Latin R&B Is on the Rise — Meet the Women Shaping the Genre
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The massive success of Kali Uchis and her single "Telepatía" is just another sign of the rise of Latin R&B and is proof that yes, there's life after reggaeton! "What this represents for Latin music in general is truly remarkable, because this is a bilingual R&B song — nothing like the global hits we've seen before," explains Monica Herrera Damashek, head of Latin and label partnerships artists at Spotify, who compares this hit to Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez's "Dakiti," which topped Spotify's global chart for weeks and sounds nothing like the reggaeton we are used to. "This is redefining what a Latin music hit can sound like," she said.
What makes Latin R&B special is that it isn't simply a Spanish version of American or English R&B — this genre is its own unique blend of influences that combine trap, reggaeton, indie and even bolero. If you want to dive deeper into the trend and discover the artists, mostly women, who are shaping the genre, this gallery is the ultimate playlist inspiration. From indie artists like Noa Sainz or Nana Mendoza to heavy hitters like Kali Uchis, Nathy Peluso, and more!
Kali Uchis – Telepatía
To say Kali Uchis is hot right now is an understatement. Her hit song "Telepatía" even got to No. 2 on Spotify's global chart last March. "This success is even more noteworthy because it is Kali's first foray into Latin," explains Spotify's Herrera Damashek about the artist's biggest hit.
Elena Rose - La Ducha
The Venezuelan artist who's also written songs for Becky G, Selena Gomez, and Rauw Alejandro, started writing poetry when she was 11. She got her start in music singing at bars in Venezuela until she saved enough money to move to the US, as she told Billboard, and got her big break when Becky G recorded her song "Dollar."
Tatiana Hazel - Hasta Que
This Mexican-American singer who grew up in Chicago is also a fashion designer and is known for her original and dreamy mix of R&B with Latin indie pop and electronic vibes.
Nathy Peluso - Buenos Aires
Never scared of celebrating and fusing all the Latin musical influences in the world, Nathy Peluso can go from trap to flamenco to tango in one song and make it work. Last year, she launched her internationally successful album Calambre, where you can find this delicious ode to her hometown.
Girl Ultra - Rosas (dímelo)
Speaking about genre-bending, Girl Ultra's latest release, "Rosas", is a unique and irresistible blend of bolero and R&B, and we love it.
Noa Sainz and Samantha Barrón - Frio
Noa Sainz's musical influences go from Mariah Carey to Travis Scott, but her lyrics are inspired by her love for literature, especially classics from José Saramago and Tennessee Williams. Her latest single, "Frio", featuring Mexican singer Samantha Barrón, is about the cold one feels after a breakup, but the just-released video for the song is actually pretty hot.
Cazzu featuring Chita - Conversacíon
100 percent straightforward, the Argentinian queen of trap and R&B doesn't let anyone write songs for her and it's not a matter of ego. "I don't like people writing for me because I want the things that I want to be clear. That's why I let them make tracks for me, but what I sing, I've written it myself. I want to be myself," the Argentinian star told Billboard in an interview about her music and breaking into a music industry dominated by men.
Nana Mendoza - Suave
Nana Mendoza grew up listening to jazz, but her whimsical R&B is also heavily influenced by Latin indie mixed with her love of trap, Beyonce, and Erykah Badu.