Ángela Aguilar Showcasing Collection of Traditional Dresses with Special Exhibit at Mexican Consulate in Houston

Ángela Aguilar is all dressed up…

In celebration of her first decade as a soloist, the 20-year-old Mexican American singer has chosen to honor Mexico by showcasing a collection of striking traditional dresses she has worn throughout the years.

Ángela Aguilar,Aguilar, who recently received a Latin Grammys nomination in the album of the year category for her set Bolero, kicked off in recent days an exhibit at the Mexican Consulate in Houston, which specially arranged an area for visitors to enjoy the collection titled “Ángela Aguilar: 10 Years Singing and Dressing Mexico.”

The show is free and open to the public indefinitely, from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (local time). It includes 25 outfits, including the one she wore in the music video for “Solamente Una Vez,” a song included in her newly nominated album.

Other dresses that have marked important moments in Aguilar’s career — from her beginnings singing “La Chancla” to a recent one with rebozos used at an awards ceremony — are part of this interactive experience, which includes QR codes on each piece to share information about the moment they were used.

Not to be missed is the short red dress she wore in the video for “Dime Cómo Quieres” alongside her now-husband, regional Mexican star Christian Nodal.

Another notable piece is a tehuana from the state of Chiapas, hand-embroidered by artisans, which she wore for the cover of her album Primero Soy Mexicana.

Aguilar, who is the daughter of Mexican music icon Pepe Aguilar and granddaughter of the legendary Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, made her onstage debut at only 3, while she and her family accompanied her father on tour.

Five years later, she released her first album at the age of 8 — a joint album with her brother Leonardo titled Nueva Tradición that was powered by banda, mariachi and norteño sounds.

Her solo debut was in 2014 with the Christmas album Navidad con Ángela Aguilar, which was followed by Primero Soy Mexicana (2018), Baila Esta Cumbia (2020), Que No Se Apague La Música (2020), Mexicana Enamorada (2021) and Bolero (2024).

Visitors to her fashion exhibit in Houston will also see the tricolor dress, in honor of the Mexican flag, included on her family’s Jaripeo Sin Fronteras Tour, as well as the princess cut dress that the singer wore in front of Queen Sofia of Spain, which also showcased her Mexican roots.

Designers who have worked for Aguilar and contributed to this unique collection include Nelly de Anda, Iann Dey, Diego Medel, Enrique Samartin, Felipe Alvarado, Anayeli García Cruz and Felipe Botello, among others.

The Mexican consulate in Houston is located at 3200 Rogerdale Rd. in Houston, Texas.

Oscar Maydon Earns First No. 1 on Any U.S.-Based Billboard Chart with Becky G-Collab “Mercedes”

Oscar Maydon is celebrating his first-ever U.S. chart-topping single…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer’s Becky G-collaboration “Mercedes” has accelerated to No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated August 3.

Oscar Maydon,The track marks Maydon’s his No. 1 on any U.S.-based tally; it’s Becky G’s second leader on the survey.

“Mercedes,” released April 11 on Kemosabe/RCA/Sony Music Latin, speeds 7-1 on Regional Mexican Airplay with a 49% vault to 6.4 million audience impressions in the week ending July 25, according to Luminate.

Becky G previously topped Regional Mexican Airplay with “Por El Contrario,” with the Aguilar siblings, Leonardo and Angela, for a week in March.

Narcocorridos singer Maydon, meanwhile, reigns in his second visit to the chart, after logging a No. 33 high through “Fin De Semana,” with Junior H, in August 2023.

The Mexicali, Mexico, native has tallied two prior No. 1s on the Mexico Songs ranking (part of Billboard’s Hits of the World charts menu).

Volver Al Futuro,” with Junior H, led for a week in June after “Madonna,” with Natanael Cano, dominated for 11 weeks beginning in March. He made his first chart appearance when “Los Collares,” with El Padrinito Toys, entered Mexico Songs in January 2023. As “Fin De Semana” grew, he also hit a No. 36 high on the Emerging Artists chart that February.

Elsewhere, the gains in audience help “Mercedes” motor 11-4 on the overall Latin Airplay chart for its first week in the upper region. Maydon posts his first top 10 on the list, while Becky G secures her eighth and first since “Por El Contrario,” which became her sixth No. 1 in March.

Pepe Aguilar Signs Worldwide Deal with SESAC Latina

Pepe Aguilar is going global…

The 55-year-old Mexican American singer and producer has signed a worldwide deal with SESAC Latina, per Billboard.

Pepe AguilarPreviously with BMI, Aguilar now joins his children, Ángela and Leonardo Aguilar, who are also part of the SESAC Latina roster.

“We are pleased to announce that superstar Pepe Aguilar has affiliated with SESAC Latina,” Celeste Zendejas, SVP, SESAC Latina, said in a statement. “His career success is truly unparalleled, and he is one of the most iconic figures in Latin music. We pride ourselves on being a family at SESAC, and we are thrilled to work with one of the most famous families in the Mexican artistic world, and we can’t wait to celebrate their continued success in the years to come.”

The son of regional Mexican music royalty — his father was the legendary Antonio Aguilar and his mother the iconic Flor Silvestre — Aguilar, who has been performing since he was a toddler, branched out of regional early in his career to sing in rock bands.

Eventually, he would become a renowned ranchera and mariachi music artist placing, so far, nine top 10 titles on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart.

Throughout his career he’s also won four Grammys and five Latin Grammy Awards.

Most recently, he released Que Llueva Tequila, which thrives on the regal mariachi sound that has characterized Aguilar’s style. Earlier this month, the regional Mexican hitmaker also wrapped his Jaripeo Hasta Los Huesos Tour with his children and brother Antonio Aguilar Jr.

Pepe Aguilar joins SESAC Latina’s roster that includes Nicky Jam, Edén Muñoz, Christian Nodal and Manuel Turizo, among others.

Karol G Leads Pack of Premios Juventud Award Winners with Five

Karol G is embracing her juventud victories…

The 33-year-old Colombian superstar tied Peso Pluma for top winner honors at the 21st annual Premios Juventud.

Karol GBoth Karol G and the 25–year-old Mexican singer-songwriter claimed a total of five awards each.

Karol G won awards in categories like Premios Juventud female artist and best urban album for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season).

Meanwhile, Peso won best regional Mexican album for Génesis and best urban track, sharing that award with Karol for their collab “Qlona.”

Neither Karol or Peso were at the awards show, which prides itself in speaking to the youth and for showcasing young talent.

This year, the star power was mainly fueled by veterans like Wisin and renowned producer Sergio George, who opened the show with their new salsa song “La Vida Es Una Fiesta.”

Other musical numbers featured Mexican iconic band Los Tigres del Norte, who were one of the Agent of Change honorees of the night, Los Ángeles Azules with Emilia, for a generational balance, Reik and Camila.

But newer acts like Ela Taubert — who won new generation female artist — and Los Esquivel also had a chance to take the stage. In fact, Los Esquivel delivered a riveting set with their electro corrido “Alucin,” as they turned the stage into a mini rave.

Besides the many musical numbers, the show handed out only a few awards throughout the three-hour telecast. Also, viewers were treated to pre-recorded messages by Ángela Aguilar, who sent a shout out from her wedding congratulating Premios Juventud on its 21st anniversary, and Shakira, who was one of last year’s Agent of Change recipients who returned to the event, this time via video, to remind fans and a new generation of artists to always believe in themselves.

Among the best moments of the night was the Fania tribute to celebrate its 60th anniversary, revisiting its salsa classics via a medley.

Because few awards were handed out during the telecast, there weren’t many speech opportunities. But the few that did happen were good and, one in particular, really stood out. Lele Pons shared powerful words when she received the Agent of Change award. “Stop trying to find your happiness in the acceptance of other people who don’t value you, ok? I use my platform to see if I can help people to love themselves and laugh, show cellulite, be you, be transparent,” she said. “Not everybody is going to love you, not everybody has to like you, that’s their problem, not yours. Love yourself, respect yourself, ok? You are enough. I love you.”

Here are the 2024 Premios Juventud winners:

Premios Juventud Male Artist: Carín León
Premios Juventud Female Artist: Karol G
Favorite Group or Duo of The Year: Fuerza Regida
New Generation – Female Artist: Ela Taubert
New Generation – Male Artist: Luar La L
New Generation – Regional Mexican: Xavi
The Best Beatmakers: Bizarrap
The Perfect Collab: “Bellakeo” — Peso Pluma, Anitta
OMG Collaboration: “Esta Vida” – Marshmello, Farruko
Girl Power: “Labios Mordidos” — Kali Uchis, Karol G
My Favorite Dance Track: “Contigo” — Karol G, Tiësto
Best Urban Track: “Qlona” — Karol G, Peso Pluma
Best Urban Mix: “Quema” — Ryan Castro, Peso Pluma, SOG
Best Urban Album: Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) — Karol G
Best Pop/Urban Song: “Bonita” — Daddy Yankee
Best Pop/Urban Collaboration: “Baby Hello” — Rauw Alejandro, Bizarrap
Best Pop/Urban Album: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran — Shakira
Tropical Hit: “Bailando Bachata” — Chayanne
Tropical Mix: “Plis” — Camilo y Evaluna Montaner
Best Tropical Album: Llamada Perdida — Prince Royce
Best Regional Mexican Song: “La Diabla” — Xavi
Best Regional Mexican Collaboration: “Lady Gaga” — Peso Pluma, Gabito Ballesteros, Junior H
Best Regional Mexican Fusion: “Según Quién” — Maluma, Carín León
Best Regional Mexican Album: Génesis — Peso Pluma
Creator of the Year: Wendy Guevara
Creator that Inspires Me: Carlos Eduardo Espina
Creator with a Social Cause: Juan González
Best LOL: Karla De La Torre
My Favorite Actor: Daniel Elbittar — El Amor No Tiene Receta
My Favorite Actress: Bárbara de Regil — Cabo
They Make Me Fall In Love: Angelique Boyer, Daniel Elbittar — El Amor Invencible 

Kali Uchis to Receive Billboard Latin Women in Music’s Rising Star Award

Kali Uchis’ star is on the rise…

The 29-year-old Colombian American singer and songwriter will be honored at the 2024 Billboard Latin Women in Music program, per Billboard and Telemundo.

Kali UchisThis celebration, which highlights the efforts of Latin women musicians who are “proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry,” will see Uchis receive the Rising Star award.

Uchis “has quickly climbed the charts since releasing her first album in 2018,” the statement continues, “earning her this year’s Rising Star honor, a recognition and celebration of an emerging talent’s success in growing their musical prowess and solidifying their place in the industry.”

The singer, songwriter and record producer has successfully alternated between English and Spanish-language projects, while defying music genres with music that blends elements of R&B, neo-soul, pop, and Latin rhythms.

Her smash hit “telepatía” has amassed over 2 billion streams and is the Billboard Hot 100 longest-running Spanish song by a solo act this decade with a 23-week streak.

Uchis joins a list of previously announced honorees for this year that include Camila CabelloGloria Estefan (Legend), Ana Bárbara (Lifetime Achievement), Ángela Aguilar (Musical Dynasty) and Kany García (Spirit of Change).

In the coming weeks, additional honorees and details will be announced for the second annual Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony, which will be hosted by actress Jacqueline Bracamontes.

The Billboard Latin Women in Music program will air exclusively on Telemundo on Sunday, June 9, at 9:00 pm ET, and will be simultaneously available on the Telemundo app and Peacock.

Gloria Estefan to Receive Legend Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music Event

Gloria Estefan is set to receive a legendary recognition…

The 66-year-old Cuban superstar will be honored at the 2024 Billboard Latin Women in Music event, which will air exclusively on Telemundo on Sunday, June 9, at 9:00 pm ET.

Gloria EstefanThe special will also stream simultaneously on the Telemundo app and Peacock.

Estefan will be honored with the Legend Award, which is given to outstanding artists who have left a “unique and immeasurable legacy and have significantly impacted the industry throughout their careers with their musical work.”

The “Conga” and “Mi Tierra” hitmaker is renowned globally as a multi-talented singer and composer, celebrated for seamlessly blending her Cuban roots with mainstream music and paving the way for Latin musicians in the global arena. Billboard has hailed her as the most successful Latin “crossover” artist ever, underscoring her transformative impact on music and culture.

She has sold more than 100 million records. Her many honors include three Grammy Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017 and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2019, the latter award in tandem with her husband Emilio Estefan.

Meanwhile, Ángela Aguilar will also be honored with the Musical Dynasty Award.

The title is given to artists who “keep a familial artistic legacy alive and honor the musical dynasty to which they belong.”

The Mexican singer is part of the esteemed Aguilar family, and, at 20 years old, she has carved out her own successful career with her talent while preserving the traditions of her family heritage.

With various hits under her belt, such as “Dime Como Quieres” with Christian Nodal at No. 8 on Hot Latin Songs and three No. 1s on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, the Grammy-nominated singer is a force to be reckoned with. She was also featured in Billboard’s 21 under 21 in 2022 and 2023.

This celebration, which highlights the efforts of Latin women musicians who are “proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry,” will see the Cuban-American superstar receive the Legend title and the regional Mexican music star the Musical Dynasty honor.

Other Latin Women in Music recipients include Kany García, who will be given the Spirit of Change Award, and Ana Bárbara with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the coming weeks, additional honorees will be announced for the second annual Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony, hosted by actress Jacqueline Bracamontes.

Grupo Frontera & Shakira Reach No. 1 Simultaneously on Two Billboard Charts with “(Entre Paréntesis)”

Grupo Frontera is celebrating a double victory…

The Regional Mexican band’s collaboration with Shakira, “(Entre Paréntesis),” has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay and Regional Mexican Airplay.

Grupo Frontera, Shakira“(Entre Paréntesis)” crowns both lists dated May 18.

The track is Shakira’s second regional Mexican pair-up, and her first to rule both charts simultaneously.

On Latin Airplay, “(Entre Paréntesis)” jumps 2-1 to top the overall Latin radio list despite a 3% dip in audience impressions, to 9.63 million, on U.S. reporting radio stations during the May 3-9 tracking week, according to Luminate.

With the ascension, Shakira adds her record-extending 23rd No. 1 on Latin Airplay among women in the chart’s almost 30-year history.

Here’s an updated list of the female artists with the most No. 1s on Latin Airplay, which launched in 1994 (overall, J Balvin continues at the lead overall, with 36 No. 1s):

23, Shakira
17, Karol G
11, Gloria
10, Jennifer López
10, Natti Natasha
7, Rosalía
6, Becky G

Grupo Frontera, meanwhile, captures its third champ, after “Bebe Dame,” with Fuerza Regida, for one week atop in 2023 and “Un X100to,” with Bad Bunny, with a six-week domination in 2023.

“(Entre Paréntesis)” is the ninth single off Shakira’s 12th studio album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, released March 22. The set made a splash across Billboard’s charts, including a No. 1 start on Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums, and a top 10 debut on Top Album Sales and Vinyl Albums charts (dated April 6).

“(Entre Paréntesis)” is the second regional Mexican song to concurrently top Latin Airplay and Regional Mexican Airplay. Previously, “Por El Contrario” by Becky G with siblings Leonardo and Angela Aguilar, topped both rankings for one week on the chart dated March 9.

Over on Regional Mexican Airplay, “(Paréntesis)” takes the lead (rising 2-1) with 7.32 million audience impressions, down 4% across regional Mexican stations. The move earns Shakira a first No. 1 on the tally, after “El Jefe,” with Fuerza Regida, took her to a No. 9 high in Nov. 2023.

The Edinburg, Texas band picks up its ninth No. 1, and enters a tie with Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga and Grupo Firme for the third-most No. 1s this decade.

Ángela Aguilar Releases New Single “Mis Amigas Las Flores”

Ángela Aguilar is turning pain into poetry…

The 20-year-old Mexican-American singer/songwriter has released her new single “Mis Amigas Las Flores.”

Ángela Aguilar, The song is about the heartbreak of forgiving a partner’s lies and broken promises after romantic gestures like receiving flowers.

In the accompanying music video, Aguilar brings her flower friends to life in a delightful tea party before the fairy-tale of it all collapses — and she finds herself alone.

“I’m gonna be really honest here and I’m not going to beat around the bush: I wrote it for one of my exes,” Aguilar tells Today.com about the creation of the song. “The situation arose from, every time he would do something bad, every time I was going to find out something bad, I had flowers at my house.”

She says it got to the point where the doorman and concierge at her former building knew that the flowers were sent as an apology.

“I always found myself alone, but surrounded by flowers,” she says.

The lyrics of the song paint a melancholic picture of a lonely and disappointed woman who continues to put her faith in her loved one: “Me fallaste en muchas ocasiones/Pero cada vez que dudo vienen dos explicaciones/Tengo una amiga se llama rosa me la mandas para que no esté sola.”

The lyrics translate to: “You failed me on many occasions but every time I doubt, two explanations come. I have a friend named Rose, you send her to me so I’m not alone.”

As Aguilar continues to name the “friends” — or flowers she receives — she sings in Spanish, “I pretend to believe you, but more friends arrive.”

She tells TODAY.com that that lyric was the first one she wrote when crafting the song.

The inspiration for the music video, directed by Damiana Acuna, brings the lyrics to life, mixed with an Alice in Wonderland theme.

“The flowers became my friends because they were the only ‘people’ that were around me, they’re not people but they’re objects,” she explained. “So that’s kind of what we tried to portray in the video.”

What was important for Aguilar was to cast diverse and different women to portray each flower.

Aguilar has quickly become a Latin music staple. Known for her mariachi roots and Aguilar family legacy, the singer-songwriter is the daughter of renowned Mexican American ranchera and mariachi icon Pepe Aguilar, and granddaughter of legendary Mexican singers and actors Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre.

Following in her family’s ranchera roots, the Grammy-nominated Aguilar has brought the traditional Mexican sounds to a worldwide audience, giving the genre a modern and fresh take.

“Mis Amigas Las Flores,” she says, signifies a change in her career and a newfound confidence to create her own songs.

“I love singing classics of Mexican music, but making new classics and trying to connect with people in a more modern way, in a way that feels a little bit more true to myself, is something that is amazing,” she says. “This is a product of a girl that didn’t believe in herself but now has found the courage to do so and seeing what’s gonna come with it with open arms.”

Aguilar is currently touring with her father and brother, singer Leonardo Aguilar, on their Jaripeo Hasta Los Huesos tour, a Mexican folk equestrian show.

Ángela Aguilar to Co-Host This Year’s Premios Juventud

Ángela Aguilar is preparing for a special night…

The 19-year-old Mexican-American singer and daughter of Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar will make her hosting debut at Premios Juventud, which will take place July 20 in Puerto Rico.

Ángela AguilarAguilera will not only join television personality Alejandra Espinoza as co-host, she’ll also perform during the show.

A three time Premios Juventud winner, Aguilar has earned three Latin Grammy nominations during her career.

The Premios Juventud will be broadcast live on Univision.

Also confirmed to perform are Danna Paola, Farruko, Denise Rosenthal, Sofía Reyes and Eslabon Armado.

This year’s Premios Juventud theme is “Exprésate a tu Manera.”

Stephen Sanchez Named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 List

Stephen Sanchez is officially making his mark in the music world…

The 20-year-old Latino American singer has been named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list for 2023. The annual list features the next generation of superstars.

Stephen SanchezSanchez, who has logged 460.2 million streams, evoked classic romance with his waltzing, 1950s-indebted hit, “Until I Found You,” which soundtracked hundreds of thousands of TikToks featuring wedding and couple celebrations.

The 2021 single crossed over from viral success to radio hit last year, reaching No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

And while the Mercury/Republic Records crooner has released several versions of “Until I Found You,” he has also shared some new, retro-leaning tunes ahead of his fall tour.

“There has been a really healthy growth and certainly lots of adjustment,” says Sanchez, “but I’ve been having a hell of a good time along the way.”

But Sanchez isn’t the only Latino artist to make the list.

Angela Aguilar, born to Regional Mexican music royalty, has become a star in her own right.

The 19-year-old Mexican American singer, who has logged 322.8 million streams, scored her third top 10 entry on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart in March with her collaboration with Yuridia, “Qué Agonía.

After spending the past few years on the road with her family for their top-grossing Jaripeo Sin Fronteras show, Aguilar will embark on a solo tour titled Piensa En Mí this summer.

DannyLux has also made the cut…

In April, the 19-year-old Latino American artist made his Coachella debut, performing his signature sad sierreño anthems in front of a significant crowd. It was a full-circle moment for the singer-songwriter, who grew up in the Coachella Valley area. He says he’s most proud of bringing his family along with him, “and for them to experience all of this as well,” but his impact extends well beyond his circle: DannyLux is helping usher in a new global era for Mexican music, which led to a record deal last year with Warner Music Latina in partnership with his independent label, VPS Music.

Ivan Cornejo secured his first Billboard chart entry with his 2021 debut album, Alma Vacía, at the age of 17, landing at No. 2 on Regional Mexican Albums. That same year, the project’s “Está Dañada” became the second regional Mexican song to ever enter the Billboard Hot 100. The singer-songwriter has since maintained momentum, with his sierreño tunes — mostly backed by melancholic requintos and emotional vocals — helping Cornejo score his first No. 1 on Regional Mexican Albums with his second set, Dañado.

The Linda Lindas, featuring the half-Latina sisters Lucia de la Garza and Mila de la Garza and Latina guitarist/singer Bela Salazar, rose to acclaim in 2021 with a live performance of the band’s song “Racist, Sexist Boy,” performed live at the Los Angeles Public Library. The four-piece punk group settled in last year with its debut album, Growing Up, released on Epitaph. The act subsequently toured the project at festivals, as well as on North American and international treks, during which Lucia de la Garza says she “really got the idea of how widespread the reach of the internet and streaming platforms are.”

Since debuting with his Into the Unknown EP in 2020, Riovaz has released music at a steady pace, with uptempo dance hits like “Prom Night” and “I Feel Fantastic” being among fan favorites. Most recently, the New Jersey native boosted his catalog with his February EP, Disturb the Norm — his first project to arrive since signing to Darkroom Records, in partnership with Geffen, last summer.

To come up with the list, Billboard editors and reporters weighed a variety of factors in determining the 2023 21 Under 21 list, including, but not limited to, impact on consumer behavior, measured by metrics such as album and track sales, streaming volume (listed here as each artist’s on-demand official U.S. career streams, according to Luminate), social media impressions and radio/TV audiences reached; career trajectory; and overall impact in the industry, specifically during the past 12 months. Unless otherwise noted, Luminate is the source for sales/streaming data.

Here’s the complete look at the Latino/a artists named to this year’s 21 Under 21 list:

Ángela Aguilar
Age:
 19
Label: Machín Récords
Publisher: SESAC
Management: Pepe Aguilar
Total Streams: 322.8 million
Born to regional Mexican music royalty — her father is Pepe Aguilar and her grandfather is Antonio Aguilar — the artist has become a star in her own right. In March, her collaboration with Yuridia, “Qué Agonía,” scored the ranchera singer-songwriter her third top 10 entry on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart. After spending the past few years on the road with her family for their top-grossing Jaripeo Sin Fronteras show, the 19-year-old will embark on a solo tour titled Piensa En Mí this summer. Inspired by Pepe’s career, she says, “It’s nice to have someone that you admire at home, someone who can direct me in the right direction because everything that I’m going through, he has already gone through.” 

DannyLux
Age: 19
Label: VPS Music via Warner Latina
Publisher: Warner Chappell Music
Management: Jose Luis Aguilar
Total Streams: 217 million
In April, DannyLux made his Coachella debut, performing his signature sad sierreño anthems in front of a significant crowd. It was a full-circle moment for the singer-songwriter, who grew up in the Coachella Valley area. He says he’s most proud of bringing his family along with him, “and for them to experience all of this as well,” but his impact extends well beyond his circle: DannyLux is helping usher in a new global era for Mexican music, which led to a record deal last year with Warner Music Latina in partnership with his independent label, VPS Music. “I feel like there is a lot of pressure,” he says. “You have to stay consistent because it’s so easy to just fall off.” 

Ivan Cornejo
Age: 18
Label: n/a
Publisher: n/a
Management: Pamela Cornejo
Total Streams: 1.1 billion
Ivan Cornejo was 17 years old when he secured his first Billboard chart entry with his 2021 debut album, Alma Vacía, landing at No. 2 on Regional Mexican Albums. That same year, the project’s “Está Dañada” became the second regional Mexican song to ever enter the Billboard Hot 100. The singer-songwriter has since maintained momentum, with his sierreño tunes — mostly backed by melancholic requintos and emotional vocals — helping Cornejo score his first No. 1 on Regional Mexican Albums with his second set, Dañado. (A deluxe edition arrived last December.) “The most exciting part about being a young artist is the influence my music can have on other upcoming artists,” he says, which can best be reflected in his feature on the Yahritza Y Su Esencia “Inseparables” that dropped last fall. 

The Linda Lindas
Age Bela Salazar, 18; Lucia de la Garza, 16; Eloise Wong, 15; Mila de la Garza, 12
Label Epitaph Records
Publisher Warner Chappell Music
Management Fly South Music Group
Total Streams 12.8 million
Riding an initial viral wave in 2021 spurred by a live performance of its song “Racist, Sexist Boy” at the Los Angeles Public Library, the four-piece punk group settled in last year with its debut album, Growing Up, released on Epitaph. The act subsequently toured the project at festivals, as well as on North American and international treks, during which Lucia de la Garza says she “really got the idea of how widespread the reach of the internet and streaming platforms are.” In April, the band returned with single “Too Many Things” and a Coachella performance, which it will follow by opening for Paramore and playing at Lollapalooza Chicago in August. 

Riovaz
Age 19
Label Darkroom Records/Geffen
Publisher n/a
Management Jacob Byrnes, Argenis Hernandez
Total Streams 215.6 million
Since debuting with his Into the Unknown EP in 2020, Riovaz has released music at a steady pace, with uptempo dance hits like “Prom Night” and “I Feel Fantastic” being among fan favorites. Most recently, the New Jersey native boosted his catalog with his February EP, Disturb the Norm — his first project to arrive since signing to Darkroom Records, in partnership with Geffen, last summer. “A lot of people are focusing only on streams and followers, which to me doesn’t make me fall in love and remember an artist,” says Riovaz. “Success, to me, is to be remembered for your contributions to the music industry and the scene you’ve built around yourself as an artist … Community has always been a big part of my career in the early days, so taking that from the internet into real life is still such a crazy thing to me.”

Stephen Sanchez
Age: 20
Label: Mercury Records/Republic Records
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Management: LoyalT Management
Total Streams: 460.2 million
Plenty of aspiring artists write love songs in their bedrooms intended for their crushes. But few have evoked classic romance quite like Sanchez did with his waltzing, 1950s-indebted hit, “Until I Found You,” which soundtracked hundreds of thousands of TikToks featuring wedding and couple celebrations. The 2021 single crossed over from viral success to radio hit last year, reaching No. 23 on the Hot 100 and topping the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. And while the Mercury/Republic Records crooner has released several versions of “Until I Found You,” he has also shared some new, retro-leaning tunes ahead of his fall tour. “There has been a really healthy growth and certainly lots of adjustment,” says Sanchez, “but I’ve been having a hell of a good time along the way.”