NEWS
Christian Nodal
Mario Sierra*First 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.
Danny Ocean, @DannOcean (Atlantic Recording Corp.)
Three years after his debut set 54+1, Danny Ocean drops his second album @DannOcean, titled after his social media handle. The 16-track set is home to focus single “Istanbul,” a futuristic reggaetón jam with hints of ‘80s new wave. It also includes many previously-released bops, such as “Apartamento,” a dance-pop tune with perreo melodies describing his feelings over a neighbor he sees from the balcony of his apartment. Tracks “Rubia sol morena luna v2” and “???” see Ocean exploring with edgy punk rock beats, whereas his Tokischa-assisted “Dorito & Coca-Cola” is a downtempo electro-dembow. In “Fuera de Mercado,” he’s ready to win back a past love but she’s already moved on. The Venezuelan artist also collaborates with Justin Quiles, Tini, Dread Mar I, and Guaynaa. He wraps up the set with a freestyle called “La Naturaleza.” — JESSICA ROIZ
Christian Nodal, “Ya No Somos Ni Seremos” (Sony Music Latin)
Less than a week after his very public breakup with ex-fiancée Belinda, Christian Nodal is sorrowing over his heartbreak in new track “Ya No Somos Seremos (We Aren’t Anymore and We’ll Never Be).” In his signature mariacheño style, the track — his first release via Sony, his new record label — penned by Nodal and his go-to songwriter Edgar Barrera finds the 23-year-old artist narrating the ultimate end of a love story. “I wanted to cover my face with tattoos to cover up the kisses you left behind,” he sings with pathos. “They say time cures it all and I know it’s a lie. It’s impossible to forget the love of my life.” — GRISELDA FLORES
Dimelo Flow, Rauw Alejandro and Farruko feat. Mr. Vegas, Maria Becerra and Fatman Scoop, “Suelta” (Rich Music)
This track transports you back in time — the ’90s to be exact, when you popped in your favorite cassette in the stereo. “Suelta” samples Mr. Vegas’ 1998 hit “Heads High,” an iconic, recognizable classic brought into the new era of reggaetón. Dimelo Flow, Rauw Alejandro, and Farruko join forces with Mr. Vegas, Maria Becerra and Fatman Scoop to deliver a new track filled with energy and catchy vibes that blend perfectly with dancehall and reggaetón beats. — INGRID FAJARDO
Eix, De La Ghetto & Maffio, “60 Segundos” (The Show Music/Duars Entertainment)
A saxophone melody kicks off the first few seconds of “60 Segundos,” before transitioning into a sultry dancehall groove, at the helm of Dominican hitmaker Maffio. Duars Entertainment’s newcomer Eix and reggaetón star De La Ghetto join forces on this track about winning over a girl. “Give me a minute of your life, love me even if it’s not real,” Eix’s crisp vocals sing in the chorus. As ever, De La Geezy adds his smooth lyrics. “60 Segundos” fuses various Caribbean flavors from kizombo to dancehall with a touch of sexy jazz. — J.R.
Nathy Peluso, “Emergencia” (Sony Music España)
Nathy Peluso is a force to be reckoned with, and constantly keeps us on the edge of our seats with her avant-garde music. Her latest single — in partnership with PlayStation and inspired by the video game Horizon Forbidden West and its protagonist Aloy — is no exception. The high-energy electronic track “Emergencia” drops alongside a music video that showcases the Argentine artist’s liberating dance moves. “With Aloy I share above all that energy of overcoming, that courage and the strength that she gives off when doing everything she does,” Peluso, who is set to make her Coachella debut this year, says in a statement. “The game is a constant state of emergency because the world is falling apart and Aloy has to go to battle and fight to pull it through.” — G.F.
Ozuna, “Deprimida” (Sony Music Latin)
In true Ozuna fashion — and with his signature high vocals — he presents the first single of the year, “Deprimida,” which will be included in his upcoming album OZUTOCHI, due later this year. The song tells the story of a woman who deals with bad relationship problems by escaping into a riveting new adventure. “He makes you feel depressed, he thinks you’re hurt, every time you sober up, I change your day, he makes you depressed, he thinks you’re hurt, he’s waiting for you to come back, and you are here,” the Puerto Rican chart-topping artist sings in the chorus. — I.F.
Duki, Emilia, “Esto Recién Empieza” (DALE Play Records/SSJ Records)
The pair of Argentine lovebirds make their relationship official with their new single “Esto Recién Empieza.” Lacing Duki’s rap vocals and Emilia’s pop essence, the track is a flirtatious reggaetón single where both artists sing about the beginning of their love story. In the music video, Emilia and Duko share never-before-seen clips of the two on romantic dates. “Esto Recien Empieza” marks the pair’s second collaborative effort, following “Como Si No Importara.” — J.R.
Edén Muñoz, “Chale” (Lizos Music)
“Chale” is Edén Muñoz’s first single as a solo artist following his departure from Calibre 50. As promised, the new track keeps his norteño essence, but is powered by big band arrangements for a refreshing take on his signature style. In the heartbreak treak, Muñoz sings about getting over the one who broke his heart. “You left me with so many insecurities and that’s not fair. But I’ll dust this off and move forward,” he sings. About “Chale,” Muñoz previously told Billboard: “It will still be a party, drinking song but it will include jazz drums, mariachi and a subtle tuba. You probably think I’m talking nonsense here but you’ll get it when you listen to it. Trust me.” — G.F.
C. Tangana & Luis Segura “Bobo” (Sony Music Entertainment)
Bachata is a genre that C. Tangana not only feels comfortable with, but which suits him well. Experimenting with Caribbean beats once again, his new bachata track was released on the deluxe version of his award-winning album, El Madrileño, “Bobo” — featuring the Dominican Republic icon and self-described “The Father of Bachata,” Luis Segura. The guitar-led heartbreak track finds the pair reminiscing about an ex lover. “You painted a beautiful picture… I’ve been a loser,” Tangana sings. But not all hope is lost, as there’s another girl who’s already caught his eye. — G.F.
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.
