These Break Out Latino Artists Totally Deserve a Spot On Your Playlist Right Now
If 2018 was a good year for Latino culture in the U.S., 2019 better hold on to its Takis. With the rise of artists like Cardi B, who can top charts in Latin music and rap music. We’re not talking Spanish to English crossover. We’re referencing Drake cooing in Spanish alongside Bad Bunny record-breaking hits like “MIA.”
A new path has been paved, and it started long before these artists came along. We’re Latinos. We’ve been growing in the U.S. and it shows. Here are the artists that are on the verge of breaking out and they have a lot to say. Listen in, no?
Bad Bunny
CREDIT: @badbunnypr / Instagram
I don’t know how this can be, but some of my Puerto Rican cousins still don’t know who Bad Bunny is, so I leave him here for you just in case you’re a lost soul. That’s okay. If Cardi B didn’t come around last year, Bad Bunny would be the breakout Latin trap artist of the year. He just dropped his debut album and it’s yours for the taking.
Melii
CREDIT: @melii / Instagram
Afro-Latina rapper Melii is low key known for covering Cardi B.’s “Bodak Yellow” with an acoustic intro and her own rewrite.
Pro tip: add “Icey” to your workout playlist and get it.
Duki
CREDIT: @dukissj / Instagram
Starting out as a freestyler in Buenos Aires, he won the muy famosa competition “El Quinto Escalón.” His career has taken off in the last year, and he started off 2019 with a new EP drop, “LeBron.”
Wiro
CREDIT: Spotify
Guadalajara based R&B lite artist Wiro has been around for about one second, and people are sold. He’s slinky, has flow and belongs on your chill beats playlist.
Aitana
CREDIT: @aitanax / Instagram
She first emerged as the runner up in Spanish reality talent show Operación Triunfo, but it wasn’t until November 2018 that she really broke international fame as a pop Latin singer. Her debut album Tráiler became the second most streamed album within twenty-four hours of all-time in Spain.
Amara La Negra
CREDIT: @amaralanegraaln / Instagram
Amara La Negra is no newcomer, but since her rise to fame on Love & Hip Hop, she’s made a splash in the music industry. Listen to her new EP “Understanding” and you’ll understand why. 😉
A.Chal
CREDIT: @a.chal_ / Instagram
A. Chal knows that his trap is what we want to hear. Here’s what he told Spotify: “Latin music is evolving right now. It’s about time. Trap is just the rhythm that dominates the youth right now, so all the young artists coming out, that’s what they’re getting on. Any time something evolves, it’s a good time because art represents where humanity is, so the evolution shows we’re in a different chapter, and there’s gonna be a new chapter afterwards.”
Listen to his new album EXOTIGAZ.
Kaina
CREDIT: @_kaifu / Instagram
She’s just 22 years old and her music exudes the sacred energy of soulful, Celia Cruz influenced bedroom pop. She’s heavenly and deserves your attention.
Katzù Oso
CREDIT: @katzuoso / Instagram
His self described silly love songs come to you with ’80s era electronic beats in the smoothest Spanglish we need. His debut album dropped in July 2018, and we’re still listening to “Coqueta.”
Omar Apollo
CREDIT: @omar.apollo / Instagram
Cuidado because Mexicano suave singer-songwriter is about to serenade your heart away. The 21-year-old Indiana based singer is collecting hearts on Spotify, and can also be found in Spotify sponsored playlist “Bedroom Pop”. Now you know.
Cuco
CREDIT: @cucopuffs / Instagram
His Chicano ballads will tempt you like nothing else, and while Cuco was underground for about a year, his appearance at Coachella changed everything. Listen up, because he’s coming up.
Lele Pons
CREDIT: @lelepons / Instagram
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Lele Pons started out as the most followed and looped Viner. Today, she’s dropping some seriously good beats. Escuche a “Celoso” and thank me later.
Victor!
CREDIT: Spotify
Another Bedroom Pop up and comer is 18-year-old Victor Cervantes. He tells NPR Latino that this is his music: “You take your blanket out of the drier and wrap yourself in it. That’s how my music kind of feels.”
Dos Santos
CREDIT: @dossantoschi / Instagram
The Chicago based group of five have been around for awhile, but with the footholds of Spanish-language music going mainstream, they’re exploding. Think psychedelic cambia meets salsa and classic rock. Then listen.
DaniLeigh
CREDIT: @iamdanileigh / Instagram
Dominican DaniLeigh was recently named YouTube’s “artist on the rise” (de acuerdo) and opened for Cardi B at the Pandora NYC Show al fin de 2018. Check out her latest album “The Plan” released just a few months ago.
Empress Of
CREDIT: @empressof / Instagram
She’s Khalid’s go-to collaborator for her crazy high pitch y suavamente. Their last collaboration, Suncity has been top charting for the last month.
Kim Viera
CREDIT: @kimviera / Instagram
Recognize her yet? She’s our favorite Latina on Pitch Perfect, and she’s collabed with Daddy Yankee on “Como.” Listen to her latest Spanglish EP, “Mirada.” Como no estás escuchándolo?
Rosalía
CREDIT: @rosalia.vt_ / Instagram
Rosalía dropped her first three singles just last year, and is headed to Coachella this year. She’s modernizing and sultrifying flamenca for the mainstream, partnering with the likes of J. Balvin y más.
Soy Emilia
CREDIT: @soyemiliamusica / Instagram
Desde Colombia, Soy Emilia is a dreamy singer, and killer bassist. You need to listen to her collaboration with CERO039 on “Dos Extraños” ASAP.
Tatiana Hazel
CREDIT: @tatianahazel / Instagram
Indie-pop Mexicana-Americana Tatiana Hazel has been posting her music on YouTube since she was 13 years old. Her EP, “Toxic” has received huge acclaim, and we’re about to see this Chicago based star go national, no question.
