on the radar
Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.
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Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered either by networking or coming across their music at a showcase, and beyond. See our recommendations this month below:
Deny K
Country: Colombia / Italy
Trending on Billboard
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Born in Colombia, but residing almost his entire life in Italy, Deny K (real name: Jhon Daniel Castro) is an artist and producer whose main mission is to shed more visibility on the global reggaetón scene in Europe. At only 23 years old, Deny K is already signed to Empire Records and has released a number of singles that flaunt his experimental versatility, from reggaetón to corridos to urban fusions with Middle Eastern rhythms.
His charming and boy-next-door personality, backed up by his dulcet vocals, can be heard on his most recent collaboration “WOA,” a flirty dembow with Dominican artist Angel Dior. Deny — who fluently speaks English, Spanish, and Italian — lived in the Dominican Republic during the pandemic, where he was able to secure collaborations with key local acts such as Kiko El Crazy and El Cherry Scom, to name a few. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “WOA,” Deny K & Angel Dior
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Doble Sentido
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: The Venezuelen pop group is not entirely new, but it has only recently started to make noise internationally. Doble Sentido started out two decades ago as a family business, playing covers at fairs, weddings and local parties. Over the years, it evolved into an independent band writing its own songs, with a different lineup. Now based in Panama and made up of brothers Ray (voice and keyboard) and JuanMa (voice and guitar) Yepez, Gustavo Calvo (percussion), Erick Reyes (bass) and Fernando Colmenarez (drums), Doble Sentido made its official debut in 2019 with the single “Magia,” produced by Emmanuel Briceño (musical director of Juanes). Since then, they’ve been perfecting their sound in songs like “Mala Vida” and “Para Los Dos.”
“We are influenced by Latin pop, we sing songs of love and heartbreak, combining between ballads, merengue, urban and a little pop rock,” they tell Billboard Español. Their latest single is “No Quiero Perdérmelo” with Argentine rock band Los Rancheros. Released on Aug. 8, it’s an exhilarating breakup anthem about still being in love with the one that got away. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song For Your Playlist: “No Quiero Perdérmelo,” Doble Sentido & Los Rancheros
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EMMA
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: As a Latin American trans woman, Venezuelan singer Emma has something to say, and she does it in an honest and eloquent way. “Being myself has been a challenge, but I face it with a lot of dignity and a lot of strength,” she tells Billboard Español, and that is evident in her songs. From the smooth reggaeton “Tantito” in 2020 to 2022’s “Me Puse Mami” to the bachata “No Era Yo” released in January, Emma presents herself as she is, addressing her challenges and professing the importance of self-love.
Living in Mexico for seven years — where she began her career as a singer-songwriter, and also her physical transition — Emma is dedicated to music, “wanting to transform people with my message” and collaborate as a writer with other artists. Last week, she released “Como a Una Mujer,” an emotional pop ballad about how she lives (“locked in a room, hidden”) and the illusion of wanting to live it in freedom (“as every person deserves”). Co-written by Emma with her Venezuelan compatriots Sara Schell and Juan Vegas, it is the first single from a five-song EP titled HEMMATOMA that she plans to release in March 2025. — S.R.A.
Song For Your Playlist: “Como a Una Mujer”
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Little Homie
Country: Dominican Republic
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Originating from Santo Domingo, Little Homie is carving out a niche in the realm of Spanish-language rap while helping boost drill in his native island. His breakout hit, “Bailando Drill” with fellow rappers Carlos Trvp, Blacky Drippy, Keyviem and Nelly Nellz, established him as a key player in popularizing the menacing trap subgenre.
Known for integrating gritty textures of old-school samples, his latest track “Tengo Eso” interpolates the merengue classic “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo, blending traditional rhythms with hard-hitting beats. Tonight, he debuts his next single, “X ENCIMA,” through Roc Nation, featuring a soul-stirring sample of Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang (You Shot Me Down)” entwined with punchy 808 drums and fluttering guitar riffs. A vital member of the young rap collective 4TG, with artists like Lismar and Keyviem, Little Homie is definitely a promising star to keep an eye on.— ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song For Your Playlist: “Tengo Eso”
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NSQK
Country: México
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet NSQK in Miami during the listening session of his latest album ATP (acronym for “Aún te Pienso,” which means “I still think of you”). While he passionately explained the album’s creative process, I discovered that the Monterrey-born artist has an avant-garde vision of music. His marketing plan played with nostalgia and created an “imaginary world” that transports his listeners to “Radio ATP.”
With features such as Álvaro Díaz, Paopao, Easykid, El Malilla, and Nina Mínguez, NSQK’s latest set boasts collaborations that boost his project to an international level. The singer-songwriter and producer skillfully navigates through diverse musical genres, including rap, pop, reggaeton, R&B, and even regional Mexican music. These songs serve as melodic vehicles for expressing hope and positive messages through their lyrics. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song For Your Playlist: “Tarde o Temprano”
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Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered by scrolling on social media, networking, or coming across their music at a showcase, for example. See our May 2024 recommendations below.
Artist: Alex Ponce
Trending on Billboard
Country: Ecuador
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Hailing from Cuenca, Ecuador, emerging artist Alex Ponce has put himself on the radar for the quality of his voice and emotional performance, earning a place on the NEON16 artist roster. Among his most popular songs on Spotify are “Plan”, with more than 70 million plays, as well as “Traición”, “Fuiste,” and “Cerrando Ciclos.” On his latest EP Ruido, released this month, Ponce delves into contemporary pop, acoustic balladry and regional Mexican, showcasing the versatility of his voice and his adaptability to various genres. “Daría Todo,” a song with regional Mexican elements, stands out as one of the highlights of the EP. Alex Ponce is poised to become one of the outstanding voices in Latin pop. — LUISA CALLE
Song for Your Playlist: “Daría Todo”
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Artist: Delilah
Country: Mexican-American
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: In the chaos of Sueños’ festival day two on May 26 — which was ultimately canceled due to severe weather — Delilah offered an oasis for disgruntled festival-goers who really just wanted to enjoy good music. After a lineup shuffle, the 16-year-old corridos tumbados singer — who released her first single, titled “Amor Perdido,” earlier this year — ended up taking the stage at 4:00 p.m. (instead of her original time of noon), just as doors were opening.
While extremely short, her 10-minute set showcased why she represents the future of regional Mexican music. The Mexican-American artist, who is signed to Natanael Cano’s Los CT label, combines prickly guitar notes — signature to the Mexican subgenre — with emotive lyrics, which she sings with such pathos in her delicate yet puncturing vocals. At Sueños, it’s safe to say that those in attendance got just a preview of Delilah’s full abilities, as she is definitely one to watch. — GRISELDA FLORES
Song for Your Playlist: “Modelo”
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Artist: Fabiola Roudha
Country: Guatemala
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I first discovered Fabiola many years ago in Guatemala. I will never forget that little girl who came on television to sing with a sweet smile but with a grown-up, deep voice during her interview with Telehit’s Black and White TV series. She never gave up and has done significant work over the years, performing at festivals, gaining recognition. She was also the first Guatemalan artist to win a reality competition series (El Desafío de Estrellas in 2009). Her voice is a blend of blues, soul-pop, and Gospel that matcher her sweet and humble charisma. Her most recent release is her first collaboration with one of Mexico’s icons, Daniela Romo. The harmony of both voices and the depth of the lyrics are a testament to her unwavering talent. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song for Your Playlist: “Nada” (with Daniela Romo)
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Artist: Lismar
Country: Dominican Republic
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Dominican lyricist and rapper Lismar dropped not one but two Bizarrap sessions last week. Both “BRRP Music Session Vol 60” and “Subió La Temperatura” premiered at the Argentine producer’s show in New York on May 23. I first heard her previous single, “Delincuente Con Traje,” through her publicist and was amazed by her powerful, rapid-fire, compelling rap verses. The swag in her voice and storytelling make her unique and help her stand out — even Bizarrap says she’s the future of music. Honing her skills as a freestyler during the pandemic lockdown, she developed a unique skill that allowed her to create concise and relatable writing material around personal challenges. — I.F.
Song for Your Playlist: “BZRP Music Sessions #60”
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Artist: Nino Augustine
Country: Panamanian-American
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Nino Augustine arrived on my radar from the underground Latinx scene bridging Atlanta and New York, and he stood out for numerous reasons. His intriguing blend of Afro-Latin beats with the soulful vibes of the Georgian capital, his hometown, has resonated within his musical creations. Influenced by his Panamanian roots, he began releasing a string of singles in 2017, culminating in his debut album Me Toca a Mi in 2019, a project that solidified his distinct sound. With subsequent albums, the singer/rapper continued to evolve, leading to his fourth LP, 100%, released this month — a melting pot of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and soul-stirring lyrics in Spanish.
The opening track, “Encendido,” is a powerful display of the singer’s prowess, seamlessly transitioning from dancehall to reggaetón and amapiano. Another track, “Nirvana,” captivates instantly, glimmering with the luscious terrain of Afrobeats. “100% showcases me fully, encompassing everything I hold dear”, the artist says in a press release. “It’s a reflection of my current journey in life, authentically representing who I am and reflecting the sounds I love.” — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song for Your Playlist: “Sóltate” feat. Bomby, Landa Freak, Robbie Vida & Buay Press
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Artist: Yellow Outlet
Country: Dominican Republic
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: From the Dominican Republic, the pop-rock duo Yellow Outlet, formed by singer-songwriter María Taveras and producer Cristian Guillen Santillan, offers a perfect combination of talents that captivates from the first listen. The unique color of Taveras’ voice and her ethereal performance, coupled with Guillen’s futuristic pop sound with electronic elements, create an experimental but well-structured mix that results in a magnificent contrast. His debut album, No Es Muy Tarde (2022), includes standout songs like “Sueños Sobre Ti” and “Lluvia Eléctrica”, which serve as a good introduction to their music. They recently released their new album Carrusel, which features songs like “222”, “Donde Empieza,” and the album’s eponymous track. Yellow Outlet proposes a sound that is urgent to know to break the stereotypes of Latin pop and draw a broad panorama of creativity. — L.C.
Song for Your Playlist: “Lluvia Eléctrica”
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Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes five emerging artists, who we might’ve found anywhere from a Spotify playlist to a music showcase. See our recommendations below.
Artist: I AM
Country: Chile
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: In her introspective debut album, ECDYSIS, an homage to her Chilean roots and ancestral heritage, I AM delves into the soul of Spanish-language rock while championing whale conservation. Weaving together experimental rock with the evocative sounds of the Mapuche tribe and their Mapudugun chants — alongside over 1,000 pitches of whale vocalization — ECDYSIS unveils itself as a captivating and meditative odyssey. The Chilean artist suggests that immersing oneself in whale songs has the potential to evoke transformative experiences, akin to those encountered through the consumption of plant medicines like psilocybin mushrooms or ayahuasca.
Highlighted by tracks like “Riley,” “Raven, and “Lara,” which channel the electrifying spirit of rock’s golden age, the 11-track album uniquely features six single letters as titles, spelling out “Sophia” — a symbolic reference to “The Mother and womb of creation that keeps us going throughout it all,” she tells Billboard Español. “The [album title] itself represents the process of shedding the skin that no longer serves us, and the choice of letting it go in order to return to our hearts.” As a songwriter and producer, I AM has worked with Selena Gómez, Maria Becerra, Sofia Reyes and DJ Snake as K Sotomayor. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song For Your Playlist: “Raven”
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Artist: Adrián Bello
Country: Peru
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Adrián Bello is a 32-year-old indie-pop artist who has been paving his way in his native country and beyond with a style that’s as versatile as it is colorful. Having started writing music at the age of 10, he debuted in 2018 with a soul album in English, Apprentice, which showed influences from Ray Charles and Nina Simone to Adele, Sam Smith and Amy Winehouse. In 2022 he followed that effort with the 16-track album Bailemos en la Sala, fusing pop with Latin American genres like bolero, samba and andino, and collaborating with colleagues like Ximena Sariñana, Esteman and Josean Log.
“I would describe my music like an embrace — of the good and the bad,” Bello tells Billboard Español. “I like to sing to the emotions and try to share common stories and generate connection. I am a faithful believer that we are all actually very similar and have similar experiences.” His latest output is “Otros Ritmos,” a sweet, upbeat song released in November, inspired “by those who one day are the most important thing in our lives and the next one are strangers dancing to ‘other rhythms,’” he explains. It is the first single from his upcoming album, which he plans to release in the first half of 2024. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song for Your Playlist: “Otros Ritmos”
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Name: Flor Alvarez
Country: Argentina
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Scrolling through TikTok, as per usual, I came across the captivating vocals of Flor Alvarez. In the viral clip, the short-haired, pierced young lady is wearing a purple tank top and holding a speaker on her left arm: she’s covering Los Ángeles Azules’ and Maria Becerra’s “El Amor de Mi Vida.” Boasting over 31 million views since the video was posted on Dec. 2, it’s evident that Flor has enraptured people on social media with her distinct, sugary-raspy voice, as well as with her humility and charismatic personality. A local street performer from Argentina, who can often be found singing in a train, Flor has already released the EP Etapas and is currently making the rounds with her single “Sin Querer,” in collaboration with Fer Vazquez — a heartfelt cumbia song about unrequited love. Since her viral clip, Flor has garnered nearly two million followers on TikTok. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “Sin Querer” (with Fer Vazquez)
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Artist: Juanpalitoschinos
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Taking cues from ‘80s city pop with Latin alternative sensibilities, the Mexico City duo Juanpalitoschinos, consisting of Friné Alejo and Joan Page, adds to the blossoming scene of Latin stars claiming influences from Japan. Melding retro sounds with polished production, the pair’s floor-filling tracks — epitomized by the recent, lovelorn release “Cuando Me Amabas” — seamlessly blend disco influences with heartfelt vocals over vintage synth melodies.
Debuting in 2020 with “Bellavista 130,” a mellow track that set the tone for their distinctive sound, Juanpalitoschinos (translating to “Juan chopsticks”) has been steadily gaining recognition as an innovative group that draws inspiration from East Asian art. Its July release, “¿Por Qué No Contestas?” with Gusstav, serves as a teaser for their upcoming album — showcasing the duo’s ability to craft hits that evoke both dancefloor energy and J-pop nostalgia. — I.R.
Song For Your Playlist: “Cuando Me Amabas”
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Drake and Central Cee dropped some heat together on their highly anticipated On The Radar freestyle Friday (July 21). “‘Cause we know some demon guys with jealous and evil eyes/ You know that’s how Jesus died, you know that’s how Julius Caesar died,” Drizzy rapped during the first verse before Cench came in the second […]
Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors will feature a small group of new or relatively unknown artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover. In honor of Women’s History Month, our newest “On The Radar Latin” list includes up-and-coming mujeres that you should be listening to.
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See latest videos, charts and news
See our recommendations below:
Artist: Cammie
Country: Brazil
Why they should be on your radar: Brazilian pop/soul singer Cammie may have just released her first single with L.A.-based indie record label Super Pop, “Baby I Love You,” but the 22-year-old is far from being new to music and the entertainment business. A semifinalist of The Voice Brasil 2016, the bilingual artist (Portuguese/English) from Rio de Janeiro with a powerful voice began her career at the age of nine, appearing in various musicals and as a voice actress in the Portuguese versions of movies including Toy Story. In 2012 she made her singing debut in a jingle, and last year she released the seven-song EP Doce Como Bala, with romantic mixes of samba-tinged soul, and guests like R&B singer Anchietx and samba vocalist Ferrugem. Throughout the deliciously funky “I Love You”, which Cammie co-wrote with producer Guilherme França, you can hear her undeniable influences of ‘70-‘80s-era Brazilian soul/funk. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS.
Song for Your Playlist: “Baby I Love You”
Artist: Ela Taubert
Country: Colombia
Why they should be on your radar: Thanks to a video that Feid reacted to on TikTok — where she’s singing a piano-heavy ballad version of his “Si Te La Encuentras Por Ahí“ — I discovered Taubert, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Colombia. But far beyond a couple of covers on social media, Taubert holds a sweet potent vocal range that’s both melancholic and mesmerizing that can be heard in her own original music, such as her debut single “Salto de Fe” in 2019, as well as “¿Cómo es que tú?,” and “Crecer.” A well-rounded pop artist, Taubert has been taken under the wings of Latin Grammy-winning producer Julio Reyes Copello, and has already shared stages with renowned stars Diego Torres and Alejandro Sanz. Showcasing her vulnerability and maturity, amongst other qualities, Taubert sings about love, heartbreak and dreams. She forms part of the inaugural generation of Universal Music Latin’s Abbey Road Institute & Art House Academy. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “Yo Primero”
Artist: La Favi
Country: The United States (Los Angeles via Bay Area)
Why they should be on your radar: On her latest bilingual EP, Para Ti, West Coast singer-songwriter La Favi brings her enigmatic allure to the dance floor. Yet it starts with her spellbinding serene croon against melancholy guitar arpeggios and dingy electronic beats. It’s a gripping contrast that straddles dreamy sad-girl lyricism, occasional flamenco melismas (“Wachu Did”) and glitchy reggaetón production. The five-track EP was produced by Ulises “El Licenciado” Lozano of Kinky fame, who has also been at the helm of helping cultivate the neoperreo (Ms Nina, Tomasa del Real) scene that’s been buzzing on SoundCloud and beyond. La Favi, whose of Spanish descent, is the newest signee to Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak En Fuego label, and she is beautifully repping the freaky urbano movement with ease, confidence, and a tinge of salacity for good measure. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song For Your Playlist: “Para Ti” feat. YAWNS
Artist: Michi Sanz
Country: Venezuela
Why they should be on your radar: Three years ago, Michi Sanz (real name: Michelle Valentina Sanz Mateu) dropped her debut single “123,” backed by hip-op beats and accompanied by artists Splitmusic and Dakeator. Her dulcet, high vocals set the tone for her next musical projects, all of which are innovative and experimental in their own right. Based in Miami, Sanz has explored ’80s retro funk as heard in “VIBES,” reggaetón-pop as heard in “+58,” and most recently, punk rock in her new single “FKN indirectas.”
She has composed music for other artists, including popular Peruvian act Leslie Shaw, and just performed at her first SXSW in Austin, Texas. “My lyrics define real-life situations and moments that we have all gone through,” Sanz, who describes herself as “super pana” (cool in Venezuelan slang), notes on her Spotify profile. “They are stories that will lead me to sing to the world that we can dream, love, cry, and dance.” — J.R.
Song For Your Playlist: “FKN Indirectas”
Artist: Tania Domínguez
Country: Mexican-American
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Mexican Music with a twist. Tania Domínguez’s refreshing take on the legacy genre is head-turning. While most artists from her generation have taken on the sierreño or urban-infused route, Dominguez is placing all bets on an almost jazz-like alternative sound to stand out from the crowd. At least that’s the route the Rancho Humilde-signed artist — who previously served in the U.S. Army and spent her days in South Korea listening to music and discovering artists such as Ariel Camacho and Junior H — has taken for “Enamorarse Suavecito,” No Me Puedo Detener” and “No Puedo Olvidarte” with label mate Ivonne Galaz. The new tracks are a departure from the sad sierreño songs the 23-year-old singer-songwriter first released, which showcase her slick guitar skills and gristly vocals. — GRISELDA FLORES
Song For Your Playlist: “Enamorarse Suavecito”
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