“First Stream Latin” is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Anitta ft. Arcangel & De La Ghetto, “Tócame” (Warner Records Inc.)
Anitta has recruited two of reggaeton’s biggest names for her new single “Tocame.” In collaboration with Arcangel and De La Ghetto, who were first a reputable duo before kicking off their solo careers, “Tocame” fuses sultry reggaeton melodies with hints of EDM and Brazilian funk. In its flirtatious lyrics, the three artists sing about undeniable chemistry and getting it on. “It’s an irresistible reggaeton,” the Brazilian superstar said. “Music highlights the importance of knowing and understanding exactly what we like. It feels even more special to share it with Arcangel and De La Ghetto.” Written by Anitta, Arcangel, and De La Ghetto, and produced by Ryan Tedder, “Tocame” is accompanied by a music video that shows all three artists, as well as other people, having social distance and quarantine fun from their home to the beat of the song. This is the first single Anitta released under Warner Records. — JESSICA ROIZ
Los Dos Carnales, Al Estilo Rancheron (Afinarte Music)
The up-and-coming norteño group Los Dos Carnales pays homage to Mexican rancho life and culture with their new album Al Estilo Rancheron. Signed to AfinArte Music, the quartet from Coahuila, Mexico stay true to their norteño roots in their 14-track set which includes traditional corridos, songs of heartbreak and immigration, and personal moments – such is the case with “El Corrido de Panchito,” a song dedicated to their friend who passed away. Stand out tracks include “Al Estilo Rancheron,” the opening track which is a celebration of their ranchero roots that was released along with an animated video of a hard-working family who spends their days working in the fields. And “El Envidioso” a song about humble beginnings and working their way to the top and gaining a few haters along the way. It’s worth noting that Los Dos Carnales earned their first top 10 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart (dated July 11). — GRISELDA FLORES
Karol G, “Ay, DiOs mio!” (Universal Music Latino)
The video of Karol G’s recount of how she met and fell in love with her now fiancée Anuel shows her reminiscing, all pretty in pink. The song, a languid reggaetón, tells the story of a love at first sight, sensual but not explicit, told as if by a friend to a friend. “He wrote and he told me he liked all my songs, and I said, Oh my God,” coos Karol G. It’s her own, very personal, and feminine, take on reggaeton; a Karol G stamp that makes her stand out in the genre. — LEILA COBO
Becky G, “My Man” SME (on behalf of Kemosabe Records/RCA Records/Sony Music Latin)
Kicking off with part of Jenni Rivera’s “La Gran Señora,” Becky G presents her new single “My Man.” The Spanglish bop, which fuses infectious mariachi rhythms with waves of Afrobeat and dancehall, is about a woman who’s protecting her relationship at all costs. “Jenni Rivera (a woman/artist my family and I love) inspired this song and its story,” Becky expressed on Instagram of Rivera’s hit “La Gran Señora.” “I always felt that the story behind this song was very unique. I hope you guys enjoy this song.” The adorable music video stars Becky G and her boyfriend, soccer player Sebastian Lletget battling each other on different games and trending TikTok challenges. In the end, “love wins!” Watch it below. — J.R.
Myke Towers, “Michael X” (White World Music via GLAD Empire)
The Puerto Rican rapper doesn’t hold back in his recently-released song “Michael X” where he tackles anti-Black racism and police brutality. Invoking Malcolm X, Myke Towers starts off by saying that he’s part of the problem if he doesn’t speak out against these issues. As an Afro-Latino heavily by the hip-hop culture, Towers opens the with lines from the civil rights leader’s iconic 1962 speech: “We are oppressed. We are exploited. We are downtrodden. We are denied not only civil rights but human rights.” Towers, who is dressed in a black and white suit, then goes on to rap about slavery, police brutality, and even conspiracy theories about 9/11. “Someone who is at my level should speak up, I can’t pretend. What I feel, I can no longer hide. I’m using my platform to promote equality.” Towers joins a handful of artists who have released Black Lives Matter-inspired songs following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed at the hands of police May 25 in Minnesota. — G.F.
Christian Nodal, “Aquí Abajo” (Fonovisa/Universal Music Mexico)
In true Christian Nodal fashion, the Regional Mexican star dropped an emotive ranchera about heartbreak and its consequences. “Aquí Abajo” brings to the forefront the real sentiments a person has when they are dealing with a breakup. “Everyone talks, no one knows the truth / People give opinions from their position/outside is different, they don’t know how ugly it feels / suffering for a lost love,” Nodal’s power vocals chant. He then elaborates on its aftermath, saying people cry, drink, smoke, and do whatever necessary to forget their ex. Co-written by Edgar Barrera and René Humberto Lau Ibarra, “Aqui Abajo” is accompanied by a music video that shows a melancholic Nodal remembering the good times with his girlfriend. The track marks the first single of the second part of his album AYAYAY! — J.R.
San Ignacio, La Identidad Es Una Trampa (Fértil Discos)
Argentinian producer and DJ San Ignacio’s La Identidad Es Una Trampa (Identity is a trap) is benighted by the rhythms rooted in the South American popular culture. The nine-track set and second full-length of the musician, is an album of textures, of manifold sensations that bifurcate into sonic chapters traveling from cumbia to carioca funk, from digital copla to rasteirinha, from nu-jazz to danceable and progressive tropicalism. Alongside instrumentation and field recordings by Rumbo Tumba, Xanducero and Mr. Island, the album breaths profoundly through the visceral takes by his collaborators including a copla by Argentinian Lola Bhajan, the poetry by Arnaldo Antunes (Titas, Tribalistas) intertwined with joyous low-funk carioca, the voice of Brazilian Projeto Mujique (Voodoohop) fused with electronic brushstrokes and the robust sound of the Argentinian bombo legüero, and Andrés Schteingart, aka El Remolón, who fuses his Latin American rhythms with electronica. — PAMELA BUSTIOS
Jandino, “Te Queda Amor” (Jose Andres Chiluiza Calderon)
Ecuadorian singer/songwriter Jandino likes to write songs rooted in the innocence of true love. In “Te Queda Amor,” a wistful ballad set over a mellow reggaetón beat, he manages to convey longing and yearning thanks to a voice that gently tugs at your emotions. While there are similarities to Sebastián Yatra’s brand of contemporary pop, Jandino’s production is far more pared down and this gives his music compelling sincerity. The video’s storyline, about childhood love, jibes with Jandino’s also-background as an actor in teen soaps in Argentina, where he now lives. One to watch. — L.C.
Jon Z, Perdonen La Espera (Chosen Few Emerald Entertainment)
The intro to Jon Z’s new EP Perdonen la Espera (Excuse the wait), dubbed “Loco, Humilde y Real” is a recorded phone call between Jon and his mother in which he discusses that his highly-awaited album with that same name will drop in August. In the meantime, he blessed his fans with his 13-track EP featuring many collaborations. The set, for example, kicks off with “Bendicion Mami,” where he recruited two of the artists that first supported his career, Nengo Flow and Jory Boy. His current catchy single “Natti, Karol, Becky” with Kevvo as well as tracks with Myke Towers Bryant Myers and Noriel, to name a few, form part of the Perdonen la Espera. Stream and listen to it below. — J.R.
Junior Mesa, “Losing My Grip” (Nice Life Recording Company)
Junior Mesa basks in the timeless of the 70’s rock and roll hits in “Losing My Grip,” a light-hearted tune of fluid forms with a palpable sense of carefree contemplation. The 21-year-old Bakersfield-bred singer-songwriter born to Mexican-American parents celebrates his birthday with the release of his new single instilling some fun into the antagonism reflective of current times. The tune written and produced by Mesa and mixed by Nice Life founder Ricky Reed (Lizzo, Maggie Rogers, Leon Bridges), arrives with a self-directed witty visual alongside his band and housemates Sean Lee on guitar, Jay Lopez on bass, and Joey McDermott. — P.B.
