Bad Bunny Repeats as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the Year for Fifth Consecutive Year

It’s a sweet repeat for Bad Bunny

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has repeated as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the Year for a record fifth consecutive year.

Bad BunnyNo other artist has been the year-end Top Latin Artist five times since the category began in 2011. Only one other artist has pulled a back-to-back winning streak since the category launched in 2011: Romeo Santos, who took home the first-place trophy in 2014 and 2015.

Unsurprisingly, Bad Bunny also echoes his past four years of achievements on the albums front: Thanks to Un Verano Sin Ti’s stronghold, the album wraps at No. 1 on the year-end Top Latin Albums chart for a second consecutive year.

Adding to his blockbuster year — with seven awards at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year and Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year — Benito also boasts four songs on the year-end Hot Latin Songs rundown, including “Un X100to” with Grupo Frontera at No. 3. His first foray into Regional Mexican music became the second Regional Mexican track to break the weekly top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Billboard’s year-end music recaps represent aggregated metrics for each artist, title, label and music contributor on the weekly charts from November 19, 2022, through October 21, 2023. Rankings for Luminate-based recaps reflect equivalent album units, airplay, sales or streaming during the weeks that the titles appeared on a respective chart during the tracking year. Any activity registered before or after a title’s chart run isn’t considered in these rankings. That methodology detail, and the November-October time period, account for some of the difference between these lists and the calendar-year recaps that are independently compiled by Luminate.

Jasiel Nuñez Earns First No. 1 on Any Billboard Chart with Peso Pluma & Junior H Collab “Bipolar”

Jasiel Nuñez is celebrating a special first

The Mexican singer-songwriter has earned his first No. 1 on any Billboard chart with “Bipolar,” featuring Peso Pluma and Junior H, as the song crowns the Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated November 25.

Jasiel Nunez, Peso Pluma, Junior H, BipolarThe song’s radio uptick across Regional Mexican stations pushes it from No. 11 to No. 1 with 6.7 million audience impressions in the U.S., up 61%, earned during the November 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate.

Among the strongest weekly supporters, stations WOJO (Chicago), KLNO (Dallas) and KLTN (Houston) take the lead.

“Bipolar” previously took Nuñez to his first top 10, among three chart performances, on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs, when it debuted at No. 7 last September.

For Junior H, “Bipolar” also makes for a fruitful team-up, as it becomes his first No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay.

Peso Pluma, meanwhile, picks up his second No. 1 on the Mexican radio tally, after the four-week champ “Ella Baila Sola,” with Eslabon Armado, which closes 2023 as the No. 1 song on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart.

Further, Nuñez joins seven other acts who have scored their first No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay in 2023. Here are the new winners:

Artist, Title, Collaborator, Peak Date
Grupo Frontera, “Que Vuelvas,” with Carin Leon, Jan. 28
Fuerza Regida, “Bebe Dame,” with Grupo Frontera, March 18
Grupo Marca Registrada, “Di Que Sí,” with Grupo Frontera, April 29
Cazzu, “Tú y Tú,” with Los Angeles Azules & Santa Fe Klan, May 20
Santa Fe Klan, “Tú y Tú,” with Los Angeles Azules & Cazzu, May 20
Yahritza y Su Esencia’s “Frágil,” with Grupo Frontera, Aug. 12
Maná, “Amor Clandestino,” with Edén Muñoz, Nov. 11
Jasiel Núñez, “Bipolar,” Peso Pluma & Junior H, Nov. 25

Espinoza Paz Signs Global Deal with Virgin Music Group

Espinoza Paz has a new global deal…

The 42-year-old Latin Grammy-nominated Mexican musician and composer has signed a global deal with Virgin Music Group.

Espinoza PazBorn Isidro Chávez Espinoza in Sinaloa, Mexico, the prolific singer-songwriter is known for his deep and emotional songs penned for other artists – such as Jenni Rivera and Banda MS – and for himself.

“What I value most about this music company, Virgin Music, is that they respect my artistic vision and my career,” Paz said in a statement. “From the first moment, I was certain that they not only believed in my music, but also in my ability to create, grow and evolve as an artist.”

After spending years as songwriter for regional Music artists, he released his first album as a singer in 2008 and since, he’s scored a total of five No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart. And five top 10 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart, including “Lo Intentamos,” “Un Hombre Normal,” and “El Culpable.”

“Espinoza Paz has proven for more than a decade to be one of the most prolific Mexican singer-songwriters of the genre. Being able to have his entire catalog and his future projects within Virgin Music represents having a large part of the history of the Regional Mexican genre of the last 15 years,” added Victor González, president of Virgin Music Group Latin America & Iberian Peninsula. “We are very proud to be part of this new stage in his career where he will undoubtedly continue to surprise us with his talent.”

In 2021, Paz released three back-to-back albums titled Que Te Duela Más Que a Mí, volumes one, two and three.

Most recently, he’s released collaborations with Memo Garza (“La Sonrisa Obligatoria”), Luis R Conriquez (“Ciega Por El”) and Pipe Bueno (“El Original”).

Shakira Earns 21st No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “El Jefe,” Featuring Fuerza Regida

Shakira is a girl boss…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar has strengthened her dominance on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart as “El Jefe,” her collaboration with Fuerza Regida, extends her record for the most No. 1s among women in the chart’s history.

Shakira, El JefeThe cross-genre track rises 5-1 on the chart dated November 18 and sends Karol G’s “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” to No. 2 after two weeks in charge. 

“El Jefe” advances with an 18% gain in audience impressions, to 10.3 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending November 9, according to Luminate.

It gives Fuerza Regida its second champ: “Bebe Dame,” with Grupo Frontera, took the Mexican American regional Mexican band to No. 1 for one week in March. In between, the group scored another top 10, “Mentira No Es,” with Banda MS (No. 6 high last July).

With the new ruler, Shakira improves her career total of Latin Airplay No. 1s to 21.

She remains atop the leaderboard for the most No. 1s among women since the char launched in 1994. Now she ties with Romeo Santos for eighth-most overall. Here’s a review of the artists with the most rulers on the all- Latin airplay tally, a record mostly male- dominated:

36, J Balvin
33, Ozuna
32, Enrique Iglesias
28, Daddy Yankee
23, Maluma
22, Bad Bunny
22, Wisin
21, Romeo Santos
21, Shakira
18, Ricky Martin

Elsewhere, “El Jefe” enters the top 10 on Regional Mexican Airplay, at No. 9. Shakira picks up her first top 10 there, while Fuerza Regida secures its seventh.

In addition to its radio growth, “El Jefe” has achieved multiple top 10s across Billboard charts: No. 1 on Latin Digital Song Sales, No. 4 on Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, digital sales, and streaming activity, and on Latin Streaming Songs, all on the October 7-dated lists.

Anahi & Her RBD Group Mates Getting Their Own Barbie Dolls

Anahi is getting all dolled up…

In the midst of their Soy Rebelde Tour, the 40-year-old Mexican singer, songwriter and actress and her RBD group mates are getting their own Barbie dolls.

RBDThe news was shared on the Barbie Instagram page on Monday, November 13, where the dolls were officially unveiled. “¡Y soy Rebelde! Pop stardom meets pop culture icons with the special edition RBD x Barbie dolls,” read the caption.

The collector’s Barbie dolls — which are available in a set of five or sold individually as Rebelde characters Mia (Anahí), Roberta (Dulce Maria) and Lupita (Maite Perroni) — commemorate the Mexican group’s triumph comeback after a 15-year hiatus.

In true RBD fashion, the dolls are decked out in emblematic concert outfits or their signature Elite Way school uniform. Mia, for example, comes with a star sticker on the forehead and Roberta with her distinct cherry-red locks. 

Furthermore, the official Barbie website states “Barbie is celebrating RBD’s reunion with a set of five dolls ready to take the stage! Roberta, Mia, Lupita, Diego and Giovanni wear outfits that pop with their personality and style. The clothes are trendy, the accessories cool and the hair spot on! Fans of the popular pop-rock music group and Rebelde telenovela will love the instant collection of the beloved group. Dolls cannot stand alone. Colors and decorations may vary.”

News of the Barbie dolls come just days after a wave of Música Mexicana acts — including Calibre 50, Chiquis, Banda Carnaval, Banda Los Sebastianes and Los Socios del Ritmo, among others — teamed up for Somos Rebeldes, a 15 track-set with reimagined versions of “Sólo Quédate en Silencio,” “Qué Hay Detrás” and “Sálvame.”

“I think that people connect with us because each one of us is so different, but we’re a family,” band member Christopher von Uckermann previously said at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week. “We know each other. We understand each other without having to speak. We are family and that is something you can feel.”

Fans can pre-order the RBD Barbie dolls here.

Junior H to Make Special Appearance at Rolling Loud California Next March

Junior H is rolling along…

The 23-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has been added to the lineup for the sixth installment of Rolling Loud in California.

Junior HRolling Loud California 2024 will take over Hollywood Park Grounds in Inglewood, California, from March 15 to 17, 2024.

Junior H, a Billboard chart-topping regional Mexican artist, will serve as Friday’s special guest.

But he’s not the only Latinx artist set to appear.

Regional Mexican band Fuerza Regida will act as Saturday’s special guest, while award-winning corridos tumbados trailblazer Natanael Cano will serve as Sunday’s special guest.

Led by superstars Nicki MinajLil Uzi Vert and Post Malone, the sprawling list of performers features more than 90 of the biggest and buzziest names across rap, R&B, pop and Latin music.

Presale for Rolling Loud California 2024 begins Thursday, November 16, at 10:00 am PT, and general onsale begins the following day on Friday, November 17, at 10:00 am PT.

Fans can click here to RSVP for first access to tickets — and a chance to win free tickets before they go on sale — right now.

Maná to Make Long-Awaited Debut at Mexico’s Vive Latino Festival

Maná is preparing for a special festival debut…

The legendary Mexican Grammy-winning Latin rock band will headline the 2024 Vive Latino Festival, the group’s debut at the emblematic rock festival.

ManaThe “Oye Mi Amor” band will co-headline the festival with Belanova, marking the group’s long-awaited return to the Mexican stages.

The varied Vive Latino lineup also includes Scorpions, Jorge Drexler, Silvana Estrada, Paramore, Greta Van Fleet, Fito Páez, Hombres G and Babasónico.

Taking place March 16 and 17, and held for the first time at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City (headquarters of Formula 1 and the Corona Capital Festival), the official announcement was made on Sunday, November 12 by OCESA via social media and the official Vive Latino page, where Internet users discovered who was part of the lineup through an interactive online game.

Bad Religion, James, Semisonic, Gogol Bordello, Mexican Institute of Sound, Los Lobos, Portugal. the Man, Junior H, The Warning and San Pascualito Rey are also part of the festival’s lineup, which will gather ’80s rock, ska, Balkan music, reggae, punk and metal bands.

Although Vive Latino has opened its doors to genres such as regional Mexican and cumbia, the music festival is one of the largest and longest running festivals dedicated to Latin rock, and currently the one with the longest tradition in Mexico with 24 editions held. Given its history, the presence of Maná for the first time was a pending issue.

“CDMX, see you soon,” expressed the quartet from Guadalajara, Jalisco, on its X account, in which the group shared the festival poster.

Belanova, on the other hand, will make its comeback to the Vive Latino stage after an almost six-year hiatus. Vocalist Denisse Guerrero, keyboardist Édgar Huerta and bassist Ricardo Arreola will arrive at Mexico City after their participation in the Bésame Mucho festival, in Austin, Texas, on March 2.

In its 2024 edition, Vive Latino joined forces with Amazon, which is already preparing several innovations for the festival through its technology and multiple services. Ticket presale for Citibanamex cardholders will take place at 2:00 pm (Central Mexico time) on Wednesday, November 15 through Ticketmaster Mexico.

Vive Latino Festival

Peso Pluma to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Music Awards

Peso Pluma is ready to bring Regional Mexican music to the masses…

The 24-year-old Mexican Música Mexicana star will perform at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, which will take place on Sunday, November 19.

Peso PlumaPeso Pluma will perform “Rubicón,” a corrido — powered by prickly guitars — from his chart-topping album Génesis.

The performance will include a special guest appearance by boxing legend Mike Tyson, who is a self-declared Peso Pluma superfan. Over the summer, Tyson posted a video promoting Génesis, saying, “Ahhh, it’s my sh–!” when one of the songs starts playing.

Peso Pluma is a Billboard Music Awards first-time finalist, and is up for five total awards, including top new artist, top Latin artist, top Latin male artist and top Latin album for Génesis, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, the most for a regional Mexican album.

He’s also a finalist in the top Latin song category with two entries there: “Ella Baila Sola” with Eslabon Armado and “La Bebe” with Yng Lvcas.

Peso Pluma was a top winner at October’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking home eight awards, including artist of the year, new.

Taylor Swift is the top finalist at the 2023 BBMAs with nods in 20 categories.

Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma are the top Latinx nominees (six each), with Eslabon Armado, Karol G and Selena Gomez coming in next (five each).

The 2023 Billboard Music Awards will have a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Spotify Fans First,” which will bring fans up close and personal with their favorite artists. Performances and awards will roll out across the BBMAs and Billboard social channels, as well as via BBMAs.watch on Sunday, Nov. 19. Billboard Music Awards performers will be revealed daily on BBMAs social channels, starting today.

Carin León Signs Exclusive Global Publishing Agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group

Carin León has a new worldwide publishing deal…

The 34-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and Regional Mexican star has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

Carin LeonA leading force in the música mexicana genre, the Sonora-born artist has established himself as one of Mexican music’s most versatile and eclectic artists today recording in norteño, banda, R&B and pop.

“There is no doubt, Carin León is one of the most talented artists currently,” Yadira Moreno, UMPG managing director of Mexico and Central America & vp of new business development for Latin America, said in a statement. “He can blend R&B, Folk, Country and Mexican Music easily and gracefully. We are excited to collaborate with Carin and foster his composing career internationally.”

“I feel deeply honored to embark on this creative journey alongside Universal Music Publishing Group. This partnership marks a thrilling new chapter in my career, and I’m eagerly looking forward to expressing my passion and creativity through the art of music,” added Leon.

Since launching his solo career in 2018, León has helped usher a new era for regional Mexican music. With three career entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and 12 on the Hot Latin Songs tally, he scored his first top 10 on the Top Latin Albums chart with Colmillo de Leche, released in May. It was the first studio album released on the singer-songwriter’s own label, Socios Music, which he launched late last year.

Jody Gerson, UMPG chairman and CEO, said: “Carin León’s career is limitless and transcends Música Mexicana. His soulful voice, songwriting, live shows and ambition goes beyond language. I look forward to working with Jorge Juarez and our entire global team to support Carin as he opens doors creatively across musical genres and geographies.”

León joins UMPG’s roster, which includes other regional Mexican powerhouses such as Juan Gabriel, Espinosa Paz, Horacio Palencia, Grupo Firme, Yahritza Y Su Esencia and Ivan Cornejo, among others.

Eslabon Armado Makes Late-Night TV Debut on “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”

Eslabon Armado continues taking the nation by storm…

The Regional Mexican group made its late-night television debut this week on Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.

Eslabon ArmadoThe renowned Música Mexicana group was joined by Gabito Ballesteros—also making his first appearance on Fallon—to perform their hit collaboration “La Fresa.”

The Tonight Show is one of the top shows in the entire country, and I’ve grown up watching the show since I was a kid,” frontman Pedro Tovar said in a statement. “I’ve always seen the biggest stars be on the show, and being able to perform on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon is a major milestone crossed in our career.”

Their performance comes on the heels of Eslabon Armado’s performance on Good Morning America, where they made history as the first Musica Mexicana group on the show.