Last week, Billboard named the 20 Latina artists you should listen to before the year ends, and now, we’re releasing our list of Latin male artists worth streaming.
The new list is a follow-up to our April list, which spotlighted 17 emerging Latin male artists to discover during quarantine. You can see that list here.
Now, with 2020 coming to an end, Billboard showcases 17 more artists who are making waves in the music industry, scoring deals with labels and climbing the Billboard charts.
From the emerging Argentine freestyle rapper Wos, up for best new artist at this year’s Latin Grammys, to rising Puerto Rican urbano artist Rafa Pabón, check them out below.
ALEX FERNANDEZ
The youngest of the Fernández dynasty, Alex Fernández launched his musical career in 2018, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Vicente Fernández and his father Alejandro Fernández. Now, as the 26-year-old, signed to Sony Music, takes traditional mariachi music to a younger audience, Fernández focuses on his forthcoming album, for which he has been closely working with Don Vicente.
CHRIS ANDREW
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Chris Andrew is one of the first artists who signed to Wisin’s record label, La Base Music Group. But before signing to La Base, the up-and-coming reggaeton singer made a name for himself on Soundcloud and YouTube. Today, he’s making the rounds with his “Hey Shorty” remix in collaboration with Ozuna.
DIFERENTE NIVEL
Hailing from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Diferente Nivel recently joined Sony Music México’s roster. Comprised of Federico Alonso, Juan Lugo, Abraham León, Carlos Arce and Arturo Balderas, the promising regional Mexican band formed in 2014. Their latest single “El Doctor” is a collaboration with La Nacional Banda Sinaloense.
ESLABON ARMADO
Rising regional Mexican trio Eslabon Armado scored its first top 10 entry on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart with its debut, Tu Veneno Mortal. Less than three months later, the act released its second album, Vibras de Noche — and it shot to No. 1. The teenage trio, Pedro Tovar, along with his brother Brian and friend Gabriel Hidalgo, first started playing together in 2019. They are signed to DEL Records.
GEORGEL
Mexican singer-songwriter Georgel Julio Arevalo Reyes is ushering in the Latin R&B genre. Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Georgel has penned songs for artists including Sebastián Yatra, Maite Perroni, Gloria Trevi and Esteman, among others. He was recently signed to San Francisco-based distribution company EMPIRE.
JD PANTOJA
JD Pantoja is a Mexican YouTuber-turned-music artist who’s marking territory in the biz with his urban-pop rhythms and melodious vocals. He’s collaborated with artists such as Noriel, Khea and Grupo Firme, not shying away from innovative fusions. Pantoja is the first artist signed to MPM Latin, a division of MPM Partners, in partnership with Universal Music Latin Entertainment.
JERRY DI
After delighting crowds in Belgium, London, and Manchester, Jerry Di continues to mark his territory in the music biz. With his dulcet vocals and fiery Latin R&B fusions, Jerry is a rising Venezuelan composer and artist who kicked off his music career under the wing of Nacho. His current single “Mi Cuarto” has become a total phenomenon on TikTok and across all digital platforms.
JUNIOR H
Born Antonio Herrera Pérez, trap corridos singer-songwriter Junior H became the youngest act to score a top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart after Natanael Cano at age 18 thanks to his album Atrapado en un Sueño. Signed to indie label Rancho Humilde, Junior H began writing music in his hometown Guanajuato, Mexico at only 12 years old. At 14, he learned how to record music and dropped hip-hop songs at age 15.
LEON LEIDEN
Up-and-coming 22-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter Leon Leiden has been making a buzz on TikTok. For his song “Gitana,” he invited his more than 3 million followers on TikTok to contribute ideas to his single – which has surpassed 15 million Spotify plays. Earlier this year he launched his own label Laila Records in a joint venture with Warner Music Mexico. His latest single “Manzana” was born entirely from TikTok using different sounds produced by Leon with an apple.
MARCA MP
Marca MP got on the radar after the Grupo Firme-assisted “El Guero” not only became a viral hit on TikTok but also entered the Hot Latin Songs. This young Regional Mexican group composed of Pedro Vargas, Diogenes Bojorquez, Julio Torres, and Esteban Salcedo, is based in Modesto, California and is currently making the rounds with their single “De Morro.”
NIBAL
The quarantine did well to Nibal’s music career, who in the midst of the global pandemic dropped his heartfelt single “Cuando Amanezca” in collaboration with Justin Quiles, Danny Ocean, and Feid. In “Despecho Nuevo,” his new collaboration with Paula Cendejas, the Venezuelan artist, part of the Warner Music family, continues to flaunt his mesmerizing vocals and fresh musical proposal.
RAFA PABON
Puerto Rican Rafa Pabón represents the new generation of urbano hitmakers. The singer-songwriter has collaborated with artists including Dalex, Zion and Toño Rosario, among others. Over the summer, Pabón released a poignant protest anthem titled “Sin Aire (Without Air) inspired by the killing of George Floyd.
RELS B
Born Daniel Heredia Abidal in Palma, Spain, Rels B is an up-and-coming rapper you should not sleep on. His distinct, hoarse voice has perfectly-laced with the voices of other emerging artists such as Nathy Peluso, Micro TDH, and DUKI. Rels B, who’s also a songwriter and producer, first gained success in Latin American and Europe.
WOS
Born Valentín Oliva, the Argentine rapper started his career freestyling in the streets of Argentina. In 2018, the rising rapper the Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos, described as one of the most important rap competitions in Latin America. In 2019, Wos released his debut album titled Caravana. Wos is up for best new artist at the 2020 Latin Grammys.
XAXO
If their single “Bebe” in collaboration with Mike Bahia and Lalo Ebratt is any indication of their work, edgy is the perfect word to describe Xaxo. The promising artist-producers duo composed by brothers Dav and Johnny has produced songs for artists such as Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Sebastian Yatra, Marc Anthony, and Jason Derulo, to name a few.
