NEWS
Chimbala, Natti Natasha & El Alfa
Courtesy PhotoFirst 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.
Natti Natasha, El Alfa, Chimbala, “WOW BB” (Pina Records/Sony Music Latin)
A more fitting title could not exist, as Natti Natasha managed to reel in two pioneers of the dembow movement for “WOW BB.” The flirtatious track, produced by B-One, DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz, and Raphy Pina, is a playful dembow about two men who are trying to swoon the same girl. She, however, is independent and is not impressed by their coquetry. More than a great summer anthem, “WOW BB” flaunts pure Dominican power as the three artists unite their distinct vocals and flow. The three artists officially debuted the song on television at the 2022 Premio Lo Nuestro. — JESSICA ROIZ
Maria Becerra, “Felices x Siempre” (300 Entertainment)
Argentinian singer-songwriter Maria Becerra released the first single off her upcoming second album. The pop-ballad perfectly fuses her lyrical versatility with the theme of a relationship that is over and was not meant to be “Happily Ever After.” This new track empowers new beginnings, where she lets her vulnerability shine in this heartfelt song. While Maria has dabbled in urban music in her previous songs, this is the start of a new era in her music career. — INGRID FAJARDO
El Fantasma, “Fuera De Servicio” (AfinArte Music)
Durango, Mexico-born singer-songwriter El Fantasma is making the rounds with his new banda anthem “Fuera De Servicio,” penned by Luciano Luna and Tony Montoya. The attitude-heavy corrido narrates his return to the forefront after a few obstacles challenged him along the way. “I struggled, but don’t worry, I know you’ll be there for me just how you had said back when I lend you a helping hand,” he sings. “My good luck has returned in case you want to come say hello again.” The track is powered by traditional Sinaloan band brass instruments that provide a canvas to El Fantasma’s emboldened lyrics. — GRISELDA FLORES
Rauw Alejandro, Trap Cake Vol. 2 (Sony Music Latin)
A follow up to his 2019 Trap Cake, Vol. 1, which featured collabs with Cazzu, De La Ghetto, and Jon Z, Rauw Alejandro delivers an equally star-studded Vol. 2 that includes songs with Future, Ty Dolla $ign, and Rvssian. The genre-blurring EP stays in tune with the Puerto Rican artist’s ever-so experimental essence. Treading between trap, rock, pop, and R&B, Alejandro kicks off the nine-track set with the sentimental heartbreak song “Museo.” But not all is heartbreak in Trap Cake Vol. 2, a standout track is “Wuepa” with Ankhal, a bonafide party anthem. — G.F.
VF7, 15 (Sora And Company 1)
VF7 dropped her sophomore studio album 15 on her quinceañera, which coincided with her first-ever nomination at the 2022 Premio Lo Nuestro. The Puerto Rican newcomer, a 2020 “Billboard Latin teen artist to have on your radar,” has already received the stamp of approval from reggaeton stars Rauw Alejandro, Jay Wheeler and Lunay, to name a few. On 15, she counts with collaborations from Nio Garcia (on the urban-bachata “Baila”) and Lyanno (on “Ya No Es =”), to name a few. The 14-track set kicks off with “Quince,” where the artist (real name: Valeria Fernandez) celebrates her sweet 15 by saying: “The more the years go by, the more hunger grows. Fear does not exist. Thank God for another year, 15 bro.” Way beyond her age, however, VF7 has evolved in her penmanship and melodies, experimenting with punk rock and perreo for a different approach. VF7 officially premiered her single “Restart” with Lele Pons, produced by Ninow & Candy, at the 34th annual Premio Lo Nuestro. — J.R.
Rubio, “Buena Suerte Muchacha” (Rubio)
Chilean singer-songwriter Rubio (real name Francisca Straube) gets deep and introspective in her new, piano-led single “Buena Suerte Muchacha,” which also serves as the theme song to Pantaya’s new series Señorita 89. A preview of her upcoming album, the track finds a nostalgic Rubio who is on a healing journey eager to find herself in the process. “Life is a game that if you don’t play, you become sick, with rocks in your backpack for not speaking from the heart,” she evocatively sings. — G.F.
NEWS
A$AP Rocky has revealed that it took years of persistence before Tim Burton agreed to create the cover artwork for his upcoming album, Don’t Be Dumb. The rapper reflected on how the unlikely collaboration finally came together during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday.
Going into detail about the process, Rocky confessed that he “basically had to stalk and harass him for a few years” before things clicked. He explained, “I reached out and told him I would love to hang out, play him some vibes and just connect. I ended up going to Malibu while he was on a break, and he was feeling it. I played him an early version of the album and he really liked it. That’s when I asked, ‘Do you think you might want to do the illustration for this?’ He was open to it, but then suddenly he had Wednesday and Beetlejuice 2 going on. I realized this was going to take a lot longer than I thought.”
A$AP Rocky went on to describe a moment that really stuck with him during that visit. “While I was there, I noticed a sketch sitting on the table and asked if he drew it,” he said. “He told me that every morning he and his daughter work on drawings together. He starts one, then she comes in and finishes it or changes it. It’s something they practice daily. I saw it as their bond, and to me, that felt priceless.”
On Tuesday, A$AP Rocky also released a double music video for his tracks “WHISKEY” and “BLACK DEMARCO.” Tim Burton appears in the visual and contributed multiple illustrations that tie into the project.
Alongside the release of the “WHISKEY” and “BLACK DEMARCO” video, Rocky officially unveiled the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour. The run will include 42 dates across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom, with shows scheduled throughout 2026.
