Banda Carnaval Earns Seventh No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Pude”

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Banda Carnaval has finally returned to rule the roost…

After five years away from the summit, Banda Carnaval is back at No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart, as its latest single, “Pude,” climbs from No. 4 for its first week atop on the March 29-dated list.

“Pude” leads after a 17% gain in audience impressions, to 6.6 million, on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, which reflects activity in the U.S. from the March 14-20 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The song, composed by Javier Arturo Rochín and César Augusto Valdivia, was released on November 15 on Andaluz/Disa/UMLE. It rules in its 10th week on the list, following a No. 28 debut on the January 25-dated tally.

“First of, grateful to God, and second, thankful with our audience for making this happen, our seventh No. 1 on the most important music ranking of the world, Billboard,” Rafael Becerra Valdez, vocalist, tells Billboard.

The new champ adds to the band’s No. 1 ledger on Regional Mexican Airplay, now with seven champs. which also marks the group’s first No. 1 in over five years, since “Esta Vez Soy Yo” crowned for four consecutive weeks in 2020.

Here’s a review of Banda Carnaval’s chart-toppers on Regional Mexican Airplay:

Title, Weeks At No. 1, Peak Date
“Y Te Vas,” five, June 8, 2013
“La Historia De Mis Manos,” five, Sept.13, 2014
“Te Cambio El Domicilio,” two, Dec. 12, 2015
“Ella Es Mi Mujer,” one, July 29, 2017
“Como No Adorarla,” three, Dec. 9, 2017
“Esta Vez Soy Yo,” four, Jan. 25, 2020
“Pude,” March 29

“We will continue with a positive mindset and focused on achieving great things, hand in hand with our audience and our company Andaluz Music, and Disa/Universal,” Becerra adds. “Thank you so much! It’s a shared achievement.”

Radio gains also help Banda Carnaval return to the overall Latin Airplay chart’s top 10, as “Pude” rallies 13-6, the band’s highest-charting entry since the No. 2-peaking “Esta Vez Soy Yo,” in February 2020.

Rauw Alejandro’s Romeo Santos-Collaboration “Khé?” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Rauw Alejandro is a man on top…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has landed his first No. 1 single from Cosa Nuestra, his fifth studio album, on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as “Khé?,” with Romeo Santos, rises from No. 3 for its first week at the summit dated March 29.

The song is the fourth from the set to rank on the overall tally, two of which previously reached the top 10.

“Khé?” is the most heard song among Latin-formatted radio stations thanks to a 5% bump in audience impressions, equating to 7.9 million earned in the U.S. during the March 14-20 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The song reigns over previous No. 1 “El Amor de Mi Herida” by Carín León, which drops to No. 8 with a 22% dip in impressions.

“Khé?” is Rauw Alejandro and Romeo Santos’ first collaboration and, coincidentally, their first No. 1 on Latin Airplay since 2023.

While Rauw Alejandro last led through “Party,” with Bad Bunny, Santos’ previous coronation arrived via another team-up, “El Pañuelo,” with Rosalía. The two leaders were only two weeks away from each other.

For Santos, while “Khé?” puts him in a tie with Wisin (22) for the ninth-most champs overall since Latin Airplay began in 1994, the new coronation expands his already-established No. 1 record among tropical acts –way ahead of his next competitor, Prince Royce, who has achieved 17 No. 1s to date.

Before “Khé?” topped the Latin Airplay chart, Rauw’s No. 1 album Cosa Nuestra delivered the No. 23-peaking “Touching The Sky” (Aug. 2024), while “Tú Con Él” landed at No. 7 and “Qué Pasaría,” with Bad Bunny, reached No. 3 high on the February 15- and the March 8-dated charts, respectively.

Bad Bunny Earns 27th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “Baile Inolvidable”

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny has another No. 1 single on his resume…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has earned a second No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart from his latest album Debí Tirar Más Fotos.

It’s Bad Bunny’s 27th overall No. 1 as “Baile Inolvidable” rises 3-1 on the chart dated March 1.

The tropical song follows two-week champ “El Clúb” (February 8-15 charts).

“Baile Inolvidable” rolls into the top spot on the overall Latin Airplay chart thanks to 8.3 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. during the February 14-20 tracking week, according to Luminate.

It scores an 11% boost from the week prior. The song ejects Myke Towers’ “Otra Noche,” featuring Darell, from the lead (falling to No. 2 with 7.8 million audience, down less than 1%)

“El Clúb,” the first single from his No. 1 album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, continues its run in the top 10, falling 4-10.

Meanwhile, Benito has a third song in the region, as his collaboration with Rauw Alejandro, “Que Pasaria…,” jumps 8-4.

Bad Bunny, who first led Latin Airplay in February 2018, has managed to place at least two No. 1s every year since, with 2020 marking his most rewarding year, placing six rulers then.

As Bad Bunny’s collection grows, here’s a look at the number of chart-toppers during his seven-year No. 1 career:

2018, three
2019, four
2020, six
2021, three
2022, three
2023, four
2024, two
2025, two (so far)

Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, the tropical “Baile Inolvidable” notches a second week at No. 1 on Tropical Airplay.

It also adds a seventh week at No. 2 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, which blends airplay, digital sales and streaming data into its formula. There, it takes the Greatest Gainer/Sales honors, with a 2% gain in sales, to 500, which moves it 3-2 on Latin Digital Song Sales.

Not the same luck in streaming activity, as the song registers 11.3 million official U.S. streams, translating to an 11% dip in clicks for the tracking week.

Myke Towers Earns 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Darell-Collab “Otra Noche”

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 13 for Myke Towers.

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer has secured his 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Otra Noche,” featuring Darell, surges 13-1 for its first week atop on the chart dated February 22.

It’s the biggest jump of 2025 so far, out of the four songs that have ruled the tally.

“Otra Noche” rallies to the top after a 36% surge in audience impressions, to 7.8 million, earned in the U.S. in the Feb. 7-13 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The recent airplay boost for “Otra Noche” may be due in part to Towers’ upcoming participation at SBS’ Calibash festival on March 7, with SBS’ WSKQ (New York) among the biggest supporters of the song, with the most plays for the tracking week, while Univision’s WXNY (New York), KAMA (Houston) and KDXX (Dallas), and SBS’ WMEG (Puerto Rico) round up the top five stations by spin count.

As “Otra Noche” takes the lead, it ejects Bad Bunny’s “El Clúb” from No. 1 after two weeks in charge. The latter drops 4-1 with a 17% dip in impressions.

“Otra Noche” gives Towers his 13th No. 1 on Latin Airplay. He previously reigned with “La Capi” in May 2024. Darell, meanwhile, returns to the summit after five years; “Otro Trago,” with Sech, Nicky Jam, Ozuna and Anuel AA, ruled for one week in 2019.

As “Otra Noche” surges 13-1, it becomes the largest jump out of the four songs that have ruled Latin Airplay, and the only one to jump more than one slot to the top.

Shakira’s “Soltera,” Bad Bunny’s “El Clúb” and Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” all rose 2-1. The last song to have a larger jump to No. 1 came on the July 20, 2024, chart, when “Perdonarte Para Qué?” by Los Angeles Azules y Emilia climbed 15-1.

“Otra Noche” was the fourth single from Towers’ fifth studio album, La Pantera Negra, released August 2024 on Warner Latina. The album debuted at Nos. 7 and 2 on Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums, respectively, last September.

Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” Breaks Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G continues making Latin music history…

Only two weeks after entering the record books with an unmatched 26 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart with “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” the 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has set yet another new record with the smash hit.

Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” adds a 30th week at No. 1 on the Tropical Airplay chart dated February 8, marking the most weeks atop the 30-year-old chart for any song.

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” released June 21, 2024 via Bichota/Interscope/ICLG, reaches the record despite a 7% decline in audience impressions; that’s 8.8 million earned in the U.S. during the tracking week of January 24-30, according to Luminate.

With 30 weeks at No. 1, Karol ends a historic run for Prince Royce, who previously commanded the chart for 29 weeks when “Carita De Inocente” capped its reign on the October 17, 2020-dated ranking.

As “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” resets the longest-leading run on Tropical Airplay, here’s a look at the songs with the most weeks atop, since the chart launched in October 1994.

Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Peak Date
30, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Karol G, July 20, 2024
29, “Carita de Inocente,” Prince Royce, March 28, 2020
22, “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta,” Daddy Yankee & Marc Anthony, Jan. 2, 2021
18, “Inmortal,” Aventura, April 20, 2019
18, “Danza Kuduro,” Don Omar & Lucenzo, Nov. 13, 2010
15, “Bailando Bachata,” Chayanne, August 5, 2023
15, “La Mejor Versión de Mi,” Natti Natasha & Romeo Santos, Oct. 26, 2019
15, “Centavito,” Romeo Santos, Oct. 13, 2018
15, “Dile Al Amor,” Aventura, Jan. 2, 2010
15, “Perdidos,” Monchy & Alexandra, Nov. 6, 2004

Elsewhere, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” cedes the throne to Bad Bunny’s “El Clúb” on the overall Latin Airplay chart, after a record-extending 27 weeks at No. 1.

Karol G Breaks Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”

Posted on January 20, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is officially in a league of her own…

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer/songwriter’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” adds a 26th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s overall Latin Airplay chart dated January 25, breaking the record for the most weeks among all songs since the list launched in 1994.

The merengue track surpasses the 25-week domination by Shakira’s “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz, a record the song held since November 2005, when it outdid the 20-week mark by Son By Four’s “A Puro Dolor.”

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” released June 21, 2024, also remains as the top performer on the Tropical Airplay chart, where it has led the list for 28 weeks (of its total 31 weeks on the chart).

Karol G might also set a new record on the tropical ranking, as she is one week away from tying Prince Royce‘s record of 29 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 with “Carita de Inocente” in 2020. (It stepped aside for one week during its run atop the list, when Kyen?Es? sneaked-out one week atop the chart with “El Carnaval de Celia: A Tribute (La Vida Es Un Carnaval/ La Negra Tiene…)” in September 2020.

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” commands both Latin Airplay and Tropical Airplay despite a 13% decline in audience impressions, to 10 million, earned during the Jan. 10-16 tracking week in the U.S., according to Luminate.

The global hit gave Karol G her 18th No. 1 on the overall Latin radio ranking when it landed at the summit last July, the second-most among women, just behind Shakira who continues at the helm with 24 champs.

While “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” spent its last week on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart on the January 11-dated list (due to the colossal take over by Bad Bunny’s new album), it also left a mark in 2024, tying with Xavi’s “La Diabla” and FloyyMenor and Cris MJ’s “Gata Only” for the most weeks at No. 1, all with 14 weeks at the summit.

Further, in addition to “Qlona,” with Peso Pluma (No. 5), Karol’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” became only the second song by a female artist to close in the top 10 on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart in 2024, at No. 8.

Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” Ties Iconic Shakira Track for Most Weeks At No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G has earned a place in the Latin music history books…

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning superstar’s latest single “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” adds a 25th week atop Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart dated January 18.

In the process Karol G’s track ties Shakira’s “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz, for the all-time record for the most weeks at No. 1 since the chart launched in 1994.

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” ties the record through continued strong performance on Latin Airplay, with 25 weeks at the summit among its 29-week run.

Despite not gaining audience, the song holds solidly atop with 11.8 million total impressions, per Luminate.

Beyond its new mark, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” adds a 27th week at No. 1 on the Tropical Airplay chart, extending its second-most weeks atop, only two weeks short from the record held by Prince Royce’s “Carita de Inocente,” which continues to lead with 29 weeks in charge.

Alejandro Fernández’s “No Me Sé Rajar” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Fernández is starting 2025 with a bang!

The 53-year-old Mexican singer claims the first new No. 1 of the new year on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “No Me Sé Rajar” advances 3-1 to lead the January 18-dated ranking.

“No Me Sé Rajar” was originally written by Mexican guitarist and composer José Carmen Frayle Castañón in 1981 and recorded by the late Vicente Fernández, Alejandro’s father.

The new version of the song, a more modern take to the original mariachi tune, was produced by Eden Muñoz and released by Alejandro Fernández on October 25 on Universal Music Latino/UMLE.

The song’s coronation on Regional Mexican Airplay comes after a 14% gain in audience impressions, to 7.7 million, logged in the tracking week of Jan. 3-9, according to Luminate.

Thanks to the surge, Fernández adds an 11th No. 1 among 30 total entries since the tally begun in 1994. He extends his third-most champs streak among soloists, behind Christian Nodal (17 No. 1s) and Gerardo Ortiz (13).

Notably, out of Fernández’s 30 career entries on Regional Mexican Airplay, all his No. 1s have arrived in the 2020s decade, dating back to the one-week ruler “Caballero” in January 2020. With 11 rulers since, he claims the record for the most No. 1s by a solo artist this decade.

While Vicente Fernández’s version of “No Me Sé Rajar” didn’t make it to the charts as it was released before the 31-year-old ranking launched, the late mariachi star scored seven No. 1s among his 47 entries on Regional Mexican Airplay, dating to “Nos Estorbo La Ropa” in 1998 and placing his last champ with “El Último Beso” in 2009.

“No Me Sé Rajar” also gains territory on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, where it jumps 5-3 with a 10% gain in impressions, to 8 million.

Grupo Frontera Extends Record for Most No. 1s in a Calendar Year on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Hecha Pa’ Mi”

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Frontera is celebrating another chart-topper…

It only took four months for the Regional Mexican band from South Texas to regain its No. 1 slot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Hecha Pa’ Mi” jumps 2-1 on the December 14-dated ranking.

Before the song rose to No. 1, Grupo Frotera previously ruled with their Maluma collaboration, “Por Qué Será?” for one week in August.

“Hecha Pa’ Mi,” released on the group’s label (Grupo Frontera) on October 3, traces its gain to 7.8 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. during the November 29-December 5 tracking week, according to Luminate, a 16% increase from the previous week.

The song trades places with “Amor Bonito” by Luis Angel “El Flaco,” as the latter dips 1-2 with a 7% decline in audience for the week.

While Grupo Frontera earns its 11th No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay, the second-most in the 2020s decade (behind Calibre 50’s 12 rulers), with the new arrival, the group achieves its fifth champ in 2024 and extends its record for the most leaders in the calendar year.

Here’s a look at the artists with the most No. 1s on the radio tally in 2024:

5, Grupo Frontera
3, Alejandro Fernández
3, Eden Muñoz
3, Xavi

With its 16% surge in audience, “Hecha Pa’ Mi” takes home the Greatest Gainer trophy, awarded weekly to the song with the biggest increase in impressions on the 40-deep chart.

Plus, it becomes the group’s first No. 1 song unaccompanied by any other collaborator among its collection of 11 leaders.

Further, continued progress among Regional Mexican stations pushes “Hecha Pa’ Mi” 5-3 on the overall Latin Airplay chart, for the song’s new peak there.

The song also advances 13-12 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart despite decreases in the two other metrics that inform the chart. It generated 2.5 million official U.S. streams, that’s a 15 dip in clicks during the tracking period, while declined 33% in digital sales.

“Hecha P’a Mi” went viral in October after the band crashed a wedding to perform the song, surprising the bride, groom and guests.

“You won’t believe me,” leading singer Payo said on social media. “I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but that gig was more difficult than a concert. I swear, I was more nervous than in a concert.”

Sebastian Yatra Makes Broadway Debut in “Chicago”

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Sebastian Yatra is taking a special stage…

The 30-year-old Colombian singer and actor made his Broadway debut this week in Chicago.

Yatra delivers a solid vocal performance and demonstrates an enjoyable stage presence as the charming, corrupt lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago.

In the musical, he’s not the same singer of Latin pop chart-topping hits; he’ss a conscious cast member committed to the requirements of this type of show.

Yatra began his four-week engagement in the long-running musical on Monday (Nov. 25), where he shares leading roles with Broadway veterans Bianca Marroquín and Kimberly Marable, who play Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, respectively.

Known for No. 1 hits on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart like “Tacones Rojos,” “Un Año” (with Reik) and “Robarte un Beso” (with Carlos Vives), Yatra makes the leap to the theater mecca two years after making his acting debut in the miniseries Once Upon a Time… Happily Never After.

Although he’s younger (and sweeter) than other actors who’ve played Billy Flynn — Jerry Orbach was almost 40 in the original 1975 production, and Richard Gere was 52 in the 2002 film adaptation — on Tuesday (Nov. 26), in only his second performance, Yatra shone, showing new vocal registers and singing classics like “Razzle Dazzle” and “We Both Reached for the Gun” in English.

While dancing is not considered his forte, he followed the choreography without issue and stood out with his bearing and likability.

“Everyone in Chicago is excited and proud of him,” Marroquín, who shares several scenes with Yatra in the performance, told Billboard Español on Tuesday as she left the theater. “He has done an exceptional job. He arrived super disciplined with everything memorized, very committed, very responsible, and on top of that he is a sweetheart. Being backstage with him is divine. He is a very beautiful soul. So I love having that connection because, besides, Roxie and Billy have a lot to do with each other in the show. We have created a beautiful friendship, a bond, a very nice chemistry.”

Set in the 1920s, Chicago is a scathing satire of how show business and the media make celebrities out of criminals. While the original production debuted in 1975, the current production, which opened on Broadway in 1996, holds the record for the longest-running American musical on Broadway. With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Ebb, it includes killer songs like “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango” and “Mr. Cellophane.”

With Yatra, the role of Billy Flynn now receives some Latin and contemporary flavor. “Latinos have something special even when we are speaking English, there is a lot of love within us, a lot of passion,” Yatra told Billboard Español in September, upon the announcement of his Broadway debut. “I think I can offer a perspective from someone who is living in 2024 at almost 30, how he sees that world, also knowing that I could have perfectly been a lawyer and could be that person standing there. Thank God Billy and I don’t share the same values, because that would be messed up!” he added with a laugh.

Over the years, Chicago has invited various Latin stars to join the musical for brief runs. Yatra joins a list that includes Colombian actress Sofia Vergara, who in 2009 played Matron “Mama” Morton, and Mexican singer and actor Jaime Camil, who in 2016 portrayed Billy Flynn.

Chicago is presented at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.) For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Broadway musical’s site.

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