Bizarrap
Guido AdlerFirst Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
L-Gante & Bizarrap ft. Pablo Lescano, “Pinta” (Dale Play)
“Pinta,” Bizarrap’s foray into tropical urban alongside rapper L-Gante and Argentine cumbia star Pablo Lescano, is delicious. We’ve heard these blends for years; back in the day, Mexico’s Celso Piña fused his accordion with practically every genre around. But “Pinta,” which will be theme song for the new season of Argentine Netflix series El Marginado, takes Lescano’s keyboard, L-Gante’s raps and Argentine slang and of course, BZRP’s beats, to create something completely different. The track is moody enough to work for the gritty video, which takes from the series, but the beat is to infectious to keep you from dancing. Perhaps more important, it’s a testament to BZRP’s versatility as a producer. — LEILA COBO
Paula Arenas, “Volando Bajito” (Westwood Entertainment)
The multi-time Latin Grammy nominee Arenas released “Volando Bajito” today, a downtempo, beat-thumping track produced by Nicolás de la Espriella. Arenas’ vocals shine in this simple-yet-reflective pop ballad about overcoming toxic relationships and discovering your self-worth. “And I’m flying low/ Little by little I go/ Loving me more / And I’m erasing what I wrote/ Little by little/ Yes, you’re not going, you’re not going,” she sings in the song, which she co-penned with Valentina Rico and Nicolás de la Espriella. With the singer portrayed by her childhood friend, Adriana Martinez, in the music video (directed by Andrés Gómez Combita in Bogota), the song captures that much-needed road to self-love. — JESSICA ROIZ
Luis Fonsi & Manuel Turizo, “Vacaciones” (Universal Music Latino)
We may be in peak winter months, but Luis Fonsi and Manuel Turizo are transporting us to summer with new collab “Vacaciones” — marking the first time they work together on a track. “Baby, I have a plan, in case the routine tires you/ I invite you to the beach and you can take a break from life,” Fonsi sings at the top of the pop-reggaetón song. Penned by hitmakers Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo — the duo behind Fonsi’s smash hit “Despacito” — “Vacaciones” will be part of Fonsi’s upcoming album, which is set to drop later this year. — GRISELDA FLORES
Jesse & Joy “Respirar” (Warner Music Latina)
Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy return with a powerful ballad that is part of what will be the pair’s forthcoming album. A story of love, forgiveness, and resilience is delivered by Joy’s sweet vocals and Jesse’s stellar production (guided by Federico Vindver). The piano melodies alongside the lyrics take listeners through a relationship’s ups and downs, and the ultimate decision to let go. “I want to stop fighting, get out of this darkness, and remedy what we did, what we told each other, to breathe again,” Joy sings emotionally. — INGRID FAJARDO
Kany García, “Agüita e Coco” (Sony Music Latin)
Singer-songwriter Kany García will make you swoon with “Agüita e Coco,” her latest single, which is powered by the hip-swiveling Puerto Rican bomba rhythm. As an ever-hopeless romantic, García sings to falling in love narrating the story of a person who was convinced she would never fall in love until a special someone convinces her to give it another try. “I drink you up like coconut water, little by little we go crazy,” she sings. “Agüita e Coco” is the second single from her upcoming album, set to be released this year. — G.F.
Maluma “Cositas de la USA” (Sony Music Latin)
Maluma has kicked off 2022 with new music — and in true fashion, it’s a hard-hitting, catchy reggaetón jam dubbed “Cositas de la USA.” Produced by The Rude Boyz and co-written by Maluma, Edgar Barrera, Andres Uribe, René Cano, Kevin Mauricio Jiménez, Bryan Snaider Lezcano y Justin Quiles, the track tells the story of a guy who’s willing to do anything for the girl of his dreams. “I’m not bad but for you, I’ll be / You’re the error, that with great pleasure, I’ll commit,” he chants. The lyrics also refer to him buying her gifts when he’s traveling. The music video, filmed and produced in Medellin by Harold Jiménez and Veronica Vélez of 36 Grados, shows Maluma as the flirtatious bad boy he is, falling in love with three different women. — J.R.
Juliana Velasquez, Delirante (MUN Records)
The best new artist winner at the 2021 Grammys, Juliana Velasquez delivers three pop anthems with Delirante (Delirious) EP. The Colombian singer-songwriter starts with “Memoria Fotográfica,” a pop-rock song about trying to leave a toxic relationship. “It’s harder to let you go than to love you” she confesses. Then comes the Nico Legreti-assisted “Delirante,” a bright pop tune where she lays her emotions on falling in love. Lastly, “Mujer Desastre,” which she released as a preview of the EP back in November. “[‘Mujer Desastre’] is a very intimate, pretty song about feeling like you don’t fit in but at the end of the day understanding that we’ve all felt that way at one point of our lives,” she previously told Billboard. One thing is for sure, these three songs left us hooked, and wanting more from the 23-year-old artist. — G.F.
Juhn, De La Ghetto “Antojo” (This is M Records / Interscope Records)
Juhn has reeled in De La Ghetto for a saucy collaboration produced by Santana “The Golden Boy.” It begins with a 30-second piano beat with futuristic melodies, before transitioning into a catchy reggaetón track. Juhn’s high-pitched dulcet vocals make for the perfect combo with De La’s signature voice. “Antojo,” which in English translates to “craving,” tells the story of a girl who’s independent, plays hard to get, and needs no man; however, she’ll let her guard down for the one guy she likes. “Rumor has it that she doesn’t fall in love and has no heart,” says the song, but also, “With me it’s not like that / She doesn’t ignore me.” — J.R.
Almighty, Genelipsis (Primo Boyz Records)
Cuban-born, Puerto Rican-raised rapper Almighty had several chart hits (including “Panda” with Farruko) and many collabs with established reggaetoneros before announcing in 2019 that he would stop making “the devil’s music” and devote himself to God. Genelipsis, his first full-fledged Christian album (the title blends the words Genesis and Apocalypse) makes good on that promise, with 32 tracks that are musically compelling and hard-hitting lyrically, but with all messaging devoted to God. “Why do people follow me? Because God is first,” he states bluntly in the opening track, “Dios Es Primero,” alongside Redimi2. This is very literal, evangelical rap where Almighty reflects on his past problems and God as his path to salvation. The most successful tracks, like ender “Pongase Serio,” are those where musicality and lyrics reach a happy medium. — L.C.
NEWS
Massive Attack have been using their latest live show to challenge American data analytics and software company Palantir, with the band describing the firm's ambitions as "terrifying".
The pioneering trip hop group have woven criticism of the controversial surveillance technology company into their new stage production. During their upcoming performance at Primavera Sound, they plan to deploy "custom-made facial recognition software" capable of "scanning a 75,000-person crowd" and projecting audience members onto giant screens with tongue in cheek labels such as "11 weeks no time off, burnout" and "unfinished books", according to Novara Media.
Speaking with the publication, the visual concept takes direct aim at Palantir, the company established two decades ago by billionaire Peter Thiel. Backed financially by the CIA, the firm counts the US and Israeli militaries, ICE, the FBI and the NHS among its clients.
After unveiling the production in Helsinki, Robert Del Naja told Novara Media that he wanted audiences to better understand how Palantir's reach has expanded from supplying "kill chain tech" reportedly used in Gaza to now having access to the medical records of people across Britain.
"We really need a much wider debate on the suitability of a company like this having such capture of our societal infrastructure," he said. He explained that the criticism is embedded throughout Massive Attack's two hour performance and was developed alongside long time collaborator Adam Curtis and London art collective United Visual Artists.
"One visual element represents how a Palantir Gotham monitoring and ‘decision chain’ interface might look," Del Naja explained. "Using facial recognition technology, it lands on groups and individuals – implying a consequential outcome for a given target."
Novara Media also detailed how Palantir's software can connect information from multiple databases. The outlet reported that ICE allegedly combines the platform with body camera footage, social media data and information gathered through Israeli developed hacking software Paragon to identify protesters involved in resistance to immigration raids.
The publication further claimed that Palantir contributes to Maven, a software platform used by the US military, which has recently faced criticism after being linked to the bombing of a girls' school in Iran.
"I find their declarations, objectives and moral framing pretty terrifying," Del Naja said. "To enable AI systems to map police records, satellite tracked locations, health records and personal financial transactions and place all of that information – for the first time – into the hands of a company with an overt political agenda and social objectives of its own is a huge, potentially irreversible and dangerous overreach."
Another moment in Massive Attack's current live production appears during the closing section of "Girl I Love You", when a quote from Peter Thiel is projected on screen reading: "I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible".
Last year, Massive Attack introduced the satirical "facial recognition" sequence during their concerts and quickly rejected suggestions that genuine data recognition systems were being used on audiences.
"No Massive Attack live show has ever recorded or stored personal data," the group stated. "Only government departments, relevant authorities & approved contractors can access public databases in the UK, & doing so in multiple cities/countries would be impossible."
The band also pointed to the growing use of facial recognition technology across Britain, arguing that authorities are "overreaching almost all other western democracies with their use of public facial recognition … while there is no specific legislation regulating police use of these systems."
The statement arrived shortly after Massive Attack welcomed Kneecap onto the stage during their major show at the OVO Wembley Arena, introducing them as a group "who refused to be silenced for their solidarity with the Palestinian people."
Massive Attack have consistently spoken out in support of Palestine and a range of other progressive causes. More recently, they pledged to boycott Spotify following reports that CEO Daniel Ek had invested heavily "in a company producing military munition drones and AI technology integrated into fighter aircraft."
During their headline appearance at London's LIDO Festival last summer, the band were joined by actor and activist Khalid Abdalla along with Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def. Earlier this year, Del Naja also criticised what he described as a "draconian government" after being arrested while protesting the ban on Palestine Action.
The musician was one of hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in Trafalgar Square on April 11 to oppose the Palestine Action ban. He carried a placard stating "I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action".
Police removed him from the protest and arrested him on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed organisation. He later responded with an extensive statement posted to Instagram.
Back in February, the band revealed a small run of European dates for the summer. The tour began on May 27 at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki before continuing to Dalhalla in Rättvik on May 30.
The Bristol trip hop pioneers have not released new material since the 2020 EP "Eutopia". Their most recent studio album remains 2010's "Heligoland".
Speaking with NME in 2024, Robert Del Naja revealed that the band had "some new music which we've been sitting on for four years". He later shared in November that he hoped to finally release some of that material in 2026.
