Latin music is a genre that is grossly under-represented here in the UK.
With the exception of the genres biggest stars like Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Shakira, we don’t really get much of the great music that’s available. That’s a real shame as there are some incredible artists out there worthy of global attention.
I’ve put together a list of several artists that you should check out, if you don’t know them already, and add to your playlists.
Becky G
Perhaps best-know for collaborating with Cher Lloyd on single Oath, Becky G is a singer, rapper and actress. She had a huge hit in 2014 with Shower but since then she’s not had a lot of success on the US charts. Now she’s turned her attention to Latin music and her single Sola is shooting up the Latin charts.
Listen to Becky G’s Sola:
[brid video=”68237″ player=”531″ title=”Becky G Sola”]
J Balvin
Hailing from Colombia, J Balvin is due to release his latest album Energía here in the UK later this month. His 2013 album La Familia gave him his first Top 10 US Latin album and spawned the hits Yo Te Lo Dije, Tranquila, Sola, 6AM and La Venganza. Energía is off to a good start with number one hit Ginza and Top 2 hit Bobo.
Listen to J Balvin’s song Safari featuring Pharrell Williams, BIA and Sky:
[brid video=”68229″ player=”531″ title=”J Balvin Safari ft. Pharrell Williams BIA Sky”]
Jencarlos
Perhaps better-known for starring opposite Eva Longoria in the short-lived comedy Telenovela, Jencarlos is back to doing what he does best – music. Earlier this year he released the catchy Baby featuring Lennox and Farruko and his latest single Pa Que Me Invitan features Charly Black. It’s also one of his best tracks to date!
Listen to Jencarlos featuring Charly Black Pa Que Me Invitan:
[brid video=”68238″ player=”531″ title=”Jencarlos Pa Que Me Invitan ft. Charly Black”]
Maluma
Colombian singer and songwriter Maluma, real name Juan Luis Londoño Arias, has enjoyed a pretty massive breakthrough with his 2015 album Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy. He has two number 1 hits under his belt – Borró Cassette and El Perdedor featuring Yandel – and for his recent hit Sin Contrato he teamed up with Fifth Harmony. His latest release is Vente Pa’Ca with Ricky Martin.
Listen to Maluma’s Sin Contrato:
[brid video=”68230″ player=”531″ title=”Maluma Sin Contrato (Official Video)”]
Nicky Jam
Nick Rivera Caminero aka Nicky Jam rose to fame thanks to his work with Daddy Yankee. When their relationship broke down in 2004, Nicky went solo and he’s gone from strength-to-strength since. His latest single Hasta el Amanecer is sitting pretty at the top of the US Latin chart and his duet with Enrique Iglesias El Perdón also hit number 1.
Listen to Nicky’s Hasta el Amanecer:
[brid video=”68233″ player=”531″ title=”Hasta el Amanecer Nicky Jam Video Oficial”]
Prince Royce
Prince Royce, real name Geoffrey Royce Rojas, has three number 1 US Latin under his belt and his latest is an English-language set called Double Vision. Released in 2015, Double Vision featured the hit Back It Up with Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull. He’s now back to recording in Spanish with new single La Carretera already in the Top 10.
Listen to Prince Royce’s La Carretera:
[brid video=”68232″ player=”531″ title=”Prince Royce La Carretera (Official Video)”]
Yandel
One half of Wisin & Yandel, Llandel Veguilla Malavé has worked with the cream of the Latin music industry including Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and Maluma. His latest single Nunca Me Olvides is taken from his 2015 solo album Dangerous, which features collaborations with Pitbull, French Montana and Nicky Jam.
Listen to Yandel’s Nunca Me Olvides:
[brid video=”68235″ player=”531″ title=”Yandel Nunca Me Olvides (Official Video)”]
Who is your favourite Latin artist? Leave your comments in the usual place!
