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Kendrick Lamar is a student of the rap game, and Questlove was surprised to see the West Coast hip-hop savant pay homage to The Roots with his “Squabble Up” video. The Roots drummer stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show on Thursday (May 22), where he opened up about Lamar recreating the scene from the Philly […]
Dan Storper, the co-founder and CEO of Putumayo World Music, died on Thursday (May 22) at 74, just two days after his birthday. Sources confirm that he passed peacefully at home in New Orleans, surrounded by family, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jacob Edgar, founder of the label Cumbancha and Storper’s longtime friend and colleague, shared a heartfelt statement with Billboard Español: “Just three days ago, I posted birthday wishes to Dan Storper, the founder of Putumayo World Music and my colleague and friend for nearly 30 years. I knew then that Dan was in his last days, but I couldn’t imagine a world without him. He passed away yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.”
Edgar, who began working with Storper in 1998 after being offered what he called “the dream job no one could dare dream of,” described the late visionary as “an exceptional human,” he wrote. “Funny, energetic, passionate, micromanaging, and compulsive. A workaholic to the extreme. He could drive you crazy, but you loved him anyway because his heart was in the right place, and he was a good soul.”
In 2023, the globetrotting entrepreneur marked 30 years of his groundbreaking label.
But Storper’s journey with Putumayo began long before the label existed. Originally launched in the 1970s in New York as a store selling handcrafted goods and musical finds from his travels in Latin America, Africa, India, and beyond, the shop gradually shifted its focus to music. By 1993, it had transformed into Putumayo World Music, a record label dedicated to curating global sounds for a wider audience, co-founding it with Michael Kraus.
The label became an international success, celebrated for its uplifting and culturally diverse compilations. Known for its signature brightly illustrated album covers and expertly sequenced playlists, Putumayo invited listeners to embark on musical journeys across continents, introducing many to the rhythms, traditions, and languages of faraway lands. Storper’s leadership helped bridge cultural divides through the universal language of music.
In an interview with Billboard Español in 2023, Storper reflected on what he saw as Putumayo’s mission. “I look back with a certain measure of pride at the fact that we’ve really introduced so many people to music that they were not familiar with — whether it be Latin, African, Caribbean, European, and more,” Storper said at the time, as he reflected on his company’s three-decade legacy. He also mentioned that Carlos Santana met several African bands through the Putumayo catalog that the guitarist later ended up collaborating with.
Storper also spoke fondly of how the label crafted its signature compilations. “Putumayo’s strength is not only selecting some great songs with that human touch, but putting together a sequence to take you on a musical journey, and as we say, it’s guaranteed to make you feel good,” he added.
Even as his health declined, Storper’s commitment to preserving global music remained unwavering. This April, he and Edgar donated their shared archive of 37,000 CDs — a collection built over more than 30 years — to the Harvard Music Library and the ARChive of Popular Music. “He and I listened to almost every one of those albums and scrawled notes over most of them marking out the tracks we thought had a chance to make into a Putumayo collection someday. I’m glad to know that legacy will be preserved,” said Edgar.
This week in dance music: Dua Lipa covered Daft Punk’s essential “Get Lucky” while on tour in France, Calvin Harris posted an eight-minute video in response to plagiarism accusations from Chicane and we spoke with BPM festival co-founder Phil Pulitano about his new event, a boutique show happening this January in the Puerto Rican rainforest. […]
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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Jesse & Joy, Lo Que Nos Faltó Decir (Warner Music Latina)
With a range of sounds representative of their bicultural upbringing (Mexico-U.S.), Jesse & Joy present an eclectic 13-track album that spans pop, regional music, singer-songwriter styles, and soul. “A sonic journey between two worlds, five cities, and all the words yet to be said,” as described in the press release, the Huerta siblings’ seventh album was produced by Martin Terefe along with Jesse, and recorded across London, New York, Los Angeles, Bogotá, and Mexico City.
Collaborators include Carlos Vives, Banda MS, Elsa y Elmar, Eden Muñoz and Poo Bear, on songs as varied as the focus track “Empinar el Codo” with Vives — a heartbreak-themed pop song with a festive vibe — or the bilingual reggae track “Nube” with Poo Bear, about feeling on cloud nine when experiencing the excitement of new love. The album opens with the sweet instrumental “Canción de Mylo” and follows with the uptempo “Digas Lo Que Digas,” one of the previously released singles, which also include “Cuando Estamos a Solas” in support of Coming Out Day. Especially moving is the title track, a heart-wrenching ballad in Jesse & Joy’s signature style.
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Lo Que Nos Faltó Decir coincides with the launch of the duo’s El Despecho Tour 2025. It also comes at a special moment for Joy, who was recently nominated for a Tony Award as a composer for the Broadway musical Real Women Have Curves. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Morat, Ya Es Mañana (Universal Music Spain)
Morat’s fifth studio album Ya Es Mañana showcases a loyal band that skillfully navigates its evolution without sacrificing its true essence. Inspired by the powerful electric guitar riffs of the ’90s, this emotional set travels from the engaging “Faltas Tú” to the captivating “Me Toca A Mí,” a collaboration with Camilo that thunders with potent drum beats and echoes Def Leppard’s classic sound. Among the 14 gems are “Antes De Cumplir Los 30,” which tells a story of youthful reflection; “Por Si No Te Vuelvo A Ver,” filled with poignant longing; “La Policía,” which carries an undercurrent of social commentary; and “Cuarto De Hotel” with its rich, atmospheric emotion. The standout “Vuelvo A Ti” captures the spirit of a new awakening with its refreshing and heartfelt approach.
“This is the moment to make the most of life, to be aware of what we must do now to create an incredible future. For us, this album embodies the idea of the band we have always wanted to be, and we hope you enjoy it,” said Juan Pablo Villamil during the band’s album release party in Miami on Thursday (May 22). — INGRID FAJARDO
Carín León & Maluma, “Si Tú Me Vieras” (Socios Music)
After teaming up for the runway hit “Según Quién” two years ago, which peaked at No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay, Carín León and Maluma join forces once again for “Si Tu Me Vieras,” one of the new tracks from León’s Palabra de To’s (Seca) deluxe album. The two songs couldn’t be more different from each other: Unlike “Según,” which leans more pop with horn instruments giving it that regional touch, “Si Tu Me Vieras” is more acoustic, with prickly guitars and a slapping tololoche leading the way for a more stripped-down approache. Lyrically, both are ultra vulnerable singing about not being able to overcome a heartbreak. “If you could see how I suffer realizing you’re no longer with me,” they sing, almost wailing. León’s deluxe release includes three other new songs, including “Me Está Doliendo” with Alejandro Fernández, “Tres Pesos” and “Por La Suave.” — GRISELDA FLORES
Sergio George, Ataca Sergio! Presents: Urban Salsa Sessions (Sony Music Latin)
In early 2024, Latin producer Sergio George gave the first taste of his ambitious project “Urban Salsa Sessions” with the release of “La Puerta” in collaboration with Jay Wheeler. The heartfelt tropical tune set the tone for what would become the hitmaker’s new studio album — where he reunited some of the biggest names in urban & pop to create brand new salsa songs. The focus track, “La Gata y el Ratón,” features Fariana’s sensual vocals, Juanes’ electric guitar riffs and a sample of Cheo Feliciano’s original voice for a bold interpolation of Cheo’s 1974 classic “El Ratón.”
Moreover, George reeled in Ryan Castro on “Amor Material,” Anthony Ramons singing salsa in English on “I Was the One,” Elena Rose and Oscar D’ Leon on “Me Das Fever” and Cuban newcomer Bebeshito on “Lo Sabe,” where he cleverly blends salsa music with Cuba’s booming urban genre, reparto. Beyond its colorful and flavorful rhythms, Ataca Sergio! Presents: Urban Salsa Sessions, is also home to uplifting and motivational tunes such as the Mike Bahía and Annasofia-assisted “Gracias,” a modern-day salsa with gospel undertones about gratitude, and closing track “La Vida es Una FIesta” with Wisin. — JESSICA ROIZ
Mau y Ricky, Danny Ocean & Yorghaki, “Samaná” (Why Club Records)
After collaborating in 2024 on “La Penúltima,” Venezuelan stars Mau y Ricky and Danny Ocean join forces again —this time also with their compatriot Yorghaki— on “Samaná,” a summer love song whose title is the name of a Dominican coastal city. In this fusion of bachata with Latin and Caribbean sounds, the artists sing about their desire to rekindle a fleeting romance with the woman of their dreams amidst sandy, sun-drenched parties: “I ask God to take care of you/ And if you’re with someone, to be careless/ I don’t know if it took me too long to tell you/ But I want to finish what started in Samaná.”
“‘Samaná’ is the result of several friends coming together to do what they love,” Mau y Ricky says in a press release — a camaraderie that’s also evident in the music video and the artists’ social media posts. — S.R.A.
Alex Ponce, “Como Ella Ya No Hay” (Neon16/Sony Music Latin)
Ecuadorian singer-songwriter Alex Ponce addresses his ex’s new love in his new single “Como Ella Ya No Hay.” The lyrics are a manual for loving a lost love well. With an electropop base, an irresistible electric bass groove and enveloping harmonies, the song vibrates between what was and what will no longer be. For those who have loved badly and understood it too late, this song hits straight to the soul. — LUISA CALLE
Myke Towers, “Baja California” (From F1 The Movie) (Atlantic Records/Apple Video Programming)
Set against the rugged terrain of the Northern Mexican state it’s named after, Myke Towers’ “Baja California” captures the thrill of adrenaline-fueled velocity with unapologetic swagger. Interpolating Black Sheep’s early-’90s hip-hop classic “The Choice Is Yours,” the Puerto Rican rapper turbocharges the track with the chaos and control of dirt bike trails, daunting mountains and the tempestuous coastline.
Produced by El Guincho and Oscar, the single also mirrors the tension and raw energy of the Formula 1 universe. Towers weaves sharp bars about risk, mastery, and chasing victory, embodying a speed demon fearlessly living on instinct (“a la adrenalina nunca le he tenido fobia,” he raps). “Baja California” is part of F1: The Album (out June 27), the official soundtrack for the Apple Original Film, starring Brad Pitt. As the only Latin artist featured on the soundtrack album, Towers holds his own on a star-studded roster that includes Ed Sheeran, Sexyy Red, Burna Boy, and Tiësto. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Bronco, Tour 45 En Vivo (REC PRIME INC)
The iconic regional Mexican group celebrates its four-and-a-half-decade-long career with this compilation of 16 songs recorded live — 13 of which are duets with international acts from various music genres, such as Julieta Venegas, Matisse, Aleks Syntek, Vagón Chicano, Guaynaa, and Los Auténticos Decadentes. The album was recorded throughout 2024, during the group’s Tour 45 performances in the U.S., Central and South America, in iconic venues including Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City, and the Jockey Club in Asuncion, Paraguay. Among the songs included in this collectors piece are “Pastillas de Amnesia,” “Libros Tontos,” “Oro,” “Nunca Voy a Olvidarte” and “Con Zapatos de Tacón.” Definitely a great gift for true fans of Bronco, a legend of Spanish-language music. — TERE AGUILERA
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
As spring is winding down, Alex Warren and Jelly Roll, Joe Jonas and more are heating things up with new music released this past week. Nearly a month after debuting the song live during the TikToker’s guest appearance at the “Son of a Sinner” musician’s Stagecoach set in April, the twosome have dropped new duet […]
Skilla Baby (real name Trevon Gardner) was the victim of a drive-by shooting in Redford, Mich., on Thursday evening (May 22), Billboard can confirm. A press release from the Redford Township Police Department — who did not identify the Detroit rapper — said a male was transported to a local hospital to have his non-life-threatening injuries treated.
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The lead investigator on the case, Edward French, told TMZ that the suspect pulled up alongside the rapper’s car and fired an estimated 25 times.
The press release noted that he suffered three non-fatal gunshot wounds before crashing his vehicle into a building in the area of 8 Mile and Centralia around 7 p.m. local time. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered a bullet-ridden vehicle, but Skilla Baby — who was alone in the car, according to the press release — was already being transported to a local hospital.
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Per FOX2, the rapper was grazed in the head and back, and also shot in the hand area. He was alert during his time in the hospital and is expected to recover.
Police are still searching for the unidentified gunman, who fled the scene.
Billboard has reached out to Skilla Baby’s reps for comment.
Last year, Skilla partnered with the Detroit City Council to produce a gun buyback event, aiming to reduce gun violence across his hometown.
“It was successful,” the 26-year-old told Billboard of the event. “We got 300 guns off the street. I think the underrated part of the gun buyback was that it was a job fair and we expunged a lot of people’s records. That was important to me, because I’m a felon, and to help people change their life and the trajectory of their future — people judge you, and it’s hard to be successful when you’re a felon.”
2024 was a busy year for Skilla Baby, who delivered a pair of projects with The Coldest to start the campaign, followed by Crack Music 3 in November.
Sheryl Crow unfurled her new single “I Know” on Friday (May 23) in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. On the tender ballad, the nine-time Grammy winner lays out the importance of empathy and connection as she sings, “But maybe I could hold your hand/ And count the teardrops as they flow/ And promise never […]
Morgan Wallen has scored his first No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart with his new 37-track LP, I’m the Problem, on Friday (May 23). The Tennessee-born country star first charted in the U.K. in 2023 with One Thing at a Time debuting at No. 40. The Official Charts Company reports that he joins […]
Alex Warren is closing in on chart history as “Ordinary” hits a 10th consecutive week at No. 1 on the U.K.’s Singles Chart dated May 23. By heading into double-figures, he now matches Harry Styles’ “As It Was” (2022), Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” (2023) and Dave and Central Cee’s “Sprinter”(2023) as one of the U.K.’s longest […]
Miley Cyrus isn’t above making sacrifices for her art. While guesting on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Friday (May 23), the pop star revealed that she caught a “brutal” infection in her leg after filming a not-so-hygienic scene for her upcoming Something Beautiful film — resulting in a condition that was so nasty, even her doctors were grossed out.
As seen in some of the previews for Something Beautiful — the accompanying visual to Cyrus’ fast-approaching album of the same name — the musician at one point rolls around on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the film. But while breaking down the scene for Kimmel, Cyrus revealed that she didn’t have the budget to rent out the iconic strip, so she simply went and filmed there in the middle of the night — meaning there was no time or opportunity for her team to clean the ground on which countless people tread day in and day out, before she fully subjected herself to any germs and bacteria on the premises while shooting.
About a month later, the Grammy winner says she had to go to the ICU because her “leg began to disintegrate” around her knee. “The doctor goes, ‘Do you have any idea why you would have such a brutal infection on your kneecap?’” she said, noting that her mind immediately flashed back to writhing around on the unspeakably dirty Walk of Fame.
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“To have a surgeon look at you and say, ‘Yuck,’” Cyrus continued as audience members laughed. “Like, they open up cadavers, they see inside the guts of humans, and they’re looking at me telling me I’m disgusting.”
Fans can check out a snippet of the scene in question in trailers for Something Beautiful, but they won’t get to see the full thing until the film premieres in theaters for one night only on June 12 in the United States and Canada, and June 27 worldwide. The album itself drops May 30, with Cyrus unveiling the tracklist — featuring collaborations with Brittany Howard and Naomi Campbell — earlier in May.
Cyrus’ conversation with Kimmel comes just one day after her sit-down with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe went live, featuring the Hannah Montana alum getting candid about her sobriety. “I’ve learned this about myself over the years,” she said in the interview. “The sobriety is like, that’s like my God. I need it, I live for it. I mean that it’s changed my entire life.”
She also opened up about why winning her first-ever Grammys — best pop solo performance and record of the year for Billboard Hot 100-topping hit “Flowers” — in 2024 was a “healing” experience for her. “I think somewhere inside of me, I needed maybe to hold a trophy and just feel for a moment that I have something that I can hold in my hands that feels like a true achievement,” she told Lowe.
Also on Kimmel, Cyrus performed “More to Lose,” one of the singles off Something Beautiful. The album has also been led by “Prelude,” “End of the World” and its title track.
Watch Cyrus’ full Jimmy Kimmel Live interview above.
