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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
It’s been an exciting week for music fans, with major stars from every genre dropping tracks and albums. To kick things off, Katy Perry returned with 143, her first album since 2020’s Smile. “I set out to create a bold, exuberant, celebratory dance-pop album with the symbolic 143 numerical expression of love as a throughline […]
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:
Country-rock trio The Cadillac Three, known for their top 40 Billboard Country Airplay song “The South,” has canceled the remainder of their tour dates for 2024 as lead singer Jaren Johnston seeks treatment for mental health.
After initially canceling a number of shows earlier in the week, on Friday, Sept. 20, The Cadillac Three members Johnston, Kelby Ray and Neil Mason updated fans, writing on their official X page. “Friends, we want to be honest with you. Jaren has entered treatment for his mental health and well-being,” the statement read. “The last few years have been challenging on a number of levels. The right thing to do right now is to make space to focus on family, health and longevity.”
They added of their upcoming shows, “With this news, our remaining 2024 shows will be canceled,” and advised fans to contact their point of purchase for refunds for the concerts they had scheduled through the remainder of the year. “We love our fans and the community we’ve built together. Canceling concerts is not something we take lightly. We have no doubt we will ride down the road again. Until then, we appreciate your respect and support for Jaren and his family.”
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In addition to fronting The Cadillac Three, Johnston is known as a prolific songwriter, having contributed writing to hits by Tim McGraw (“Meanwhile Back at Mama’s”), Keith Urban (“You Gonna Fly” and Urban’s Eric Church collaboration “Raise ‘Em Up”), Tyler Hubbard (“5 Foot 9”) and Jake Owen (“Days of Gold,” “American Country Love Song”). Most recently, Johnston contributed the song “B—h on the Sauce (Just Drunk”) on Miranda Lambert’s new album Postcards From Texas.
Among the shows the band had slated for the remainder of the year were appearances at the upcoming Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival in Franklin, Tenn., as well as shows at Grizzly Rose in Denver and the iconic Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas.
In addition to making music with their own self-described “country fuzz” sound, members of the group are also business leaders, with Johnston and Mason having launched their War Buddha label in conjunction with Warner Records last year. The label’s first signee was Rhett Madison.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is not in any danger of self-harm despite being placed on a suicide watch as he awaits trial, his representatives tell Billboard.
“Mr. Combs is strong, healthy and focused on his defense,” a spokesperson for the music mogul explains. “He is committed to fighting this case and has full confidence in both his legal team and the truth.”
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The decision to put Diddy on suicide watch is “procedural with high-profile clients,” the insider told NBC News. Sources also told People that the move was a preventative measure.
Diddy was arrested Monday (Sept. 16) in New York City, and Manhattan federal prosecutors have since unveiled the substance of their case against Combs — accusing him of operating a criminal enterprise centered on his “pervasive pattern of abuse toward women.”
He was denied bail at his Sept. 17 arraignment, and is currently facing up to life in prison for three felony charges. The next step for Combs will be an initial pretrial conference next week before Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr., the federal district judge who will oversee his trial.
In a video obtained by CNN earlier this year and dated March 5, 2016, Combs appears to shove his longtime former partner, Cassie Ventura, to the ground near an elevator bank, kick her several times while she lies on the ground and drag her down a hallway. The contents of the video mirror an assault allegation Ventura made in a now-settled lawsuit she filed against Diddy in November.
Ventura was the first to accuse Diddy of sexual assault, filing a lawsuit in November in which attorneys for Cassie claimed she “endured over a decade of his violent behavior and disturbed demands,” including repeated physical attacks and forcing her to “engage in sex acts with male sex workers” while he masturbated. According to the complaint, after she attempted to separate from him in 2018 after an on-and-off public relationship for 11 years, Combs allegedly “forced her into her home and raped her while she repeatedly said ‘no’ and tried to push him away.” The case was soon settled, but Combs was then sued by multiple other women who claimed they were sexually abused by the hip-hop mogul.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call the confidential National Domestic Violence Hotline toll-free at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org.
On this week’s (Sept. 6) episode of the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century podcast, we take a look at a pair of enduring all-time greats: the Queen of Latin Music Shakira and the rap GOAT Jay-Z. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news First, host Andrew Unterberger is […]
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dissed Nicky Jam and Anuel AA when the subject turned to Donald Trump at a recent congressional hearing.
While questioning Mark Krikorian, the executive director of the far-right Center for Immigration Studies, during an Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing Thursday (Sept. 19), the Bronx representative asked him whether he remembered the Donald Trump administration’s rumored desire to “sell” the island of Puerto Rico.
“I don’t even remember that one,” Krikorian replied, to which AOC countered, “I suppose that puts you and Nicky Jam and Anuel in the same boat.”
Nicky Jam was born and raised in Massachusetts, but has lived in Puerto Rico most of his life; Anuel is Puerto Rican. Billboard has reached out to reps for Ocasio-Cortez, Nicky Jam and Anuel AA for comment.
The hearing was dubbed “A Legacy of Incompetence: Consequences of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Policy Failures.” It came with 46 days left to go before the 2024 presidential election, in which both Latin music stars mentioned by AOC are championing Trump.
Anuel formally endorsed the Republican candidate at the former president’s rally in August, appearing on stage alongside fellow reggaetón star Justin Quiles. “The best president the world has seen, this country has ever seen, his name is President Trump,” the “China” musician said at the podium. “I personally spoke with him, he wants to help Puerto Rico grow and succeed as a country. He wants to keep helping Latinos in the U.S. Let’s keep doing things the right way and let’s make America great again.”
The following month, Jam appeared at Trump’s rally in Las Vegas, where the twice-impeached ex-POTUS mistakenly referred to the “X” singer as a “she.” “Do you know Nicky? She’s hot. Where’s Nicky?” Trump said while introducing the artist.
Despite the faux pas, Nicky Jam gave a passionate endorsement of the billionaire upon taking the microphone. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. President,” he told Trump. “We need you. We need you back, right? We need you to be the president.”
He and Anuel are two of several musicians who are backing Trump’s re-election bid this year, alongside Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Kodak Black, Lil Pump, Sexyy Red and Billy Ray Cyrus. Democratic opponent Kamala Harris, however, also has a litany of A-list artists on her side, from Taylor Swift to Billie Eilish, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, John Legend and more.
Watch AOC call out Nicky Jam and Anuel AA below.
K-pop girl group aespa blast off into space with a new Grimes-assisted remix of their hit single “Supernova.” The song from the four-woman group’s debut studio album, Armageddon – The 1st Album, gets an intergalactic brush-up as part of a six-track remix EP that dropped on Friday (Sept. 20), iScreaM Vol. 33 ” Supernova / Armageddon Remixes.
In an X post, Grimes explained why she stepped out of her typical lane for the project. “I normally don’t do remixes but I could not resist messing with this accapella even tho the original production on this song is undefeatable,” Grimes wrote. “I went back to cyber twee for this and even had @angelfir_e sit behind me and stop me every time I tried to overthink the production so… it’s very grimesy.”
She’s not kidding. While the original track from KARINA, GISELLE, WINTER AND NINGNING was a snappy, hyper dance pop banger, in Grimes’ hands it gets a firmware update with chilly, metallic beats, Grimes’ signature alien chirp sped-up vocals, celestial harmonies and new wave keyboards.
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In addition, on Instagram Grimes said sorry/not sorry for changing the song’s alluring chorus and drilling down on a lyric she was entranced by. “I know I changed the hook but I was so shook by the lyric ‘bring no light of a dying star’ that was casually in there. Felt like it needed a moment,” she wrote. Grimes also posted a series of pics with the group in which she rocks a futuristic jumpsuit and sparkly red glasses. “rip the old grimes she wud have loved dis,” she wrote alongside the snaps.
In addition to the Grimes “Supernova” remix, the EP features three new remixes of the album’s title track — by Flava D, 2Spade and Mount XLR — as well as the original versions of the title track and “Supernova.” On X, Grimes revealed that she did her own “Armageddon” remix as well, noting, “idk if they want it but I could ask. I also have a second supernova remix that’s kinda good but my baby destroyed the computer it was on so it’s unmixable.”
iScreaM Vol. 33 is part of a four-year-old series from SM’s EDM label ScreaM Records featuring remixes of songs by SM artists that has perviously featured revamps of tracks from NCT 127, SHINee, Red Velvet, Taeyeon, Girls’ Generation and others. Armageddon – The 1st Album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart in July, marking the quartet’s fifth project to debut in the top 10 on that tally.
Listen to Grimes’ “Supernova” remix and see her statement below.
I normally don’t do remixes but I could not resist messing with this accapella even tho the original production on this song is undefeatable. I went back to cyber twee for this and even had @angelfir_e sit behind me and stop me every time I tried to overthink the production so… https://t.co/Tz9qya39Ri— 𝖦𝗋𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗌 ⏳ (@Grimezsz) September 16, 2024
Diddy’s federal indictment has sent shockwaves throughout the hip-hop community. TMZ caught up with Method Man earlier this week and asked the Wu-Tang Clan rapper about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest contributing to the possible downfall of hip-hop as we know it. “How? I don’t think that it has anything to do with hip-hop as far […]
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been placed on a suicide watch as he awaits trial in federal custody on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, NBC News and People reported on Friday (Sept. 20). The move is “procedural with high-profile clients,” the insider told NBC News. Sources also told People that the move was a preventative measure. […]