the stage will be in Texas, with concerts in Hidalgo, Houston and Irving. After a summer run and a fall break, Chiquis is set to wrap the Diamantes Tour in early December. See her full list of tour dates on her official website.
The singer speaks about her miscarriage in the Instagram post below.
It’s not every day that you see a bonafide Mexican party on an arena stage in Miami. But fans got that in spades during Grupo Firme’s stop of their La Ultima Peda (The Last Drunk) tour at the Kaseya Center on Saturday (June 1). The three-plus hour show felt like a gigantic carne asada party […]
Jhayco‘s latest single “Torii” has topped this week’s new music Latin poll. In a poll published on Friday (May 31) — in support of the weekly New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — music fans voted for the Puerto Rican artist’s latest track as their favorite music release of the week. “Torii” generated nearly 25% of […]
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Karol G & Silvestre Dangond in the studio
Karol G is working hard in the studio, and she’s not doing it alone. The Colombian hitmaker took to social media to announce that her and Silvestre Dangond are working on new music together. It would mark the first time Karol and the vallenato singer collaborate.
“No one knows what this means to me,” Karol wrote in Spanish on Thursday (May 30). “Yesterday I was in the studio working with Silvestre Dangond on a song that has us both in love, that demands us both and most importantly that represents home, Colombia!!!! What a great vallenato … to cry, to feel, to live!!!! Long live music! Long live the things we can feel with it and the things we can make you feel through it! THANK YOU for this invitation Silvestre !!!! WHAT A MOMENT.”
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Karol G is set to embark on her Mañana Será Bonito European Tour, with her first show June 8 in Zurich. She wraps the European leg July 23 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
Check out the photos from Karol and Dangond in the studio.
Danna is the new face of MAC’s Viva Glam
The Mexican singer and actor has been unveiled as the new face of MAC Cosmetics’ Viva Glam campaign. On Friday (May 31), the beauty brand announced that Danna stars in the 30th anniversary of #MACVIVAGLAM. She’s also debuting a philanthropic new hue called M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Viva Glam Lipstick.
“It’s an honor to be a part of the #VIVAGLAM story,” Danna captioned an Instagram post. “VIVA GLAM supports a number of charities working to make the world a better place, sexual equality, gender equality, racial equality and environmental equality. All funds from the sale of the lipsticks go 100% to local organizations in each country.”
See Danna’s lipstick here.
Duki’s metro station
Ahead of his historical show at the new Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on June 8, the Santiago Bernabéu metro station will be renamed “Estación Duko” in his honor. Duki is set to sing in front of 65,000 people, becoming the first urban artist to fill this iconic stadium.
The Spanish capital has played a fundamental role in the career of the Argentine rapper, who has mentioned it in several of his songs, such as “Don’t Lie” with Quevedo. Duki returns to Madrid since performing there for his Desde el Fin del Mundo tour in 2023, selling out two dates at the WiZink Center.
Estación Duko
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Gustavo Dudamel receives honorary degree from Harvard
It’s graduation season and Gustavo Dudamel couldn’t help but show off his new milestone. The Venezuelan conductor received an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from the prestigious University of Harvard. Following the ceremony, Dudamel captured the special moment on social media with a heartfelt message.
“Receiving an honorary degree from Harvard University thrills me deeply,” Dudamel captioned an Instagram post. “As a child in Barquisimeto, I could not have imagined that I would one day be recognized by this extraordinary institution.”
He continued: “Education is perhaps the greatest gift we can give. Throughout my life, it has helped me establish my sense of identity, both as an individual and as a member of a global community. When the challenges of the world begin to overwhelm us, I believe the best way to persevere is to approach one another with curiosity, empathy and a desire to learn. It is only through knowledge and understanding that we can heal, inspire and lead the world to a more compassionate future.”
Karol G to be honored at Billboard Latin Women in Music
The Colombian hitmaker is set to be honored with Woman of the Year at the Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024. Karol G will be recognized on June 9 for her extraordinary milestones and unparalleled impact on the music industry. The show will air exclusively on Telemundo at 9 p.m. ET, and will be simultaneously available on the Telemundo app and Peacock.
See who else will be honored during the ceremony here.
In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem to be exceptional and distinct from the rest. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today. At the onset of 2024, Argentinian sensations Luck Ra and Khea kicked off the year with a compelling dance track […]
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new albums from artists such as Grupo Firme, Manuel Medrano, Carín León, and Manu Chao, to name a few. A handful of new albums were released on Friday (May 31), including León’s Boca Chueca, Vol. 1, Olga Tañón’s Así Soy Yo, Mau […]
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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Carín León, Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 (Socios Music)
It’s no secret that Carín León’s musical influences are extremely diverse: In fact, he once told Billboard that the first song he learned to sing was Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” when he was little boy, and that he had sort of fallen into singing regional Mexican because of where he was born in Sonora, Mexico — a region where that genre rules. In just a few years, he’s become one of the most important exponents of música mexicana today — singing over both R&B beats and a norteño accordion — globalizing the once-considered-niche style. Now, he’s fully embracing his experimental roots in Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 where he doesn’t hold back from showing off just what a chameleon he is in music and how innovative he can be.
From pop (“Otra Vez”), R&B (“Despídase Bien”) corridos tumbados (“Casi Oficial), alt-rock (“Frené Mis Pies”) and even cumbia ska (“No Sé” with Panteón Rococó), it’s important to note that León doesn’t totally abandon the ranchera sound that made him the star that he is. The 34-year-old singer elevates his core sound by incorporating subtle influences he’s taken from country and R&B. One thing is clear, whatever genre he’s singing in, León sounds right at home, cementing himself as one of the most versatile and eclectic artists in Latin music. It’s important to listen to the album from top to bottom to get the full Carín León experience. It’s a tour de force album that has set the bar high for future releases — and this is just the first volume of two. — GRISELDA FLORES
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Olga Tañón, Así Yo Soy (Opción1 Entertainment)
If the opening title track is any indication, Olga Tañón is embracing life to the fullest (and with no rules) on her new studio album. In “Así Soy Yo,” –-a refreshing mambo reggaetón jam — she makes it clear that she’s not changing her ways for nobody. What remains consistent, however, is her reign as “La Mujer de Fuego” (the woman of fire), bringing to life 10 tracks that, for the most part, are innovative merengue fusions: “Vamos A Ser Feliz” with Christian Alicea, “Escondidos” with Sergio Vargas, and the Eddy Herrera-assisted “Ya No Soy Ajena” — a clever response to Herrera’s 2001 mega hit “Tu Eres Ajena.”
The Puerto Rican tropical star also experiments on Así Yo Soy: Her powerhouse vocals and empowering, relatable lyrics shine on the vallenato tune “Enseñame,” with Jorge Celedon and Lenier, while she takes on música Mexicana on “Amarte Me Hace Daño” and punk rock on “Tu Quieres Que Contigo Yo Me Vaya.” The set wraps with the ultra personal ballad “No Sé Quien Soy,” in collaboration with Lenier. — JESSICA ROIZ
Mau y Ricky, Hotel Caracas (Warner Music Latina)
For their third studio album, Mau y Ricky literally returned to their roots by taking a three-month trip through their native Venezuela, 15 years after moving to Miami as children. Led by producer Malay (Frank Ocean, Lorde, Fletcher), and inspired in music they listened to since their childhood, the Montaner brothers created songs using entirely acoustic arrangements, a lot of horns and brass, while experimenting with pop, funk, Latin and urban sounds.
The result is Hotel Caracas, a 16-track set that includes the previously released singles “Vas a Destrozarme,” “Pasado Mañana,” the Guaynaa-assisted “Gran Día” and “Canción 2,” as well as collaborations with Arcángel on “Hasta Olvidarte” and Ilegales in “Espectacular.” Each comes with a music video filmed in different corners of Venezuela, along with a 15-episode documentary on their exciting journey, directed by Daniel Durán and available here.
“Hotel Caracas is a journey into the future while reconnecting with our roots,” Mau y Ricky say in a press release. “We revisited our passion for writing songs without following formulas or rules, driven by curiosity.” With songs that also include “Muriendo de Miedo,” “David Beckham,” “Amarte Tanto” and “Karma,” among others, it’s a fun ride from start to finish, full of nostalgia, humor and good vibes. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Gusi, Monte Adentro (Gaira Música Local)
Gusi embarks on a profound, introspective journey to reconnect with his Caribbean roots while infusing them with pop sounds in Monte Adentro. “This album is an invitation to look at that place where we belong,’ Gusi passionately shared during the launch of his new album in Miami on May 30. “Many of us have arrived in the United States with a latent dream that never stops. But we always have an invisible thread there that ties us to some place, some corner.”
This seven-track set is a collaborative project between Gusi and iconic Latin producer Emilio Estefan Jr. Together, they worked at Crescent Moon Studios in Miami, which, in Gusi’s words, “being at that studio felt like an award.” They worked on the album for ten days; Estefan chatted with Billboard during the launch and explained how, for him, music has to be done quickly to maintain its magic. “Music is like love; you click, and you fall in love fast, and you fall out of love fast, too,” he says.
The album aims to celebrate the diversity of Latin America, and it’s beautifully represented in this album full of rich fusions of accordions, trumpets and guitars with Gusi’s sweet vocals, as we hear in “Amores No Correspondidos,” “Me Voy Contigo” and the folkloric flauta de millo-featuring “Mil Ave Marias.” Meanwhile, the focus track gives the album its name and encompasses all the meaning it has for Gusi, as well as the importance of always wanting to return to his roots. — INGRID FAJARDO
Omar Montes, Lola Índigo & Las Chuches, “EL PANTALON (RUMBAS)” (Sony Music Latin)
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Spanish singer Omar Montes joins fellow hitmakers Lola Indigo and Las Chuches for a vibrant collaboration on “El Pantalon – Rumbas”, creating a summer explosion. This cheerful flamenco rumba fused with urban music is a remix of Las Chuches’ classic 2004 hit “El Pantalon.” “I’m looking around the square to buy some pants/ Let them fit me very tight, let them fit me hesitantly,” they sing in unison — while, in the video clip, they are seen walking through a local market, as (you guessed it) they look for the famous pants. — LUISA CALLE
Manuel Medrano, Perfecto (Warner Music México)
Manuel Medrano takes his time between albums, and that’s why they come out so well. Perfecto comes three years after Eterno, and it was worth the wait. Perfecto is sophisticated, yet commercial, an album that explores pop, funk, dance and soul with elegance and attitude. “Verano En NY” is just like its title-chill, urban, fun; “Este Cuento” is uptempo pop with mixes of dance and acoustic guitars; “Luna” (with Arthur Hanlon on piano) is a sweeping acoustic ballad, backed by atmospheric strings; and “Miel” is pure disco. Throughout, Medrano’s deep, distinctive voice and well-crafted lyrics shine, always a welcome combination. — LEILA COBO
Grupo Firme, “El Beneficio de la Duda” (Music VIP Entertainment)
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Grupo Firme is known for its party songs, but how well they do ballads? In “El Beneficio de la Duda”, composed by Joss Favela, Eduin Caz unleashes an emotion that is rarely seen in his music. This norteño ballad, accompanied by the accordion’s lament, is short and beautiful. “I don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt, but I’ll be grateful if someday you give it to me,” Caz implores in the video, singing in the rain and showing another aspect of his great musicality. — L. Cobo
Manu Chao, “Viva Tú” (Radio Bemba)
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There’s something nostalgic and poetic about “Viva Tú,” Manu Chao’s latest single that pays homage to heartfelt connections. The eternal troubadour captures the simple joys of life, weaving them into a tribute that feels both personal and universal. It thrives on the heart-rending strums of a nylon guitar set to a mellow rhythm of a rumba; while, flamenco-styled vocal embellishments further enrich the tune. The track announces his upcoming solo studio album, out later this year — the first since 2007’s La Radiolina. “Cada día que me enamoro,” he sings, honoring everyday heroines from the baker to the sweeper, each verse blooming with admiration, celebrating the unassuming beauty of daily interactions. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
Do you speak Anitta? It may sound like a rhetorical question given the Brazilian star’s universal hits, but it’s actually the name of a temporary Spotify activation at the Museu da Língua Portuguesa (National Museum of Language) in São Paulo. Open until June 2, visitors will get to “dive deep” into the world of the […]
Daddy Yankee’s “Que Tire Pa’ ‘Lante” demanded attention that YouTube viewers couldn’t resist, as the Puerto Rican’s superstar’s dancehall-reggaetón hit has entered the Billion Views Club.
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Released in 2019 by El Cartel Records and Warner Chappell Music, this track not only highlights Daddy Yankee’s verbal agility — seriously, try rapidly repeating “Que tire, que tire, que tire, que tire, que tire, que tire, que tire” like he does — but it also cleverly integrates the dancehall classic “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers, crafting a relentless rhythmic powerhouse.
The music video — directed by Marlon Peña and set against a neon-lit urban desert — is a compelling showcase of global street-dance talent. Dancers from varied backgrounds burst into the scene, each adding their distinctive style to the exhilarating dance-off presided over by Daddy Yankee. His dynamic presence and powerful performance ensure viewers are glued to their screens, reflecting the song’s energetic call to keep the dance momentum strong.
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The visual also features inventive bitmoji cameos from Latin juggernauts such as Anuel AA, Bad Bunny, Darell, Natti Natasha, Wisin and Lennox.
Beyond its visual appeal, “Que Tire Pa’ ‘Lante” boasts impressive chart success, reaching the No. 1 spot on multiple Billboard charts, including Latin Airplay, Latin Rhythm Airplay and Argentina Hot 100.
This track marks Daddy Yankee’s eighth victory lap as a lead, featured artist or collaborator in the YouTube Billion Views Club, joining the ranks of “Despacito” with Luis Fonsi, “Con Calma” with Snow, “Dura” and more.
Watch the “Que Tire Pa’ ‘Lante” video below.
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