Luis Figueroa’s “Bandido” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Luis Figueroa is celebrating another chart-topper… 

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has notched his second No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as “Bandido” lifts to the top of the October 21-dated ranking.

Luis Figueroa“I am so excited with the reaction from everyone with this song … it has become a fan favorite!” Figueroa tells Billboard. “I am also proud to represent this new salsa movement. Salsa es lo que hay!”

“Bandido” rises to the summit with a 23% gain to 5.7 million audience impressions on reporting radio stations during the October 6-12 tracking week, according to Luminate. The song was released on August 17 via Magnus Media/Sony Music Latin, with Figueroa one of its six writers.

“It was amazing to work with so many talented musicians and lyricists on this song,” Figueroa adds. “I have been looking forward to putting this record out for a while, so for everyone to finally listen to it, and the reaction it has received, is so gratifying.”

Notably, “Bandido” becomes the first salsa track to crown Tropical Airplay among the five tropical tunes that have notched their first weeks at No. 1 in 2023. Let’s look at the winners, by core style:

Peak Date, Artist, Title (style)
February 4, Romeo Santos & Rosalia, “El Pañuelo” (bachata)
April 8, Marshmello & Manuel Turizo, “El Merengue” (merengue)
July 8, Prince Royce, “Me EnRD” (bachata)
August 5, Chayanne, “Bailando Bachata” (bachata)
October 21, Luis Figueroa, “Bandido” (salsa)

“Bandido” is the first salsa No. 1 on Tropical Airplay since Marc Anthony’s “Mala” in March 2022.

“Bandido” concurrently translates into a new No. 1 for Magnus Media. The label last ruled Tropical Airplay through another Figueroa song, “Hasta El Sol de Hoy,” for one week in July 2021.

Beyond its Tropical Airplay coronation, “Bandido” rebounds to its No. 18 high on the overall Latin Airplay chart. It became Figueroa’s second top 20 entry there, following the No. 15-peaking “Todavía Te Espero” in 2022.

Figueroa’s new achievement follows his first-time nomination for a Billboard Latin Music Award this year, for tropical artist of the year, solo.

Blessd Earns First No. 1 on Any Billboard Chart with “Medallo,” Featuring Justin Quiles & Lenny Tavarez

It’s a big first for Blessd.

The 22-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and rapper has secured his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart as “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavarez, rises 4-1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay ranking-dated May 21.

Blessd

It’s also Tavarez’s first leader on the all-Latin genre tally, Quiles captures his third among a collection of 14 entries.

“I’m really excited!” says Stiven Mesa Londoño, better known as Blessd. “When I received the news that we were No. 1 on Billboard, I was very emotional. This only makes me work harder for many more wins.”

“Medallo” hits No. 1 in its 16th week with 11 million audience impressions (up 49%) earned in the U.S. in the week ending May 12, according to Luminate.

It evicts Rosalía’s “La Fama,” with The Weeknd, down to No. 5 after its one-week on top (7.6 million, down 29%).

“Medallo” is the fifth title of 2022, which has landed at the summit in at least 16 weeks or more. The other four comprise Karol G’s “Sejodioto,” Rauw Alejandro’s “Cúrame,” and Marc Anthony’s “Mala,” all with 17 weeks to the top, and Jhay Cortez and Sech’s “Ley Seca” (19 weeks).

Further, Blessd and Tavarez join a crew of five other acts who have secured their first champ on the all-Latin genre Latin Airplay chart in 2022. Here’s a recap of the leaderboard:

Artist, Title, Artists, Peak Date
Victor Cárdenas, “El Incomprendido,” with Farruko & DJ Adoni, Jan. 29
DJ Adoni, “El Incomprendido,” with Farruko & Victor Cárdenas, Jan. 29
Lis, “SG,” with Ozuna & Megan Thee Stallion, April 2
Megan Thee Stallion, “SG,” with Ozuna and Lisa, April 2
Ed Sheeran, “Forever My Love” and “Sigue,” both with J Balvin, April 9 and April 16, respectively
Blessd, “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavarez, May 21
Lenny Tavarez, “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Blessd, May 21

The Ovy on the Drums-produced track, concurrently lands atop Latin Rhythm Airplay after its third week at No. 3.

“At first, the idea of ‘Medallo’ was intended to be produced together with another artist who is also well positioned in Colombia,” the 22-year-old Blessd adds. “But in the end, it did not happen. In our counter plan, Lenny and Justin joined in and the song became a global hit.”

Among the trio, “Medallo” finds its home in Blessd’s roster. The tune is one of 10 tracks on the rapper’s Hecho en Medellín album, which has not entered the charts.

“The collaboration with Lenny and Justin was incredible,” Blessd concludes. “We went from making a song to becoming very good friends, the song transcended into my personal life.”

Anitta Appears on Official “F9” Soundtrack

Anitta is (Fast and) Furiosa

The soundtrack to the latest Fast and Furious film, F9, has been revealed, with the 28-year-old Brazilian singer-songwriter appearing on the album.

Anitta

Anitta, who recently released her first English-language track “Girl From Rio,” perforns the single “Furiosa” on the soundtrack.

But Anitta isn’t the only Latinx artist to appear on the soundtrack…

Justin Quiles, Dalex and Konshens join voices for the single “Rapido;” Amenazzy, Farruko, Myke Towers and Rochy RD perform the single “Real,” and Dominican singer Jarina De Marco performs the song “Mala.”

Like past Fast soundtracks, this one boasts a stellar lineup of established stars and up-and-comers in hip-hop, R&B and Latin. Other artists include Don Toliver, Pop Smoke, Offset, Ty Dolla $ign, Jack Harlow, RZA, The Prodigy, Rico Nasty, and more, who are set to shake up car stereos on June 17 (released via a partnership between Atlantic Records and Universal Pictures; available for pre-order on June 4).

F9 will roar back into movie theaters on June 25.

Check out the full tracklist below.

F9: The Fast Saga (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

“Fast Lane” – Don Toliver, Lil Durk & Latto
“Lane Switcha (Feat. A$AP Rocky, Juicy J & Project Pat)” – Skepta & Pop Smoke
“Hit Em Hard” – Offset, Trippie Redd, Kevin Gates, Lil Durk & King Von
“I Won” – Ty Dolla $ign, Jack Harlow & 24kGoldn
“Rapido” – Amenazzy, Farruko, Myke Towers & Rochy RD
“Breathe (Liam H and Rene LaVice Re-Amp) [Feat. RZA]” – The Prodigy
“Real” – Justin Quiles, Dalex & Konshens
“Bussin Bussin” – Lil Tecca
“Furiosa” – Anitta
“Ride Da Night (Feat. Polo G & Teejay3k)” – Kevin Gates
“Bushido” – Good Gas & JP THE WAVY
“Speed It Up (Feat. Rico Nasty)” – NLE Choppa
“Mala” – Jarina De Marco
“Exotic Race (Feat. Sean Paul & Dixson Waz)” – Murci

6ix9ine Releases New Spanish-Language Single “Yaya”

6ix9ine is switching tongues…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican & Mexican American rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, has released his new song “Yaya,” in which he embraces his Latino roots.

6ix9ine

In the party-ready track, 6ix9ine raps and sings in Spanish, a departure from the previous English-language singles he’s dropped this year following his early release from prison.

The vibrant music video was filmed while 6ix9ine remains on house arrest and features a whole lot of suggestive booty shaking and milk — and not much social distancing.

“THIS IS THE BEST ONE I DID SO FAR,” he teasedon Thursday, saying, “WE BREAKING THE INTERNET PARAAAAA MI GENTE LATINAAAAAAAAAAA LATINO AMERICA !!!!”

“Yaya” follows the rapper’s recent singles “Gooba” and “Trollz,” which was released with Nicki Minaj and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 last month. 

He previously sang in Spanish on two tracks that were released back in 2018, “Bebe” and “Mala,” both with Anuel AA; “Bebe” debuted at No. 1on the Hot Latin Songs chart.