Latin
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Back in 2019, only 23% of the U.S. Latin population was familiar with the term “Latinx,” according to an extensive study published in 2021 by the Pew Research Center.
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Five years and one pandemic later, awareness for the term has doubled: Today, 47% of U.S. Latins say they are aware of the word “Latinx,” according to a new Pew report published in September. But most of them still don’t like it.
Only 4% of Latino adults say they have used Latinx to describe themselves, a fraction above the 3% who said the same in 2019.
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More telling, 75% of Latinos who have heard of the term say it should not be used to describe the Hispanic or Latino population, according to the new report. In fact, the report concludes, Latinx is “broadly unpopular among Latino adults who have heard of it.”
And the dislike has grown. Five years ago, when Pew published its first research on the recognition and use of Latinx, it found that 65% of adults familiar with the term rejected it. In other words, as awareness of the word Latinx went up, its embrace by the U.S. Latinos has gone down.
Why is that?
As Billboard reported back in 2021, when Pew published the surprising findings of its 2019 research, Latinx is a term born from good intentions. Spawned as part of the global movement to use gender neutral pronouns, it was seen as a term of inclusivity in Spanish, a language where many words are differentiated by gender (Spanish, for example, does not have an equivalent of the gender-neutral “the;” instead it uses “la” and “el” to refer to feminine and masculine respectively). The term gained popularity on college campuses and in marketing materials, and by 2018, Merriam Webster added it to its dictionary — where it defines the word as “of, relating to, or marked by Latin American heritage.”
As an inclusive word, Latinx made some inroads. According to the Pew study, 40% of the LGBQT community says the term should be used to identify the Latino or Hispanic population. But a majority in the LGBQT community, 60%, still says it should not.
All other segments of the population dislike the term to an even bigger degree. Those who say it shouldn’t be used include immigrants (77%), U.S. born (74%), English dominant (74%), bilingual (75%), young adults between 18-29 (69%) and even those with college degrees (74%).
The antipathy may be the result of “Latinx” feeling like an imposed term divorced, from the people it’s supposed to describe. There is no way to adequately pronounce the word in Spanish, a fact Merriam Webster itself acknowledges in some of the articles it published about the word, writing: “More than likely, there was little consideration for how it was supposed to be pronounced when it was created.”
This is a problem. For one, those who don’t speak English simply don’t know how to pronounce the word; in Spanish, the x ix pronounced eh-quis, not ehks. Moreover, it would appear the word was not conceived by, or for, Spanish speakers, marking a clear demarcation for those who identify as Latin to begin with.
The dislike has been duly noted in many sectors. LULAC, one of the country’s oldest Hispanic rights associations dropped the term from its communications in 2021, saying it was “very unliked” by most Latins. And some government officials have gone as far as to propose the word be banned from official government communication. In the wake of the presidential election this month, the validity or not of the word Latinx was again brought up, but all the handwringing and dramatic reaction feels like overkill.
Truth is, there is no consensus among U.S. Latins on how to describe themselves — which in itself, is a reflection of the vast plurality of the population. According to the Pew study, the majority of respondents, 52%, prefer “Hispanic,” followed by 29% who prefer “Latin” or “Latino” and just 2% preferring Latinx. “Latine,” another gender inclusive adjective that is much easier to pronounce, is nevertheless lesser known; only 18% of respondents had heard the term.
When it comes to “Latin” music, which is defined as music predominantly in Spanish, most artists identify as “Latin,” “Latinos” or “Latinas.” But Spaniards identify as Spaniards, even if they’re doing “Latin” music.
Which is all to say, how individuals or groups identify themselves should be up to those individuals or groups, and certainly not to outside commercial and political interests to ban, impose or even give an opinion about.
As far as Billboard goes, Latin music will continue to be referred to as “Latin.” And artists who make music in Spanish will continue to be referred in whatever terminology they prefer.
Overwhelmingly, their term of choice is “Latin.”
La Bichota, it’s officially a Bratz! On Monday, Nov. 25, the lifestyle and fashion doll brand Bratz announced the launch of its Bratz x Karol G Collector Doll. Following Karol G‘s 2024 Latin Grammy win for best urban music album, the brand, celebrated for its bold self-expression, transformed the Colombian musician’s 2023 Latin Grammys look […]
Kevin Kaarl‘s new single “Esta Noche” has topped this week’s new music Latin poll. In a poll published on Friday (Nov. 22) — in support of the weekly New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — music fans voted for the Mexican singer-songwriter’s new track as their favorite music release of the week. The ultra nostalgic “Esta Noche” […]
Brazilian DJ Alok is poised to electrify the Amazon rainforest with a free concert expected to draw a massive crowd of 120,000.
Presented by Banco do Brasil, with sponsorships from the Government of Pará, Estrella Galicia, Vale and Vivo, and as part of the artist’s Áurea Tour, the landmark event will be livestreamed globally on Saturday (Nov. 23), marking the official one-year countdown to the international climate summit, COP30. Hosted at the Mangueirão Olympic Stadium in Belém, Pará, along the fringes of the Amazon jungle, the event is a celebration of resilience and hope for our planet’s future.
“We need to make COP pop,” Alok told Billboard Español days before the concert, expressing the desire to make the Conference of the Parties (COP) — the United Nations Climate Change Conference — more mainstream and accessible to the general public.
“It is [imperative] that the population understands the importance of COP30, which is going to be the most significant one in history,” he said. “We are approaching [what is called] the point of no return. Just this year in Brazil, we’ve lost an area equivalent to 130 cities the size of São Paulo — home to 11.5 million people — to deforestation. The forest cannot recover by itself. People need to realize that Brazil can be a leader in sustainable growth and how we can onboard others. The population must pressure our leaders to make real changes.”
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This approach will aim to bridge the gap between high-level climate negotiations and the general public’s understanding and involvement in these issues.
Local talent Joelma, Gaby Amarantos, Zaynara, Viviane Batidão and Pinduca are among the confirmed acts, as well as indigenous artists Mapu Huni Kuin, Owerá, Brô MC’s, Yawanawás, Célia Xakriabá, Kaingang and Guarani Nhandewa, who are also featured on Alok’s latest album, The Future Is Ancestral.
“We understand that the use of entertainment to engage society is fundamental,” the Governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, told Billboard. “It is an extraordinary opportunity to host the world’s largest climate change event, making Belém’s selection a new paradigm for humanity in valuing the rainforest. Alok has been doing this over time — not just now — defending the forest, valuing ancestral peoples, and connecting the history and challenges of the Amazon with a global dialogue. Through this connection, this allows us to make our voices heard around the globe.”
“What we present is the voice of the forest,” said Mapu Huni Kuin, spiritual leader, chief, and musician of the Huni Kuin people in Brazil. “We pray for the healing of humanity as we perform. This event in Belém is an offering of our prayers and chants, a profound plea for the welfare of all.”
“Participating in the Future Is Ancestral project allows us to bridge the gap between modern platforms and our ancient voices,” added Célia Xakriabá, an indigenous educator and activist of the Xakriabá people of Brazil. “For over five centuries, we’ve remained unheard, but today, our presence on platforms like these, alongside the greenery of forests and the resilience of our cultures, communicates crucial messages. Entertainment plays a unique role in conveying our message even to those reluctant to endorse our causes. If humanity wishes to survive, it must align with the perspectives of indigenous peoples, as our fight is for the survival of everyone’s future.”
The intersection of worlds at the event will be complemented by a cutting-edge, pyramid-like stage setup, featuring over 100 tons of equipment, a 360-degree rotating platform, and more than 2,000 LED panels to ensure an immersive experience.
The live stream will start at 7 p.m. ET. Watch it below:
Hundreds of people packed several streets of the Historic Center of Mexico City on Friday (Nov. 22) to listen and see live Puerto Rican star Rauw Alejandro, who sang from a balcony of a legendary mansion in a brief concert that went viral on social media. Dressed in the official jersey of the Mexican National […]
Carín León, Eladio Carrión, Morat and Kidd Voodoo have been added to the 64th annual Viña del Mar International Song Festival, organizers announced Friday (Nov. 22) night.
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They will be joining the previously announced stars Marc Anthony, Ha*Ash, Carlos Vives, Miryam Hernández, Duki, Sebastián Yatra and Bacilos. The event is scheduled to take place Feb. 23-28 at Viña del Mar, Chile.
“We have developed a lineup for the whole family, featuring international artists at their peak for younger audiences, as well as classics and historic performers for the older ones,” Viña del Mar Mayor Macarena Ripamonti said in a press release. “Every night is turning out to be very appealing, which allows those who attend Quinta Vergara and the millions who watch the Festival on television to enjoy a modern event, with the latest technology and full of innovation that we will announce in the coming weeks.”
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Hailing from Hermosillo, Sonora, Carín León, is one of the biggest forces behind the surge of regional Mexican music globally. He started his musical journey as a teen and rose to prominence after his solo debut in 2018, Amanecida Con Todo y Con Todos. With his recent offering, Boca Chueca, Vol. 1, he debuted on Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums charts at No. 8 and No. 5, respectively.
Colombian band Morat recently finished their Morat: Los Estadios tour across 25 stadiums in different countries, concluding Dec. 13 at the Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. Members Juan Pablo Isaza, Martín Vargas, Simón Vargas, and Juan Pablo Villamil have gained recognition for their pop-rock sensibility with hits such as “No Se Va,” and “Salir Con Vida,” and “Besos en Guerra.”
Latin trap star Eladio Carrión, of Puerto Rican descent, broke through in 2018 with certified gold hits like “Me Usaste” and “Si Tú Te Vas.” Earlier this year, he dropped Sol María, dedicated to his mother, which saw him expanding his genre versatility, and a hard-hitting trap EP Porque Puedo. He entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart twice with “Coco Chanel” and “Thunder & Lightning,” alongside Bad Bunny.
Chilean artist and member of the group 4F (Los Cuatro Fantásticos de la Música), Kidd Voodoo enjoys local popularity with hits like “Enrolar”, “Ese Guille” and “Dámelo BB.” He recently released “Satirología,” a single that in less than three weeks garnered over half a million views on YouTube.
Touted as the largest Latin music festival in the world, Viña del Mar spans six days and features a mix of celebrated stars, emerging talents, and local performers competing for the “Gaviotas” awards — silver, gold and platinum — judged by a panel and influenced by viewer feedback.
Since its 1960 inception, the festival takes place at the Quinta Vergara amphitheater, which has a capacity of 15,000 and is located in the Valparaíso region on the central coast.
This year introduces a first-time partnership between Megamedia and Bizarro Live Entertainment. Additionally, Disney+ will livestream the event throughout Latin America, and Billboard is set to provide exclusive global content on the website.
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.
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Thalia’s Christmas Agenda
This week, Thalia was confirmed as part of the “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” lineup, joining The Backstreet Boys, Coco Jones, Jennifer Hudson, and Dan + Shay, to name a few. She is set to perform at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony set to air at 8 p.m. ET on December 4 via NBC. The news comes just weeks after the Mexican star dropping her debut holiday EP, Navidad Melancólica, featuring standout collaboration “Nació La Luz” with Marcos Witt.
“I decided to release a Christmas album to transform these dates, which are often charged with social pressure and intense emotions, into a more positive and liberating experience,” the singer and actress said in a statement. “With this album, I seek to accompany those who wish to turn vulnerable moments into joyful and lasting memories. In addition, I saw in this project a beautiful opportunity to immortalize my own experiences, creating a musical legacy full of meaning and happiness.”
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Emilia’s New Movie Venture
On the heels of being nominated for best pop vocal album at the 2024 Latin Grammys, performing her vibrant “No_Se_Ve.mp3” at the ceremony, and participating at the Person of the Year gala, where she performed for Carlos Vives, Emilia is on to her next career venture. This time, she forms part of the forthcoming Moana sequel, having her own track called “Al Final” on the Moana 2 movie soundtrack. “It’s a dream. I still can’t believe it,” she expressed on her Instagram account. The Argentine artist previously starred as Sofía in Disney’s Entrelazados (Intertwined). Listen to “Al Final” below.
Honoring 30 Years of Intocable
Celebrating 30 years of Intocable, the Texas-based norteño band—known for their rich blends of rock, polka, pop, folk, and cumbia—will be honored with three prestigious recognitions in Texas. In a ceremony set for 6:30 p.m. on November 27 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, the tejano group will receive an official Proclamation from the Texas Governor’s Office; presented with the Texas Flag by the Texas House of Representatives; and will be named Emissary of the Muses by the city of San Antonio. “These honors celebrate Intocable’s enduring contributions to music and their cultural impact both within Texas and beyond,” reads an official statement.
Intocable
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Joaquina Named Gibson’s New Artist Spotlight
Earlier this week, Gibson announced Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter Joaquina as its new artist spotlight musician. A former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise and the 2023 Latin Grammy best new artist winner, Joaquina officially joins the program that kicked off this year that highlights an evolving roster of musicians who are celebrated across Gibson’s global channels. ““Currently, I’m working on my debut album, a project that has been about two years in the making,” the artist shared in an interview with Gibson. “It will be released in January 2025, and I’m working hard to make sure that this represents me as I navigated the last couple of years of my life. It’s been exciting to work hard on how it all sounds, looks, and feels.”
Joaquina poses with the award for Best New Artist in the media center for The 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at FIBES Conference and Exhibition Centre on Nov. 16, 2023 in Seville, Spain.
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Zhamira’s First 2X Platinum Plaque
Zhamira Zambrano has received her first-ever Multi-Platinum plaque from the RIAA for her heartfelt track “Extrañándote” in collaboration with Puerto Rican artist and her husband, Jay Wheeler. “Hi little Zhamy, who dreams of being a singer. Little by little you are achieving it! And although there are still many dreams to fulfill and a lot of work to do, today I want to tell you that you have your first 2X platinum plaque,” she sweetly expressed on her Instagram account, along with a set of photos of her career achievement.
“Extrañándote” peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart earlier this year, earning Zambrano her second Billboard top 10 hit. “The song emerged organically in the studio,’” Zambrano previously told Billboard. “We wanted to do something more upbeat than a ballad and that’s how ‘Extrañandote’ came to be, as always, aimed at love and heartbreak and that’s why many people relate. I’m super happy to know that people have made it their own.”
At the beginning of 2023, Quevedo announced a stop in his career. Six months earlier, the Spanish artist had topped the Global 200 chart with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” alongside Bizarrap, making him and Bizarrap the first artists from Spain and Argentina, respectively, to reach No. 1 on the listing.
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By then, Bizarrap was already known for his provocative Music Sessions, but outside of Spain, Quevedo was relatively unknown — even though a few months earlier he had reached No. 145 on the same chart with “Cayo La Noche,” a collaboration with El Ima, Cruz Cafuné, Bejo, La Pantera, Juseph, and Abhir Hathi.
However, “Vol. 52” was his big ticket to a global audience that immediately connected with his deep voice and catchy mix of dance, pop and urban music. In a matter of months, Quevedo became a star — and in January 2023, he released his first album, Donde Quiero Estar, which debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Albums chart.
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Although everything looked rosy, privately, Quevedo, who had just turned 21, felt tired and overwhelmed by the media, tours, pressure, and releases.
“From when I started to when we made ‘Cayo la Noche’ and the session with Bizarrap, I really didn’t have a chance to stop and decide: Do I like what I’m doing?” he says today. So he stopped.
For a year, he didn’t release music or give interviews. Until now.
On November 21, Quevedo returned with his second album, Buenas Noches, distributed through Rimas Entertainment, the home of his idol Bad Bunny. The 18-track set is a mix of pop and urban, with collaborations including Sech and De LaGhetto, but also surprises like Aitana and Pitbull, on a journey that ranges from totally fun to more introspective.
Not everything is as it seems. Much of the album’s aesthetic is based on red carpets and paparazzi, and the cover shows a smiling Quevedo with dark glasses talking to the cameras. But the photo is inspired by one of Michael Jordan, finally smiling when he decided to return to basketball after his father’s death. Now, after a year, Quevedo too is ready to return. Here is the story, which he tells to Billboard below.
Tell me about Buenas Noches.
It’s an eclectic album. Since I had not released music for a long time, what I most wanted was to flow in the studio and do things that I felt like doing. Make a fun album above all, not so introspective. There are songs that are more personal, but the majority are for people to have fun with. I made the album in very different stages. I released my first album in January 2023, but just before, when I had finished it in 2022, I started making this album. I made the first tracks in 2022. Then last year I did many camps, and this year I really got into the studio. But it has taken me over two years to make the album.
So, you really didn’t take a break from music?
For me, the break is not about not going to the studio. I love going to the studio. For me, it was about not being in the public eye. What I didn’t want was media pressure, keep traveling every week. It was about stopping and saying, okay, where do I want to take my career. I wanted was to disappear a bit from public view.
Why?
Everything was so pressed by the next thing that there was a moment when I said, “This was my dream, but it’s been a long time since I’ve considered if I’m happy with what I’m doing.” I started doing music because I love it. I don’t like being famous. It’s a consequence that I’m willing to assume if it means I can make music and live from it. But I don’t like being famous, I don’t like people getting into my life. What I love is that moment of creation.
I needed to stop and focus. Now I feel I have the strength to take everything up again, and I’m willing to deal with the things I don’t like so I can make my music.
Was there something that made you take the break and come back?
In 2022 I wrote “Ahora Qué,” a song that said: “2021 to sow, 2022 to reap, 2023 to crown, 2024 to disappear.” When I wrote that, I thought I’d take things a bit more slowly. But over time, in 2023, with the tour, the writing camps, there was a moment when I was making music only in camps, but not in my day-to-day. And at the same time, I moved to Madrid and was far from my family and my friends and my partner and there was a moment when I felt quite alone. There wasn’t a specific moment, but there was a moment of, “Damn, maybe I should take that song seriously.” At no point did I consider not coming back. What I specifically wanted was a moment to take for myself.
Can you describe the album?
It’s a very eclectic album, but there’s a sound with a lot of synths, drums, very 2008-2011 —Jason Derulo, Timbaland — strange mixes with new sounds and I think that’s the sound that repeats the most. The album is quite lively lyrically.
I hear many songs with many stories. The focus track, “Kassandra,” talks about a night with a celebrity who is always accompanied but ultimately is alone; “Iguales” is about a womanizing guy who sleeps with as many as he can, for example. Do all the songs have that element of storytelling?
Almost all. Ideas always flow more when I write [about] specific situations. There are many stories that I haven’t lived through 100%, but they’re inspired on things my friends tell me. That’s where my songs come from. I try to imagine situations.
You have a song with Pitbull, “Mr. Moondial.” How did it happen?
We always said, “Let’s do something very pop… very Pitbull.” We made the track, I recorded my bit, we called the song “Mr. Worldwide.” And we always said, we have to get Pitbull. But we didn’t know him. I don’t know him to this day, because he recorded two and a half weeks ago! But I’m sure we’ll meet him.
It’s an album with a beginning and an end and a context, at a time when many albums are simply collections of singles. What recent album inspires you?
In the current era, from the last eight years, I would say Motomami by Rosalía, for the way she created a new concept after El Mal Querer and all the imagery that album had. And then at a more urban reggaetón level, [Bad Bunny’s] YHLQMDLG is the album that changed the entire industry for me. Obviously, Latin music was already very popular, but that album confirmed Latin music ruled. It made people try to do things better. When I heard it, I said, “That’s it: From now on people are going to start making real albums.”
Watch the “Kassandra” video here.
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 Kevin Kaarl, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Maluma, to name a few. Spanish star Quevedo is back in the spotlight with Buenas Noches. The 18-track LP includes collaborators like Sech, […]
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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Quevedo, Buenas Noches (DQU Productions/Rimas Entertainment)
After being MIA for quite some time — just as he had a breakthrough year in 2022 with the ”BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52″ — Spanish hitmaker Quevedo is making a triumphant return with BUENAS NOCHES, his second album bur first under a new distribution deal with Rimas Entertainment. Describing this comeback — which will also include a tour — as “the most beautiful phase of my career,” his sophomore set truly stands out. The 18-track LP is packed with club-ready hits, including one with Pitbull himself (“MR. MOONDIAL) that’s reminiscent of the early 2000s, a dreamy 80s-like synth-pop tune with Aitana (“GRAN VÍA”) and a neo-reggaetón bop with La Pantera (“HALO”).
And while sonically this may seem like a rager album packed with party anthems, its lyrics are quite introspective, after all, this album was inspired by Quevedo’s late-night reflections, he expressed in a press statement. And it just so happens to be thoughts that are ultra relatable, as he sings about sex, love, heartbreak and even loneliness with other collaborators like De La Rose, De La Ghetto, Yung Beef, Sech, Rels B and Sin Nombre. His signature deep vocals soar in this nearly hour-long album that ushers a new, exciting era for Quevedo. — GRISELDA FLORES
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Maluma, “Cosas Pendientes” (Paris LG LTD/Sony Music Latin)
With the sounds of an acoustic guitar, Maluma opens the first verse of his new single, “Cosas Pendientes,” which translates to “Things Pending.” This song marks a return to the essence of his beloved 2015 era, “Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy,” taking it to new heights but a bit more pretty and more dirty. Reconnecting with an old love to resolve pending issues, he sings in the chorus: “Apparently she didn’t forget me/she’s still waiting/she wants to ignore me/but the tension is seen, felt.” The song is tied to a short film of revenge and glamour, including a surprise appearance by Colombian actor Luis Alfredo Velasco, known to fans as Dúver Cruz or Manín of La Reina del Flow. The video also highlights Maluma’s signature sound while he shaves his head, signaling an official symbolic return to the early days of his career. — INGRID FAJARDO
Grupo Frontera & Oscar Maydon, “¿Qué Te Parece?” (Grupo Frontera)
Grupo Frontera is on a romantic streak. Following their lovey-dovey hit “Hecha Pa’ Mi,” the group reels in Oscar Maydon for “¿Qué Te Parece?” (what do you think?). On the joyful, feel-good cumbia-norteño track, the two Música Mexicana acts serenade a beautiful lady, offering them the perfect dream date: “What beach should I take you to drink wine and have a romantic dinner? / What shoes do you like? What purse do you want? So I can gift it to you,” Maydon’s sugary vocals declare. “If you tell me yes, we’ll travel to Paris, I already have your lock,” he continues in the chorus, referring to the Pont des Arts, also known as the Love Lock Bridge in France. A playful music video, directed by Sauna and produced by Oriental Films, captures Frontera and Maydon performing the song on a tennis court, where they are surrounded by a diverse group of bachelorettes. — JESSICA ROIZ
Gilberto Santa Rosa, Debut y Segunda Tanda, Vol. 2 (B2B Music)
“El Caballero de la Salsa” Gilberto Santa releases Debut y Segunda Tanda Vol. II, a continuation of a project that began in 2022 and that includes a mix of new songs and reinterpretations of past hits. From the first chords of “Piedra y Agua,” through “Como Si Fuera Nuestra” – both debuts – Santa Rosa makes us dance with bright brasses, powerful choruses and his unmistakable style and voice. The list of new songs includes, among others, “Tratando de Acercarme,” which stands out for its softer rhythm and instrumentation, and the cheerful “Fin de Semana” with Gerardo Rivas. As for covers, there are “Vamos a Ver” by David Torrens, “Tun Tun” by Kelvis Ochoa — with and infectious chorus and romantic lyrics — and “La Marea” by Rubén Blades for a gran finale.
“This album represents for me the opportunity to explore and present something different, but always maintaining my essence,” the salsa icon said in a press release. “Is an invitation to share my love for music, in all its forms, and to dance or grieve together once again.” It is a work worthy of any Latin New Year’s Eve party and adds to the extensive repertoire of one of the most beloved artists of the tropical genre. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Kevin Kaarl, “Esta Noche” (Kevin Kaarl)
There’s a warmth to Kevin Kaarl’s “Esta Noche,” an ultra nostalgic song that brings to mind the magic of ’90s pop and rock en español. Listening to the Mexican indie artist’s singular and soothing vocals is almost disarming, and it’s easy to get lost in the song’s folky vibe as Kaarl sings emotionally and vividly about love and heartbreak, injecting pathos in every verse. “Esta Noche” was produced by his twin brother, Bryan Kaarl, who first joined Kevin for “Te Quiero Tanto.” The new track’s music video is the first installment of a trilogy of visuals that will culminate in a short film. “Esta Noche” is the first single off his forthcoming studio album, ULTRA SODADE. — G.F.
Leo Rizzi & Lasso, “QUEBRANTO” (Atlantic Records Spain)
As a nostalgic nod to South American rock of the ’80s, emerges the new collaboration between Spanish-Uruguayan singer-songwriter Leo Rizzi and Venezuelan Lasso called “QUEBRANTO.” The pop single manages to capture the magic of legendary Argentine rock riffs and the essence of the music of that golden age. In the lyrics, the pair sing about finding a way out of pain and the desire for redemption in the face of life’s trials. The music video encapsulates that same nostalgia, with retro visuals and the artists’ ’80s aesthetics, transporting us back to that era. — LUISA CALLE
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below: