Three Ladies on the Latin Charts to keep an out eye for

When I was five years old and I heard “Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee for the very first time all I wanted to do was get up and dance for hours on end. For about three weeks my mom and I blasted that song day in and day out (I know. I know. It is in no way appropriate for a toddler), essentially making it a song I grew up with along with countless Bollywood and early 90s R&B classics. However, it wasn’t until recently that I became reacquainted with reggaeton. With a new wave of Latino artists like Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Maluma, Lunay, and countless others, I rediscovered my love for Latin music in a big way during the past year or so. 

Quick side note: September was National Hispanic Heritage Month, so do yourself a favor and support some Hispanic artists. It is an amazing way to diversify your music taste if you haven’t already.

Before I get into the details, it is really important to note that the origins of reggaeton and Latin trap originated in Afro-Latinx communities. Today we can see that the genre is placing the spotlight on light-skinned Latinos like Bad Bunny, Anuel AA, J Balvin, and Karol G. Though a handful of black artists such as Ozuna, Sech, and Don Omar have risen to the top charts, it is easy to see that the genre has slowly dissociated itself from black heritage. The Latin music industry heavily borrows from “Afro-Latino cultural practices,” however often does not credit, nor place a spotlight on the culture. Fortunately, with the recent surge in the Black Lives Matter movement, artists are making a much more concerted effort to give credit where it is due to the Black community. 

Male artists like Daddy Yankee have been on top charts since the early 2000s and have released record-breaking projects. Making it a hostile environment for women to join the genre, the men in this genre have made it a point to oversexualize female bodies, yet refuse to artistically work alongside them. This hostility towards women in the genre can be heavily attributed to the influence of the Catholic religion in Latin American culture, pushing women towards chastity and virginity and discouraging women who push for autonomy and sexual freedom. So, naturally, a genre that champions the “perreo,” and is marked as “profane and impolite,” is no place for a woman of pure values. 

Thankfully, despite all these obstacles, for the first time in two decades, several bold women are here to stay. Pushing back on barriers built on machismo and misogyny, Latinx people seem to be shifting towards a much more international and inclusive view on music produced from their region. Reclaiming bodily autonomy and sexual freedom, this new wave of female artists have made large strides in creating newfound respect for women inside and outside the genre. From Rosalia to Becky G, with songs in genres ranging from flamenco to reggaeton, these artists are changing the industry one release at a time. However, as noted before, this stage has been normally reserved for non-Black Latinas as a direct result of privilege. Hopefully, in upcoming years we can see a shift towards inclusivity on a higher level which allows for the success and welcoming of Black-Latinas on an international level. 

So without further ado, here are few female artists sitting at the top of latin charts today whose discographies are beyond worth checking out.

Rosalia

One of the flamenco’s most talked-about artists, Rosalía is a Catalan-born Latin pop singer who has brought back traditional sound with her sharp but ethereal voice. Working with people like Latin artist J Balvin, Spanish trap artist C. Tangana, American rap artist Travis Scott, and English artist James Blake, Rosalía was quick to establish herself as an international artist. Her most recent album and her most notable project El Mal Querer (2018) topped Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums and in due course won a Grammy. For me, Rosalía represents all things elegant and feisty, so if you want to feel in-tune with yourself I recommend listening to the following songs: 

• “DI MI NOMBRE – Cap.8: Éxtasis” by Rosalía
• “Milionària” by Rosalía
• “Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi” by Rosalía, Ozuna
• “Brillo” by J Balvin, Rosalía
• “Barefoot In The Park” by James Blake, Rosalía

Becky G

With Jennifer Lopez and Selena as personal inspirations, Becky G rose to fame in 2014 with her hit song “Shower,” but afterward continued her career in Spanish-language music, regaining her connection to her heritage. Redefining new wave reggaeton, Becky G pays heavy attention to her music videos in order to reach an international audience. Working with people from American rap artist French Montana to Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Bad Bunny, Becky G has the second-most top ten hits among female artists just behind Shakira. Becky G for me stands for the hustle and bustle of being a hard-working, independent woman today, with talent in singing, songwriting, producing, and acting she is definitely somebody to keep an eye out for. 

Five songs that you should check out:

• “Mayores” by Becky G, Bad Bunny
• “Sin Pijama” by Becky G, Natti Natasha
• “VÁMONOS” by Becky G, Sech
• “Mala” by Pitbull, Becky G, De La Ghetto
• “PELEAS” by Becky G

Karol G

Karol G is a Columbian reggaeton, Latin-pop singer, and songwriter. Appearing on singles with other Latin artists such as Anual AA, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Maluma, and other big names, Karol G has spent a good portion of her career on the Top 100 Charts. However, even though she released her first “reggaeton” song at the age of sixteen, it was difficult to become a household name in the genre due to its heavy male presence. Winning a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2018, Karol G’s most comprehensive project so far is her album OCEAN (2019). Garnering hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify, Karol G is someone you need to have on your playlist today.

Five songs that you should check out: 

• “Créeme” by Karol G, Maluma
• “Mi Cama” by Karol G
• “Ahora Me Llama” by Karol G, Bad Bunny, Quavo
• “Love with a Quality” by Karol G, Damian Marley 
• “Tusa” by Karol G, Nicki Minaj 

Here is a playlist that updates weekly with Latin music that you should check out!

Written by Sravya Gadepalli